[Dipper66]

As requested, a few details of the car.

Gone for a tradiional looking Cooper S; Red with White Roof and Bonnet Stripes. Silver 17" S-spokes, Xenons, DSC, MFSW and recently fitted black Sparco Torino seats. I've had my name down for the JCW kit since January 2002, but as you all know the 'launch date' keeps getting pushed out further and further - plus the cost may be too prohibitive...

[WAY]

Quote:

Originally posted by Dipper66
As requested, a few details of the car.

Gone for a tradiional looking Cooper S; Red with White Roof and Bonnet Stripes. Silver 17" S-spokes, Xenons, DSC, MFSW and recently fitted black Sparco Torino seats. I've had my name down for the JCW kit since January 2002, but as you all know the 'launch date' keeps getting pushed out further and further - plus the cost may be too prohibitive...

Hmm, how much did you pay for those Sparco's? Also, how did you get away with the airbag light problem? And finally, is it legal? Oh, one last thing, pictures?

[WAY]

Quote:

Originally posted by Dipper66
I've had my name down for the JCW kit since January 2002, but as you all know the 'launch date' keeps getting pushed out further and further - plus the cost may be too prohibitive...

Interested in the Hartge conversion? I will definitely do it at $5k. Been bugging those guys in Sydney. I am pretty confident we will get a good price since so many people seemed to be interested.

[WAY]

Quote:

Originally posted by eltel
Boo and WAY, the Vic Mini Club are doing a GAR run on 3/4 of May. We could tag along with them, although they're a bit slow on the climb.

What about the weekend before, say the Anzac weekend? Stay at Bright on Friday, the trees will be glorious, great photo opportunities, weather will be nice and crisp and just the right temperature to feed our superchargers. Snow will be on some of the higher peaks, and the bushfire danger will be well and truly over.

Open fire, good wine, great company. Well two out of three ain't bad.

Gives the NSW crew the Friday (Anzac Day) to head down this way.

Need to get numbers together pretty quickly, so we need to settle on a date. Much later than late April/early May and the brilliant autumn colours will be gone.

Thoughts?

No can do on the 3rd May. Friend's wedding (also happened to be my b'day). I think the I am also booked out on Anzac weekend. We can talk about it when we go on the GOR run.

[Dipper66]

The Sparco's are expensive, but superb! They're not a fixed back race seat, so they still recline and tilt for access into the back, but provide 'so much' more support than the original seats both laterally and under your thighs. Suddenly you're part of the car, rather than sitting on it... Seriously driving is now that much more enjoyable (if that's possible!)

They were purchased through Revolution Racegear and fitted by Speed Technology. They did a meticulous job. There was a lot of work involved to keep the original runners and sliding handle/mechanism as well as the seatbelt pretensioners etc. but in the end it was well worth it. The car can be returned to stock easily if a future owner required... (can't imagine it though). My MINI dealer was extremely impressed with not only the fit and comfort but the look - especially in black, they really do suit the Cooper S.

Now, for the dreaded airbag light. My MINI service manager has contacted BMW Australia and yes it is legal. However, you must sign an indemnity form, stating that the airbags in the seats have been disconnected and that no legal action can be taken against BMW if you were in a serious accident etc. Fair enough I reckon. In return, they provide the dealer with a code to reprogramme the air bag system in the car, so that the remaining four airbags still work and the warning light goes out. Quite a simple proceedure really and the same one that they do for the Grand Prix Celebrity Coopers.

Hope that helps. Unfortunately I don't have any pics, but will post them when I do. If you've got any further questions, drop me a line or send me an email (and I can put you on to the right people).

[GeoffP]

My wife & I are coming to Victoria in April for a holiday and to visit our son who is at Melbourne Uni. We intend to 'do' The Great Ocean Road unfortunately not in my S but a hired camper. Any tips on places to visit in Victoria, and the Sydney area as we will be stopping off there, would be appreciated from knowledgable locals. Please PM me so not to clutter up this thread. Thanks in advance.

Geoff Poad.

[GeoffP]

My wife & I are coming to Victoria in April for a holiday and to visit our son who is at Melbourne Uni. We intend to 'do' The Great Ocean Road unfortunately not in my S but a hired camper. Any tips on places to visit in Victoria, and the Sydney area as we will be stopping off there, would be appreciated from knowledgable locals. Please PM me so not to clutter up this thread. Thanks in advance.

Geoff Poad.

[eltel]

Quote:

Originally posted by GeoffP
My wife & I are coming to Victoria in April for a holiday and to visit our son who is at Melbourne Uni. We intend to 'do' The Great Ocean Road unfortunately not in my S but a hired camper. Any tips on places to visit in Victoria, and the Sydney area as we will be stopping off there, would be appreciated from knowledgable locals. Please PM me so not to clutter up this thread. Thanks in advance.

