Ditto, but I'm only getting about 27.5 in my Clubman S.... but I'm having a lot of fun and not being overly conservative, so I'm not too worried about it...

 

I calculated my gas mileage after the first two tank fulls and I'm getting around 28mpg, but I'm not shy when I get on the interstate. I know my gas mileage will get better as I get more miles on Elphie. But anyway you cut it, I'm having a blast driving it!

As a side note, when I took her in to fix the hazard lights I spoke with the service manager dude about the break-in period. He looked at me like I was crazy and said there really isn't one. I told him about the 1200 miles, below 4500 rpms and 85 mph and he said no need they're already broken in.

Well I better get back to work... yeah right!

 

No it shouldn't take too long, they said if they can't use their leather cleaner to get it off they will order me a whole new seat bottom, I would think she would be a day in the shop.

Haven't been able to take her in yet though, because she's out getting her stripes painted......I'm having withdrawal....didn't realize how much I had grown to love my car She's supposed to be finished today - hopefully I'll be able to post some pics soon

 

Jessy,

I can't wait to see pics with the painted stripes. Do you have the sunroof?

I experienced those withdrawal feelings when I went to Chicago. I had Elphie for less than a week when we left. I remember telling my wife, while walking around Chicago, that I wish we had Elphie so we could motor.

 

You too? Since I took delivery of my Clubman, I've pretty much neglected my motorcycle. I last took it out on Father's Day and got caught in a downpour. My normally shiny bike now sits in the garage, covered in road grime from that day...yet Templar gets regular exercise and baths. It will serve me right if the Bandit simply packs it in out of spite on the way down to Pensylvania in a few weeks.

 

I actually do not have the sunroof - in other cars I have never really used it. My dad has stopped by his friends place a few times, and he keeps bringing me back some photos on his phone, it looks great so far, but I just can't wait to have it back.

Did you enjoy Chicago? I went for the first time last year for a corporate trade show, I loved it, especially the Hershey store (dare I say it, it was better than the New York one) and I love the Cheesecake Factory, but that's more because we don't have one up here in Quebec. haha

 

Hmmmm.... I definitely need pics! Are they going to paint the area over the glass? I've seen it before. I really need to see pics because this maybe something I will do in the future. I'm starting to wonder about the sport stripe and fading, etc...

Chicago - I loved it. We had a great time. We did all of the touristy things. And living in Orlando was hard because we have come to hate all things touristy. Namely the drivers, the crowds and doing touristy things. ha ha ha... We love tourists, well, we love their money feeding Orlando... But I digress. We had a blast. We went to Harry Carey's for dinner one night and it was great. We want to go back but not sure when. Maybe next spring.

 

JustUs5, Yup. Enjoying the new toy so much I had to force myself to take the motorcycle out for a ride! LOL Had to get the dust off of it....

 

Jessy,

Can't wait to see pics of the stripes!

 

Funny.. My office in the city is across the street from Harry Carey's. I see his face painted on the side of the building whenever I look out the window (and down).... Small world.

 

I'm headed to Chi town for the weekend!

Gonna be at a trade show outside the city, and having lunch and dinner downtown one night. Gonna hit Billy Goats for lunch and not sure where for dinner. I think we will do the Sears tower or Hancock. Which is better?

 

We'll, I'm afraid of heights, so I hate both

But here's a trick: There's a bar at the top of the Hancock. If you go up there to have a drink, you have the views for free. You don't need to pay for anything else. That's just if you want the view, however. The observation decks probably have telescopes and landmark identifiers.

My guess is that the views are better at the Hancock since it's right on the lake, and since you'll get great views up and down Lakeshore Drive (LSD for short). It's also in a more exciting area; the loop (where Sears Tower is) is kinda dead unless you work down there. The Hancock is right on Michigan Ave so you have shops and restaurants...

 

Lady G - When I was planing our trip I spoke with someone who lived there and was trying to tell me all of the stuff to see recommended that we go to the Hancock Building. They agreed with Kevin about going to the bar near the top and chilling out.

Also, if you like mexican food there is a place (near Harry Careys) owned by Rick Bayless that is supposed to be excellent. Rick is pretty well known for his food. We tried to go there on the 4th and it was closed from the 3rd through the 7th (the entire time we were there ) - so that's why we went to Harry Carey's.

 

KEWL...thanks for the tips!!!

 

I loved Chicago.... We tried to go to Rick Bayless' restaurant and being closed we were kinda lost so we stopped at the firestation around the corner (figuring they knew some decent places to eat) and they recommended Ruths at first (I was wearing shorts) so they said Harry Carey's. It was good but we went to the fancy side by accident (shorts and all) and had a great meal.

