<![CDATA[Tar Heel MINI Motoring Club - You're going to have FUN now!]]> http://www.tarheelminis.org/ MINI Cooper news, forums, how-tos, and links for enthusiasts and owners of MINIs. Devoted to the new MINI from BMW. The site lists breaking news on the new MINI. We offer visitors the chance to show their new MINI to the world, and share their driving experiences in the new MINI. en Sat, 25 May 2013 20:51:52 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.tarheelminis.org/images/tf_ideal/misc/rss.png <![CDATA[Tar Heel MINI Motoring Club - You're going to have FUN now!]]> http://www.tarheelminis.org/ 2002-2005 MC/MCS power assist steering warranty extension http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?9806-2002-2005-MC-MCS-power-assist-steering-warranty-extension&goto=newpost Sat, 25 May 2013 15:17:49 GMT Certain Model Year 2002-2005 MINI Cooper/Cooper S
Certain Model Year 2005 MINI Cooper Convertible/Cooper S Convertible
Warranty Coverage Extension/Repair Expense Reimbursement

received a letter in yesterday's mail from MINI to address the power-assist steering pump and pump cooling fan.

i've been bitter about having to pay for that repair out of pocked 4 years ago (yeah I can hold a grudge wicked). But seeing as how the replacement is showing signs of going as well, this news makes me quite happy.

now to hunt down my receipt. :uncomfortableness:

I don't always get the notifications, so thought I'd share. ]]> Tech Corner Quirky World of Q http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?9806-2002-2005-MC-MCS-power-assist-steering-warranty-extension Advice on replacing rear stabilizer end links and swaay bar bushings http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?9805-Advice-on-replacing-rear-stabilizer-end-links-and-swaay-bar-bushings&goto=newpost Sat, 25 May 2013 10:28:59 GMT Hi All,

I've been getting a mechanical knocking/banging in the rear of the car (05 Cooper Convertible) and from what I can find on NAM it's probably the sway bar end links or bushings. Since it's a long weekend I figured I'd give myself a project and see if I can get them replaced. I don't believe that either parts have been changed in the 143K miles that I've had the car.

Does anyone have any tips that they can offer?
My plan is as such:
  • jacking and supporting both sides of the car.
  • applying copious amounts of penetrating fluid to the rust (remember I have a rust-belt car)
  • start with the bushings
  • then the end links

(or is it easier to get the bushings out with the end links loose?)

I'm asking this next question even though I believe I know the answer.
  • Do I do this with the suspension un-supported / non-loaded?
]]> Tech Corner Thom http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?9805-Advice-on-replacing-rear-stabilizer-end-links-and-swaay-bar-bushings We have a new Club member - imaduck http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?9804-We-have-a-new-Club-member-imaduck&goto=newpost Sat, 25 May 2013 05:10:57 GMT Welcome imaduck, Glad you have joined the Tar Heel MINI Motoring Club! Welcome imaduck, Glad you have joined the Tar Heel MINI Motoring Club! ]]> New Members Introduction Dirt http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?9804-We-have-a-new-Club-member-imaduck Happy Birthday cutemini2, Speedy1, Carpe Diem, Shocktroop88 http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?9803-Happy-Birthday-cutemini2-Speedy1-Carpe-Diem-Shocktroop88&goto=newpost Sat, 25 May 2013 05:01:02 GMT 4 members are celebrating their birthday on May 25th, 2013:

-cutemini2 (Age: Doesn't care to share with us)
-Speedy1 (born in 1970, Age: 43)
-Carpe Diem (born in 1984, Age: 29)
-Shocktroop88 (born in 1988, Age: 25)


Happy Birthday! ]]> Member Birthday Greetings Dirt http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?9803-Happy-Birthday-cutemini2-Speedy1-Carpe-Diem-Shocktroop88 Bonnet stripes... http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?9802-Bonnet-stripes&goto=newpost Sat, 25 May 2013 00:29:32 GMT Pulled them off today maybe now people won't confuse evol with other chili red minis. But thinking of viper or rally stripes in either a gloss black or black carbon fiber. What do you guys think? ]]> MINI Talk DeathRoyale http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?9802-Bonnet-stripes <![CDATA[I'm back!]]> http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?9801-I-m-back!&goto=newpost Fri, 24 May 2013 23:07:22 GMT Three years ago I tearfully bid farewell to my 2006 Cooper S. It was getting on in miles and I had decided there was something else I really needed to have - a 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe. Well, I have enjoyed the heck out of the coupe but I missed having a hatchback. I started looking around for... Three years ago I tearfully bid farewell to my 2006 Cooper S. It was getting on in miles and I had decided there was something else I really needed to have - a 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe. Well, I have enjoyed the heck out of the coupe but I missed having a hatchback. I started looking around for an AWD turbo hatchback with an available manual and preferably with 4/5 doors. It turns out, there aren't too many options - my choice was basically either a Countryman All4 or a Golf R. Audi A3 isn't available with Quattro and a manual, and Subaru interiors are terrible.

In the end, I chose the MINI because... it's a MINI. So last weekend I placed my order for a 2013 Countryman JCW. Absolute black, black roof and mirrors, black interior and black headlight housings. None more black, one might say.

