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.

When do we leave?  I gotta bring my car though.

Gotthard Pass, Switzerland
Traveling north from Italy into Switzerland, you’ll come to Gotthard Pass, which you can cross on either the new, straightforward road, or the old roller coaster above. My money’s on the latter.

via [MatadorTrips]

I also received a phone call today around 5:00pm from M7 Tuning.  I was driving back from camp with my son and was out of cell range so a voice mail message was left.  It was from one of the owners.  She wanted to personally apologize for the issue I had with my catch can.  She said that most of the time they get it right but sometimes they don’t and would like the opportunity to make it right in the future.

It was a very nice gesture.  Apology excepted.

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!

Part 2

Today just confirmed my decision yesterday to never, ever, ever send money to M7 Tuning.  In fact it will be mission too not only not send money to them, but never ever buy anything they make from anyone.

I arrived home after a few errands to see my replacement catch can waiting for me on the porch.  A signature was required and since no one was going to be home I left my nice Fed-Ex guy a note.  Telling him I was driving a girly ass convertible around and the part to fix my sweet car was in his hands.  He left it, thanks dude.

My jubilation was followed by tear, tears of anger and rage.  I opened the box and just like I said yesterday.  They just drilled some crappy holes about 1/2″ below the holes that were done in error.  I thought whatever…I’ve had it with driving this R52 around.  So I head out to the garage and attach the mount.

WAIT, WHAT?  WHAT THE F%&K DID THEY DO?  They just re-drilled two of the mounting points for the bracket.  You see, the can has four drilled holes, two sets of two, vertically.  The mount uses two of the vertical sets of holes to mount the bracket.  M7 decided to save some time and only re-drill two new sets of holes, not four.  So which set of two holes do you think the R55/56 uses?  YUP, THE TWO THEY DIDN’T DRILL OUT!  OMG

<insert long rants about doing things right the first time, don’t cut corners, always fed-ex next day when you f something up, blah, blah blah>

So I just got off the the phone with M7.  I told them I am sending everything back to them.  I should include a nice healthy deuce in the box too, but I’m more mature than that, today.

So now off to the dealer to pay $125 for a new recirculation tube, attached to a sensor and another hose I don’t need.

Oh yeah, I called Chad yesterday and ate some crow.  I’ll be ordering the BSH Catch Can online from him so he won’t feel the urge to rub it in a little more.  BTW Chad, my t-shirt size is XXL, just wrap it around one of those nice pint glasses, A?

next update

<link to Jim’s YouTube Channel>

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 —>