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

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.

Anyway, Dave says I got another shout out on White Roof Radio this week.  Ok, this is two episodes in a row.  I have also heard that these two shows are some of the best ever in listenership.  This is not a coincidence.  I would like to challenge my buddy Todd to mention me and my blog for every episode from this day on.  I’m usually not the superstitious type, but guys we have to keep this up.  I’m just looking out for you.  My personal gain is really pointless.  I am here for you.

I now own a new URL.   www.midgethearse.com will soon point right here to my Clubman blog.  Thanks Todd.  This is the last and final credit you will get for this.  All credit in the future will be taken by me.

Keep up the good work fellas.

It was the PIAA 540 install kit for the 2002 to 2006 Mini Cooper. My Cooper has Xenon headlamps. These lamps can cause some snow blindness while driving during a quickly falling snow storm. In the past I have successfully use my fog lamps w/o the headlamps to navigate. This kit will give me one more option.

The kit comes with instructions that can be described as…decent, to put it kindly. The light brackets fit my Cooper perfectly. No issues with mounting the hardware, lamps or even running the wire. All went well and without any troubles.

Tips:

1. When drilling and mounting the top screw of the light brackets. Remove the two access panels. These access panels are there to give access to the nuts that hold on the ram are duct. This will make it much easier to fish some of the mounting hardware.
2. Run the light wiring towards the drivers side. There is a nice ground that can be used just beyond the washer fluid filling area.
3. The open area next to the master cylinder makes for a nice area to zip tie unused wire.
4. The master cylinder area also makes a nice launch pad through the fire wall. It is also a way to get to the battery connection.

Purchase Link $249.99

Here are some pictures

On my way home this evening I pick them up from a powder coater. I had driven by the shop hunders of times and never stopped. I sure am glad I did stopped this time. The place is called Roadrunner Powder Coating and Fabrication. Dan and his staff are great. Didn’t even blink and eye at such a small job. Most of the stuff they were working on…I could have parked my Mini inside of. They are huge operation.

At $50 a rim to strip and re-coat I couldn’t pass it up.

Here is the final product.

AFE Cold Air intake installed in a 2006 Mini Cooper S

Pretty happy with this. Install went very smooth. I try to always test fit everything prior, it seems to make the actual install quicker.

It’s a great value. Watch my fuel log to see if I am getting any better mileage. Hit the comments on the top right of this post if you have any questions.

Here are some pictures

First I looked into the “holeless” option offered by a Vendor on the NAM site. Hit the link, this option is really great, but I already have the holes for the stock one in my bumper. As a looked at pictures of this option It looked as if it might restrict a little air flow. It may even block some of the light give off by the factory fog lights. I would love to be able to put a new bumper on it, but that’s not financially feasible right now. I understand the hole can be filled and the color touched up, but I have never been really good and that sort of thing. I hold things like this to a pretty high standard, sometimes standards that I, personally, can’t reach.

The second option was to find the stock plate holder, like the one that came on my Mini new. Not my first choice, but the best given the circumstances.

I stopped at Ralph Schomp Mini today to pick one up. $90+ later I had my stock holder. I picked up a Badge holder for the grill also.

Shelly at Schomp is just absolutely wonderful.

Today I picked up a few URLs to go with my new found Mini Cooper love.

• www.miniroad.com
• www.spinmini.com

Not sure what I’m going to use them for yet. Tossing around the idea of buying a vinyl sticker cutter and making some stickers. I have been thinking about that for years. I have some good ideas for the Mini audience. More to come on that idea in the next few weeks.

Ralph Schomp Mini in Englewood Colorado hosted a Clubman unveiling this afternoon. I had been to the dealership a few times already, but never with such fan fair. They rolled out the red carpet for us, literally. No…they really had a red carpet.

I arrived around 11:30. Really just to check out the spread. I was starving and wanted to know if I needed to grab something before the noon unveiling. When I arrived Schomp was laying out a array of “Club” sandwiches. Knowing the food was there…I decided not to stuff my face until after the noon showing.

Pictures of the Clubman have been all over the forums and even some other blog reviews have been posted already. The actual viewing was less climactic because of this. Still nice to see one up close and in person though.

My Thule Aero Style Roof Rack install went well this evening. I spent the my lunch hour searching for the correct “Fit Kit” for the Mini Cooper. The load range is 110 lbs according to Thule, but I wouldn’t have a problem loading up to 200lbs IMHO.

The install took about 2 hours to complete, including a test drive.

While I was test fitting it I pushed the bars forward. The faring was touching the edge of the windshield. Since the bars are to be 24″ apart, it made the install look out of sync. I chose to move it back a bit.

The next addition will be some ski mounts. We are taking a trip up to the ski condo in a few weeks and will need those attachments.

The Rapid Aero load bars are great for someone who needs to pull off miscellaneous attachments at a moments notice. With the system you just need to remove the end caps to pull off attachments. No longer will I have to pull the foot mounts off the car to remove the ski or bike mounts. I believe each attachment comes with a locking end cap for security.

Thule part numbers for this install are:

1. 400XTR Aero Foot pack [attachment feet]
2. 2145 Fit Kit [finger brackets and rubber scuff pads]
3. RB47 Rapid Aero Load Bars
4. LOCK [locks]
5. 871 [38" fairing]

Some of you may know, I own an only off-road parts supply and manufacturing company. Some of my suppliers also supply parts for Mini Cooper and and Cooper S models. I will be posting links to my BIGoffroad site. The shopping cart is already built there and can be used easily. Please support me by using links to these products.

Cooper S products via BIGoffroad