Welcome back to The Cooper Cast Podcast, broadcasting once again from Cooper Cast HQ with host Dale Blankenship and an ailing—but still on duty—Producer Kodi, proving that the show must go on… preferably with snacks and naps.

In this episode, we start by talking through some early plans for 2026 for the Hampton Roads club MINI group. These are ideas that are working, scaling well, and might be worth borrowing for other growing MINI clubs looking to strengthen participation, keep members engaged, and build something sustainable instead of just chasing numbers.

Next up, Dale shares an unlikely—but surprisingly smart—source for MINI rally and drive ideas: motorcycle magazines. When you think about it, it makes perfect sense. Riders love the same twisty roads we do, they obsess over scenery and elevation changes, and they’ve been documenting great routes for decades. Sometimes inspiration comes from looking just outside the car world.

Then we bring it home by wrapping up Part 3 of our MINI Community series, tying together the conversation about how massive global Facebook groups can unintentionally pull focus away from what truly defines the MINI experience. Dale closes the loop on why local clubs matter, how they create deeper connections, real friendships, and shared memories—and why being involved close to home is often far more rewarding than being one name among tens of thousands online.

This episode puts a bow on a thoughtful three-part discussion while still leaving listeners with ideas, encouragement, and a reminder of what makes the MINI community special in the first place.

Motor safely… and don’t forget to wave! 🚗🐾

Motorcycle Magazines:

Road Runner Magazine

https://www.roadrunner.travel/

Blue Ridge Motorcycling Magazine (Could that be any longer?). LOL

https://blueridgemotorcyclingmagazine.com/

Welcome back to The Cooper Cast Podcast, with host Dale Blankenship and an under-the-weather (but still supervising) Producer Kodi, who bravely powered through despite feeling a little rough.

We kick things off with a look at slowing EV sales and what that means for MINI, including a significant production shift involving the Countryman EV. Dale shares perspective on what’s happening in the broader market, why automakers are adjusting plans, and how this could impact MINI owners and future buyers alike.

Next up is the always-popular Cooper Cast Question of the Week, and this time the focus is on New Year’s MINI Motoring resolutions. From maintenance promises to driving goals (and a few optimistic intentions), the community once again delivers a mix of practical, funny, and very on-brand responses.

Then we dive back into the heart of our ongoing discussion about the MINI community conundrum. In Episode 108, we talked about how massive global MINI Facebook groups can unintentionally pull members away from local clubs. In this episode, we zoom out and explore how that shift affects the MINI community as a whole—from participation and leadership to local events, relationships, and the long-term health of grassroots MINI culture.

If you haven’t listened to Episode 108 yet, we strongly recommend starting there. It sets the foundation for this conversation and helps the community-focused segments flow together the way they’re intended.

It’s a thoughtful, honest episode that blends industry news, community voices, and a deeper look at where MINI culture may be headed.

Motor Safely and Don't Forget To Wave!

MotoringFile EV Countryman story

https://www.motoringfile.com/2025/12/30/how-mini-stepped-back-from-its-all-electric-promise-in-2025/

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, questionable advice, repeated myths, and the occasional head-scratcher that reminds us why context and experience still matter.

From there, we shift into something a little more fun and far less controversial: a new taillight option that caught Dale’s eye, coming from a YouTube-channel friend of the podcast. It’s always good to highlight creative folks in the MINI space who are bringing new ideas, new products, and fresh enthusiasm to the community.

Then we dig into the heart of the episode with Part 1 of a three-part series looking at how large, global MINI Facebook groups may be giving new MINI owners a misleading picture of what MINI ownership — and the MINI community — is really about. Dale begins unpacking how that first impression can shape expectations, influence behavior, and, in some cases, unintentionally pull people away from their local MINI clubs, where the real connections, friendships, and shared experiences often happen.

This is the foundation-setting episode — thoughtful, honest, and focused on the long-term health of the MINI community as a whole. If you care about where the MINI culture is headed, this is one you’ll want to hear… and Part 2 is right around the corner.

Motor safely… and don’t forget to wave! 🚗🐾

Car Creations YouTube Channel-MINITaillight episode

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rlxpejt2IXc&t=409s

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 breaks down why this step is so important, what can happen if you skip it, and how failing to do it can lead to a long list of headaches you definitely didn’t sign up for. To make sure the information is solid, we lean on advice from two of the foremost experts in the MINI community, cutting through myths, bad Facebook advice, and half-truths that tend to float around online.

