MINI2

Johnny L · May 23rd, 2005, 05:32 AM

Today, I passed someone on a popular 2-lane road on the SF Bay Peninsula. I'm pretty sure I was w/in my rights as a motorist, but after the rather aggressive maneuver around a slow-moving truck, I saw a motorcycle highway patrol officer w/ a radar gun. He was off of his bike, and he seemed to be waving angrily at me. I'm not sure what he meant. Did he want me to pull over? Slow down? Stay on the right side of the road?

I wasn't sure, but I didn't feel compelled to pull over. Instead, I pulled off of the main road (guilty conscious?), and sort of parked (yes, out of sight). I heard a siren whirring by on the main road. I just sort of sat there, scrolling through my iPod playlists. After a minute or two, I pulled back onto the main road, but, feeling as though someone was after me, I pulled of again--this time onto a very twisty private road that basically took me to the next county.

To be sure, I was mellow the rest of the way home, but I couldn't help but wonder if I didn't just pull a Duke Boys on the ol' CHP!

Hey, I didn't mean no harm!

Ah, the joys of motoring!

Johnny L · May 23rd, 2005, 05:38 AM

Hey, DP. What about some of the roads round Lake Murray. Surely there's something going on around there (although, It's been awhile for me).

At any rate, the Palmetto State can be quite beautiful at certain times of the year (when it's not so humidly hot!).

Happy motoring to y'all!

Quote: Originally Posted by dpacker

Hmm...wish there were some mountains here, but not mountains. We have sand, pine trees, fire ants, hot and humid summers, and the lowest SAT scores in the nation. Pretty impressive, huh? Gosh, I'm so glad that I moved to South Carolina!

dp

Magictux · May 23rd, 2005, 09:15 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Johnny L

I heard a siren whirring by on the main road. I just sort of sat there, scrolling through my iPod playlists. After a minute or two, I pulled back onto the main road, but, feeling as though someone was after me, I pulled of again--this time onto a very twisty private road that basically took me to the next county.

!

Did you just sit there whistling? You know...if you whistle then no one can see you!!

Tom B · May 23rd, 2005, 01:06 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Magictux

Did you just sit there whistling? You know...if you whistle then no one can see you!!

I usually start an inane conversation with my passenger with lots of turning of the head towards them to emphasize my points. After all, how can a cop pull you over without eye-contact ?

Tom

Johnny L · May 23rd, 2005, 02:49 PM

You, know, I think a few sounds did escape my lips . . . Oh, nothing, officer. Just enjoying the day . . . Why, is there a problem? . . .

Quote: Originally Posted by Magictux

Did you just sit there whistling? You know...if you whistle then no one can see you!!

dpacker · May 24th, 2005, 02:22 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Johnny L

Today, I passed someone on a popular 2-lane road on the SF Bay Peninsula. I'm pretty sure I was w/in my rights as a motorist, but after the rather aggressive maneuver around a slow-moving truck, I saw a motorcycle highway patrol officer w/ a radar gun. He was off of his bike, and he seemed to be waving angrily at me. I'm not sure what he meant. Did he want me to pull over? Slow down? Stay on the right side of the road?

Yikes!

You know, I think when you "maneuver" in your MINI it looks like you're going faster than you are. I've felt a little "bad" myself maneuvering through traffic, even without exceeding the speed limit.

I thought I was going to get pulled yesterday. I took the MINI on a little shopping trip yesterday. On the way home, I was feeling the need to go a little faster. I whipped past a slow-moving car and kicked it a little (okay, a lot). A VW Gold followed suit, and we were cruising pretty fast. I decided to slow down even though I've never seen a cop on this road. I round the turn (after I've slowed down), see a car way up ahead, and slow even more. When I get to the stop sign, there sits a SC State Trooper car. Great, I was thinking...just great. I sat there for about five seconds (the VW Golf still behind me), then decided it best if I slowly turn left and take a different route home. The VW Golf went straight, and I guess we were both okay because the trooper didn't move. I guess it's a case of not being sure who could have been speeding...not that I was speeding that much...just a little

BTW, that radar stuff. Does it work around curves and through trees, or does it have to be a straight line? I remember being in traffic school after getting a ticket. The officer there said that if the vehicle beside you was a good bit larger that it was what the radar picked up. That was about 10 years ago though, so things could have changed by now.

I don't usually like to speed, but sometimes the little MINI just wants to go fast!

I'll have to check out those Lake Murray roads. Thanks for the tip.

