Welcome back, MINI enthusiasts! In this week's episode of The Cooper Cast, your host Dale Blankenship dives into the mods that can turn your MINI from a daily driver into a thrill-seeking road warrior. We’re talking engine upgrades, suspension tweaks, and all those little touches that make your MINI more fun to drive. Whether you're just starting or ready to take it to the next level, we've got you covered.

Next, we gear up for the first big MINI event of the year—Helenblitz in Helen, Georgia, from February 27th to March 2nd. Imagine a Bavarian-themed town overrun by MINIs! It’s as fun as it sounds, and the town loves having us there.

Oh, and a quick shoutout to Producer Kodi, who needed a couple of potty breaks during the recording. Good help is hard to find, but hey, at least he works for treats!

Until next time, Motor safely and don't forget to wave!

Helenblitz info!
https://helenblitz.com/

Hey there, MINI fans! It’s time for another episode of The Cooper Cast Podcast with your host, Dale Blankenship, and our often-missing-in-action Producer Kodi (who's AWOL again—surprise, surprise!). This week, we’re diving into some of the most persistent questions from the MINI Facebook groups. You know the ones—folks asking for advice with zero context. Annoying? Sure. But we’re here to guide them on how to ask better questions!

We’re tackling the notorious Check Engine Light and the ever-popular “What Tires Should I Buy?” Instead of just answering, we’re offering advice on what details they should include to get the best help. And don’t miss our question of the week from the podcast Facebook group, where we take a humorous spin on motoring refreshments. Plus, big news—we just hit 5,000 downloads! Thanks for motoring with us

In Episode 39 of The Cooper Cast Podcast, host Dale Blankenship and Producer Kodi hit the brakes on their original plans to address some electrifying breaking news: BMW and MINI are tapping the brakes on electric vehicle development. What could this mean for MINI fans and their beloved brand’s future? Shifting gears, they dive into the Cooper Cast Facebook group’s “Road Snack” question of the week, where salty and sweet opinions collide. Spoiler: it’s a buffet of fun insights!

The Pew research poll on EV buyers and their thoughts. I especially thought the political part of the poll was funny. 

https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/07/13/how-americans-view-electric-vehicles/

Dale (fighting off a festive flu) and Kodi deliver an abbreviated holiday episode packed with MINI insights! They dive into the peril of motoring in Roadsters, Coupes, and second-gen JCWs with elusive crash parts—should we drive differently? Probably not. Last week’s 'Question of the Week' asks if the new MINI is tech overload—spoiler: opinions abound. Wrapping it all up, Dale and Kodi wish the MINI motoring family a Merry Christmas and happy motoring! 🎄

In this episode, host Dale Blankenship and ever-vigilant producer Kodi Monster delve into the hopeful return of manual transmissions to upcoming MINIs. Did MINI drop the stick too quickly in 2025? MINI USA seems to think so and is lobbying for a comeback! We also share solutions for keeping your MINI’s battery charged while it’s hibernating for the winter, reveal highlights from last week’s Facebook "Question of the Week," and toot our horn (just a little) and celebrate our success with your help with Cooper Cast’s 2024 stats. Thank you for motoring along with us!

In this week’s episode of The Cooper Cast Podcast, Dale Blankenship dives under the hood to discuss the infamous carbon build-up problem in second-generation MINI engines. What causes it? Can you prevent it? And most importantly, how do you fix it? Dale breaks it all down so you can keep your MINI running smooth.

We also gear up for the first big MINI event of 2025—Helenblitz! From February 27th to March 2nd, the charming Bavarian themed town of Helen, Georgia, will transform into a MINI mecca. We share what’s in store and why this event is a must-attend for MINI enthusiasts.

And finally, we couldn’t resist sharing the best (and funniest) responses to the questions we asked on the Cooper Cast Podcast Facebook page. MINI owners never disappoint when it comes to laughs and insight!

Join us for a turbo-charged ride through MINI mechanics, events, and community chatter!

