[TonyB]

I hope this perks some interest. As many of you know, Randy (MINI Cooper Mortorsport) is selling and installing a smaller pulley in select locales. When I heard about such in LA, and then San Diego, CA, I was quite excited about the opportunity. But, like many I believe, the idea of traveling quite a distance put a damper on things . In my case (San Jose to San Diego), that would be over 1,200 miles round-trip...

First, let me say that I have NOT approached Randy on anything related to this thread. Not yet at least. This poll is simply to see where the interest is located. When it closes in two weeks, I do want to share it with Randy as an fyi of sorts. I might share it with him sooner... While not scientific, I did put some of my lunch-time thought into it .

So, where are the masses - in the U.S.? I got the top 25 most populated cities from this link: http://www.wheretodoresearch.com/ranks-cities.htm

From there, with MapQuest, I refined this list with the belief that most, in not all of us interested in this mod would be willing to drive 200 or so miles, or less. I find that very reasonable. So, with that, I collapsed hot-beds of humanity around the city (still in the top 25) most in the "middle," without making anyone from a top 25 population center drive beyond a 1/2 a tank of gas, or there abouts.

A good example of this is Austin. While in the top 25, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio have more folks though. But I chose Austin by virture of its location "between" them all. This was not particularly easy, as you might guess. And I realize that there might be some examples where it will be over a 200 mile jaunt each way.

This is all predicated on the "fact" that with more people in a given area, there is bound to be a higher liklihoold of MCS ownwers. Ideally, ones who desire this mod. BTW, I do recall the TX/MINI dealership situation. I nevertheless wanted to factor-in these population centers. And while Denver came in at #25, for obvious reasons (Randy's stomping grounds), I do not include Denver in the poll. I will include LA/San Diego, even though that "area" seems to be taken care of with the upcoming plans. The same goes for other locations where I think I've already heard of parties springing-up - they will be on this poll as well. Also (edit job ), I am having removed "Philly, PA (NYC, DC & Boston)" as an option because the wonderful folks at Helix are in your backyard!!! Lucky you. http://www.helix13.com/products/

I will give this poll a 14-day run. It will be shared with Randy at some point. He is busy as some of you know. Even more so with the upcoming season... However, I think (hope) that such numbers can help him see where to focus his upcoming efforts and time. While I truly hope the Bay Area (CA) will come-in strong, I will share with Randy nonetheless...

Sorry for the spiel guys!

[VooDooPope]

Quote:

Originally posted by TonyB
IA good example of this is Austin. While in the top 25, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio have more folks though. But I chose Austin by virture of its location "between" them all. This was not particularly easy, as you might guess. And I realize that there might be some examples where it will be over a 200 mile jaunt each way.

200 miles is nothing to Texas Drivers.

[TonyB]

Good to hear VooDooPope!

I'm plesantly surprised that the Bay Area already has 3 folks. And that was b4 I x-posted in the regional section moments ago. I would recommend to those of you voting to do the same. Go to the regional forum in MINI2 and see if there might be some interest there in your area...

[mikehome1]

We're way dowm strean on a Cincinnati pulley install with Randy of minimotorsports.I've spoken to Randy at length.$400 price June13-15.I have 9 on the docket,could use more and would appreciate your help.Cincinnati is within 2 hours of Columbus,Indianapolis,Dayton,Lexington and Louisville.
As you know,I'm a big fan of these group buys;but this is the Mother of all group buys.

[Kanu]

Hey you overlooked Honolulu. Im sure it'll be high on Randy's list.
Cheers.

[chris@helix]

Quote:

Originally posted by Kanu
Hey you overlooked Honolulu. Im sure it'll be high on Randy's list.
Cheers.

I will be the first to step up to the plate on this one ..... ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME! I will bring my 9'6" Stewart and make a week out of it, maybe two! Did someone say The Big Island? Kauai?

[TonyB]

Randy in Hawaii...

I did these purely on the top 25 most populated cities in the U.S. Unless I overlooked it, Honolulu didn't make it. That is not to say you can't inquire on your own!