April - your car is the same color as mine. You notice any little black spots on your paint that are REALLY hard to get off...especially on the boot? I think I might need some better soap or something. There are little black spots here and there that I had to really work at to get off. I suppose with the flat yellow paint those things show up a little more.

Good night everyone!

Debbie

AprilWhine · May 24th, 2005, 10:09 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Debbie

April - your car is the same color as mine. You notice any little black spots on your paint that are REALLY hard to get off...especially on the boot? I think I might need some better soap or something. There are little black spots here and there that I had to really work at to get off. I suppose with the flat yellow paint those things show up a little more.

No, I haven't seen anything like that. But I park in a garage at night, mostly to protect from pine sap. Could it be some sort of air pollution?

Pom Down Under · May 24th, 2005, 10:17 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by dpacker

BTW, that radar stuff. Does it work around curves and through trees, or does it have to be a straight line? I remember being in traffic school after getting a ticket. The officer there said that if the vehicle beside you was a good bit larger that it was what the radar picked up. That was about 10 years ago though, so things could have changed by now.

It all depends on the equipent they are using.

The old Kustom signals Falcon HR8 radar uses sound and the 'doppler' effect....theoretically that can be bounced of solid objects...but it would not stand up in court (at least not in the UK).

The newer stuff (Kustom ProLaser 2 and 3 and Lasertech Industries LTI 20-20) uses infrared lidar which can be fired through trees and the like wherever there is a line of sight. This newer technology is good enough to pick one car out of a line of traffic where as the old HR8 cannot.

I used to be a traffic cop hence my knowledge of these things.....Hope it helps.

Phil

gaminicool · May 24th, 2005, 10:17 PM

This was info obtained a few years ago before they raised the speed limit in the US:

Most rural communities use older K, X and KA radar. Larger communities and I would gather the state patrol have laser technology - but is more expensive for police departments to buy.

My rule of thumb is to go fast but not be the fastest on the road

AprilWhine · May 25th, 2005, 01:03 AM

Got the first insurance bill today. My MCSCa is only $321 for six months!

It's great to be mature.

Johnny L · May 25th, 2005, 06:05 AM

I'm closing in on 2k miles. I have check the oil once, and it seems to be very clean at the middle of the dip stick.

Dave, Larrry, April, Ken, Debbie, Kellzir, Tom, Tux, et al--what say you?

geotrash · May 25th, 2005, 06:53 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Johnny L

I'm closing in on 2k miles. I have check the oil once, and it seems to be very clean at the middle of the dip stick.

Dave, Larrry, April, Ken, Debbie, Kellzir, Tom, Tux, et al--what say you?

2200 miles so far and no squawks to speak of. We're very happy with the quality so far.

Dave

Magictux · May 25th, 2005, 08:48 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by AprilWhine

Got the first insurance bill today. My MCSCa is only $321 for six months!

It's great to be mature.

Just don't act it!

AprilWhine · May 25th, 2005, 10:18 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Johnny L

I'm closing in on 2k miles. I have check the oil once, and it seems to be very clean at the middle of the dip stick.

Dave, Larrry, April, Ken, Debbie, Kellzir, Tom, Tux, et al--what say you?

Haven't checked the oil yet.

I have been very impressed with the build quality, much tighter than my 2002.

erickvonzipper · May 25th, 2005, 11:42 AM

Broke a thousand miles on the way home last night. Almost done with run-in.

Zip

Pamlico · May 25th, 2005, 09:08 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by AprilWhine

Got the first insurance bill today. My MCSCa is only $321 for six months!

It's great to be mature.

Seeing this got me to call my insurance company to see how badly I'm getting nicked even though I'm also in the "mature" (grrr) class. For once a pleasant surprise - 6 month premium is $270.

Slowly putting miles on the car - 6.5 weeks and all the way to 800 miles. I'd been trying to avoid driving on rainy days, but the weather's been more bad then good for the past month so I gave up and drove it yesterday in the rain. One quick lesson learned is that BRG/B shows all the dirt. My '02 was DS/B which did a pretty good job of hiding the schmutz.

Kellzir · May 25th, 2005, 10:13 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Johnny L

I'm closing in on 2k miles. I have check the oil once, and it seems to be very clean at the middle of the dip stick.

Dave, Larrry, April, Ken, Debbie, Kellzir, Tom, Tux, et al--what say you?

I just got into the 700mile range. still have to check the oil.

am0eba · May 25th, 2005, 10:18 PM

Murray's oil at about 2100 miles looks pretty much like it did at 11 miles: very thin, clear and much like vegetable oil in appearance... Weirdest dipstick I've ever seen, I must say!