 Join host Dale Blankenship for another exciting episode of The Cooper Cast! This week, we tackle the sudden rise in key fob problems and uncover the mystery of hidden keys and door locks—are they plotting against us? Introducing a brand-new segment: "Why Did You Buy Your 1st MINI?" Hear stories that range from practical to quirky to downright sentimental, and we’ll feature a few new tales in every episode for the next several weeks. We also share a top-notch recommendations for your MINI Club's 2025 calendar. Plus, we tease some exciting future content:

• Interviews with MINI club officers from across the U.S. and around the globe.
• A deep dive into the pros and cons of a national MINI club. Is it time for a united MINI Nation? And do we really need it?

Buckle up and hit play—there’s plenty to drive into this week!

In Episode 34 of The Cooper Cast Podcast, host Dale Blankenship tackles tire warning lights, auxiliary drive belts, and scammer antics straight from the wilds of Facebook MINI groups—because even MINIs need drama sometimes. We also geek out over shiny new options for the 2025 JCW Hardtop and chat about the fresh MINI Convertible. Plus, discover a clever, no-drill solution for mounting a front license plate—because who wants holes in their MINI’s pretty face?

JCW Options
https://www.motoringfile.com/2024/11/22/first-look-new-jcw-accessories-for-the-f66-mini-cooper/

New MINI Convertible
https://www.motoringfile.com/2024/11/19/review-2025-mini-cooper-s-convertible-brings-open-top-experience-to-the-new-mini-line-up/

CravenSpeed Platypus License Bracket
https://www.motoringfile.com/2024/11/19/review-cravenspeed-platypus-license-plate-mount/

CravenSpeed (Lots of good MINI accessories)
https://www.cravenspeed.com/the-platypus-license-plate-mount-2/

In this episode of The Cooper Cast Podcast, host Dale Blankenship, joined by Producer Kodi Monster and Executive President Chassie, dives into a couple of  intriguing finds from the MINI Facebook groups. They also discuss the exciting lineup of MINI events coming in 2025, featuring one run from coastal Georgia up to Maine, and other MINI events in Michigan, Canada, and, of course, the legendary MINIs On The Dragon.

The team shifts gears to chat about the Past Gas podcast's riveting episode on Alec Issigonis, the brilliant mind behind the original Mini. It’s a fascinating journey into his life, his creative process, and how his ingenuity gave rise to an automotive legend.

Tune in for a mix of MINI updates, event previews, and a hearty dose of history in this episode The Cooper Cast Podcast!


MINIs On The Dragon
https://www.minisonthedragon.com/

Mini On The Mack
https://minionthemack.com/

Mini Takes The Lighthouses
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1527403447912888/

MINI Rendez Vous-Quebec
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2752478088104398/


Past Gas Podcast
https://open.spotify.com/show/0KhLZruE5HhtmoLAuP0Lu3

Grab a warm drink and settle in! This week, Dale Blankenship is back with an all-weather edition of The Cooper Cast, ready to roll through some big topics. We kick things off with another round of tire talk—yes, tires are back! Dale dives into the fine art of MINI tires. From replacing one, to a whole set.  Because let's face it, those little things keep us on the road and make motoring more fun!

We run across a MINI owner with a possibly haunted radio. Okay, it's not haunted but it does have a weird problem. Meanwhile, it’s a bittersweet moment as we say goodbye to an icon at MINI USA, tipping our hats to their lasting legacy and the miles they've put on the clock for MINI enthusiasts everywhere.

Finally, we get you prepped for the colder months ahead with a guide to winterizing your MINI. From antifreeze checks to protecting your MINI from the ravages of winter. Dale covers the essentials to make sure your MINI is ready to take on winter weather with confidence.

It’s another fun and informative spin with Dale—listen in to get all the details and drive your MINI through winter like a pro!

The Leather Repair Company
https://www.leatherrepaircompany.com/

Glassparency Glass Treatment
https://glassparency.com/pages/hydrophobic-windshield-treatment-with-glass-coating

Tires:
https://www.discounttire.com/
https://www.tirerack.com/content/tirerack/desktop/en/homepage.html