Looking forward to getting back into the community and doing some proper motoring. Hope you guys will welcome this wayward sheep back to the fold.


Here's a stock rendering from the configurator:

Config_img.jpg
Attached Images
]]> MINI Talk camthewookie http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?9801-I-m-back! We have a new Club member - FancyBritches http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?9800-We-have-a-new-Club-member-FancyBritches&goto=newpost Fri, 24 May 2013 19:22:35 GMT FancyBritches! Thank you for joining the Tar Heel MINI Motoring Club! FancyBritches! Thank you for joining the Tar Heel MINI Motoring Club! ]]> New Members Introduction Dirt http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?9800-We-have-a-new-Club-member-FancyBritches dwhite is our newest Club member! http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?9799-dwhite-is-our-newest-Club-member!&goto=newpost Fri, 24 May 2013 17:49:45 GMT dwhite! Thank you for joining the Tar Heel MINI Motoring Club! dwhite! Thank you for joining the Tar Heel MINI Motoring Club! ]]> New Members Introduction Dirt http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?9799-dwhite-is-our-newest-Club-member! We have a new Club member - akarudd http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?9798-We-have-a-new-Club-member-akarudd&goto=newpost Fri, 24 May 2013 16:46:39 GMT Hi akarudd, welcome to the Tar Heel MINI Motoring Club! Hi akarudd, welcome to the Tar Heel MINI Motoring Club! ]]> New Members Introduction TWISTER http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?9798-We-have-a-new-Club-member-akarudd Happy Birthday MINIPS, tsali http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?9797-Happy-Birthday-MINIPS-tsali&goto=newpost Fri, 24 May 2013 05:00:10 GMT 2 members are celebrating their birthday on May 24th, 2013:

-MINIPS (Age: Doesn't care to share with us)
-tsali (born in 1956, Age: 57)


Happy Birthday! ]]> Member Birthday Greetings Dirt http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?9797-Happy-Birthday-MINIPS-tsali bikerbob951 has joined the Club! http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?9796-bikerbob951-has-joined-the-Club!&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 20:29:32 GMT Welcome bikerbob951, Glad you have joined the Tar Heel MINI Motoring Club! Welcome bikerbob951, Glad you have joined the Tar Heel MINI Motoring Club! ]]> New Members Introduction Dirt http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?9796-bikerbob951-has-joined-the-Club! We have a new Club member - Anne McCracken http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?9795-We-have-a-new-Club-member-Anne-McCracken&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 12:42:18 GMT Welcome Anne McCracken, Glad you have joined the Tar Heel MINI Motoring Club! Welcome Anne McCracken, Glad you have joined the Tar Heel MINI Motoring Club! ]]> New Members Introduction Dirt http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?9795-We-have-a-new-Club-member-Anne-McCracken Happy Birthday seacue, Nautique, MyCool, GoodCat, mini_swag, 2XMINIS, garyd,... http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?9794-Happy-Birthday-seacue-Nautique-MyCool-GoodCat-mini_swag-2XMINIS-garyd&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 05:01:15 GMT 9 members are celebrating their birthday on May 23rd, 2013: -seacue (http://www.tarheelminis.org/member.php?u=1582) (born in 1945, Age: 68) -Nautique (http://www.tarheelminis.org/member.php?u=1462) (born in 1964, Age: 49) -MyCool (http://www.tarheelminis.org/member.php?u=1892)... 9 members are celebrating their birthday on May 23rd, 2013:

-seacue (born in 1945, Age: 68)
-Nautique (born in 1964, Age: 49)
-MyCool (born in 1964, Age: 49)
-GoodCat (Age: Doesn't care to share with us)
-mini_swag (born in 1972, Age: 41)
-2XMINIS (born in 1973, Age: 40)
-garyd (born in 1975, Age: 38)
-MINIHooper (born in 1976, Age: 37)
-Debo (born in 1980, Age: 33)


Happy Birthday! ]]> Member Birthday Greetings Dirt http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?9794-Happy-Birthday-seacue-Nautique-MyCool-GoodCat-mini_swag-2XMINIS-garyd Saw a cool keychain and... http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?9793-Saw-a-cool-keychain-and&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 01:28:33 GMT Decided I want to start making them for fellow members at a price of course. It's a Mini Cooper on a key ring and they sell for around 35 & up online. If you think you might be into this let me know. I made my own with a matchbox 60 th anniversary Austin mini. I've only found a red countryman and a blue mini from hot wheels. Just one of my side projects but if I get enough feedback ill start making them as in mass producing but I can also do ones and twosies. :dance: ]]> MINI Related Items For Sale DeathRoyale http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?9793-Saw-a-cool-keychain-and robbiechandler is our newest Club member! http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?9792-robbiechandler-is-our-newest-Club-member!&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 16:48:10 GMT Welcome robbiechandler, Glad you have joined the Tar Heel MINI Motoring Club! Welcome robbiechandler, Glad you have joined the Tar Heel MINI Motoring Club! ]]> New Members Introduction TWISTER http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?9792-robbiechandler-is-our-newest-Club-member!