Hi Lil A~

We bought it from Mini Mania. The toughest part was finding the best location for the flasher. Hubby put it slightly to the left of the light, and had to splice additional wire. It really helps to have a second person to hold the light bar while the first splices wire, crimps, etc. because he could not figure out how to remove the plug in to the LED light bar unit. . .not in the directions.

The directions from the co. were vague: "Find a suitable location for the unit." Well HELLO! Wouldn't you think they'd know the best location and put it in a diagram??

Anyway, it works well. My brother-in-law (an electrical contractor) could have done it in about 15 minutes flat. It took us about 35 minutes total.
(I think it took a little longer ) "Installs in minutes!"

 

I would not have thought rear flashers would be legal. I assume you verified they are? That's a great idea though! It's tough to see the MINI's from ten feet up in the air in a oversized meat sandwich... I mean SUV

 

I hit 1100 miles yesterday during a little San Francisco adventure. The car is running perfect and I'm extremely happy with my choice. I can't help but stare at it every chance I get. I cheated a bit and started running over 4K RPM this last week. I'm pretty sure Icarus will be fine . He sure has some get up and go!

OctaneGuy posted a link to a video in the detailing forums made by his company Show Car Detailing which was great inspiration on how to safely wash your car without damaging any surfaces. I'm pretty neat-freaky especially with a new car and I feel empowered. So About $50 later I had all the essentials and brought the car back to immaculate shine on Saturday! The big fight is with that nasty Cosmoline that keeps dripping out around the hood. It's well embedded in the paint and one of the arches and would not come off with soap, microfibre towels, and elbow grease. I read elsewhere that this is normal for awhile and alcohol or peanut oil will help get it out. Anyone else's kid having the runny nose problem?

 

You got me thinking: here's a paste from the CHP site: I've seen the blinking brake lights on other vehicles, and I don't think they are illegal. Whew!

• Blue and yellow headlights. Headlights must be white - blue and yellow are illegal (24011 VC). Look for the DOT symbol on the bulb and package.
• Headlights brighter or higher wattage than those from the factory. You may be able to see better, but the lights are illegal (24011 VC).
• Tail lights other than red (24600 VC).
• Illegal brake lights. Brake lights on vehicles newer than 1979 must be red (24603 VC). (Vehicles older than 1979 may be red or yellow.)
• Lack of rear reflectors. Two red reflectors are required on the rear of cars and trucks (24607 VC).
• Incorrect color of turn signal. It must be white or yellow to the front, red or yellow to the rear (24953 VC).
• Red lights to the front. They are illegal except on emergency vehicles (24003 VC).
• Tail lights that incorporate a bulb with a red tint or coating. In general, custom tail lights that incorporate a clear outer shell and red inner lens are legal (24011 VC). If they don't incorporate reflectors, they must be added to the vehicle (24607 VC).
• Tail lights that are too dim, washed out or show yellow, white or other colors (24600 VC).
• Illegal color of side marker lights. If present, must be yellow in the front and red in the rear (25106, 24003 VC).
• Driving with just parking lights on (24800 VC). Vehicles that have factory-installed automatic daytime running lights must meet federal requirements and are legal.
• Illegal decorative lights (24003 VC). All flashing decorative lights are illegal (25250 VC).
• Illegal windshield washer nozzle lights. Only white or yellow are allowed. (25106 VC, 24003 VC). Lights attached to tire valves (24003, 25250 VC).
• Lighted license plate frames (unless red) (24003 VC).
• Illegal lights, whether or not they are operating. It is illegal just to have them on the vehicle (24003 VC).

 

I'm up over a 1000 now! Can't wait.

Scoopmama - Here is the sticker. The flash made the headliner look a lot lighter than it is. The sticker actually blends in lots better than it shows.


Kimberely - Here is my tint. Subtle, but effective in the sun. (which we have very little of lately.

I put on the front mud flaps this weekend. It was fun to jack up the car, pull the wheel and actually put 4 holes in the car . I felt pretty safe with the holes in the fender wells.

Lil A - 36.6 WOW. The most I have gotten on a tank is 33.6, but that is mixed driving.

FugitiveAI - what did you buy with your $50 and where did you pick it up?

 

I like the tint. How is it on stopping glares? The sun hit off my speedometer today and almost blinded me. I have the rearview mirror that dims but that doesn't stop the reflections off of the plastic. Anybody else have this issue yet? I am thinking maybe a back window tint would reduce this.

I am still only in the mid 800s, but should be above 1000 by the weekend.

 

It knocks down the glare but does not eliminate it. I have the glare/reflection off the piano black dash pieces. I have not noticed it off the speedo. Going darker on the tint would help.

 

There are various display settings on the tach and I selected the setting that shows your current (and always changing) gas mileage. I used that the entire trip to adjust my driving in order to get the best gas mileage possible. I definitely had to do some massaging to get it. I don't think I will always get that good gas mileage, especially after break-in is over and I glue the sport button in the "on" postition

I really like the Mini stickers on the sunvisors...they look awesome

Scoopmama - did you get your plates yet? I've tried to order mine but MVD wont let me order it until my permanent plate is issued. Hopefully wont be much longer...I can't wait to see them! I hope you're not disappointed with yours. I saw a California plate the other day and the California "O's" look much different than the Arizona "O's."

 

Scoop got lots of goodies last night. Microfiber (I stole one of her towels for my hair this morning. . .very cool!!! ) towels, mits, etc. Inside duster for the dash. I already have a lint remover for the inside carpet as well.

Ok here's my British snob confession. . .I got driving gloves. Black leather. I wear them all the time. I feel like a spy on her way to commit a victimless crime. It is cool.

Is there anything you got for yourself or your MINI that you're a bit embarrassed by? Tell it here, friends. Who else will understand?

