It is Wednesday June 12 and we in the Palmer / Wasilla area and we saw a new Mini Hardtop S today with 30 tags and a new Roadster S with the top down.
[/size] A beautiful day in the upper 60's.[/i]
[/size]As incredible as Alaska is and all we have seen . . . there is no place like home !    [/i]

That sounds great. Say hello to the Hares. Alaska is on my list of places to go some day.  You all have a great time.

That really is an interesting web site.  Lots of cool pictures.  That would have been an awesome drive.  I can't believe that they covered over 6,600, and visited 13 countries.  That would be the drive of a life time.  I can't wait to hear how Rob and Carol's drive to Alaska goes. 

Get the rear sway bar! You will LOVE it!! 

I bought my MINI Cooper Countryman S on July 25th, 2011.  The first time I drove it was when i drove it off the lot. 
Some would say that was a mistake, I think it is one of the best things I've ever done....car wise that is. 
Here is a picture of Tyrion when I first got him home








Off the lot, he had the JCW Aero kit, and the JVW Sport stripes.  He has both the bonnet and hood sport stripes.  I believe that
Tyrion has the Cold Weather Package installed too.  At the time he was built, Japan was recovering from the tsunami, so he
doesn't have some of the other packages I'd want.  I have the Nav system, with the fully upgraded radio too.


The first things I purchased for Tyrion were some new snow shows.  He come with the anthracite wheels and performance summer tires.  I purchased a set of performance winter tires, and chrome wheels for him.  The tires were great, as I've had no problems at all in snow or ice.


I have had a few other things done to him.  The mods include


Samco Turbo Hoses
NM Engineering Hi-Flow Intake Kit
NM Engineering Engine Torque Arm Insert
NM Engineering RS Alpha Spring Kit
Helix Rear Adjustable Control Arms


These were all installed by Chad from Detroit Tuned.  At the time, he even custom fit the Engine Torque Arm Insert, as NM
Engineering only made it for the ALL4.  Below are some pictures of the mod'd car


The new parts!



Turbo Tubes (red) and Air Intake



Close up of above



R60s without wheels and new springs on



Stock Suspension (side view)



Lowered (side view)..about 1.6" in the front, and 1.4" in the read.



Lowering my car was a great move.  it handles so much better, and doesn't have that top heavy feel anymore.
I haven't had any issues bottoming out yet, but I did need to replace the rear control arms, and get an expert
alignment done.