After that, we shift gears into a round of housekeeping notes from MINI clubs across Facebook and beyond. From reminders and observations to little things club leaders and members alike should be paying attention to, it’s a quick pulse check on what’s happening around the MINI world.

We wrap things up with a shorter but still entertaining round of Cooper Cast Question of the Week answers, proving once again that MINI owners are equal parts passionate, knowledgeable, and delightfully opinionated.

It’s another episode packed with practical advice, community updates, and just enough lighthearted fun to keep things moving—exactly the way a MINI podcast should be.

Motor safely… and don’t forget to wave! 🚗🐾

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 brought that new-to-you MINI home. Now what?

Dale walks through the logical, smart first steps every new MINI owner should take to make sure their car is safe, dependable, and ready to deliver the fun you signed up for. From baseline checks to preventative maintenance thinking, this is practical advice aimed at helping you avoid surprises and enjoy the drive. To make it even easier, we’ll have a handy checklist posted over on The Cooper Cast Facebook page.

Then, because no episode is complete without it, we wrap things up with the always entertaining Cooper Cast Question of the Week, where the MINI community once again proves why it’s one of the best automotive groups out there.

Helpful, fun, and full of real-world MINI wisdom—Episode 106 is one you’ll want queued up.

Motor safely… and don’t forget to wave! 🚗🐾

MINI USA Recall info

https://www.miniusa.com/owners/tools-support/recall.html

NHTSA recall search

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls

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 real-world perspective to help you read between the lines before you fall in love with a shiny photo and a too-good-to-be-true price.

Before that, Dale makes a long-overdue correction by giving a shout-out to a great MINI vendor he accidentally left out of his trusted list of parts providers. These are the folks who actively support the MINI community, sponsor events, and give back — and that matters more than ever.

To wrap things up, Dale teases the next episode, where we’ll talk about what to do after you’ve written the check and brought home your new-to-you MINI. From smart first steps to avoiding early headaches, we’ll help make sure that new addition to your driveway is every bit as fun as you hoped it would be. And we'll include a few housekeeping notes.

Short, sweet, and packed with practical MINI wisdom — Episode 105 is one you won’t want to skip.

Motor safely… and don’t forget to wave! 🚗🐾

🎙️ 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 breaks down what the reviewer praised, what raised an eyebrow, and what long-term ownership actually revealed once the honeymoon phase wore off. If you’ve ever wondered what REALLY stands out after a full year with a JCW, this one’s for you.

Next up, it’s time once again for the Cooper Cast Question of the Week, including a few lingering gems from the wildly entertaining “Ask Dale Anything” episode back at Episode 100. As expected, the MINI community delivers humor, honesty, and just the right amount of chaos — plus a brand-new QotW to get those keyboards clacking.

Before wrapping up, Dale teases a couple of red-hot upcoming episodes that you absolutely don’t want to miss. Two words that never fail to light up the Facebook groups? Batteries and Oil. Judging by how often these topics pop up in MINI circles, these upcoming episodes are going to spark some serious discussion.

As always, thanks for riding along with The Cooper Cast Podcast — where MINI owners, enthusiasts, and the mildly obsessed all come together.

Motor Safely… and don’t forget to wave! 👋🚗

TheAuto.Page 2026 JCW review

https://theauto.page/road-tested/mini-john-cooper-works/

MINIs Take Route 66

https://www.facebook.com/groups/432800357281134

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 storm around those “5-Star Safety Ratings” every automaker crows about in commercials. Turns out, all those giant touchscreens replacing knobs, switches, and buttons might start dragging those scores down. Will MINIs eventually bring back the good old tactile controls we all miss? Dale’s calling it now: absolutely. Safety matters, and nobody wants to hand NHTSA and the EU NCAP a reason to grab a red pen.

Then we shift gears to something a lot darker than a simple annoyance: the explosion of fake and spoofed MINI Facebook event groups. These aren’t just harmless copycats — this is an organized data-harvesting mess targeting MINI owners, baiting them with cloned logos, stolen event names, and misleading posts. Dale breaks down what’s happening, why it’s dangerous, and how to protect yourself and your club.

Finally, a little tease for the true motorers out there: a beloved MINI run is gearing up for a comeback in 2026 — and this go-round, it’s shaping up to be a team effort like no other. We only let the cat peek out of the bag, but trust us… you’ll want to keep your calendar loose.

Another fun, informative, and slightly mischievous episode of The Cooper Cast — with Dale at the wheel and Producer Kodi supervising from the passenger seat like a furry rally marshal.

Motor safely… and don’t forget to wave!