Hey y'all!
Today I picked up a 2012 MINI Cooper S Hardtop, and just now have stopped driving it long enough to post here. I was originally planning on getting a used '06 R53, but even though I test drove one with only 23,000 miles on it, it still felt "loose" and rattly, and crashed over bumps. Not to mention, for only a few thousand more, I could get into a new one.

So I went and drove a new one. This one is an ex-service loaner, and had 2300 miles on it, since being put into service August '11. Here are the deets:

6-Speed Getrag Manual Transmission
Highclass Grey Metallic (a fairly rare, limited run color. It's a blueish grey) with white roof, mirrors
Carbon Black leatherette
Cold Weather Package (powerfold mirrors, heated seats, heated mirrors & washer jets)
Sport Suspension (stiffer springs & dampers, and thicker anti-sway bar)
17'' Conical Spoke alloys, black painted
Panoramic Sunroof
Auto-dimming mirror with compass
Center armrest
Color Line Satellite Grey (interior highlights in a light grey)
Xenon Headlights
Bluetooth and USB/iPod Adapter
All Season Tires (ContiProContact Runflats)

Without further delay, the pictars (yes, I know they're crap. My new cell phone (Galaxy Nexus) takes awful pics compared to my old one (Droid Incredible) so I'll have to take proper ones with my Canon tomorrow after a wash).







So far, it's been great. So much fun to drive. I'm still getting used to a manual, but only stalled once today in 70 miles of driving...leaving my driveway.

As far as future plans...definitely removal of the license plate frames :P (not that I had a bad dealer experience), and maybe an SCCA membership to get more auto-x experience. I autocrossed the Jetta once, it was probably the most fun thing I've done in my life. It was worth ripping up the tires.:thumbup:

I spend the summers near Chicago, but go to school down in Tennessee, so snow shouldn't be a problem. Shame this car had all seasons, I really don't need them.
In general, this car was very oddly equipped. From the factory it had these stupid (IMHO) graphics on the fenders, roof, and hatch. It also has sport suspension and 17'' wheels, but no sport package?


Any questions, comments, concerns, compliments?

:D:D

edit: looks like I need to update my sig. As it says, I used to drive an '08 Jetta 2.0T DSG. Still in the family, my brother has it now.

 

Nice! Love the black wheels and the Highclass Grey.

Did you learn how to drive a manual just recently?

 

Thanks!
I've been learning sporadically over the past 3 or so years. I've had maybe 3 hours of seat time in a manual car before today.

 

Oh wow, that's pretty good. Yeah, I don't know how to drive a manual and need to get some seat time before I get my car. Has it been pretty easy so far in the MINI?

 

I just saw your sig and you car seems....delicious.

The MINI is great because it has a shorter pedal travel than most cars, and also the seating position is more upright, lending itself to easier clutch operation. That said, having shortly driven two R53s and two R56s, the R56 has a grabbier clutch, but then again the R53s were older and used.

My salesman let me drive around the lot with him for 30 mins while he taught me some technique...I'm sure they can do the same for you. They even offered to let me practice on a car that wasn't mine.

 

love the white roof and mirrors! The carbon black interior is sick too!

 

Alright, time for some better pictures. Today I washed and waxed with Turtle Wax Ice products.

 

Gratz! Welcome to the family.

 

congrats! beauty! a little drop and its perfect!

 

Nice car! I really like the color and the black wheels. I wish I had the black wheels on mine. Congrats!

 

Very nice!

 

Nice to see another Mini owner happy!!!

Enjoy and yes by all means get out there and race those Cones again, it's soon much fun!!!

 

How did you get the plates so fast? Good looking color combo!

 

Thanks everyone!

dealers that move a large volume in IL usually have plates on hand and you can register and plate at the dealer. I just wish my plates started with R56 and not P56!

 

Looking really sharp!!

 

Just plastidipped my taillight rings:

old on the right, new on the left


all done

 

Very nice!

 

Holla! Take real good care of it.

 

Quick update:


Plastidipped my front grille:


And added a Stig to my rear window :D


Up next: (suggestions/advice appreciated)
-ALTA panel filter
-blackline taillamps if I can get a hold of them
-beltline blackout: I tried the outmotoring kit, total waste of money, it looked like crap. Difficult to install.
-plastidip headlight rings?
-aluminum e-brake handle?
-Hella 500 grille-mounted (VIP brackets) fog lamps?
-New tires at the end of the summer? (Kumho 4x)

 

Looks good!

Where in Illinois are you at? I'm from the south suburbs (Oak Lawn, Orland Park area) and I just bought a 2012 Midnight Black Hardtop S last week, I'm going to pick it up on Thursday (June 14).

EDIT: Some say he adds 10hp when affixed to the rear windscreen, and that he has a life size tattoo of his face... on his face! All we know is, he's called the Stig!

 

Congratulations! Post some pics when you get it!

I'm in the northeast suburbs area (Northbrook, Highland Park.

Some say he's wanted by the CIA, and that he sleeps upside down like a bat... all we know is, he's called the Stig!

 

I'm familiar with the area. I drive a truck for a living so I've been through there.

I will post some pics once I get it home. It's a seriously BASE equipped S model.
Midnight Black with matching roof/mirrors on Black Leatherette interior w/ the 16" ribspoke alloys. I wanted black wheels but 17's are too big and I didn't like the design of the 16" black ones MINI has. I will investigate aftermarket rims at some point in time in the future. I want to black it out.

I test drove a couple that had more options but I just wouldn't use them, so this one is as base as base gets.

If you're ever down in the south burbs, let me know, I've got a group of friends that I've known and hung around with for many years now that all have different kinds of cars that we're passionate about. Or if you're ever out cruising up by you I'm willing to come up there too.

 

Looking good! Nice and clean!

 

Tony, i'm in the Lockport area, glad to see more of us on here...

 

-Hella 500 grille-mounted (VIP brackets) fog lamps?

Do it, I got the same set up with the black magic 500 and they look good with my theme.