Josh Wardell’s MINI Cooper S

Today my MINI got a new companion: My girlfriend Sam picked up her new Space Blue/Grey MINI Cooper!

She wanted to replace her aging Golf with something fun and practical, but there were no intentions of getting a MINI, nor was I encouraging it as something different would be more practical. Of course she loves minis and was always jealous of the fun I had driving in the many mini events she’s been a passenger on. We test drove a number of cars she liked including the Versa and the Mazda 3, and were really just planning to take a MINI drive for kicks. She didn’t know stick to drive mine so we stopped by MINI of Peabody to drive a Cooper with CVT. I’m sure I don’t have to explain to you what happened next; within half a mile she was in love!

The MINI was several thousand above the price range of the other cars Sam was looking at, but thanks to its top residual value the lease rates were actually LESS than the other cars! So she placed an order at the end of August for a base SB/G MINI with no option but a MFSW. Through September we went out once a week to practice driving stick. Within a month, her mini was here!

She has a few days to get a lot more practice driving so she can participate in this Sunday’s MOP driving event and BBQ. Huge thanks go out to Joel, Vinny, and Elise at MINI of Peabody for making such a quick order and delivery, and for dealing with some nightmarish registration issues with the Mass RMV–even taking some of their own time after hours to get things straightened out! As usual, MOP went above and beyond.

I have always been interested in having a blinking third brake light–the top center strip that uses LEDs. Quickly flashing it a few times when first braking catches people’s attention (you know–the ones blabbing on their phones and playing with their ipods) and increases their reaction time, reducing your chances of being rear-ended. Some car brands have them built-in and if made ideally they will flash quickly a few times then stay solid so as not to be annoying.

Many MINIs in the area have installed kits that flash the brake light, I assume using the hockey puck kit that Ian mentioned on his site long ago. I however found this to flash too slow, too many times, and for too long, so it was annoying. In fact, I often found myself behind someone with one of these on MINI runs and after 15 minutes or so I wanted to rear end them just to make it stop! 😉

So I was very pleased a few weeks ago when GoMINIGo, makers of the best glovebox organizer, announced on NAM that they were introducing their Third Brake Light PULSAR. I sent a few PMs back and forth to be sure it flashed quicker and shorter, and once they posted this video I was sure it was better than the other. The price was right at $25 so I took my chances and ordered one.

I installed the Pulsar tonight and am much happier with it than what I’ve seen on others’ MINIs. I would still prefer it a little bit quicker flashing and shorter delay till solid, but it is at least three times faster than the hockey puck kit, and should therefore be three times less annoying. I only wish that these did not re-flash if you hit your brakes again in the next several seconds in case you are driving in a spot that needs braking often (that would be hard to do as it only has power when the brakes are on). But for the cheap price, tiny size, and easy installation, the GoMINIGo 3rd brake light pulsar is a safety mod that could pay off big time. This means YOU, Dr. Doogie!

I am notorious for taking forever to edit and post my photos, often just doing a few good ones and leaving the rest. I’ve got thousands of pictures and this past week I’ve been trying to finally work on them. Some of these galleries are from a while ago, but well worth the look!

9/10/05 Purgatory Chasm Run

11/13/05 MOP Care for Kieth Event

7/29/06 MAMA’s Blueberries and BBQ

The daunting galleries of MINIsOnTop (both 05 and 06!) still remain to be completed but I hope to soon. Of course there are plenty of other MINI event photos that I finished editing but haven’t mentioned. Have a look through both 2005 and 2006 galleries.

This year I set out to find a wheel fender trim treatment product that would restore my horrible-looking trim to its original look while standing up to rain and washings. If you’ve read the first and second tests, you would know that the many, many products out there for the purpose wash away with a day or two of rain. Like many of my preferred detailing products like Zaino and Aquapel, I want something that will last through our New England weather and doesn’t require application every week or two. After many tries, I finally found it.

The final test mixes some old products with some new: Zaino Z16 and 303 Protectant were previous favorites. Mothers Back to Black I wanted to give a second chance as I continued to read recommendations. Forever Black, which thinks differently and is actually a black dye treatment. I added extra virgin olive oil next to the usual Peanut oil as some said it would be less dusty and oily.

Soon after I started the test, I was “blessed” with two days of medium to light rain, and as before, the vinyl treatments were gone:

Though I don’t have a photo, the Z16 took two days to wash off while the other two were gone in the first day. The forever black was undaunted and the oils were dusty and dirty but going strong. Another week passed with a little more rain, and I washed the car. And then there was one:

Forever Black. It comes as a kit with a cleaning solution, and the dye has an applicator built into the bottle. Easy to apply, however you will want to use painter’s tape to prevent any from getting on your paint (it can be wiped off with water before it dries, but why chance it), as I have done with all these tests. Actually, I had basically given up after failing so many products, and forever black was my last chance. I tested it on another spot well over a month before I started this test, and that spot is still black to this day. I’m so happy to have good-looking trim again!

Below is a list of all the products reviewed in my trim tests and my findings:

Forever Black

Extra Virgin Olive Oil – very slightly less dusty than peanut oil

Peanut Oil – household oils last a few days of rain but are messy and attract dirt

Zaino Z16 Perfect Tire Gloss – Lasted through a day of rain but not two

The remaining products washed away in a day of rain or less:

Mothers Back to Black

Black Again

Sonus Tire & Bumper Dressing Gel

Sonus Trim & Motor Kote

Vinylex

Aerospace 303 Protectant

Armor-All Protectant

AutoGlym Bumper Care

Poorboy’s Trim Restorer

Before application, I suggest taping off with 3M Scotch-Blue Painter’s Tape, and scrubbing the trim clean with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.