Going on MTTS? Looking for something to get you even more excited about it while you wait for Woofcast 346? Have an iPhone/iPad/Android device and can’t access the MTTS website? Well Ladies and Gents, We’ve got you covered.

I have set up a page for MTTS Updates that is mobile friendly! It’s the same pages from the MTTS site, so when they update them there, they will update here as well. Go ahead, check it out. NOTE You will have to switch the mobile theme off for the page to display correctly. Once you do that, it should show up on your mobile device.

A few more pre-MTTS notes for you. If you are using an iPhone, open the app store and download the MINI Link app. If you are using any smart phone, now would be a good time to embrace Twitter. Once you do that, you can follow all of the WRR boys here. You can also get updates for MTTS from MINI USA by following @MTTS2010, @MTTS2010_east (if you are coming in from east of the Rockies) or @MTTS2010_west if you are coming in from west of the Rockies.

Woofcast 346 will be ready later today.

Dear valued White Roof Radio listener,

It would appear that we, as a group, have not being diligent enough in keeping an eye on the vital fluids that our MINIs require to be happy and healthy. Proof above from Eric Hall, MINI Service Manager for MINI of Ontario. As a reminder, here is a handy how-to video that should help you out.

You R56 owners can find the Yellow Loopy Thing, sans loop, on the passenger side, under the bonnet. It is still yellow and the procedure is still the same.

Next time you are spending time with other MINI Cooper owners, help spread the word. Before beginning the rally or sitting down for the meeting, gather everyone in the parking lot for an oil checking party! Fun for the whole family!

We at White Roof Radio truly care about your MINI and want you and your MINI to have many miles of happy, healthy motoring. So please, take a minute or 3 this week while you are getting fuel to pop the bonnet and check your oil. If you are low, head over to your nearest MINI dealer and the nice person at the parts desk will happily sell you a quart or two. No MINI dealer nearby, then punch up Detoit Tuned and Chad will get you sorted our in short order.

As usual, thank you for your time,

xoxo

The boys at White Roof Radio

Want a WC-50? Maybe spend the early afternoon playing a round of mini golf with some fellow MINI enthusiasts first? Followed by a carne asada BBQ? What are you doing on June 26th?

I know what I will be doing! I’m going to be at MINI of Ontario to enjoy the festivities of their special event centered around the rarest MINI of them all; the WC 50. Besides the mini golf and BBQ, MINI of Ontario will be auctioning off one of the prized JCW WC 50 MINIs. There aren’t many of them to go around, even on the west coast, so this will be a good way to try to get one and benefit the Loma Linda Ronald McDonald House at the same time!

Here’s the skinny. If you want to get in on the silent auction, give Dan the Sales Manager a call at 888-743-4041 and he will get you prequalified. Once that is done, you will get the chance to bid on the car. Here is the cool part.

A portion of the proceeds above the MSRP of the WC 50 will be going directly to the Loma Linda Ronald McDonald House. I’m not sure what portion, but knowing MINI of Ontario, it will be sizable!

If you want to get in on the MINI golf, email Katey West (kateyw@savagebmw.com) to RSVP. Do that quick since there are only 50 spots. They are filling up fast!

In an effort to make it as easy as possible for all y’all to stay up with all that happens ’round these parts, we’ve been working fairly hard and setting things up to do exactly that.

If you are on Facebook (and, really, who isn’t), you can keep up with the latest news from MotoringFile.com here, White Roof Radio here, Motoring Badges here and BimmerFile here. Fan those pages to keep up on the latest and greatest news, podcasts and other information as it happens!

Are you on Twitter? We have you covered there too!

@MotoringFile
@WhiteRoofRadio
@MotoringBadges
@AskChad
@BimmerFile

If you are going to be attending any event that we are covering, these definitely should be on your follow list, especially during MTTS. Hit up the @AskChad on Twitter to send over a question. Follow MotoringBadges on Facebook to see the latest designs as they happen or discuss the latest stories from MotoringFile (BimmerFile too) right in your news feed!

If you are using a mobile device (iPhone, Android) take a minute to click over to Whiteroofradio.com. I’ve been working to make it a better experience for you guys. And, for reals, the Motoringbadges.com site redo will be happening after the Dragon and will also be getting a similiar treatment.

