5280driver.com » 2009

AMVIV8 2011 is going to be in May

JohnJohn — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 15:30:28 +0000

According to the SinCityMiniClub AMVIV8 2011 will be in the month of May. Specifically May 19th-22nd. AMVIV7 was our first time to that event. We had a great time. AMVIV8 is now on the 5280driver calendar.

Hello fellow Miniacs and MINIacs!

I wanted to thank you all for your participation with our survey. Planning for AMVIV8 has begun and we are working to incorporate some of your suggestions into next year’s event.

We are still considering proposals for the venue for next year, so we’re not quite sure yet where we’ll end up. We have however decided on the dates and there is a change to what was released at AMVIV7.

The new dates for AMVIV8 are May 19 – May 22, 2011. We’re hoping to catch some better weather that weekend

Mark your calendars – We’ll see you there!!!

Jules – SCMC President

http://www.sincityminiclub.com

Happy Motoring!

MINI5280′s Kim Stone on 1510 KNUS

JohnJohn — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 01:35:02 +0000

Check out Mini5280′s very own Kim Stone getting interviewed by Kurt on KNUS 1510. Are you thinking about registering? Better get it done before 6:37pm on July 25th.

Click here to listen to Kim’ Interview

Instaling the NM CAI(Cold Air Intake) and Tie-Bar on the Clubman

JohnJohn — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 17:43:16 +0000

Let’s start this off by telling your it was about 25 degrees in my garage when I started this. A fresh coat of snow blanketed my driveway. So first things first.

An hour before I was ready to get started I fired up the propane heater. A nice toasty garage is a must.

After that is was really as easy as following the instructions that NM Engineering supplies for you. I have had a wonderful experience with NM. I now run almost everything they make for the R55.

Suspension Coils
Rear End Links
Exhaust
CAI (Cold Air Intake)
Tie-Bar

I choose SPC Performance for my rear control arms. My rear sway bar is the 26mm Hotchkis. What would complete my “NM” Clubman is to sport their new Heat Shield and a Engine Torque Arm Insert. I’m sure those items are coming some day.

As for the performance of the Tie-Bar and CAI; I’ll have to tell you in a few days when some of this snow melts.

Parking Class

JohnJohn — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 06:04:17 +0000

I swear this guy always parks next to my Mini at the grocery store.

Mini Road Trip to Norway. Who’s in?

JohnJohn — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 04:16:02 +0000

The 19 most complex and dangerous roads in the world

From the looks of this post, the Clubman and I need to go Norway, and a few other places.

[via Waze]

New Video…is up

JohnJohn — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 01:35:57 +0000

With inspiration from a SEMA mate I am finally getting around to editing my GoPro HD videos from the drive back to Denver. Soon I’ll post the link to my ride through Glenwood Canyon.

UPDATE: Here it is —>

Car And iPhone Enthusiast On Your List This Year? | Here You Go

JohnJohn — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 01:16:51 +0000

Looking for the ultimate iPhone car for the car enthusiast on your list? I found it. It comes in Black, Red and Yellow. No need to order me one. I just ordered one in Black for myself. You’ll need to think a little harder for a gift for local 5280driver blogger.

The Clubman’s 1st Winter

JohnJohn — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 23:53:56 +0000

Here in Colorado Winter is approaching. Ok it’s not really Winter till what, December? However Winter weather can hit us anytime here. This week will see the Clubman with snow tires and a new set of rims.

When I traded in my old 2006 Cooper S I held on to a few essentials. One of those essentials was a set of 2003 S-Lites I had powder-coated black. I never liked the look of them on my old Dark Silver Cooper. Tomorrow I’m going to give them a home on the Clubman.

I just got done test fitting them. There are only a few set of OEM rims from the early Minis that will clear the brakes on the 2007+ cars. This set of S-lites will fit perfectly.

While I was test fitting a did some routine maintenance to the rear Hotchkis sway bar. I pulled the poly bushings, cleaned and re-taped the bar. While I had the bushings off I tool a drill bit to them. Hotchkis includes grease-able bushings with that bar, but the hole in the bushings is small and can get clogged up with sand. So this time I decided to clean out the hole and make it larger. After putting the bushings back on, the grease now flows great and is actually getting to the bar.

Clubman | Bits From Across The Pond

JohnJohn — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 23:28:12 +0000

Mike from NewMiniStuff was nice enough to send me out some new stuff for the Clubman. It should be here a few days. Which should be about the time the Clubman gets out of the shop.

New Black A-Pillar towers with the tweeters my Clubman is missing. I hope this addition will help throw the sound better. From what I’ve heard adding these will allow you to turn the base up a little and the treble down. it will also allow for keeping the volume down, giving the OEM Boost System a deeper sound.

Of course if’ I’m going to get stuff from my Mini’s home land I have to make her look like she came from Euro. Mike said these will work nicely with my new JCW bumper.

sorry no picture of the marker light delete versions…so I made my own.

For Sale | R55, R56, R57 Parts

JohnJohn — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 03:56:04 +0000

DDM Race Intake: $448 + shipping new LINK. I’ll take $400 and I’ll deliver to the Denver Metro Area. Less than 3 months old.

Upper and Lower S Model Grills: $100 <link to picture>

Front Bumper in Astro Black: $250, slight damage, needs wet sand, primer, and paint <link to picture>

Clubman | Exhaust

JohnJohn — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 18:41:34 +0000

I know quite a few of you have been waiting for my review on the new Clubman exhaust that was recently released from NM Engineering. Please be patient the Pavement Gator incident has push my testing back a week or so. I can assure you that the exhaust is excellent. The sound is deep but not too loud. It’s perfect.

More to come on that next week.

Clubman | Pavement Gator Update

JohnJohn — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 18:31:28 +0000

The final estimates are in from the Pavement Gator incident. State Farm estimated the damage at about $2400. That did NOT included a new hood. None of the crumple zones on the hood were moved so I somewhat agree with the decision.

The bottom line is I’ll have $1400 to put toward the fixes. I got estimate today from Three G Auto Body for $2600 which will include a new JCW front bumper with brake air ducts. The shop was recommended to me by a long time friend who is in the paint supply business. After visiting with the crew at “Three G” I am confident they will take great care of my Clubman.

I can’t wait to see my car with the new bumper. While uploading those picture I am reminded I won’t have to drill holes in the new bumper! Both Minis I have owned in the past already had the plate installed, but this new bumper will allow me to install a brake on the tow hook,. No holes in the new bumper! SWEET.

I am putting a new JCW front bumper on my Clubman.