Geoff Poad.

Geoff, I'll certainly PM you in the next few days with some touring ideas. I'm sure that a number of us MINI owners in Victoria would meet up with you and your family for a chat and a quick drive.

The trip down the coast can certainly be done at a leisurely pace and even 3 days would allow you to see more than most Victorians have seen of this dramtic coastline.

I think that there are a number of good people from overseas coming to our fair, BIG country and it's a good idea to get some advice from the locals. To that end I'm going to start a thread (and possibly a separate FORUM) on good scenic tours around Victoria, with links to some tourism sites.

Hope to see you in April (though my wife and I are pretty busy due to a wedding in the family).

Regards, ElTel

[GeoffP]

I dont know how that happened. 11 mins apart?
Thanks for the VERY prompt reply EItel.
My S is also Liquid Yellow, with Black Top.

Geoff Poad.

[OZChris]

Hi EITel

Looks as though my Cooper will arrive late next week, so as you suggested, I will be cutting it fine.

Look forward to meeting up with others in Vic with MC and MCS.

Depending on numbers, could I suggest the Shell Servo at the base of the Westgate bridge? A collection of Minis would raise some attention there.

Looking forward to the 2nd
Chris

[WAY]

Quote:

Originally posted by Dipper66
The Sparco's are expensive, but superb! They're not a fixed back race seat, so they still recline and tilt for access into the back, but provide 'so much' more support than the original seats both laterally and under your thighs. Suddenly you're part of the car, rather than sitting on it... Seriously driving is now that much more enjoyable (if that's possible!)

They were purchased through Revolution Racegear and fitted by Speed Technology. They did a meticulous job. There was a lot of work involved to keep the original runners and sliding handle/mechanism as well as the seatbelt pretensioners etc. but in the end it was well worth it. The car can be returned to stock easily if a future owner required... (can't imagine it though). My MINI dealer was extremely impressed with not only the fit and comfort but the look - especially in black, they really do suit the Cooper S.

Now, for the dreaded airbag light. My MINI service manager has contacted BMW Australia and yes it is legal. However, you must sign an indemnity form, stating that the airbags in the seats have been disconnected and that no legal action can be taken against BMW if you were in a serious accident etc. Fair enough I reckon. In return, they provide the dealer with a code to reprogramme the air bag system in the car, so that the remaining four airbags still work and the warning light goes out. Quite a simple proceedure really and the same one that they do for the Grand Prix Celebrity Coopers.

Hope that helps. Unfortunately I don't have any pics, but will post them when I do. If you've got any further questions, drop me a line or send me an email (and I can put you on to the right people).

Actually that was going to be the first mod I was going to do some 6 months ago, but with the airbag light problem I did not pursue it. I spent that money on DVD and audio mod instead. BMW fixed my squeeky seat so it wasn't such urgency to change the seats anymore. But now the seat is starting to squeek again! I had call Revolution Racegear at the time to enquire about the Milano, but they didn't have it. They had the Torino though. Also they told me the Milano or the Torino will not fit the MINI without changing the railing. Hmm. I really like the Milano in the Blue, as I have the Lapis blue interior. Oh well. I will PM you to talk more about this.

[WAY]

Quote:

Originally posted by GeoffP
My wife & I are coming to Victoria in April for a holiday and to visit our son who is at Melbourne Uni. We intend to 'do' The Great Ocean Road unfortunately not in my S but a hired camper. Any tips on places to visit in Victoria, and the Sydney area as we will be stopping off there, would be appreciated from knowledgable locals. Please PM me so not to clutter up this thread. Thanks in advance.

Geoff Poad.

Ah, good old Melbourne Uni. That was my "home" for a good 5 years. Obviously I have great memories of that place. Still see it on a daily basis from my office on the 35th floor (I'm only 1+ km away). As Eltel mention, we will be happy to meet up with you when you get here. I will leave the places to visit to Eltel.

[WAY]

Quote:

Originally posted by Dipper66
The Sparco's are expensive, but superb! They're not a fixed back race seat, so they still recline and tilt for access into the back, but provide 'so much' more support than the original seats both laterally and under your thighs. Suddenly you're part of the car, rather than sitting on it... Seriously driving is now that much more enjoyable (if that's possible!)

They were purchased through Revolution Racegear and fitted by Speed Technology. They did a meticulous job. There was a lot of work involved to keep the original runners and sliding handle/mechanism as well as the seatbelt pretensioners etc. but in the end it was well worth it. The car can be returned to stock easily if a future owner required... (can't imagine it though). My MINI dealer was extremely impressed with not only the fit and comfort but the look - especially in black, they really do suit the Cooper S.