_Dave_

(Still on travel duty - scheduled to return to SoCal Thursday - Can't wait; Boston weather literally blows!

AprilWhine · May 25th, 2005, 10:31 PM

Surprisingly enough, yellow doesn't show dirt.

I'm over my break in, but still try to not drive in the rain. Today, I drove the hubby's Jeep to work so my MINI could snooze in the garage all day.

Tom B · May 26th, 2005, 05:29 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Johnny L

I'm closing in on 2k miles. I have check the oil once, and it seems to be very clean at the middle of the dip stick.

Dave, Larrry, April, Ken, Debbie, Kellzir, Tom, Tux, et al--what say you?

I say....."Still glad I bought a MINI ".
I've got just about 2200 miles on it and having a blast with the automatic in "manual" mode. Nothing sounds quite like 6500 RPMs.

Went back to the dealer for their 1000 mile check-up and everything was fine.

I'm still not using any oil.

Am I doing something wrong?

Tom

May 23rd, 2005, 05:32 AM	#2121
Johnny L MINI2 Senior Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: S.F. Bay Area Local Time: 12:46 PM Posts: 404 Offline	Did I Elude Five-Oh???? Today, I passed someone on a popular 2-lane road on the SF Bay Peninsula. I'm pretty sure I was w/in my rights as a motorist, but after the rather aggressive maneuver around a slow-moving truck, I saw a motorcycle highway patrol officer w/ a radar gun. He was off of his bike, and he seemed to be waving angrily at me. I'm not sure what he meant. Did he want me to pull over? Slow down? Stay on the right side of the road? I wasn't sure, but I didn't feel compelled to pull over. Instead, I pulled off of the main road (guilty conscious?), and sort of parked (yes, out of sight). I heard a siren whirring by on the main road. I just sort of sat there, scrolling through my iPod playlists. After a minute or two, I pulled back onto the main road, but, feeling as though someone was after me, I pulled of again--this time onto a very twisty private road that basically took me to the next county. To be sure, I was mellow the rest of the way home, but I couldn't help but wonder if I didn't just pull a Duke Boys on the ol' CHP! Hey, I didn't mean no harm! Ah, the joys of motoring! Hang up and drive! > Black Jack Pictures <

May 23rd, 2005, 05:38 AM	#2122 (permalink)
Johnny L MINI2 Senior Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: S.F. Bay Area Local Time: 12:46 PM Posts: 404 Offline	Hey, DP. What about some of the roads round Lake Murray. Surely there's something going on around there (although, It's been awhile for me). At any rate, the Palmetto State can be quite beautiful at certain times of the year (when it's not so humidly hot!). Happy motoring to y'all! Quote: Originally Posted by dpacker Hmm...wish there were some mountains here, but not mountains. We have sand, pine trees, fire ants, hot and humid summers, and the lowest SAT scores in the nation. Pretty impressive, huh? Gosh, I'm so glad that I moved to South Carolina! dp Hang up and drive! > Black Jack Pictures <

May 23rd, 2005, 01:06 PM	#2124 (permalink)
Tom B I am not in compliance. Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Orange County, NY Local Time: 02:46 PM Posts: 308 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Magictux Did you just sit there whistling? You know...if you whistle then no one can see you!! I usually start an inane conversation with my passenger with lots of turning of the head towards them to emphasize my points. After all, how can a cop pull you over without eye-contact ? Tom [

May 23rd, 2005, 02:49 PM	#2125 (permalink)
Johnny L MINI2 Senior Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: S.F. Bay Area Local Time: 12:46 PM Posts: 404 Offline	You, know, I think a few sounds did escape my lips . . . Oh, nothing, officer. Just enjoying the day . . . Why, is there a problem? . . . Quote: Originally Posted by Magictux Did you just sit there whistling? You know...if you whistle then no one can see you!! Hang up and drive! > Black Jack Pictures <

May 24th, 2005, 10:09 AM	#2127 (permalink)
AprilWhine Loves the Fuzzy One Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gypsy Local Time: 01:46 PM Posts: 16,078 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Debbie April - your car is the same color as mine. You notice any little black spots on your paint that are REALLY hard to get off...especially on the boot? I think I might need some better soap or something. There are little black spots here and there that I had to really work at to get off. I suppose with the flat yellow paint those things show up a little more. No, I haven't seen anything like that. But I park in a garage at night, mostly to protect from pine sap. Could it be some sort of air pollution? Global Moderator

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May 23rd, 2005, 09:15 AM	#2123 (permalink)
Magictux -Mr T- Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Goulburn NSW Oz Local Time: 06:46 AM Posts: 1,819 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Johnny L I heard a siren whirring by on the main road. I just sort of sat there, scrolling through my iPod playlists. After a minute or two, I pulled back onto the main road, but, feeling as though someone was after me, I pulled of again--this time onto a very twisty private road that basically took me to the next county. ! Did you just sit there whistling? You know...if you whistle then no one can see you!!

