The Cooper Cast Podcast

  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 not just about the stickers and swag. That lead...

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! Then we pivot into some good old-fashioned MINI...

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 the Dragon and other roads. The weather cooperated...

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 to snag the top spot. Not bad for a small car with...

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 alert: they’re not bringing any cars to the floor...

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 still plenty to see, do, and experience as MINIac...

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 broken pistons, bent rods, the whole mechanic...

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 Chad Miller from Detroit Tuned to help break...

 So You’re Headed to the Dragon, Huh? Here’s What You Need to Know! with your host, Dale Blankenship (and silent-but-opinionated Producer Kodi Monster) It’s that time again—MINIs On The Dragon is almost here! And if you’re a first-timer or just need a refresher, Dale’s breaking down what to pack, what to expect, and what not to do unless you want to be “that guy” on the Tail. From two-way radios t...

This week, Dale and Producer Kodi talk about an awesome MINI Run organized by FLOW MINI dealerships in North Carolina —because when a dealership gets involved, it’s always a great time! Then, we discuss why your local MINI club is way more valuable than those massive worldwide Facebook groups (trust us on this one). Next up: gas. Not all fuel is created equal! We break down what “Top Tier” gas rea...

The Cooper Cast Podcast – Episode 55 Hosted by Dale Blankenship, with mascots Producer Kodi and HR Manager Chassie This week, we’re diving into some MINI shenanigans, starting with our Question of the Week from the Cooper Cast Facebook page: What’s the best (or worst) reaction you’ve gotten from a stranger about your MINI? As always, I read these unfiltered, so buckle up—it’s a crapshoot, but a hi...

  This week, Dale dives into MINI’s struggling sales—things are looking bright in the UK, but here in the US? Not so much. We’ll break down the reasons behind the slowdown. Then, we shift gears to MINIs on the Dragon , the legendary four-day MINI gathering in Fontana Village, NC. With 500+ attendees and over 350 MINIs already registered, it’s shaping up to be another epic year! We’ll start preview...

This week, Dale dives into why getting your MINI serviced at the dealership or a MINI specialist is the smart move—because saving money doesn’t always save you money. Then, he somehow starts a Facebook firestorm (again) over people not having an Owner’s Manual. Seriously, folks, it’s a handy little book! We also check in on the latest Cooper Cast Question of the Week and take a quick look at MINI’...

In this episode, we dive into some of the latest chatter from the wild world of Facebook MINI groups —where the advice is free, but the entertainment is priceless. Then, we kick off a brand-new Car Care Series to help you wash away that winter grime and get your MINI looking its best. Whether it's road salt, mystery gunk, or just the regret of not washing it sooner , we’ve got tips on keeping...

Welcome to Episode 51 of the Cooper Cast podcast, hosted by Dale Blankenship, with Producer Kodi Monster (who remains silent but ever-watchful) and surprise studio guest, Program Director Chassie (who may or may not have been bribed with treats). This week, we’re tackling the big news that MINI USA has decided to play the ultimate waiting game with electric MINIs—pushing their arrival to the U.S....

It's the big 5-0! No, not miles per hour in a school zone—Episode 50 of The Cooper Cast Podcast ! This week, host Dale Blankenship (and maybe Producer Kodi, if he ever decides to show up for work) dives into some Facebook group frustrations. If you're asking for MINI advice, at least tell us which MINI you drive! There's nothing worse than playing 20 questions just to figure out wha...

This week on The Cooper Cast Podcast , host Dale Blankenship is flying solo again because Producer Kodi is—yep, you guessed it—AWOL. Probably off chasing squirrels instead of MINI news. First up, are MINI sales really that bad, or is this just another case of "the sky is falling" panic? Then we dive into MINI’s decision to delay converting Plant Oxford to EV production. Turns out, MINI i...

The Fun Podcast for You, the MINI Motoring Community! Scammers, MINIs, and epic drives—oh my! This week on The Cooper Cast , host Dale Blankenship dives into another round of hot topics for the MINI community. First up, the scammers are at it again (seriously, do these guys ever take a day off?). This time, they’ve spoofed a legit MINI vendor , scamming someone out of a cool thousand bucks ! We br...

Scammers… they’re like that one fly in your car you just can’t shoo out the window. In this episode of The Cooper Cast , host Dale Blankenship takes another deep dive into those worthless bums infiltrating our beloved MINI groups. And guess what? Some of these scam artists aren’t just lurking in the comments—they’re running entire fake MINI groups  designed to separate you from your hard-earned ca...

Buckle up, MINIacs! In this Express Episode of The Cooper Cast , host Dale Blankenship takes a quick spin through this week’s Cooper Cast Question of the Week : " You’re going on a MINI adventure—who’s riding shotgun, living or dead?" The answers did not disappoint, ranging from historical icons to some questionable backseat passengers. Then, we peek at MINI’s 2025 sales projections and—...

Buckle up, MINIacs! In this episode of The Cooper Cast , host Dale Blankenship (flying solo without Producer Kodi—probably off chasing squirrels. Again.) dives into some of the most popular mods for the second-gen MINI and its N-series engines. Whether you want more power, better handling, or just to make your MINI even more MINI, we’ve got you covered. Then, surprise surprise—the much of the soci...

In this episode of The Cooper Cast , host Dale Blankenship dives into this week’s Cooper Cast Question of the Week : What’s your MINI’s name, and how did you come up with it? And wow, did our listeners deliver! From clever pop culture references to names inspired by epic road trips, and even a few that left us laughing out loud, the MINI community did not disappoint. A huge thanks to everyone who...

The Cooper Cast Podcast With host Dale Blankenship and Producer Kodi (if he’s not too distracted by backyard deer antics) In this episode of The Cooper Cast , we’re diving into: 🎨 Popular Mods for First-Gen MINIs We’re talking all about the 2002–2006 hatchbacks (and 2008 convertibles) that sparked the modern MINI revolution. From engine and suspension upgrades to aesthetic tweaks, we’re running t...

  In this week's episode of The Cooper Cast , with host Dale Blankenship, and Producer Kodi, (when he shows up),  we're catching up on a couple of weeks' worth of our "Questions of the Week" from the Cooper Cast Facebook page. Buckle up for some laughs as we dive into your hilarious answers about fast food favorites and memorable stops on your MINI runs! Next, we hit some...

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, w...