So for some unexplained reason this Christmas I decided to look at MINIs. I always liked the driver-centric machine idea, but never seriously considered buying one. Never trusted euro manufacturers any more than I trusted local ones here in the States. I do have an Elise, but engine/transmission is Japanese, so it's a different story.

Anyway, I thought it would make sense to consolidate my reasonable daily driver (Scion xD) and poor man's exotic (Lotus Elise) into something more comfortable yet sporty and roomy and that doesn't take up both spots in the garage.

So over the last week or so I drove a regular hardtop, Clubman S and eventually today drove a Clubman S with the swaybars (aka sport suspension). The swaybars did it.

Ordered a PW/BB Clubbie S with Sport (5-spoke pace wheels) / Convenience pack, sways and couple of interior touches like anthracite headliner and piano black paneling.

Looks like it'll be here some time in March. anyone wants to buy a Lotus?

Soon to be "ex"-cars:

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3005717

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2884373

 

What? No LSD???

Welcome to NAM!!!

 

No LSD this time. Not going to save me on snow-less Georgia roads. And my autocross days were over after I took a dive off US-129 one labor day weekend :D

 

Welcome to NAM from Middle Georgia Minis. Our group is out of Warner Robins which is probably a bit out of your area, but if your ever down this way look us up. We have three Clubman in our group.

 

I didn't any MINI groups in Atlanta / North GA - is it really that bad?

As far as Warner Robbins goes, I had a friend stationed at the AFB there, so I know my way around. As long as I don't have to go through Dooly county I don't mind driving South (bad experience going through there in my Elise).

 

Very cool....congrats!!

 

Hi
welcome to NAM and the MINI world,
watch out for the mod bug..."it bites"
found this
http://atlantaminis.net/

 

The mod bug... Let's just say that hopefully by car #6 I will take it much easier this time around. I got better with the last 2 - very minor stuff done to the Elise and just cosmetic / suspension on the Scion.

So yeah, custom ordering the MINI should help me leave it alone for a long time, hopefully forever :D

 

Yeah, that's kinda how I did things w/ both of my MINIs.

 

I supercharged / swapped suspension and wheels on #1 (Matrix)
Supercharged / suspension / wheels / leather interior on #2 (Scion tC)
Engine tweaks / wheels / LSD / in-dash nav on #4 (350Z)
Wheels / suspension / lip kit / minor interior tweaks on #5 (Scion xD)
HIDs / minor interior tweaks on #6 (Elise)

So I'm doing better. At least I think I am.

 

Welcome to NAM! I bet you can't wait for delivery of your Mini! Nice looking Elise btw

 

So since my R55S is still in limbo with no production date in sight, I asked my MA to add about $2K worth of options to the car. Might as well since retrofitting some of that stuff will be a PITA.

So now I have all packages plus sport suspension, PDC, anthracite headliner, black paneling, smartphone prep and butt fogs. We are definitely in the "cheap BMW" territory here pricewise.

 

Congrats and Welcome from North Carolina.

 

Charlotte? I spent my New Year's eve there with some of the microbrew buddies. My Lotus also came from that area a year ago, so you might see me from time to time.

 

Turned out that to get the new stuff added to the build list, my MA used a new production number, is that standard practice?