Well, even though the warranty covered my repair, the thought of them charging $2200 for it gives me an infarction. I wish I could get someone to explain it. The dealer won't so maybe some one else can tell me whether the dealer is just robbing people, or if there is something I don't know. I have replaced cam chains. Why is this one so much.
At least it is quieter now.

 

Brad, it sounds like you're having a great time! I'm now at 13,200. The 50 mile+ round-trip commute is adding up the miles for me.

Jiminni, to me it looks like the bonnet. I've tried adjusting the trim and other pieces and I still think that it's the bonnet. I was thinking about leaving a stack of heavy textbooks on it to try and bend it back down. Here are the photo's:

 

Lacynpiper: I have a huge tip for you for your insurance company. When you report the loss, tell them the vehicle ahead flipped up the cardboard and it was flying in the air when you hit it. That way they will consider it "Comprehensive--flying object". If you tell them you ran over it and it flipped up, they will consider it "Collision". Most people have a lower deductible for comprehensive coverage v. collision coverage and it will generally not count against you as a claim if it is comprehensive. I have been handling insurance claims for over 30 years, so coming from experience. Good Luck! janet

 

For those in California, AMVIV (A Mini Vacation in Vegas) is next weekend. Check out posts in NAM for more information. MidCal Minis also has an AMVIV posting going. janet

 

Sounds like fun, however, I will be taking AMBTIV (A Mini Business Trip in Vegas) early next month, my annual pilgrimage for the National Association of Broadcasters trade show... Actually looking forward to the drive this year!

Brad

 

Ohmigawd Lacy... That's awful! At least you're okay, and the damage is somewhat minimal. Seems so weird that it's not lying flat.. Please keep us updated!

 

Thanks for the advice, Janet. I don't think that I'm going to claim it on my insurance. It appears to only be surface. Bonnie is driving like everything's normal so it's hopefully just aesthetics. I immediately looked under the bonnet when I got home and didn't find anything so I'm going to hold off on repairs. It won't be too long before I have to go in for the yearly tune-up.

Erin, I want to see pictures of your new Mini when you get it! I love my Horizon Blue and I get compliments on it all the time. It's so pretty even when it's filthy.

 

Sure will, Lacy! I'm guessing it will be started in a week or two... crossing fingers!

On a sad note, I just noticed that my windscreen is cracked.. will have to have it replaced. I just wish they wouldn't use generic ones to do the replacement with; I'd rather have genuine mini parts... will have to see if my insurance will cover part of a genuine mini windscreen.

 

I have to say I'm not super-impressed with my Genuine MINI windscreen. It is quite pitted. Granted, I'm driving on LA freeways, not the most sediment-free of places, and into the sun both to and from work, which highlights the pits - but I've never had one pit this much this fast.

Brad

 

Yes, that is the answer.

The answer to the question:

"How many ping pong ***** will fit in the secret compartment of a MINI?"

The kids did it yesterday for an April Fools joke, and I got a good laugh out of it as I went to get my parking garage access card yesterday morning. (I found out later that they were disappointed we didn't have enough ping pong ***** to fill the whole car. Yet another reason not to keep too many ping pong ***** around the house.)



Scamps!

 

That is brilliant!

 

Mini #2 now inbound into Halifax... lands in NY on wednesday, and should be at our dealer within a day or two... we should have a call from the dealer to pick her up by next sat/sun/mon. can't wait! I just have to see what all the hoopla is about the Horizon Blue that Lacy keeps talking about

 

The first one had me a little freaked out. I was about a mile from the gas station and the indicator went from "6 mls" to "1 mls" in about 200 yards. CRAP! Of course I was at a light when I took this picture, I shut the car off immediately after I took the picture. I did make it to the gas station, phew.

The second one is was taken last week at the National Association of Broadcasters convention. Seems this company built a camera crane car out of a MINI - cool!

Anyway, hope everybody is doing well -

Brad

 

Brad, great pictures. Looks like Mr. Zip is doing pretty well mileage-wise!

Erin, any news on your beautiful Horizon Blue Mini Cooper?

 

It's somewhere between NY and Boston... awaiting a response from the dealer now. Perhaps tomorrow, if we're lucky? Fingers crossed!

Brad, that picture really freaked me out! I'm sure there's a little extra for emergencies, but you sure don't want to push it!

I've noticed something weird... my MPG average rating varies widely based on temperature. I guess it makes sense, but I didn't know it was this much of a variance. During the summer, if I'm a little careful, I can hit 40 (even on the S model). During the winter, though, it drops to about 32. It's on its way back up again; getting about .1 or .2 increase per day in my average... I believe it was 36.1 last night.

Lacy, I'm guessing you don't see as much of a temperature range, and might not notice this. Anyone else seeing such a range?

 

Lol, Texas really only has two seasons: frigid cold and hotter than Hell. Y'all get a spring and a fall but those two "seasons" are usually about a day or two long before we launch into our primary seasons. I freaked out a little the first time last "fall" when I saw my mileage go from 34 to 28. It appears that even with A/C (which is a necessity) that I usually get around 34 in the summer and 30 in the winter so not the biggest swing in mileage, but large enough. The weeks that we were in the twenties in the mornings I usually only got about 28 mpg.

How about the rest of y'all?

 

So, ERINBR, did you get her yet? Post photos.....

 

Picked up last night. It's raining here, so no really purty photos yet, but I did take one (in my gallery). Will have to get more creative later lol

Our MA gave me a little gift for bringing in a double sale... I've put that picture in my gallery also

 

One year and 13,000 no hassle smiles and lovin every minute of it

 

Make that 13 a 20 and I'm right there with you. Woo Hoo!

 

Only 12000, but I decided to get rid of the run-flats. What a difference! Rides better, steers easier. Not sure about the cornering yet.
I thought the 1 year service would be something useful, but its just an oil change and fluid check. I would think they should check valves, etc.

 

Ditto! Except 16k miles. The dealership won't change the oil until Bonnie's used it up so I've still got 2000 miles to go before they'll change the oil. I took her in last week and they topped off the coolant, which she seems to drink quite a bit of, and checked the oil. I had to get a loaner though and that is not something I am looking forward to repeating. The loaner was an '09 Clubman with a sunroof and leatherette. It was 104 that day and I stupidly wore a skirt. I have never been so thankful for my car than I was that day. Ugh.

 

As I read the information, they are supposed to do the service at 15000 miles, or one year, whichever comes first. You might want to check that?? Seems as if you are over both? They did mine at about 11500 and just short of a year, 360 days or some such.

 

So some of you haven't changed the oil yet People you do realize that Mini wants to sell you a new car after their warranty runs out right? The turbos on the "S" eat oil, well not really but it breaks down the oil very fast. We have changed Janets twice already, the oil was very black and ugly. Also anyone with a "S" needs to know that the Prince motor has a very bad tendency to build up crud on the backside of the intake valves, this is a tendency of direct injection engines. So one of the best things you can do is install a catch can. If anyone as any questions pm me. BTW, this is not just comming from me but I work part time at my mechanics shop,
Custom Mini Shop, a vendor here on NAM.

 

Akshully, I changed the oil at 2500 miles and 7500 miles and they changed it at 11500. It was pretty dirty, and the oil pressure went up two pounds on the new oil, so I agree it breaks down. I don't care what they say, I will never let my oil go more than 5000 miles. Oil is cheap. The bandits here charge $122/hr labor, and I want to make sure my car goes way beyond warranty.