Okay, a few images taken on a ride to the Palomar Observatory on Thanksgiving morning. Beautiful day, cold on the mountain, and a wonderful, curvy ride!





Jay

 

This is what I did:



It doesn't bounce around, and it's out of the way of the center console area. Works for me...

Jay

 

Good idea on the I pod,I may try that on my JCW. I ordered a rubber tray for the area in front of the cup holders. I will see when I get it,which one works better.
Ron

 

Jay - nice clubbie, and the background is perfect (in the mountains!!!) Love the BRG. If we hadn't gone for the SS the BRG was our next choice. Classic color for a British car!!! I seem to see a badge on the front grill...???

Thanks for mentioning Dudleys, I was trying to think of the name when Jere was talking about going through Santa Ysabel.

I hadn't thought about storing it in the passenger side netting. Agree with
Ron, I might have to try that. My wife wanted the Sirius radio but sometimes I think I just want to listen to my music.

Clint

 

I got the feeling you were grasping for that name... and they're still there, doing steady business.

Crazy weather around here yesterday- had an inch of rain which included about an inch of hail here at 2500 feet. A few inches of snow on Palomar. Finally something approaching seasonal, after the 80 degree days last week.

And yes, I've got a set of motoring badges I'm rotating through. It was an impulse buy while waiting for the MINI to arrive. Of course now I have many more options regarding impulse buys!

Jay

 

Hey Dean - how are those winter tires working for you?? Don't know how much snow you got down there but was just curious. With the snow, cold and ice Fiona has been staying home for the last two days but am hoping we can get her out tomorrow.

Clint

 

The snow tires have been awesome! Not too much snow here in the Springs, but a lot of ice. In fact very little if any wheel slip. I haven't had a need to use the DTC, which I ordered specifically for here. The DSC has been doing great on it's own. Just a couple flashes of the slip light, a little modulator noise and Tui is on his way.

I have the Blizzak WS-60's on mine. Bought them from the Tire Rack. They have a pretty mean bite on them.

 

Ahhhh...the joy of being a MINI owner. Haven't had the top down much recently, but if you turn the heater on full blast it's not too bad. My face gets chapped in the cold wind though.

By the way...those Xenons are way cool. They certainly make a difference.

 

Johnny - good to hear from someone!!!

Last weekend changed the break-in oil and filter. Very easy to do for those who like to DIY. Just had to unbolt the coolant reservoir to provide a little better access to the filter.

The xenons are really cool, like to see them self level when first starting Fiona. And still love the HK!!!

Still waiting to see some pictures from some of you out there!!!!

Clint

 

Hey kalililly! You already changed the oil? You know, I'm still not sure what to do. I have always changed the oil on the first 1000 miles, but I have been told not to do it. Tui has 1600 miles on him already. How many miles did you have? I've been told to wait for the first service. Ugh.

It was -11 here in the Springs yesterday. What did you guys have in Highlands Ranch?

 

I've been meaning to post some more pics of 'Racha but I kept getting distracted.

Also, did anyone else get their MINI Adventure Field Kit? Picked mine up from the post office today! Lots of fun and cool freebies inside; I really love that I got a JCW logo pin with my box.

 

Dean - I'm a little crazy when it comes to engines and break-in. I had 250 miles on it. I will change it again at 1000 and then probably go every 5000 after that. Just the way I have done it with all my cars and motorcycles since I was a kid. I've always considered oil to be relatively cheap. That old ad "you can pay me now or pay me later".

When we left for work yesterday it was -8 and then today it was 1. Too cold for these old bones!!! But then, hey, it will be a warm balmy weekend with temps in the low to mid 40s. Time to motor!!!!!!

Racha looking good out there on the road Glad to see more pictures...maybe Dean and I can get some in the snow!!!

We haven't got our package yet. Some have said as late as 2 months before they got theirs.

Keep 'em coming guys and gals....love to hear from the group and see new pictures!!!!!

Clint

 

Anybody else get this.....got our notice to come down and get our plates and register the car....make 'BMW' model 'Mini' Guess we'll see when we go in to the DMV!!!!

 

Hey kalililly. Just got my notice too. Under Make, mine says MINI and under model it says Cooper. Interesting since we bought them both at the same dealership. I'm afraid to go to the DMV. They'll probably want $700 to register Tui.

 

Hi guys-
Got my plates in the mail yesterday (thank God we don't have to pick them up at the DMV in California!). And my wife, noting my obsessiveness over the MINI, pointed out that one of the plates was scuffed. Guess I'll let it go. Prison labor and all (which it actually said on the mailing envelope!).

In the meantime, I've learned that the MINI is spectacular in the rain. And in the dry weather, it just seems to want to go too fast. Never had a car that feels so "normal" going 80+. Not that I'm complaining!

Jay

 

Dean - yeah I'm figuring $700+ and will go in next week since I'm going to take the last two weeks off work.. I just thought it a little strange the way the notice came in. See what happens when I go in.

Hey Jay - aren't these just the greatest little cars to drive. I've had two other cars that were fun to drive, an old Austin Healey bug eyed Sprite and a 1993 RX7. This is right there with them and in some ways, better. The RX7 had a great skidpad rating but I really think that Fiona handles corners better. So far no regrets whatsoever!!!!!

 

This is the funnest car I've ever driven, I love it so much! My cute little Mini needs a bath. It's way too cold here to do it myself, but I'm a little concerned about the LOW clearance. Anybody have any advice?

 

You will probably be fine at any quality car wash. I would avoid "robo-wash" systems at gas stations. Be sure to read your manual for particulars relating to your car; e.g., auto windshield wipers,etc. Unscrew the FM whip antenna.
I know these cars seem to have little clearance but they aren't that low. I haven't had a single incident of scraping or grinding when encountering driveways or dips.
Just to be sure...You should ask the car wash attendant (the person taking the money) to check it for you. Remind them (in a friendly manner) that the car wash is absolutely responsible for any damage to your very expensive new car. {This may actually be true}

If there are any problems, remember that if you lock the doors with the remote...the doors cannot be opened from the inside. Anyone inside stays inside until you open the doors.

 

My wife just found the sport button...Hang on!

My field kit came in about 2 weeks ago and we now have 1750 miles on Coop-a-loop.

12.5 hours of open time.

We are averaging 27.8 mpg according to the onboard computer.

Anyone else notice that if you don't have your songs in a playlist...the other options for sorting your music on the ipod are completely wrong?

 

I have not received my field kit yet. How long does it take? 800 miles on the car,around 24 mpg on the OBC.
Ron

 

Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, etc.

Just wanted to wish everyone a seasonal good wish...whichever applies!!!!

Clint

 

Merry Christmas from 'Racha....

 

how fast was the ticket for? I can't read it.
Ron

 

89 in a 70. I was just cruising along at a leisurely place but didn't see the trooper.

I am thankful that he didn't catch me a bit earlier, as I'd been cruising along a little faster in the three digits. Open Interstate, barely a car in sight, a nice 45-minute drive home to see the folks, and the most fun car in existence...what else was I going to do?

I tried to reason with 'Racha for the rest of the trip home, turning the HK up louder and suggesting that loud music was just as fun as high-speed driving. But every time I glanced back over at the speedo, there he was hovering at 90 again. I finally had to put us both in time-out with the cruise control button. Felt like we were crawling along for the rest of the drive to Manchester.

 

Ouch Is that possibly what they mean by 'too much fun'?

Clint