Of course, feedback and questions are welcome! Comments are open, go nuts.

Change your own spark plugs!

Total cost was about $45 from Detroit Tuned (but the price is the same at all of the other MINI Vendors too, we’re just partial to Chad. Next time you are at the dealer, I dare you to find out how much this job would cost.

Then, come back later to thank us.

Woofcast 330 will be up later tonight, then it’s off to AMVIV baby! Be sure to play along with the home game if you aren’t going via Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. Plus here and MotoringFile as usual. If you are going to Vegas, we will be seriously disappointed if you don’t come by the Motoringbadges table and say hello.

Seriously.

We also might have mentioned that we wanted to have a bit of a listener only party after the event. Let this serve as your official notice of said event!

Since Todd is flying all the way from KC (where, oddly enough, the weather will be better), we’re putting him in the swankest hotel in the IE; The Aloft. Everything that I’m seeing and reading says this place is all that and a bag of chips. How about you, me, Todd and as many MINI Owners as possible come down and see how they handle the crowd? We even have a small budget for this shindig for food and non-adult style beverages.

Here are the details:

The Aloft Hotel 10480 Fourth Street Rancho Cucamonga, California 91730

Let’s say 6:30/7:00PM-ish? In the hotel bar? If we outgrow this place, I’m sure we’ll be able to find someplace equally cool to hang out.

It’s going to a lot of fun and it’s also a great way to warm up for AMVIV happening in just a few short weeks!

Hanging out at MINI of Ontario yesterday and talking to the service manager who tells me that he has had 4 cars, recently, with engines that were in need of replacement due to oil starvation, including an MCS with less than 15k miles on the clock.

Haven’t we talked about that?

Next time you fuel your MINI, take the 30 seconds to check your oil. Remind everyone at the next club meeting you go to. Start a thread on a message board. Something. There is no reason for you to lose your engine because it ran out of oil!

If you forgot how to check your oil, or aren’t terribly sure about the procedure, check out the video above to set your straight. If you are low, head to your local MINI Cooper dealer’s parts counter and they will sell you all you need. No dealer nearby? Your local parts house sells Castro Synthetic which works in a pinch. Or punch up your favorite MINI Cooper after-market shop like OutMotoring.com, Detroit Tuned, Minimania.com or Moss MINI to get it as well.

This is turning into an epidemic of epidemic proportions gang for something that is easily corrected with a minute of time and a couple of quarts of $5 oil.

If you aren’t you should be. I’m sure going through the program that Agro recently posted will help.

AMVIV is A MINI Vacation in Vegas happening the last weekend of March, 2010 at Aliante Station in North Las Vegas. For information and details visit the website at www.amviv.com

Getting close to closing out February and it would seem that you folks out in White Roof Radio land are still enjoying this little dog and pony show that Todd, Gabe, Chad and I put together every week. Click the graphic above to see that WRR is currently holding down the #6 spot for audio automotive podcasts! That’s better than Car & Driver, all of the Motortrend shows and Autoblog!

You rule!

We’ve got a big month coming up that you aren’t going to want to miss! First up, I will be at MINI of Ontario for the blood drive on February 27th. If you think you are going to make it, RSVP on Facebook or call Colin at 909.390.1818 to let him know you are coming. It’s going to be pretty awesome.

If you haven’t been over there yet, here is a short video to give you a taste of how cool it is!

After that, Todd and I will both be back at MINI of Ontario on March 6th for their Grand Opening! It’s going to be a HUGE party that you won’t want to miss! Bonus, if you aren’t in SoCal, you might not have too. Stay tuned for details coming. UPDATE: If you are planning on attending, please RSVP on Facebook or email rsvp@miniofontario.com.

Finally, at the end of March we will all be at AMVIV! We say this every year, but we honestly think that this is the year you are not going to want to miss! It is going to be EPIC!

Thanks for listening, thanks for sticking with us and thanks for spreading the word. It’s because of you, the fine White Roof Radio listener, that we do this!

We find cool videos all the time and favorite them on the WRR YouTube channel. Check it out!