Does anyone know how many folks one needs to get Randy's serious attention? I'm guessing 10, but not sure... That would be a very full day's work though...

I hear you mikehome1. We might get fewer votes from your region for that reason. Again, Indy was the most centrally located major metropolitan area amongst those heavily populaed cities. Sounds like you have a done deal already though. I'm happy for you!!! And a tad envious I suppose


BTW, as far as a time frame goes, I'm open to anything this summer or fall. Heck, even winter if need be...

[NoisyCow]

I live in Portland and am on a waiting list to be put on a waiting list for a 2004 S. Luckily, Mini-Madness is right here in town, but haven't returned e-mails to whether or not they will INSTALL their pulley. The ECU and exhaust I can handle, but the pulley is out of my league.

[TonyB]

Hi Chris! Gosh, how about a stop-over in the Bay Area on the way to Hawaii Actually, I'm not totatlly joking - if you're not either

I guess the idea was to approach Randy with a propositon as he has been the traveling man for these pulley deals. Are you open to such an idea?

I suppose I should look at this like any other group buy I've initiated: find a product, see who else wants it (doing now), and then approach vendors to see if they are open to the idea, and if so, what their offer might be. I only had Randy in mind simply b/c he seems to be the only one with this "door-to-door" type of service.

Again, if you are, I/we would love to know! And if not, that's ok. I just had to ask...

[Kanu]

Another way to approach this is based on MINI sales. When I last looked 3 weeks ago, MINI Hawaii was tied with Irvine, CA for 5th place in national sales competition. There are plenty of MINIs here, in fact, on a per capita basis they might be top ranked given our population. So why not? Come on out Chris and Randy - surfs up! We could even do all the islands!
Aloha.

[chris@helix]

Sure, I am up for it. It seem like it could be alot of fun.

[Mexibeetle]

Given that Dallas already has had a pulley install, San Antonio makes more sense than Austin. Anyone in those two cities could go to the other with relative ease. San Antonio is a bigger city, it has a MINI dealer and it's got better interstate highway connections to Houston.

[TonyB]

Kanu, you bring-up a very good point indeed - number of sales. I suppose even more reliable would the the number of MCS sales. I don't know if that info is available though. I'll tell you what, given Hawaii's unique location, I'll ask a moderator to add it (Honolulu) as another option. You've been heard and understood!

I know MINIAC in on travel now. Who would you guys recommend that I contact to make this change (to add Honolulu, HI)?

Mexibettle, TX has several cities of potential interest. You bring-up a valid point about Dallas already having its fun. But, then I'm sure others could more successfully argue for Houston - the state's most populated city. Austin was simply a way to shorten the distance for those others in surrounding large cities. And, I might add that by the time this all comes to fruition, it might be several weeks to a few months down the road. There might be quite a few others from Big D by that time who will want this mod...

Again, I hope you all can appreciate the approach I took. The way I see it, once the dust settles, when this poll closes, such matters can be discussed and refined with those who voted and the vendor who might be doing the work. That is to say, if your area (Austin for example) gets 8 votes, and you all agree to move it a tad to SA, for whatever reason(s) - and the vendor contact is cool with that, then that is something that is doable. Right now guys, I wouldn't worry much about the exact location. As it turns-out, when those matters start being discussed, it might become evident since so and so has a cool garage and extra room in a neighboring city/town down the road, the pulley install will happen there instead. This is ballpark stuff. I sort of had the same conversation with mikehome1 in Cincinnnati who would like one there. Let's just roll with this and plead our cases for a slightly different locale when all have spoken...

Chris, that is awesome news! I suppose I/we would love to hear some details. Obviously you won't venture-off on such a trek to do just one pulley install. It sounds like 5 would be a day's work? And as you probably know Randy has been swinging the deal for 400 bucks. Kindly let us know what you evision in that regard. Do you need a full-blown garage, or just a slab of concrete (driveway), or other tools? That is great news Chris!

We know that you have quite a few pulley installs under your belt, so your experience and expertise are very welcome. Please respond when you can...

[TonyB]

Kanu - HI added

MINIAC, on vacation, logged-in and did that for you/us!

