Best Paceman Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 108: Facebook group ramblings, Taillight options for 3rd gens& The Bigger MINI Picture. 21:10

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8h ago21:10

21:10

Welcome back to The Cooper Cast Podcast, with host Dale Blankenship and his ever-watchful sidekick, Kodi Monster, holding down the studio and the snack budget. This episode starts where so many MINI conversations begin these days: Facebook groups. Dale shares some of the things we regularly see floating around in MINI groups — good advice, question…

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Episode 107:Battery Brains, Club Notes, and Community Voices 19:44

4d ago19:44

19:44

Welcome back to another episode of The Cooper Cast Podcast, with host Dale Blankenship and his trusty sidekick, Kodi Monster—faithful, furry, and always ready to supervise from the nearest nap spot. This week, we dig into a topic that doesn’t sound exciting at first… but absolutely matters: registering a replacement battery in your MINI. Dale break…

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Episode 106; So You Bought the MINI… Now What & The Question the Week answers 16:56

10d ago16:56

16:56

Welcome back to The Cooper Cast, the FUN podcast for the MINI motoring community, with host Dale Blankenshipand his ever-faithful, treat-eating Producer Kodi keeping a watchful eye on things. This episode is a direct continuation of last week’s discussion about MINIs for sale. Bargain or mistake? Well… you rolled the dice, wrote the check, and brou…

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Episode 105:Bargain MINI or Money Pit? and a new preferred vendor Dale forgot! :-( 15:09

14d ago15:09

15:09

In this shorter episode of The Cooper Cast, host Dale Blankenship and Producer Kodi (silent, judgmental, and still unpaid) take a quick but important look at MINIs for sale on Facebook Marketplace and other online listings. Are these cars hidden gems and great bargains… or are they desperate attempts to unload a rolling money pit? Dale shares some …

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Episode 104: 2026 JCW Review, Love Letters, Questionable Batteries & Oily Futures 20:26

18d ago20:26

20:26

🎙️ In Episode 104 of The Cooper Cast Podcast, host Dale Blankenship and his ever-silent but sometimes-present studio supervisor, Producer Kodi Monster, kick things off by diving into a recent year-end review from an automotive outlet that spent the last year living with a 2025 MINI John Cooper Works hatch. The verdict? They loved it… mostly. Dale b…

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Episode 103: Buttons, Scammers, and a Big Comeback Run 29:19

21d ago29:19

29:19

On this week’s Cooper Cast, Dale and Producer Kodi (who still refuses to speak but continues demanding executive dog-treat compensation) kick things off with a quick look at the infamous start-stop feature. Good news: that universally hated gremlin might finally be headed for retirement… someday. We’ll take it. From there, we dive into the brewing …

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Episode 101: “Tag Cards, Local Clubs, and Ask-Dale Part Deux!” 34:01

25d ago34:01

34:01

In Episode 101 of The Cooper Cast Podcast, host Dale Blankenship and the ever-dependable Producer Kodi (who, as always, contributes exactly zero words) dive into another packed week in the MINI universe. We kick things off with a cruise through the wilds of the MINI Facebook world — where the posts are chaotic, the advice is questionable, and the e…

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🎉 Episode 100 — The podcast hits the Century Mark! 35:28

1M ago35:28

35:28

In this very special 100th episode of The Cooper Cast, host Dale Blankenship and his ever-faithful sidekick Producer Kodi Monster (who still doesn’t say much, but looks adorable doing it) celebrate a huge milestone in MINI podcast history. We kick things off with a look at a new–old headlight mod that’s making a comeback among MINI owners. Then it’…

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Episode 99: Tread Carefully, Talk Clearly, and Keep ’Em Guessing 27:44

1M ago27:44

27:44

In this episode, host Dale Blankenship and the always attentive (but never talkative) Producer Kodi Monster dive into the nuts and bolts of MINI life — literally and figuratively. • Tire Rotations: Your MINI’s Silent Lifesaver We kick things off with a big one that gets overlooked far too often: rotating your tires, especially on second-gen MINIs. …

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Episode 98: Reborn MINIs, Map Deals, and Winding Down the Season 18:33

1M ago18:33

18:33

In Episode 98 of The Cooper Cast Podcast, your host Dale Blankenship — joined, as always, by our silent-but-essential producer Kodi Monster — dives into a fun mix of MINI heritage, motoring tools, and end-of-season club talk. We kick things off with some exciting news from the Legendary Cooper Car Company, run by Mike Cooper Son of the John Cooper …

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🎙️ Episode 97 — Mapping the Madness: Routes, Runs & Road Tales 23:43

