Sorry to be so late on my response - just noticed this question.

I haven't got the car yet however I have spent quite a bit of time in a 2006 MCS as we have one that is a company car. I loved the MCS right from the start but you can't really compare it to the GT3. My street GT3 (which I just sold BTW) was an incredible car, it had different shocks and springs and a very agressive alignment (over -2.5 in camber) so it turned like a MINI but has a power to weight ratio of a Porsche Turbo (about the same 0-62 time for a 996 Turbo). It was a difficult car to master on the track which I would say is completely different from the MINI which is far easier to drive fast in my opinion.

As an example I've read a post in the racing section about a local MINI shop about taking a well prepped MINI below the 1:30 barrier at Street of Willow which is a north of LA 1.1 mile very twisty street course. Great accomplishment for sure! On that same course I've broken into the 1:24's with the GT3. Of course I've spent a lot of money on a car to get there. In terms of dollars for speed (and fun) you can't beat the MINI.

The 996 Cup car is a whole different matter. It is a purpose built race car from Porsche and while it is a far cry from the RSR's that compete at LeMan's it is a great club racer. Bullet proof with the best engine Porsche has ever made (arguably), the M96 dry sump motor, it is everything the street car is just more so - stiffer, faster (600 pounds less), rougher, louder, corners harder (slick tires) etc. It is a hoot.

Racing and before that competitive track days (with the GT3) have changed my attitude about driving fast on the street. Doesn't mean that I won't take the MINI out in the canyons. I just have a healthy respect for keeping under the margin of control and more aware of what that margin is. If you haven't taken your MINI to the track I would urge everyone to do so at some point - not only will you learn skills (and your car) but you will also do so in a reasonably safe enviornment.

Kind of off track here... no pun intended!

Anyway - the GT3 was a horrible daily driver - I would never do that, it was just too hard, too loud, too fast and too hard on the clutch (and my foot). On the other hand the MCS (at least the 2006 I've driven) is easy to live with every day yet really fun when you get it out of town

KR

 

Russr, Look here: http://www.gominigo.com/18545.html

 

Grrr! I ordered one from GoMiniGo today, then i stopped into my dealer to submit financing paperwork, and he handed me the same thing I JUST bought from GoMiniGo. He says "here ya go, we took this off a trade in, it's yours to keep buddy! A late Christmas present." So now i'll have two if someone wants to buy one lol.

Oh and to answer your guys questions, they PUNCH two holes in the bumper where there are a couple dimples to mount the plate. So if you don't want that done, better let the dealer know ASAP! Yes, this front mount is legal according to my dealership. In most states you just need a front plate mounted in clear view on the front bumper somewhere. Not behind the mesh of a grill, in the window or behind a clear plastic protector even!

 

KR,

Thank you for the reply. Glad you didn't think I meant to compare the MCS to the 996's. Your answer was spot-on re: dollar-to-fun ratio of the MCS, while understanding the MCS won't be used dangerously on the street. I've become more interested in trying the track, or getting some DE w/ the MCS. I have an old P-car that's fun on a quiet country road. No track, autox or DE (yet). Hoping for the same w/ the MCS. It'll be interesting w/ FWD and engine forward. I'm just glad an experienced driver picked the MCS for his regular driver.

Sorry to all to have hijacked briefly. I now return you to your regularly scheduled thread.

TK

PS I've seen the Jack Olsen Willow Springs video on YouTube. Amazing! Looks more challenging than the 'ring (IMHO).

 

FYI, the FREEDOM left Southampton around 5pm EST this evening.

TK, do you think non-drill plate thing is worth getting?

 

Hi Guys

Just found my way to this thread. My MCS made it onto the Freedom today, too! Mine will be making it's way to Charleston around the 26th. A lot quicker than I hoped. I think it barely made the Freedom in the nick of time!