We didn't get out of the city at all. Next time we're going to do a few tours - architecture and Frank Lloyd Wright tours and we're going to go north and check out the nice neighborhoods in the city.

Sidebar - When we go to a new city we say to ourselves "would we want to live here". We've been looking to move. Crime in Orlando has gotten worse. Summers are too hot and the ever constant fear (in me) for hurricanes has made this place unacceptable (and I've lived here for almost 48 years). So when we were in Chicago we did the same - we loved the downtown area but we couldn't live there, the summers appear to be great in Chicago (people were wearing sweaters at night), but the winters are just too tough. We need to find a happy median. Any ideas.... ha ha ha

 

Here she is! Finally finished! Got her back on the 17th for my birthday But its been on and off raining ever since so I only got to take photos today... I absolutely love it!!!

 

Jessy,

She's absolutely beautiful. Wow, your MINI is soooo hot. Love it!

Joe

 

Ooooohhhh! I love the stripes!

 

I spent ten years in New Orleans and came to Chicago kicking and screaming in 1999......now I love this city and the surrounding areas. As far as winters, you dress the part and how often are you really out in the elements during the winter months. There is plenty to do all year long. Winter just makes spring and summer that more enjoyable, and the fall is is spectacular.

One of the great neighborhoods is Oak Park, a diverse, culturally, archtecturaly, socially and politically saavy area. It's nine miles from the loop to the west and incredibaly connected (highway, train). It truly has "that neigborhood" feel.

We are suffering like most of the nation in the housing market so I am sure deals are to be had where normally you might not be able to do so. Employment is steady. There is nothing like the ethics and integrity of midwesterners.

 

Thanks Joe! Thanks Reyd1!

I have a favor to ask the Week 21ers, if anyone could help me out. I live about 5 minutes from my dealer, but I understand that some of you are far out from them, but if someone who isn't too far could maybe ask their dealer how much that wire (usb and aux black box type wire) for the ipod is? I could send a money order or cheque by mail and pay the postage for someone to pick it up and ship it to me.

My dealer doesn't even know about the wire, and they haven't gotten back to me about it in over 3 weeks. I've searched ebay and different threads to find one and have had no luck so far. I am going to ask my dealer one last time tomorrow, but I doubt they have it for me.

So if there's any of you who are close-by your dealer and could maybe just at least phone and ask the price of it for me, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks! Hope everyone had a great weekend!

 

Jessyca, are you looking for the iPod cable that has a male, 3.5mm "headphone" jack on one end and an iPod connector on the other? If so, I picked up a Griffin "Auto Pilot" at Future Shop. It may bit more than what I think you are looking for, but it works great. The downside to this unit is that it plugs into the lighter socket for power, and as far as I can tell, when the ignition is off, so it the socket. If you just want the same thing, but without the ability to recharge your iPod, Google "Logic3". A buddy of mine has one of their cables and is pretty happy with it.

BTW, the stripes look awesome!

EDIT: Just noticed...Logic3 doesn't ship to North America, and my buddy has no idea where he got his. At least it might give you an idea of what to Google.

 

Thanks JustUs5!

Unfortunately I have tried one that is similar and it won't work with an Ipod Touch or some of the newer Ipods.

Apparently the difference with this wire that is made by mini is the fact that it plugs into the USB socket and the AUX socket at the same time, and there is this black box resistor type thing that allows them both to work at the same time. Some people have purchased plugs with both usb and aux plugs, but without the resistor box "thing" it doesn't actually work. And the only one that has this resistor box is the one made by Mini.

 

Interesting about the number of connectors. I have the Auto Pilot and use it with my iTouch and it works great....but because of the need to use the lighter socket and because it has 2 wires (iPod to power plug and from power plug to AUX) it just can't be made to be as neat and tidy as I'd like it.

I'm taking my Clubman into the dealer tomorrow (they just can't seem to get the clear bra/stone guard installed correctly) and I'll see if they know anything about the MINI cable.

 

Just curious.. Did your Mini come with one? Assume you have the convenience package since you need that connector?

I've heard of some dealers not handing them out even though they should have (mine did). Just curious if that's the problem...

Also, if this will help.. I just found the bag that my connector cable arrive in.. I believe this is the part number:

61 12 0 440 796

Try doing a Google search on "61 12 0 440 796" (with the quotes) and you'll see Amazon / eBay references...

Good luck!

 

Jessyca,

You might want to check with your dealer as kbleicher suggested and see if you should have received one with your MINI. The Parts Department just quoted me $105 Canadian for it (plus tax)! They also said that the part number has changed to 61 12 0 440 812, but they didn't know why...just said it was "newer". They have a bunch of them in stock, and at that price, I think I know why.