With regards to changing it at 1200 miles, I actually wanted to change it a bit earlier but didn't have the right tools until about 1200. It was just coincidence that it's at of what the dealer defines as break-in. Nothing magical happens at 1200. But I'll keep my mouth shut.

I'd bet I'm one of few who changes the oil so early. There are a few who changed it earlier than me. I'm okay with that. The way I see it, at worst I'm out $7 for a filter and $30 or so for oil. It's worth it for me. In the end it took me about 45 mins to get the whole change done and it was pretty easy once I had the damn socket for the filter. I refuse to bring mine in to change the oil because then I have to pay for them to do it AND for the oil, since I only want Royal Purple in it.

 

I hope none of the 350 was during Ike....
I am not going to plan to drive the MINI (secretly named Zouzou...wifes nick when she was a kid...MINI feels like a Zouzou) this weekend. Everytime I do something happens (Ike and others) so I am not going to jinx it. My son and I just came back from a short 100 mile round trip in Zouzou so we are catching up with you

 

I've been pretty careful to avoid bad conditions, and no we kept Hilla safely locked up during and after Ike. I am still amazed, at how much power is in such a little package - I've kept her under the limits. Mainly I use Hilla to take my wife to work and back around 3 miles one way. But, because of Ike and many of the signals being out, I find myself taking two mile detours around my regular routes. I'll have to find an excuse to put in some additional miles just to get past the "break in" miles. Unfortunately this weekend I'll have very little time for motoring.

 

gbsim, how did you remove the cup holder rubber? I tried pulling on them.. but them stayed put. I was afraid to tug too hard. Good luck with the microphone and report back just how easy it was! Trust me - if I think it is easy - it's easy!

Today I had my very FIRST MINI WAVE!!! Driving down the road and another PW/B with strips comes up right behind me! I could see to women talking and looking at my car! I too was looking at theirs.. the strips looked nice and I am still toying with adding them or not! (I may get magnetic ones). Anyway, I pulled into the right lane to turn and they came right up behind me, and drove right beside me, and I turned and smiled and waved and they waved back very energetically! Very cool. THEN.... as I was leaving a department store, a man driving by rolls down his window to ask me how I like my MINI, (I told him I loved it) he also asked if I have seen a Clubman yet.. told him yes and that my husband will be etting his new clubman in a couple of weeks. 1200 miles on Lucy and that was my first wave and first person to ask me about her!

I really have been driving Lucy a lot as I commute back and forth to the shopping centers!! Yes.. shopping. Next week we head out for a 7 night cruise and I have been focused on that and running all over getting a few new items.

 

What a day! I saw more MINIs while out driving Phantom today than I've seen the entire time I've owned him. Anyway, today it was 3 - PW, LiB, CR - and I exchanged waves with all 3 drivers. Cool!

Also, had to fill the tank today again. Since the last fill-up:
1256 miles total on the car now (ready to check out the Sport button)
522 miles on this tank of gas (all but about 100 of it were highway miles)
42.0 mpg (computer) - 40.0 mpg (hand computed)
49.9 avg mph
13.038 gals of Shell 93 added today (still had 2 red lights on the gas gauge, and the computer said I had about 50 miles left)

I figured if I just use Phantom for commuting, I should be able to go almost a month on a tank of gas. That would be amazing. But who would do just that?

 

Nice to be in Ohio with a clean driving record. Just got my insurance bill for Phantom. For six months, with $1000 collision deductible, and $500 comprehensive deductible, my premium is $213.20. Not bad if you ask me. I'm sure there are other states where insurance is much more expensive.

 

I haven't even figured out how to check the gas mileage, but I sure love the JCW exhaust. I don't really need to try very hard for the burbs and backfires, they seem to be more frequent than before and I've bearly started.

 

Hi all - been an emotionally exhausting two days for me and my family. My daughter gave us a scare with some severe leg cramps. Ended up having to spend two days at the hospital for testing and observation and since she is only 5 years old, she was terrified so of course we both stayed with her at the hospital overnight. Doctors still don't know what's going on with her. The good news is that they've ruled out the obvious 'bad stuff'. Only time will tell whether this is a serious problem for her.

Taking nothing away from the pleasures of driving a Mini, something like this really puts things in perspective. Just this morning I was driving to work and a cement truck cut in front of me on the freeway, pelting Trooper's front end and windshield with pebbles. Bothered me a bit, but I was so numb from the last two days I didn't even get mad (ok, just a little) - after parking I didn't even bother to inspect the damage. Probably some small chips on the front and I know for sure one chip in the windshield.

I think I'm starting to snap out of my funk, though. Got a reassuring email from the doctor, so my spirits are a bit higher than earlier today.

re: mods - the only one I've done so far is to install a stubby antenna to replace the stock RC-like antenna. One minute mod . Surprisingly, no perceptible loss in reception. I've heard this varies depending on where you live, though. Some have reported substantial loss of reception. I'm lucky, I guess.

Next up is installation of mud flaps, which might have to wait until after the clearbra installation tomorrow (yes, the rock pelting today is one day BEFORE my clearbra installation - Murphy's Law).

After that, I'll tackle racing stripes. Anyone get a chance to check out the new Mini branded graphics site www.minimotoringgraphics.com? What do you think? Kinda pricey, but some nice graphics! Am a bit irritated that they don't render the Mini vehicle colors quite right on the graphic samples. However, am thinking of picking up some of the neat stickers for $24. Will probably stick with a trusted vendor recommended on this site, though, for my stripes or a local graphics shop.

