“mini MOT”

Posted on by Ian C.

Today I joined some other MINIs for a “mini MOT” trip around Worcester, including Wachusett mountain. The day began at Bancroft Tower in Worcester, with MINIs gathering:

 

For a while we had 11 MINIs but Jeff dropped out and headed home, leaving us with 10 when we arrived at our first stop – “Major Willard Moore State Park”:

Minolta DSC

After a pleasant walk around the park, we returned to the MINIs and headed up Wachusett mountain, for some great views and light breezes to help cool us off:


Next stop was Wachusetts Brewery, including free samples (and no, I did not try any!); then, after some interesting back road driving, we arrived at Mikes house where a BBQ was on offer – Mikes home is a very nice place, with great landscaping for a very peaceful afternoon. And loads of food!

Eventually I had to leave, along with Jared, Harvey and Jason, heading up 290 and 495 in speedy convoy:

 

Special thanks to Mike and family for organizing the day, and for providing a spectacular quantity of great food and hospitality! Thanks also to Jeff for the Friday night personal tour of Worcester, for modifying my EZpass, and for the “eyes”:

Arrival – ’05 MINIs at MINI Peabody

Posted on by Ian C.

I got an email from Brig at MINI Peabody this morning, that some ’05 MINIs had arrived! Thanks Brig. So I ran down there with the camera to collect evidence 😉


There is a total of 11 ’05 MINIs (and one ’04 still there) – none of them have the new stereo. One is the new “purple haze” color:


I checked out the new key, and I checked out nearly everything else too:

New center storage console

New bigger mirror and interior lights

New xenon headlights

New chrome trim on MC (and back)

New rear lights

New dash trim and relocated airbag

The new stereo looks just like the old one, except for a bigger volume knob

GBMINI back from MINI Peabody

Posted on by Ian C.

Picked GBMINI up today – the throttle problem should now be banished forever. Brian & Gary were also happy to tell me they discovered the source of the (tiny) oil leak that had baffled us on a previous visit, and fixed that too!
I also noticed a poster offering the John Cooper Works upgrade kits at a discount:

JCWdiscount.jpg

As the sign says, the 2005 kit is altered so they are clearing out the older kits – if you want power and warranty this is your chance to grab a discount! I wonder if other dealerships are doing the same?
With only a couple of kits at MINI Peabody, I guess if you are interested you should call them soon … I paid full price for mine back in January, but I got five months of driving for my $500 😉