Tech Session at NW Mini - January 15 - Event Date: January/15/11

ATTENDEES
Catlvr2  (2)
Sanderskog
Corners
Ginainbelltown
Dave's not here
Karin
MSL
Boomer
Ferari
Searocko
It's-a-Mini (2)
Hapa Haole
SMOG-1 (2)
Kenru
Supercoop

I was talking to the Service Manager at NW Mini about modified cars and philosophical changes regarding the approach to warranty coverages between Gen1 and Gen2 cars.  This led to other topics, so I asked if he would be interested in hosting a tech session.  He said SURE! and off we go.

An old Porsche Club buddy and I have dug up some stuff to talk about, and want to know if anybody has questions about the cars that could be a subject.

So far, we're thinking about breaking this into two parts.  One part will be stuff the service guys can answer like the following:

Alignment
* How often should I do this?
* What is adjustable?
* What causes alignments to change?

What is the thinking behind no changes for
* Trans fluid
* Fuel filter
(and really - when SHOULD we change them?)

What Mods will affect warranty/service coverage on Gen2 cars? Why was there a change in thinking from the Gen1 cars?

Will the dealer install mods?

The second part will be a discussion regarding modifications -  how do you start, and what should you do first.  My thinking here is that people should consider what they want out of the car, and understand that some, if not most mods come with some drawbacks that might add some unpleasantness.  What level of compromise would you accept?  Would you do solid bushings in your droplinks if you knew the level of rattling that would be transmitted to the passenger compartment? 

I hope to have a couple of volunteers bring their cars to show off some of what they have done.  Kenru, Boomer, Brenda, Kurt (Corners) and SeaTacTom with his water cooled intercooler would all be good examples.

Let me know if you can come - I haven't nailed down the time yet with Steve (I'm thinking 10:30?), but he said something about lunch, so I should give him a headcount.

Fair warning - I have also invited members from the South club.  I'm thinking we need to start winding down the difficulties between the clubs so that we can all benefit.  Wouldn't it have been nice to have added another 15 or 20 cars to the NW Harvest food drive?  Same with the Winged Victory Rally.  New Year, new starts.  Lets go for it.

Anyway, let me know if there are questions or suggestions.  Also, let me know if you have an unusual modification that we can discuss, and if you would be willing to show it off in the shop.

Pat





Edited by onramp - January/06/11 at 8:15pm

Larry and I plan on coming

I'd love to come listen to the various topics and show CORNERS/talk about the mods. The time sounds good and I think I can get wife permission.

Edited by CORNERS - January/01/11 at 10:18pm

John - can you come over and show off all of the things you have done?  Pat

Todd, I know what you mean about feeling like the child of divorced parents! 

DneprDave wrote: What "South" Club? Do you mean Portland?   I'd love to attend, but January 15 is impossible for me. I'll look forward to answers to the great questions already listed. I hope they will be posted here.   Dave

The reference is to SS Mini (Salish Sea Mini).

S.

20 minutes away, I think I can make this one.  See everybody there.  The issues mentioned sound like something useful to know about.  As always, should be interesting.

OK, last thing I want to do is take this thread sideways so I'd like to stick the worms back in the can

Edited by Sanderskog - January/02/11 at 3:52pm

I agree, Jack - that divorce needed to happen.  I think a lot of folk are still shocked by the levels of bitterness and spite.  Nobody is getting remarried I would think.  Doesn't mean that the kids that went with whatever parent can't play well together.  Time to move on.

Todd, how old is your kid.  The shop is probably where things will be held, but if you have a budding gearhead, I think he/she will be OK.  But if he/she is like my two youngest G-kids where sitting beyond 10 minutes is impossible, maybe no.  I will check with Steve to see if he has any concerns.

Karin, no time has been set yet - we were thinking around 10:30, but I had been waiting to see how many topics.  I will confer with Steve tomorrow regarding his thoughts on start time and how much time we might need for various subjects.  For now - 10:30 or 11:00.  BTW - when you got the JCW, did you keep your other Mini?

Pat

Wife is busy this day so it looks like I'll need to bring my kids as well (and techniques to keep them quiet when quiet is needed). 

Hi all, just down the street myself so I'll likely drop by.  As I have an 07 MCS with only 18K miles, I'm particulary curious about this whole valve deposit mess secondary to the direct injection situation.

Pat, great idea!  I'll be there, but later, say 11:00 or 11:30.

So Pat, is this definitely happening? Any word on whether kids are reasonably welcome? 

Count me in! 

Edited by Hapa Haole - January/05/11 at 6:00pm