 

I don't know about embarassed, but, I put a "Got Pugs" sticker on my back window. I haven't had a chance to buy more goodies yet, but I have a list going in my head.

Oh, I am getting about 39 mph - but I just have a regular MINI.

 

I need to figure my MPG. I'll just push that magic button!! Aren't MINIs great?!

 

Well, I have trouble telling someone how much I paid for a car...... But you guys understand.

I put an "Actual Size" sticker on the back window. (If anyone here orders some stickers from Aesthetic Creations and can order an extra one I'll pre-pay you for one and send you a self-addressed stamped envelope. I have a friend with a MINI I want to suprise. I'd order another myself, but the shipping/handling would quadruple the price.)

I got my plates yesterday, so I can apply for personalized ones. What do you think of SPYC2NA? It comes from a set shirts my wife and I have. Mine is a Charlie Tuna shirt (Tuna is a nickname from Turner and Charles is my middle name) and hers is one that says, "I love Spicy Tuna". We wear them together at Ceader Point, where T-Shirt reading in line is quite a past time. We get some major laughs. What else do you do while waiting for some of the biggest and fastest roller coasters in the world? As I write this, the MINI reminds me of the thrill I get from those yearly summer visits to the amusement park. The only difference is that I don't keep my hands up the whole way in the MINI!!

 

Mini2Na! Your last post was my Pepper White peerage number! How cool is that? Well, not very, but . . .

I like the lic. plate!

Actually, I've never spent that much for a car. . .18K tops. The way I was groaning about the cost, blah blah blah this summer, my friends all thought MINIs cost about 50K! When I told them it came in under 30K, they just laughed at me and pretty much ordered me to shut up and buy it! Gee. Ok!

 

Don't tell me you are a coaster fan too. We were at Cedar Point, OH a year and a half ago. Awesome! My husband is already planning our next trip there (apparently a new coaster us opening up - he rides it virtually on the website). Our next trip will probably be to Magic Mountain though - I hear that there are a few new there as well. And yes, people watching is always good for line amusement!

I still haven't paid for my tax and tags, so I can get my vanity plate. Your plate makes me think you are a sushi fan . Cool! I am thinking
"WEE ONE". Thoughts?

 

WEE ONE is cute! WHat about RIBBIT? KERSPLSH? How many letters do you get? Do you get symbols?

Now you've got me also thinking of sushi! Yum!

 

Only 7 letters and the only symbol is a hyphen.

 

I like all those suggestions for plates. I really want 8 letters to get 2NASMINI.

I've got acurrent good news bad news situations. First the bad news: Frodo is a PIT. This past week of rain and slop has him dirty from bonnet to boot. I am so ashamed. BUT....... The good news, Frodo is sitting in the parking lot with 1197 miles. You know what that means don't you??? My drive home will be quite a bit different from the ride to work (and all the others I've had so far)

More later.:thu mbsup:

 

Kermit is a complete mess as well. That being said, Kermit is just as happy as a frog in mud. He'll get a bath during the brief respite of rain that we are suppose to have tomorrow. How about PDLJMPR? [scratch that - it has already been taken] I am still entertaining ideas.

 

Who was the long, thin, marsh dweller in the Chronicles of Narnia series? Puddle was somewhere in his name and I'm drawing a blank!

 

Puddleglum the Marshwiggle. ... but you most likely wouldn't remember him and even if you did wouldn't like him... (loved that character).

Hope you don't mind my jumping in here. I'm almost legal since my MINI actually showed a booking on your boat at one time
Rain or shine - lifes a lot more fun with a MINI!!

 

Welcome back! I was wondering why your name rang a bell!

Puddleglum it is! I thought he was wonderful. . . strong, steady. . .

 

Here Here!

 

OK, I jumped in the car this afternoon. Idled for a little bit, imagining what was ahead. Conservatively drove the 3 miles needed. The moment I reached 1200, I pushed the Sport button to get ready for the next light. The steering tightened and gas pedal became more responsive. The adrenaline began to flow.

I jockied for the first position. Red. Red. Red. GREEN! I took it into that unknown above 4500 RPM. Shift. Accelerate hard. Torque steer. OMG , I'm doing nearly 60 in second. Slowing down (a bit). Hard right hand turn heading away from home. Oh what fun it is to drive!!!

It was hard to believe that there was that much more car I had not experienced. Frodo is now begging me to join the PDX Mini Club and sign up for a track day. I want to do it in the rain if at all possible. I want to push him up to and just beyond his limits to know the signs when it is approaching. I can't even get close on the city streets. I just won't endanger others, Frodo or myself. (I've only gotten 1 ticket, for doing 70 in a 60 on the freeway with the rest of the traffic. )

I have now figured out what the break-in period is REALLY for. It may be nice for the engine, but it is really for the driver. Our MINI's were breaking us in.

Kimberely, I'm a total Coaster Freak. We go to The Point every summer. I love the Millenium (the BEST coaster I've ever experienced). The Top Thrill is just that, a great thrill but not what I term a real coaster. The new Maverick was good but it doesn't touch the Millenium.

Minicounter - you ARE legal. You are a fellow MINIite!

Frodo was breaking me in. That makes me smile.

 

You mentioned peerage number before.... what is that. Do I want one? Or do I already have one and don't know how to use?

 

Thank you Mini2na for that glimpse of the other side!!
Funny because just this morning I wrote in my journal wondering what the break-in period was for. I concluded it was probably to keep us new MINI owners alive. Or maybe to break the perm-a-smile in slowly. I think you might be right that our MINI's are checking us out!
I am itching to use the paddle shifters (although I think my left foot will still want to dance) and I can't imagine what the sport button is going to be like on the fun twisty in my daily commute (457 miles to go!!)