Hello all you MINI Motoring enthusiasts how would you like to get a FREE oil change? That’s right we said free! In appreciation of all our MINI of Ontario Twitter followers we’d like to invite you to enter and win. All you have to do to enter is follow MINI of Ontario on Twitter (@MINIofOntario). Already a follower? You’re one step ahead of the game! The winner will be chosen at random Wednesday January 27th 2010 at 12:00pm PST and notified via @ on Twitter. GOOD LUCK and LET’S MOTOR!

There wasn’t time to put together a fresh one for you guys, but this is the one from 2007. I still think it’s pretty good and hope you enjoy it as your Motor around for the rest of the holiday season.

All of us would like to thank all y’all for being such awesome fans and sticking with us for another year! We had the chance to meet a good number of you at events around the globe this year, and we hope that 2010 gives us the chance to meet even more of you and reconnect at even more events, including AMVIV and a few others.

From myself, Todd, Chad, Gabe, and Michael Merry Christmas gang!

Woofcast Christmas: Download audio file (wrrxmas07_vocal.mp3)

Download | 32.6MB | 35:29 | Music Only

We do like to promote our Facebook Fan page quite a bit. So, imagine our frustration this week when, every time we try to do something cool with our Facebook Fan page, we see the error message above.

I’m contacting Facebook every chance I get about it and hope that normal service shall resume ASAP.

Thanks!

New update from Andrew ‘Agro’ Ross about AMVIV7, happening March 25th – 28th, 2010. In case you missed it, we actually talked to Agro during Woof 308 so you can go back and listen if you haven’t already.

Hi everyone. It’s been a while I know, but I finally have some AMVIV news for you.

We have signed a hotel contract! We’re moving away from Palace Station this year, to another property in the Station Casinos family. We’re going to Aliante Station which is a brand new, absolutely beautiful hotel casino. The hotel part is a bit smaller than Palace, and we will have the entire hotel blocked out for our attendees. Yes, if you see someone in the hotel elevator, they will be another AMVIV attendee.

The parking garage is nicer than Palace’s in several ways.

1st, it’s quite a bit bigger so we can have the Boot N Bonnet show all on the top floor and actually have space to park well over 100 attendee MINIs up there at the same time.

2nd, it has power more easily available than at Palace, so more vendors will be able to have power at their booths.

3rd, it has proper drainage so the detailer can be on the top floor without worrying about getting other cars wet.

4th (and best in my opinion) the ramp up to the 6th floor is a straight shot, so no more driving in circles through the garage to get up top! This also means that vendors with large trailers will be able to get them up the ramp and have them actually at the BNB instead of 6 floors below.

5th, 2 sets of elevators.

6th, a sound system we will be able to tap into for announcements.

The rooms at Aliante are gorgeous with all the amenities you’d expect from a new resort property in Las Vegas. And to sweeten the deal, the rate is lower than you paid last year at Palace. Rooms are $99 per night plus taxes. You can book a room by phone at 1-877-477-SOAR (7627) and use group code S03MINI or book online with this link. The hotel only has 200 rooms, so you if you want to make sure you’re staying at the “home hotel”, you might want to go ahead and book early.

AMVIV 7 dates are March 25th-28th, 2010 and the group rates are good from March 20th to March 31st so you can make a real vacation of it if you want to.

We haven’t decided yet if we are going to have a banquet dinner this year. The results of the survey many of you completed were inconclusive as to whether we should do it or not, however the prices we have from Aliante for food look like if we DO have a banquet this year, tickets will probably run around $36 or $37 a head, which is 1-2 dollars less than last year in a much nicer room.

If you have strong feelings that we SHOULD have a banquet this year, please email me and let me know. The low attendance last year meant that the SCMC wound up paying for the banquet room and actually lost money on the entire event, so we are only going to have the banquet if we are reasonably sure of at least 500 tickets sold. If the banquet doesn’t happen, the prizes will be given away at the Boot N Bonnet Show or possibly at some other sub-event.

The other thing I need include here is this:

Do you want to get a free room at AMVIV7? How about a free shirt in the special “event staff” color?