2M ago23:43

23:43

In this episode of The Cooper Cast Podcast, host Dale Blankenship and his trusty sidekick Producer Kodi Monster(who still doesn’t have a speaking role) take on one of the trickiest challenges every MINI event organizer faces — Route Planning. If plotting a great drive for your club feels like herding cats with a GPS, don’t worry — we’ve got help. D…

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🎙️ The Cooper Cast Episode 96: Special Editions from Paul Smith and one headed to Thailand, then The Question of the Week. 19:19

2M ago19:19

19:19

Host: Dale Blankenship | Producer: Kodi Monster (silent but deadly… cute) This week on The Cooper Cast, Dale dives headfirst into MINI’s latest attempt at fashion-forward motoring… and let’s just say the results are about as exciting as a beige wall in a blackout. First up: the new Paul Smith Edition MINI Cooper — the long-anticipated, high-fashion…

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Episode 95: Fall Colors in Virginia, Cool MINIs in South Korea and the Question of the Week! 23:46

2M ago23:46

23:46

Host: Dale Blankenship | Producer: Kodi (silent but scruffy) This week on The Cooper Cast, we hit the brakes (briefly) to wrap up Hampton Roads club MINI’s 22nd Annual Fall Colors Run — 436 miles, 4 states, 49 MINIs, and not a single drop of rain. (We’re not saying Dale has a deal with the weather gods, but we’re not not saying it either.) Then we …

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Episode 94 – MINIs, Formula 1, and Facebook Funnies 29:44

2M ago29:44

29:44

In Episode 94 of The Cooper Cast Podcast, host Dale Blankenship and everyone’s favorite silent sidekick, Producer Kodi, take a quick pit stop in Austin, Texas, where MINI USA joined forces with Sports Illustrated for an electrifying display at the U.S. Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas. From the Club SI lounge to MINI’s motorsport roots, it’s a…

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Episode 93 – The MINI That Never Was, a Show That Was, and a Chat That Was Needed 21:34

2M ago21:34

21:34

In Episode 93 of The Cooper Cast Podcast, host Dale Blankenship and trusty sidekick Producer Kodi (who finally gets a speaking part!) dive into what might’ve been the coolest, neatest, most sought-after MINI ever — the one that sadly never made it past the concept stage. Then, the duo shifts gears to the MINI Domination Car Show in Georgia — a big …

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Episode 92 – Lost Keys, Found Laughs, and Restored Faith in Humanity 18:25

3M ago18:25

18:25

In Episode 92 of The Cooper Cast Podcast, host Dale Blankenship and his world-famous producer, Kodi (who’s still holding out for a kibble sponsorship), tackle another round of MINI mayhem and feel-good moments. First up, the latest Cooper Cast Question of the Week — and this one had the MINI community absolutely cracking up. Let’s just say, if you …

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Episode 91 – Burnouts, Bright Spots, and Big Numbers 24:38

3M ago24:38

24:38

In this episode of The Cooper Cast Podcast, host Dale Blankenship (with Producer Kodi Monster loyally standing by) takes aim at the chaos that gave the car scene a big black eye in Gatlinburg — and why the rest of us are not impressed. Then we shine a well-deserved spotlight on a MINI club doing it right, earning praise straight from the Blue Ridge…

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Episode 90: MINI’s Sales Shake-Up, ICE Lives On, and Parking Like a Pro 13:44

3M ago13:44

13:44

In this week’s episode of The Cooper Cast, host Dale Blankenship and trusty sidekick Producer Kodi Monster dig into some big shifts that could shape MINI’s future. First, BMW has announced a brand-new direct sales model rolling out in Europe for 2027 — will MINI follow suit, and could this model eventually cross the pond to the U.S.? Then we turn t…

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Episode 89; The Question of the Week, Scammers M.O., Facebook group things and a new event at MOTD. 24:57

3M ago24:57

24:57

🎙️ The Cooper Cast – Episode 89 Host: Dale Blankenship Producer: Kodi Monster (faithful sidekick, still no speaking role 🐾) In Episode 89 of The Cooper Cast, Dale kicks things off with the ever-popular Cooper Cast Question of the Week — and this week’s question doesn’t disappoint. The answers from the MINI community are as fun and quirky as the car…

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Episode 88: Hybrids, Headlights, To PPF or not, & Handy MINI Tips 21:03

3M ago21:03

21:03

Welcome to Episode 88 of The Cooper Cast Podcast, Hosted by Dale Blankenship with Producer Kodi Monster on guard duty 🐾 In this episode, we take a look back at MINI’s short-lived Countryman Hybrid — a neat little stepping-stone into electrification that just didn’t stick around very long. Then we turn our attention to MINI’s new adaptive headlights…