 

Kechman, so sorry to hear about your daughter. Even though it's been a long time ago, my son (our firstborn) had to have abdominal surgery when he was 1 month old. So, been there. I hope the news continues to be good, and this is just a passing problem. Prayers are with your family. Makes a chip in the windshield of a car seem like nothing, I know. We all love our MINIs, but we need to be constantly reminded of where they really fit in the grand scheme of things.

 

Sorry to hear about your daughter, I hope they can figure it out quickly! Trooper's troubles can all be fixed easily and a clear bra will reduce chances of additional damage. I don't suppose you had a chance to get the number or company of the truck. You could report the truck company if nothing else. They keep pretty good records of their routes if they are on a run. Again I hope your daughter gets better soon.

 

sikamini and phantom - thanks for the well wishes. Really heartbreaking to see your own son or daughter go through the pain and fear of medical tests, especially someone that young. I'm hopeful that it is a one time thing for her and is not something more serious.

Forgot to mention one other 'mod' - got my checkered mirror covers! Will try the DIY installation method this weekend. Hope I don't break the clips holding the stock covers in place while pulling it off. Will post pics if successful!

 

If you follow this method for doing it (i.e. pop out the mirrors first) you won't break any clips. I put my checkered covers on in less than 10 minutes.

 

Kechman, I hope your daughter is doing better.... what a scare that must have been and I'm sure you're still hoping for answers. The fear of kids being ill is something that all parents can identify with..... we wish we could shield them from it and it is SO scary esp since we have to act strong in front of them! Hope she's racing around and feeling great soon!

We've always changed the oil on our other new cars at around 500 miles so I'm used to doing it early. But most of those changes were back in the days when the manufacturer recommended doing that.... now it seems to be a different ball game with the synthetic oil. I'm taking the lazy way out and will just have the dealership do it. Jackstands, oil changing drain tub etc were in the barn which is now collapsed thanks to Gustav and a 100 year old pecan tree!

All you need to do is grab one of the little black plastic nubs and pull straight across toward the other side (not up). The whole black rubber ring will just slide right out. I left one cupholder as it was and took the rubber ring out of the other.

WOW! I'm "only" getting 31 according to the computer. I'll be filling up tomorrow (only my second fillup). Of course this is radically better than the 11 mpg (diesel) that I get in my truck!

 

Aye, sorry to hear that! I changed oil early because I wanted the break-in crap out of my engine, and I also wanted some good (Royal Purple) oil into it.

My father helped me with the oil change and he was very impressed with how easy it was to do. He's used to older cars. The oil plug is right near the front of the car...only needed to jack up one side a little bit. Changing the filter was easy too. Anyways, it's your decision, but I think if you do it yourself you'll be pleased.

 

gbsim,

I'm with you (I think?). I don't think MINI would recommend the first oil change at 10000 miles or 12 months unless it was the right thing to do. I've also consulted some of my friends who are very car-knowledgable (I'm not) and they have advised me to go with the manufacturer's recommendation. New engines are different, and are made to go longer between oil changes. I was advised to let the initial oil in the car do it's job during the first year. So, just another opinion...

 

I usually do mid-term oil changes. On my M3 oil service was scheduled every 15K miles. I always did it every 7500 miles. It can never hurt to do oil service with greater than recommended frequency.

 

Kechman, so sorry to hear about your daughter. Now.. I can tell you my youngest son experienced leg cramps too.. at night. It would wake him up in pain. He too was around 5 yrs or so.. and these periodic episodes went on for a few years!! We were so worried he had bone cancer or something, but after many, many tests everything was ruled out and we were told tell he was suffering from 'growning pains'. huh??? never heard of it, but we looked it up and it indeed was a condition. Look it up, it is on the internet. The pains eventually stopped and he is now 20 years old and healthy as can be. Please keep us posted, hoping the sun shine a little brighter for you!

Thanks gbsim, I am going to remove one. I imagine once removed they can never go back in? Do you find it is better without the rubber?

oil change.. I need to order a kit and plan on doing it soon.. at least by 1500 miles. Tu13es, what is the 'Royal Purple'??

 

Ah, growing pains. I got those. I still get them occasionally. Annoying as hell.

Royal Purple is a type of oil. It's extremely popular and many on NAM and all over the automotive world recommend it. A little expensive, but I'm fine with that.

 

wow.. just noticed that we are close to 2000 posts on this thread!

 

Here's a couple quick shots of my interior with the JCW stuff and the front with the proper chrome driving lamps.

Note that the shifter and the cap have the new style logo.

 

Your car looks perfect, RT.

-Will

 

Racetripper,

Very, very nice. It just looks complete. Each extra or mod just adds the right touch to the overall look. Congratulations!

 

RaceTripper - very nice!! That is the interior my husband picked.. I think he will be very happy!

Tu13es.. I'll check out the Royal Purple!

 

Just receive my brake light kid from Gomingo, so I'll be attempting that mod a little later today. The idea of using the rear fog lights as additional brake lights was too good to pass up for $17. The way I see it if the extra lights will cause the person behind me to slow down sooner I'm good with that.

One question I don't have rear mud flaps but the backside sure gets dirty quickly. For those of you with flaps do they actually help?

 

Hey, I just noticed I moved to 2nd gear and that this should be week 32 2000th posting. I wish I had something clever to say to cement the moment, but I'll just end with a "Keep Motoring Week 32ers."