ALLGBMINI

Try as I might, it seems that I just can’t keep saying no to folks that want “auto-up” for their MINI (at least the non-R56/57 people!)
A while ago, Mike (mcrtech on Metroplex MINI) twisted my arm hard enough that I said that if he was able to collect enough interested folks to justify the costs of another production run, I would do it … in turn, he has started a thread over at MetroPlex, and is keeping track of interest over there.

However, many MINI owners are not members of Metroplex MINI – so with thanks to gnatster, there is now a “potential group buy” thread on NorthAmericanMotoring – if you are interested in purchasing a circuit (perhaps the last ever production run), then please visit the NAM thread.

IMPORTANT:
This circuit works only in 2002-2006 hardtop MINIs and 2005-2008 convertibles (ie: R50/R53/R52); it is NOT compatible with R56 MINIs or the Clubman.

One week ago it was seriously cold and I discovered that a MINI convertible is not the best cold weather car (lack of heat and thin cloth roof don’t give a warm interior!)
But today, it’s just about good enough to drop the top (although there’s no sunshine to enjoy) …

60f in December!

Just finished my 580 mile drive down to southern PA, where I’ll be working this week – nicely, the temperature has risen to close to 50! On the downside, it’s supposed to rain soon 😦

Anyway, catching up on MINI news, I just read the “gloom and doom” from MotoringFile (joke!) discussing whether the significant drop in MINI sales in other countries, will soon occur here too.
Personally, I suspect that sales will drop but maybe just down to the “more normal” 3500-4000/month level.

But then, I also just saw this news item indicating that MINI of Peabody is having a “clearance” sale:
… until December 31st, Mini of Peabody is offering a $0 deposit, $0 down lease deal on select Minis with a monthly payment of $266.86 for 36 months …

Is that an indication of poorer sales, or simply a desire to close the year nicely?

Also in the news today, NHTSA, BMW Fighting Over Mini Cooper Recall! I can understand why MINI/BMW think that hot exhaust tips is not worthy of a “safety recall” (which typically conjures up images or roll-overs and fires) … but as the article states, “the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act provides for a safety recall when there is a safety-related defect, and the law does not give the manufacturer the option of choosing a different course of action“.
Of course, if MINI is expecting sales to drop, the last thing they need is lots of media coverage about a MINI safety recall!