Since I’ve posted last I’ve add the R113 JCW 18″ rims only with some NittoNeoGen rubber.  The most dramatic move was moving my back C Pillar to Black.  At AMVIV Todd from ToddsModds added some carbon fiber vinyl to the front headlight rings.  Also at the event I added a NM-Eng short shifter w/cover and a Craven Speed shift well cover.  Photos courtesy of db from WRR

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AMVIV8 – The Ocho

It’s that time of year again. In a few short weeks the Mini community will be gathering for the infamous AMVIV event in Las Vegas.  Last year was the first opportunity I had to attend, and I can’t see ever missing it.  I leave Tuesday the 17th and return to the Mile High City on May 22nd.  I’ll bring a few MotoringShirts along with some of LostCoffee’s MotoringBlend coffee.

If you head over before May 10th use the coupon code AMVIV.  This will get you 20% off every bag of MotoringBlend you buy.  We’ll also bring it with us to AMVIV8.  This will save you the shipping costs too.  Get your orders in now.  Remember to choose whole bean or ground when you order.

Here is some more info about AMVIV and a link to register.

A MINI Vacation in Vegas (AMVIV for short) is an annual club-run event hosted by the Sin City MINI Club for MINI and Mini Cooper enthusiasts. It’s a chance for folks to take time out of their busy schedules to head out to the desert and schmooze with fellow Miniacs.

If your dream is to rally through the streets in and around Las Vegas with a bunch of MINIs and Minis, we do that. If your goal is to drool over the latest and greatest mods and accessories for your trusty “steed”, we can help you. If your wish is simply to share a meal or some drinks and compare rally stories until the wee hours of the night, we definitely have you covered.

We’re gathering back at Palace Station the weekend before Memorial Day in 2011, and we’re hoping you’ll make the trek out to join us. To refresh your memory, or stir your fantasies, we’ve put together a little mosaic below with some snippets from past AMVIVs. If you click the photo, you’ll be taken to our AMVIV photoset on Flickr which contains hundreds of fun photos. We can’t wait to add some more next year!

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The linear edge is the result of an enthusiast of motorsports with a background in design. What better way to show your love of racing than with a piece of art depicting your favorite track?

Our standard rooms are Characterized by the clear line of “Bauhaus” architecture in the old airport building. The larger rooms in the “old shipyard” are devoted to various topics related to the automobile. Motor-racing, V8 camp, drive-in cinema, tuning, or the like. With great charm, a breez 20s and an exclusive view of the classic car trade hall of the Meilenwerk experience in the unique themed rooms impressive days. Our 120m² Zeppelin suite is the highlightof our V8 HOTEL. In a beautiful location on three  floors. There lies the Meilenwerk world to your feet.

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!

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

It takes me back to one of the first Porsche Cayenne ads I saw.  The one where a guy is on his cordless phone and places it under the exhaust then starts it.  He gives it a couple of rolls on the throttle then picks up the phone and says, cool huh?  Porsche, well done.  Lexus that is how you sell Super Cars.  Selling us a car the same way you would sell us a home entertainment center is not going to make us think you’re cool.  Your brand is still for old dudes with coin.

YouTube via Gizmodo

The greatest shirt company in the world is about to launch.  Yeah, I know, I run the company but that just makes me biased, not a liar.  It is going to be the “greatest thing since after market exhaust”.

“Hey that could be a t-shirt”.  Do you ever find yourself saying that?  If so, you have the chance to be famous…well famous amongst your peers. MotoringShirts is about to roll out.  Why not roll out your shirt idea too?  Head over here and follow the instructions.  Fill out the form and attach your napkin sketch.  If your idea is chosen, you get a shirt with your idea, in all it’s glory for free!  Plus we’ll include another shirt from the shopping cart for free as our thanks.

Here is the best part.  Your shirt, and only your shirt will have “Owners Club” on the left sleeve.  Now you can slide that big beautiful shirt over your hairy back every morning and tell the world you made it.  All your friends will stare in awe at your sheer genius.  They will utter those words only a guy wearing it can appreciate.  “Why didn’t I think of that?”

submit your shirt idea —>

The 5280driver garage had a visitor this weekend.  Todd Pearson, from WhiteRoofRadio, spent a few nights at our place in Castle Rock.  Having Todd at our home for a few nights was a lot like having the President stay with us.  His staff makes sure the visit is not leaked.  We knew a few days in advance, but couldn’t say anything due to security concerns.  After the WRR secret service combed the garage for explosives and “tested” ALL the white Oreo’s for flavor he was allowed on the premises.

Todd was in town for the opening of the newest Mini dealership in Colorado, Mini of Loveland.  DB, the “talent” portion of the team, helped host the Grand Opening event on Friday night.  The dealership put on a bash like I have never seen before.  Understand people I spent 15 years in the car business.  I know a good dealership party when I see one, this one was great.

The morning after the event Todd made his way down to Castle Rock.  I have to tell you how dedicated I was to his visit.  Folks…I postponed the pain and birth of a fairly large kidney stone just to see that he was comfortable.  Let my dedication to visitors of this caliber not go unnoticed.  In fact I am still holding out the birth until the end of this update.

After a quaint dinner, where I might add, everyone was served promptly with an evenly cooked meal, we enjoyed some conversation.  The next morning the master began his work.  Mini after Mini was hauled into the garage…he slaved away like a shoemaker, carving his craft.  Ok, he really just stuck some sticky stuff on a few cars and drank a lot of my diet coke.  Soon after he finished he dragged my wife kicking and screaming to The Coach store where he forced me to buy her something nice.  At the liquor store that followed, he began educating my 11 year old on the finer points of whiskey…yeah he’s 11!

We finally got rid of the guy the next morning.

<removing tongue from cheek>  Todd was a wonderful guest.  It was a wonderful time with a great friend…and he confirmed we did get the smell out of the mattress we bought at the local police auction.

“So I buy my wife a new iPad, and she’s REALLY digging it. It goes everywhere with her so she can read, take notes, show pics, etc etc etc.

We end up going out in the Z4 running errands. I’m about a foot taller than she is, so there’s obviously a huge difference in the seat adjustment between the two of us. When she drives with the seat forward, stuff falls off the ledge behind the seat, so she generally sets items behind the seat. (Yes, you see where this is going). That fateful Friday, it happened to be her purse & the iPad behind the seat.

We went out to eat, and she grabbed her purse but left the iPad. When we got out of the restaurant, she wanted me to drive since it was night and she can’t see as well. I unlocked the Z with my key and the seat made a Taco out of her nice new iPad…”

Here is a link to the forum and full size photos

The boys over at WhiteRoofRadio [iTunes Link] have been talking about this issue for a few months now.  These oil starved engines are really starting to become an issue.  I’ll do my part to spread the word.  CHECK YOUR OIL LEVEL PEOPLE!

The video and their take after this jump.