In Episode 82 of The Cooper Cast, host Dale Blankenship and Producer Kodi Monster (still silent, still stealing the show) dig into some surprising MINI news—Mercedes wants to use our engines in their future models. That’s right, the three-pointed star is turning to our trusty little motor. Kudos, MINI!

From there, we roll through the MINI-related Facebook groups—where the questions are sometimes familiar, sometimes fresh, and always entertaining. We also catch up on the latest from MINIs on the Dragon, including updates on booking hiccups and a brand-new announcement: the very first Cooper Cast MINI-ature Golf Tournament, coming your way at MOTD 2026.

Next up, it’s MINIs Take the Lighthouses—27 lighthouses in a week, stretching from Georgia to Maine. We even help a fellow MINIac from Maryland track down a reliable repair shop, proving once again that the community really does come through.

And of course, we look ahead at a packed October calendar: MINIs Slay the Sleeping Dragon, MINIs Take the Lighthouses, MINIs Take Vermont, MINIs in the Ozarks, and the always-colorful Hampton Roads Fall Colors Run.

So whether you’re into golf balls, light beams, or Dragon curves, this episode has something for every MINIac.

Mercedes wants MINI engines

https://www.motoringfile.com/2025/08/22/mercedes-might-use-bmws-b48-engine-what-it-means-for-future-mini-coopers/

MINIs Slay The Sleeping Dragon

https://www.facebook.com/HWY129MSSD

MINIs In The Ozarks

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057586782750

https://www.ozarkmini.com 

MINI Takes Vermont

https://www.facebook.com/groups/444398442723000

https://www.mtvt.club/

MINIs Take The Lighthouses

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1527403447912888/

Hampton Roads club MINIs Fall Colors Run

https://www.facebook.com/events/1039646441532800/?active_tab=discussion