I'd been interested in picking up a MINI of my own for the last few years, and finally pulled the trigger this past weekend.

It's a 2008 MCS with the Works Stage 1 and a few quality aftermarket bits, well thought out and meticulously cared for by its previous owner (also a NAM poster, and so some of you might recognize the car. I won't say who - I'll let them post if they see fit).

I test drove a ton of different vehicles (MS3, GTI, Civic SI, STI, EVO, S2000, Solstice GXP, RX-8, etc) and also a few R53's before deciding on an R56. It also probably helped that I talked my girlfriend into buying one a few years ago and have been living vicariously through it.

It's the newest and most expensive car I've owned to date - the only one with any sort of factory warranty - and the 17th car I've owned. I still have a couple of 84 GTIs, but one's on the chopping block, and the other might end up shipped out in crates as well. We'll see.

Anyhow, I am quite happy with the car as it sits (and goes, and turns, and stops, and...), but I'll probably end up finding things that I'd like to improve over time. 'Til then I'll be around here doing research and trying to find opportunities to take the car out to the track

With that, we have some pics:









Hi

 

Looks Sharp! Glad you found it and I know you will enjoy the heck out of it!

 

 

great car, although begs for blackout IMHO. Did the previous owner replace the blacked-out trim with the original chrome before selling ?

P.S. love the Rota wheels - I have them in Flat Black

 

Thanks all

I don't think the PO changed anything before I got my hands on it. I'm not sure if I want to black out all the chrome. I feel like it might be too much work to get it to come out properly. I can look in to it though... maybe a quick Photoshop might help.