The 2005 center storage console

Posted on by Ian C.

Also today, I finally installed the official MINI center storage console:

You *can* install it without removing the downtubes, since it is very flexible and can be bent and twisted into place. I have not yet tried to get it out again without removing the downtubes (which I hoped would be possible for any 2005 MINI owners wanting to install the MINI circuit).
Now I have it installed, I don’t really think the official solution is any better than the Hot Pocket I had before (although the official part is a better color match) …

2005 MINI head unit

Posted on by Ian C.

The 2005 MINI has an updated head unit which is reported to be able to play MP3 data CDs – allowing as much as 5-10 hours of music on a single CD!
I have not yet tried a new head unit, or seen one out of a MINI, but this recent MINI2 thread suggests that the 2005 head unit is a drop-in replacement for the older one – there is a picture which seems to show the same rear connections.

If this is true it is great news for people wanting to stick with the original looks, but get MP3 playback …

Connecticut – Mystic & Casinos!

Posted on by Ian C.

Just back from a weekend in Connecticut; we drove down Friday and stayed in a spectacular inn near Mystic and the Foxwoods casino:

We toured “Old Mystic Village” (which is really just a glorified outdoor shopping mall), then we headed into Mystic proper, and I spent some time watching the lift bridge operating:

 

Nearby are two casinos, Foxwoods & Mohegan Sun; both are impressive to look at from outside; our trip was primarily so that Margaret could watch a boxing match at Foxwoods!