Now, for the dreaded airbag light. My MINI service manager has contacted BMW Australia and yes it is legal. However, you must sign an indemnity form, stating that the airbags in the seats have been disconnected and that no legal action can be taken against BMW if you were in a serious accident etc. Fair enough I reckon. In return, they provide the dealer with a code to reprogramme the air bag system in the car, so that the remaining four airbags still work and the warning light goes out. Quite a simple proceedure really and the same one that they do for the Grand Prix Celebrity Coopers.

Hope that helps. Unfortunately I don't have any pics, but will post them when I do. If you've got any further questions, drop me a line or send me an email (and I can put you on to the right people).

Dipper66, can't PM or email you. It seems you have disabled both options. Can you email or PM me please? Thanks.

[disdis]

Way:

Hi there..

caught u mentioning the Hartge conversion for 5K...

any confirmed details as to where and when its avail in Melb.

btw, does the conversion only involves computer reprogramming and pulley upgrade...
or does it incl. the exhaust/ intake etc.

thx.
catch u guys later when i get mine MCS

[eltel]

Quote:

Originally posted by ccsmini
Hi EITel

Looks as though my Cooper will arrive late next week, so as you suggested, I will be cutting it fine.

Look forward to meeting up with others in Vic with MC and MCS.

Depending on numbers, could I suggest the Shell Servo at the base of the Westgate bridge? A collection of Minis would raise some attention there.

Looking forward to the 2nd
Chris

Chris, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that your MCS does arrive by the end of next week. Don't forget that Mon is a public holiday. But you've got to come even if your car is still at the dealers.

I like your idea to meet at the Shell servo at the Westgate Bridge.

How about we meet at 8:30 for an 8:45 set off. That will give us 45 minutes to get to Geelong and meet up with the Geelong crew at 9:30.

I hope that you're bringing the rest of your family. I'm really looking forward to meeting some of the new faces and the new cars. (And some of the old familiar ones too )

************************************************** *******************************
So VICTORIAN CREW - CAN YOU HEAR ME ?

Sunday 2nd Feb Drive to Apollo Bay is on. Melburnians to meet at the Shell Service Station just before getting on to the Westgate bridge. Be there by no later than 8:30, we're leaving at 8:45 for Geelong. Meeting up with Matt (CoopeR) and any others somewhere in Geelong at 9:30, heading off no later than 10:00 for the Great Ocean Road.

We'll probably lunch at one of the many eateries at Lorne or Apollo Bay, and we can also stop at the best views as we go along the coast. The trip home can be of your choosing, either back along the GOR or head inland to join up with the Princes Hwy, if the traffic is heavy.

If you want to discuss anything or are running late on the day, give me a call on 0414 44 22 09.

Regards, ElTel

[Dipper66]

8:30am Shell Westgate Bridge it is.
Should be a great day.
How many MINI's do we have confirmed?

[WAY]

Quote:

Originally posted by disdis
Way:

Hi there..

caught u mentioning the Hartge conversion for 5K...

any confirmed details as to where and when its avail in Melb.

btw, does the conversion only involves computer reprogramming and pulley upgrade...
or does it incl. the exhaust/ intake etc.

thx.
catch u guys later when i get mine MCS

Disdis, can't wait to see you in your MCS! The Hartge conversion price is yet to be determined, and they are based out in Sydney. I am trying to see if someone in Melbourne can fit it for us. It doesn't include intake or exhaust, which means you could get more power by doing those two things! Interested?

[eltel]

Quote:

Originally posted by Dipper66
8:30am Shell Westgate Bridge it is.
Should be a great day.
How many MINI's do we have confirmed?

Confirmed starters

eltel
WAY
cssmini
Dipper66
CoopeR (Geelong)
and Gripper (Geelong)

Anyone else? I sent PMs to all other Vic MINI2'ers, but no replies as yet.

Regards, ElTel

[CoopeR]

Quote:

Originally posted by eltel
Matt, looks like there's five cars at least, so that's great. Could you please nominate a meeting place and give us Melways references.

I suggest that we meet at 9:30 for a 10:00 start.

Should be good.

Regards, ElTel

Well there are a couple of places we can meet. If you want a good spot to be able to take some photos of the cars before we leave I suggest Balyang Sanctuary. It is off Shannon Avenue. HERE is a little burb on it

[CoopeR]

The easy option is to meet at the 'Gateway' pokie joint just off the Princess Highway as you enter Geelong.

Not so pretty but easy to get to. It all depends what everyone wants to do.

If anyone wants to discuss it with me just give me a call on 0412 646123