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Episode 87: MINI Climbs the (reliability) Charts, scammers, MINI Problem, Gorgeous Coupe for sale, the Question of the Week. 30:07

3M ago30:07

30:07

This week on The Cooper Cast, Dale dives into some big news — MINI’s amazing uptick in reliability ratings. From being at the bottom of the charts to climbing into the top tier, it’s nothing short of remarkable. We’ll also shine a light on yet another scammer making the rounds in the MINI community (because they never seem to quit), and share the s…

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Episode 86- A New MINI Boss (again!), Youngest MINI Owner, and a Loose MINI. 19:59

3M ago19:59

19:59

In this episode, we’ve got a little bit of everything from the MINI world. First up, MINI Global has yet another new leader. At this point, I’m convinced they just keep the boss’s name written in chalk on the office door — makes for quicker updates when the next one rolls in. Next, we head to India, where one of the newest MINI owners just celebrat…

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Episode 85 – 5 Stars, Racey Concepts, and Oil Filters & Pics. 25:48

4M ago25:48

25:48

In this episode of The Cooper Cast, host Dale Blankenship and his trusty sidekick Producer Kodi Monster (who, as always, has no speaking role but lots of opinions) bring you another motoring mix of MINI news and community fun. 🚦 Safety First: The brand-new MINIs score five stars in the latest Euro NCAP crash tests — proving once again that small an…

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Episode 84: MINI Vinyl protection, Facebook Scammers, and Which Vendors Really Care 23:55

4M ago23:55

23:55

In this info-packed episode, host Dale Blankenship and Producer Kodi dive into a few hot topics for MINI owners! First up: protecting and maintaining your MINI’s graphics. Roof stripes, bonnet decals, side graphics — they aren’t “set it and forget it.” With a little TLC, your vinyl can stay looking fresh and sharp for years. Next, we tackle the dar…

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Episode 83: MINI Rules of Motoring, South Africa Breakfast Runs & A new Georgia Happening! 23:15

4M ago23:15

23:15

In this episode of The Cooper Cast, host Dale Blankenship and his trusty sidekick Producer Kodi (still silent, still adorable) dive into the Officially Unofficial Rules of Motoring—the essential code every MINIac should live by. Think of it as the “MINI Driver’s Handbook,” only with a lot more fun and a lot fewer DMV lines. From there, we take a tr…

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Episode 82: MINIs in Mercedes, Facebook ramblings and upcoming MINI Events. 17:23

4M ago17:23

17:23

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 F…

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Episode 81: Déjà Vu in the Facebook Groups & The Question of the Week 25:24

4M ago25:24

25:24

This week on The Cooper Cast, Dale Blankenship and his trusty (but still silent) producer Kodi Monster wade back into the wonderful, wacky world of MINI Facebook groups. Some of the same old questions keep popping up (yes, again), along with a few new ones to keep things interesting. Spoiler alert: the answers are just as “creative” as ever. After …

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Episode 80 – MINI at The Glen, Singapore’s Ultra-Rare MINI, Seat Stitching Cautions and the Question of the Week. 26:49

5M ago26:49

26:49

In this episode of The Cooper Cast Podcast, host Dale Blankenship and his trusty sidekick Producer Kodi (he’s a dog, you know) bring you a full MINI-flavored weekend recap and a few surprises along the way. We start with a wrap-up of this year’s MINI at The Glen at Watkins Glen International Raceway. The event kicked off at Torrey Ridge Winery, fol…

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Episode 79: Dipsticks, Dash Cams & the Mighty Mack 19:53

5M ago19:53

19:53

This week on The Cooper Cast, Dale Blankenship (and Producer Kodi Monster, who’s still refusing to speak on mic) tackle a mix of MINI topics worth tuning in for. First up—dipsticks. Yes, the kind for checking your oil, not the ones posting bad advice on Facebook. Then we chat about why a dash cam might be one of the best investments you can make fo…

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Episode 78; MINI Facebook group spotlight, Mystery MINIs, Parts Conundrums and the Question of the Week 21:58

5M ago21:58

21:58

In this episode, Dale and Producer Kodi take a scenic detour through the MINI world, starting with a shoutout to a seriously cool Facebook group: MINIs & Murals — where creative MINIacs pair their rides with eye-popping street art. It’s worth a scroll, trust us. Then, Dale grabs the mic (again) to tackle two recurring mysteries in the MINI communit…