May 24th, 2005, 02:22 AM	#2126 (permalink)
dpacker MINI2 Regular Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: East Coast - SC Local Time: 03:46 PM Posts: 227 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Johnny L Today, I passed someone on a popular 2-lane road on the SF Bay Peninsula. I'm pretty sure I was w/in my rights as a motorist, but after the rather aggressive maneuver around a slow-moving truck, I saw a motorcycle highway patrol officer w/ a radar gun. He was off of his bike, and he seemed to be waving angrily at me. I'm not sure what he meant. Did he want me to pull over? Slow down? Stay on the right side of the road? Yikes! You know, I think when you "maneuver" in your MINI it looks like you're going faster than you are. I've felt a little "bad" myself maneuvering through traffic, even without exceeding the speed limit. I thought I was going to get pulled yesterday. I took the MINI on a little shopping trip yesterday. On the way home, I was feeling the need to go a little faster. I whipped past a slow-moving car and kicked it a little (okay, a lot). A VW Gold followed suit, and we were cruising pretty fast. I decided to slow down even though I've never seen a cop on this road. I round the turn (after I've slowed down), see a car way up ahead, and slow even more. When I get to the stop sign, there sits a SC State Trooper car. Great, I was thinking...just great. I sat there for about five seconds (the VW Golf still behind me), then decided it best if I slowly turn left and take a different route home. The VW Golf went straight, and I guess we were both okay because the trooper didn't move. I guess it's a case of not being sure who could have been speeding...not that I was speeding that much...just a little BTW, that radar stuff. Does it work around curves and through trees, or does it have to be a straight line? I remember being in traffic school after getting a ticket. The officer there said that if the vehicle beside you was a good bit larger that it was what the radar picked up. That was about 10 years ago though, so things could have changed by now. I don't usually like to speed, but sometimes the little MINI just wants to go fast! I'll have to check out those Lake Murray roads. Thanks for the tip. April - your car is the same color as mine. You notice any little black spots on your paint that are REALLY hard to get off...especially on the boot? I think I might need some better soap or something. There are little black spots here and there that I had to really work at to get off. I suppose with the flat yellow paint those things show up a little more. Good night everyone! Debbie

May 24th, 2005, 10:17 AM	#2128 (permalink)
Pom Down Under .....like a Cheshire cat. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Melbourne, Australia Local Time: 06:46 AM Posts: 407 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by dpacker BTW, that radar stuff. Does it work around curves and through trees, or does it have to be a straight line? I remember being in traffic school after getting a ticket. The officer there said that if the vehicle beside you was a good bit larger that it was what the radar picked up. That was about 10 years ago though, so things could have changed by now. It all depends on the equipent they are using. The old Kustom signals Falcon HR8 radar uses sound and the 'doppler' effect....theoretically that can be bounced of solid objects...but it would not stand up in court (at least not in the UK). The newer stuff (Kustom ProLaser 2 and 3 and Lasertech Industries LTI 20-20) uses infrared lidar which can be fired through trees and the like wherever there is a line of sight. This newer technology is good enough to pick one car out of a line of traffic where as the old HR8 cannot. I used to be a traffic cop hence my knowledge of these things.....Hope it helps. Phil

May 24th, 2005, 10:17 PM	#2129 (permalink)
gaminicool What's this red line for? Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Atlanta Local Time: 02:46 PM Posts: 326 Offline	This was info obtained a few years ago before they raised the speed limit in the US: Most rural communities use older K, X and KA radar. Larger communities and I would gather the state patrol have laser technology - but is more expensive for police departments to buy. My rule of thumb is to go fast but not be the fastest on the road

May 25th, 2005, 01:03 AM	#2130 (permalink)
AprilWhine Loves the Fuzzy One Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gypsy Local Time: 01:46 PM Posts: 16,078 Offline	Got the first insurance bill today. My MCSCa is only $321 for six months! It's great to be mature. Global Moderator

May 25th, 2005, 06:05 AM	#2131 (permalink)
Johnny L MINI2 Senior Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: S.F. Bay Area Local Time: 12:46 PM Posts: 404 Offline	Hey March Builders, Have You Checked your Oil Yet? I'm closing in on 2k miles. I have check the oil once, and it seems to be very clean at the middle of the dip stick. Dave, Larrry, April, Ken, Debbie, Kellzir, Tom, Tux, et al--what say you? Hang up and drive! > Black Jack Pictures <