 

My Dad was a firefighter, and sometimes worked in the Port of Long Beach. When I was telling him about the whole MINI shipping process, he laughed, and told me how fun it was to watch people drive cars off of the ships. Gentle was not the word he used.
I hope, for our sakes, thing are different for our babies.

 

Hey Swa, When did your car finish production? Mine was yesterday and obviously much too close to get onboard. Still not listed on WW. Ah well.

 

Ummm, trying to track the FREEDOM...but there are like 20 of them listed when you search by ship name at the http://www.sailwx.info/shiptrack/search.phtml site...any info on how to know which one it is?

 

ColinMc, I tried to find the correct Freedom but gave up... Too many Freedom Ships.

 

Looks like mine finished production on the 9th and hit the port on the 10th. I didn't think it would make the Freedom at all. I was actually hoping for the 15th. The log says it was booked, received and loaded on vessel on the 11th. All in one day!

 

Here's how to track the FREEDOM on the sailwx site:
http://www.sailwx.info/shiptrack/shi...l?call=WDB5483

swa737, I felt exactly the way you did...thought I'd make the FAUST. Making the FREEDOM was a big surprise and an even bigger one when it left on the 11th itself. It is scheduled to hit NYC on 1/20.

 

Russr

Awesome link! Thanks! You guys doing any tint?

 

russr - YOU ROCK!

Did any of you notice the wave report?

Big waves = demolition derby

 

Sweet! How did you figure out what call sign our Freedom had?!

 

I know the callsign because I'm obsessed and I watched the FREEDOM leave Southampton on the aislive site. This is a reorder for me and the first time I ordered, my car was also on the freedom.

For you folks who are also obsessed, here's a shot of the FREEDOM leaving Southampton on 1/11/08.

 

More info on our boat...

http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsS...licKey=2555079

I wonder if we can contact Captain Harry Rogers?

 

Russr, Not sure if I would get it or not. Will probably ask MA, FWIW. Not sure I like the look off-center. I don't really plan on taking it off any time.

PS - I'm 4 days behind you guys on the Faust, leaving tomorrow. 4 days seems like an eternity now.

 

TK, at first the plate being off center bothered me as well, but I think it creates a unique look which goes along with the Mini theme. The thing that concerns me most is having the tow hook exposed all the time and what kind of corrosion risk that creates. Any thoughts on that?

BTW, are you getting any accessories from the dealer?

 

Corrosion is a good question. I don't know the answer.

No other accessories at this time, other than a dealer-installed driver = me.

 

Hey everyone. I just discovered this tread and have not read every post. Just so excited to find this .....

I ordered my MCS on December 17. I was told by "Ask Mini" that my MCS was transported to the port on Friday (Jan. 11) I called them today and they said it was at the port waiting for a boat today. (Jan. 14) They had no clue as to when it might catch a boat....

Does anyone know which boat I might be getting on and when?

Thanks..... I will now go back and read every post in this thread..... hopefully, I didn't jump the gun with this post...

 

Greetings Augie05!

There is a Sticky thread in the First Gear section that willwalk you through tracking your MINI.

While waiting for your MINI you might find a good place to pace back and forth in anticipation.

 

Augie05, Check the "Faust..." thread I started in First Gear. Leaving tomorrow. Maybe you are w/ me. Read the sticky at the top of First Gear as to how to track your Mini.

Cheers.

 

Well our mini's are on the way. I've been watching them make the slow journey across the North Atlantic. I was thinking that 63-68 years ago German U-boats were patrolling this ocean sinking every merchant ship they could find, but now we're buying cars from them.

Anyway, I called my dealer today to see if the financing rate had dropped since 12/08 when I ordered but he said no. But he did tell me that I could charge $5000 more on my visa rewards card which was good news.

..............Dennis

 

I was told that my boat would go directly to Charleston, SC since I am located near Raleigh, NC. If true, then I guess my MCS won't be on this ship. Also, I plugged in my VIN into the tracking site and nothing came back. Will try it again a bit later.

Thanks!