[Kanu]

TonyB,

Thanks and much Aloha!

[CurtP]

There's nothing for us mid-atlantic guys
The drive to Jax (I used to live there) from where I live is about 10 hours, which is about the same going to Indy.

While I appreciate your effort and your approach, I think this should be mapped out so the large dead areas can be seen.

[TonyB]

Hi Curt, I understand. And I also want this pulley so I can empathize

I wish it was easy as picking locations simply based upon longitude/latitude within the U.S. - like 4 corners of a box with a spot in the middle. There really needs to be an attempt to address where are the MCS owerns - thus the population approach. The only way I heard that might be better is to base it upon sales by dealerships...

The aim was to cater, the best I could, to the masses - not forcing them to drive 500+ miles... With that all said, I would trade your position in a heartbeat!!!

If you read the entire thread, you will note that originally I had the area "Philly, PA (NYC, DC & Boston)". This mass of humanity was taken off the poll as Helix kicks butt in Philly and I wanted to be sensitive to that. You can contact Chris and get it done this weekend possibly I am so envious! A quick look at the map tells me that you (VA Beach) are maybe 300 miles away from Philly?

A no-brainer for me.

[mudshark]

Tony,
I'm in Santa Cruz. Would love to have Randy do the pulley. I'd really like to get the whole package from him (pulley, ecu, intake & exhaust) when it becomes available and the price is right. Just need help on the pulley.

Pat

[chris@helix]

Hi Tony,

Would you come on up to San Jose if I come out there to do a Few @ Tony B's?

[TonyB]

Great to have you onboard Pat! I'm in Uvas Canyon, on the other side of the mountains. I'm sure we might have crossed paths once or twice .

We now have 4 in the bay area! I'm in correspondence with Chris at Helix now and I will say that he IS interested. I am still working-out the particulars, but I can share this so far:

He would like NOT to do more than 4 a day. I'm inquiring now if a one day shot (ie 4) would be worthwhile for him, or if he is looking at 2 days, or 8 folks. He went to the drag strip last night, so I haven't heard further. But since we do have 4 now in Bay Area, I'm feeling pretty good about this

He said that he would not need a garage per se, but a sheltered area (shade) would be very desirable. Oh, and a floor jack. He will take care of the rest. The more we can lower his costs, the better for him, and in-turn for us to receive his services. So, a room to stay and/or a place to do the work would make the deal more likely. I extended myself already: a room at my home and a work area. I have no garage, and while I have a stretch of black top area, it is not very smooth nor flat. I do have a 20' canopy that could re-located to that stretch if no one else has better provisions...

He did say that we need to be a little flexible with their summer schedule. I assume that if this starts to materialize, dates will be proposed. I'm willing to work him on this matter and will leave open any weekend this summer! I hope others, not just in the Bay Area, feel likewise.

We have not talked price yet, but he does know about Randy's deal, and will probably talk with him soon about how he has done such events. I told Chris that 400 bucks would be preferred. We really don't want some pulley party price war going on One person/vendor probably really can't handle all us anyway, especially this time of year...

Now, if Chris does want 8, then we all have some work to do still... I did throw this scenario his way though. I explained that airfare from San Jose/SF to Seattle is often 39 bucks each way. So, for less than 100 bucks he might be able to hit those folks also while in the Bay Area: 4 + 4 making for the 8 he might want...

We're just scratchin' the surface here! YES, I also want the ECU remapped to the smaller pulley. That is one reason I don't mind waiting until sometime in the summer when that should be more refined. That being the case, I'd pay for both while he was out here. I think others might as well, and with that maybe he would make such a trek with fewer commits... Hard to say at this point.

Stay-tuned guys. Spread the word about this. It sounds as though 8 is the max. If we start to approach those numbers, I will make it a point to start collecting names because Chirs and/or Randy might not be able to take others beyond 8. I want to make sure those who voted are the ones getting the deal. Ok, tell you what, if you voted, send me a PM. I will make sure that all are accounted for. So, I'm expecting 17 PM's - well, I guess 16 (including me)