May 25th, 2005, 06:53 AM	#2132 (permalink)
geotrash MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Apr 2005 Local Time: 12:46 PM Posts: 31 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Johnny L I'm closing in on 2k miles. I have check the oil once, and it seems to be very clean at the middle of the dip stick. Dave, Larrry, April, Ken, Debbie, Kellzir, Tom, Tux, et al--what say you? 2200 miles so far and no squawks to speak of. We're very happy with the quality so far. Dave

May 25th, 2005, 08:48 AM	#2133 (permalink)
Magictux -Mr T- Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Goulburn NSW Oz Local Time: 06:46 AM Posts: 1,819 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by AprilWhine Got the first insurance bill today. My MCSCa is only $321 for six months! It's great to be mature. Just don't act it!

May 25th, 2005, 10:18 AM	#2134 (permalink)
AprilWhine Loves the Fuzzy One Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gypsy Local Time: 01:46 PM Posts: 16,078 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Johnny L I'm closing in on 2k miles. I have check the oil once, and it seems to be very clean at the middle of the dip stick. Dave, Larrry, April, Ken, Debbie, Kellzir, Tom, Tux, et al--what say you? Haven't checked the oil yet. I have been very impressed with the build quality, much tighter than my 2002. Global Moderator

May 25th, 2005, 11:42 AM	#2135 (permalink)
erickvonzipper MINI2 Regular Join Date: Feb 2005 Local Time: 02:46 PM Posts: 137 Offline	Broke a thousand miles on the way home last night. Almost done with run-in. Zip

May 25th, 2005, 09:08 PM	#2136 (permalink)
Pamlico Dead Man's Curve? Feh. Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rochester, NY Local Time: 03:46 PM Posts: 1,176 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by AprilWhine Got the first insurance bill today. My MCSCa is only $321 for six months! It's great to be mature. Seeing this got me to call my insurance company to see how badly I'm getting nicked even though I'm also in the "mature" (grrr) class. For once a pleasant surprise - 6 month premium is $270. Slowly putting miles on the car - 6.5 weeks and all the way to 800 miles. I'd been trying to avoid driving on rainy days, but the weather's been more bad then good for the past month so I gave up and drove it yesterday in the rain. One quick lesson learned is that BRG/B shows all the dirt. My '02 was DS/B which did a pretty good job of hiding the schmutz.

May 25th, 2005, 10:13 PM	#2137 (permalink)
Kellzir MINI2 Regular Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bay Area, CA Local Time: 11:46 AM Posts: 256 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Johnny L I'm closing in on 2k miles. I have check the oil once, and it seems to be very clean at the middle of the dip stick. Dave, Larrry, April, Ken, Debbie, Kellzir, Tom, Tux, et al--what say you? I just got into the 700mile range. still have to check the oil.

May 25th, 2005, 10:18 PM	#2138 (permalink)
am0eba the ZERO is silent! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: San Pedro, CA Local Time: 12:46 PM Posts: 256 Offline	Murray's oil at about 2100 miles looks pretty much like it did at 11 miles: very thin, clear and much like vegetable oil in appearance... Weirdest dipstick I've ever seen, I must say! _Dave_ (Still on travel duty - scheduled to return to SoCal Thursday - Can't wait; Boston weather literally blows! "Murray" 2005 MCSC (click here for more) "F" the ineffable!

May 25th, 2005, 10:31 PM	#2139 (permalink)
AprilWhine Loves the Fuzzy One Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gypsy Local Time: 01:46 PM Posts: 16,078 Offline	Surprisingly enough, yellow doesn't show dirt. I'm over my break in, but still try to not drive in the rain. Today, I drove the hubby's Jeep to work so my MINI could snooze in the garage all day. Global Moderator

May 26th, 2005, 05:29 PM	#2140 (permalink)
Tom B I am not in compliance. Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Orange County, NY Local Time: 02:46 PM Posts: 308 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Johnny L I'm closing in on 2k miles. I have check the oil once, and it seems to be very clean at the middle of the dip stick. Dave, Larrry, April, Ken, Debbie, Kellzir, Tom, Tux, et al--what say you? I say....."Still glad I bought a MINI ". I've got just about 2200 miles on it and having a blast with the automatic in "manual" mode. Nothing sounds quite like 6500 RPMs. Went back to the dealer for their 1000 mile check-up and everything was fine. I'm still not using any oil. Am I doing something wrong? Tom [

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