Well here’s your chance! Once again we are asking the MINI community to help us out with the designs for the AMVIV shirt, hat and book cover. The person who submits the winning design will receive 2 nights free at Aliante Station during AMVIV7 (March 2010), a shirt with your design printed on it in the staff shirt color and worldwide recognition as the designer of the 2010 AMVIV shirt, hat and book cover. Your shirt back design can include your signature or (small) company logo if you would like to promote yourself or your business.

This year’s theme will be “Lucky number 7” and we’ve been throwing around ideas like dice with MINIs for the spots, slot machines, cards and such. The designs will have to work on the regular color shirts (red this year) and on the staff shirts (yellow) but otherwise, it’s up to you.

If you are interested in this, please email me at AMVIVcontest@gmail.com for specs and requirements and such. If you want to see what past designs look like, head over to see the past winners!

That’s all I have for now. Keep an eye on your inbox for more updates. And make sure you let your favorite MINI vendors know that you want to see them at AMVIV. The more they know that people want to see them here, the more likely they are to attend.

See you in March,

Andrew Ross aka Agro

Right after MINIs in the Mountains, I get a call from our man Todd. He got an idea. Phone calls and emails ensue and a plan is formed. A plan to keep my MINI up and running to 300k miles and, hopefully beyond!

To celebrate the 300th episode of White Roof Radio and to get my MINI back into the proper shape an official mascot should be in, Motoringbadges.com has issues a new, commerative badge (see above).

For $10 you will get the 300 – 300K badge and the WRR Supporter decal! And, 100% of the proceeds (after costs, taxes, fees and Todd’s Bourbon of the Month membership) will go directly into parts and service to keep this MINI:

Running the way a MINI should, especially one that is the mascot for the World Famous White Roof Radio!

If you don’t want a badge, but still would like to help out, just click the button below. Any amount, any time.

To help celebrate 4 years of the Woofcast, SCMM, one of the largest MINI Cooper Clubs in the nation, has published an article about us in their latest newsletter.

If you are in Southern California, this is the only club to join. Great events, great people and always a good time. I should know, I’m member number one!

Check it out, on page 3, here (pdf download)

It’s been a while since you heard from me, but it’s about the time that we start seriously planning AMVIV for next year. The Sin City MINI Club has a new President this year (welcome and congratulations to Mark Finn) and we are contemplating a few changes to mix things up a little and keep the event fresh for those of you who have been here several times.

I have put together a survey on SurveyMonkey.com. The results are aggregated and not identifiable as having come from a particular person or even location, so please feel free to be honest.

As you can imagine, response to the survey was huge. So huge in fact that it filled up the database of the first survey. Not to worry, you can still give your feedback. You don’t have to sign up, provide your email address or anything. Follow the links below to help out.

If your last name starts with the letters:

• A-H take this survey
• I-P use this link
• Q-Z take this one

Like I said, it only takes a few minutes and your feedback will greatly assist the AMVIV Planning Committee in creating the next AMVIV! Making it better than it was. Better. Stonger. Faster.

That’s right, WRR is starting something new! After spending sometime with Chad Miller from Detroit Tuned during Woofcast 301, we thought it would be fun if we could get you, the WRR listener, to send in questions that Chad could answer. As it turns out, you think it’s a good idea too, based on the great feedback we’ve received this week!

Here’s the dealio. If you have a question about modifying, repairing or maintaining your MINI, shoot that over to askchad@whiteroofradio.com or call the WRR voicemail line at (206) 202-3252. When we get enough questions, we’ll get Chad back on the show to get those questions answered.

To start with we are shooting for twice a month. But, if we get enough questions, we might do it weekly!

Jim Peterson’s trailer is parked next to our booth space and it doubles as a signal to passing planes (read – it reflects the sun like nobody’s business.) Anyway, I announced the first person to be photographed shirtless, tanning themselves in the reflections of said teardrop mini trailer would get a free Motoring Badge. Our man C.r. Fitch IV, big WRR fan, jumped to the challenge immediately.

Good times right there!

From what I can tell, looks like everyone is having a great time! If you are one of them, give the WRR voicemail line a ring to tell us all about it!