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Episode 77: Wheel & Tire Cleaning Tips, Chili Red or BRG-who wins? And MINI Facebook group musings. 25:21

5M ago25:21

25:21

This week on The Cooper Cast, your host Dale Blankenship—joined by everyone's favorite four-legged producer, Kodi Monster—dives into the often-overlooked world of cleaning your wheels and tires. They may be dirty, but that doesn’t mean your cleaning routine should be half-baked. We’ve got some solid tips to help your MINI roll clean and true. We’ll…

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Episode 76: Alignments Are a Scam? Not Today, TikTok Boy, Oil changes and a few event notes. 26:34

5M ago26:34

26:34

🎙️ The Cooper Cast Podcast – Episode 76 "Alignment? Nah, Bro. Just Crash Into a Curb Instead." Hosted by Dale Blankenship & Producer Kodi Monster (he’s fluffy, but silent) In this episode, Dale and Kodi dig into some of the wild, wacky, and downright wrong things floating around in the Facebook MINI groups lately. From folks bragging about $19.99 o…

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Episode 75 – Washing Wisdom & Colorful Favorites 29:35

6M ago29:35

29:35

This week on The Cooper Cast Podcast, host Dale Blankenship and Producer Kodi Monster get into the sudsy side of MINI ownership with the next installment in our Car Care Series — Washing Your MINI. Spoiler alert: it's more than just grabbing a hose and a bucket. We break down the methods, the materials, and the science behind keeping your MINI’s fi…

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Episode 74: Facebook groups, Tweed Wraps, Tool Kits, and a Tearful Goodbye 26:27

6M ago26:27

26:27

In this episode of The Cooper Cast, host Dale Blankenship and a live mic from Producer Kodi hit the Facebook MINI groups once again — where the content is endless and the fun is always idling nearby. We ask: do we really need that many MINI groups? Spoiler: probably not, but we love 'em anyway. We discover a Florida shop that’s wrapping MINIs in...…

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Episode 73 – From Angry Hemis to Happy MINIs 16:00

6M ago16:00

16:00

This week on The Cooper Cast with host Dale Blankenship, we start things off with a surprise guest — Ram Trucks. That’s right. Ram dropped the Hemi, fans got mad, and guess what? Ram listened. So we ask the question: Should MINI be paying attention? Even though sales are strong for the new Countryman and 4-Door Hatch, some longtime MINIacs still ar…

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Episode 72 – Drama, Deals, and Keeping the Peace 18:53

6M ago18:53

18:53

with host Dale Blankenship This week on The Cooper Cast, Dale dives headfirst back into the wonderfully chaotic world of Facebook MINI groups — where the comments are wild, the opinions are strong, and the drama never takes a day off. We revisit the MINI club drama discussion and check in on this week’s Cooper Cast Question of the Week. Not many re…

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Episode 71 – Tires, lending out a MINI, and Tiny Explosions Under the Hood 27:11

6M ago27:11

27:11

This week on The Cooper Cast, we dive into the swirling vortex that is the MINI Cooper Facebook universe. Dale and Producer Kodi (yes, he speaks!) sort through posts and questions that are on the minds of MINIacs everywhere. Thinking about switching from 205 to 215 tires? We break down the pros, the cons, and why those extra millimeters might just …

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Episode 70: Drama, Divides, and Doing Better 21:44

7M ago21:44

21:44

One Facebook post. That’s all it took to pop the lid off something that’s been simmering in the MINI Community for a while. In Episode 70, Dale dives head-first into the thread that opened the floodgates—and what poured out was surprising, enlightening, and in many ways, long overdue. Turns out, plenty of longtime MINIacs and newer owners have been…

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🎙️ Episode 69 MINI event wrap ups in So. Carolina & Canada + Previews of events in NH & MI, and the Question of the Week! 22:56

7M ago22:56

22:56

🎙️ The Cooper Cast Podcast – Episode 69 Hosted by Dale Blankenship In this episode, Dale wraps up his road trip adventure of his speaking engagement at the Upstate MINIs monthly meeting in Greenville, SC, and gives a report on the MINI Rendez Vous Quebec gathering held back in May. 🇨🇦 Then it’s on to some previews of two of the most iconic events i…

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Episode 68 – Wheel Spacers & Wobbly Answers 24:37

7M ago24:37

24:37

In this episode of The Cooper Cast Podcast, host Dale Blankenship is joined by Program Director Chassie (riding shotgun as always, and keeping the studio safe from squirrels). We dive deep into the mysterious world of wheel spacers—are they a brilliant handling upgrade or just a one-way ticket to trouble? Tune in to find out the good, the bad, and …

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🎙️ Episode 67 – Paceman Praise, Flaming EVs, and Wagon Regrets 18:43

7M ago18:43

18:43

In this week’s episode of The Cooper Cast, host Dale Blankenship kicks things off with a heartfelt (and slightly sarcastic) nod to the MINI Paceman—the quirky coupe/SUV/wagon-ish thing that never quite knew what it wanted to be, but we loved it anyway. Then we dive into some wild stuff from the world wide inter-MINI-webs, like automotive journalist…

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Episode 66; Facebook group happening and the Cooper Cast Question of the Week 24:53

7M ago24:53

24:53

In Episode 66 of The Cooper Cast Podcast, host Dale Blankenship dives back into the chaotic charm of Facebook MINI groups to uncover some of the most frequently asked—and occasionally baffling—questions that keep popping up. From the helpful to the hilarious, Dale shares four common posts and offers his take on each one. We also tackle the Cooper C…

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Episode 65 – Why Local MINI Clubs Matter 24:35

8M ago24:35

24:35

Episode 65 hosted by Dale Blankenship with silent side-eye from Producer Kodi 🐾 This week on The Cooper Cast, we kick things off with the Cooper Cast Question of the Week: “What’s the best reason to join your local MINI club or group instead of just sticking to the giant global Facebook groups?” You all had plenty to say — and spoiler alert: it’s n…

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Episode 64; Sales Slumps & Simple Stuff 32:38

8M ago32:38

32:38

This week on The Cooper Cast Podcast, host Dale Blankenship dives into MINI USA sales numbers through the years. At first glance, things looked a little rough—enough to raise an eyebrow—but after some digging, it turns out MINI’s dip is right in line with what’s happening across the industry. It’s not just our favorite little cars feeling the pinch…

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Episode 63; MINIs On The Dragon wrap-up and having a laugh at Audi, or is it AUDI? 24:59

8M ago24:59

24:59

In Episode 63 of The Cooper Cast podcast, host Dale Blankenship, Producer Kodi (who once again insists on making himself heard), and Program Director Chassie wrap up the always-thrilling MINIs On The Dragon. This year’s event was a motoring masterpiece, with 601 enthusiastic attendees and over 450 MINIs tearing up the curves of the famous Tail of t…

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Episode 62; Mini named the most iconic British car EVER! Tips from the MOTD webpage and the Question of The Week. 20:24

8M ago20:24

20:24

The Cooper Cast Podcast — Episode 62 Hosted by Dale Blankenship In this week’s episode, we kick things off with some BIG news from across the pond — a new survey just crowned the classic Mini as the most iconic British car of all time. Yep, you heard that right... ALL TIME! Our favorite little motoring legend beat out some seriously heavy hitters t…

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Episode 61; MINI USA a no-show at the NY auto show, A Carolina MINI with new graphics & the Question Of the Week 21:55

8M ago21:55

21:55

In this episode of The Cooper Cast Podcast, host Dale Blankenship (and the semi-silent but always sleepy Producer Kodi) catch up on all things MINI after a short pit stop thanks to being under the weather. But don’t worry—we’re back and revved up! First up, we take a look at what MINI USA is doing for the New York International Auto Show. Spoiler a…

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Episode 60: Last day's happenings at MINIs On The Dragon. 27:51

9M ago27:51

27:51

In this episode of The Cooper Cast Podcast, host Dale Blankenship (the voice behind the wheel) and his trusty sidekick Producer Kodi (currently on his fourth nap of the day) bring you along for the final stretch of MINIs on the Dragon—and what a ride it’s going to be! Just because it’s the last day doesn’t mean the motoring magic is over. There’s s…

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Episode 59: Low Speed Pre Ignition, ever heard of it? YOU WILL! And Friday at MINIs On The Dragon! 34:30

9M ago34:30

34:30

We kick things off with something every MINI owner needs to hear about: Low-Speed Pre-Ignition (LSPI). Never heard of it? Neither had Dale—until Chad from Detroit Tuned dropped this ticking time bomb of knowledge. It’s a real party killer hiding inside your engine, and if you’re not paying attention, it could do catastrophic damage. We're talking b…

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pisode 58 – Octane Ratings & Dragon Day Two: Let’s Get Fueled Up! 26:24

9M ago26:24

26:24

Welcome to episode 58 with your host Dale Blankenship (and background moral support from Producer Kodi Monster) This week on The Cooper Cast, we're fueling your brain and your MINI. First up: Octane ratings—what are they, what do they really mean, and most importantly, what should you be putting in your MINI’s tank? We bring in MINI tuning wizard C…