So First off hello to all. Im a First time owner of a Mini (Ive been a fan of VW til now (Let the flogging begin)). I use to really going to car shows and maybe even entering here and there, but a marriage and little one changed that. So here I am a few years later looking to get back into the swing of things. I needed some type of daily commuter and didnt see any other car that had the styling and mpg of a mini.

I just purchased an 04 MC Basic, Black body w/ White top. It had three previous owners, One must have been a woman (**Dodges thrown objects**) as all the rims have been curb checked, so those will be replaced eventually. First things im doing to it are Getting floor mats and installing an arm rest. Then it will be probably adding window tint to the back and rear sides than some type of stripe.

I will be looking to get together with some other Mini owners for rides or get together in the Charlottesville, Va area. I just wanted to introduce my self for the time being until I figure out exactly what im looking to do to make this mini mine. I will be lurking around here on a daily basis to get the hang of things and see what I can learn. Again thx to all and best of driving.

Thx

Nick

 

Welcome!

 

Welcome! Lots of ex-VW world folks on here, self included.
- 1991 2.0 16V GTI (tectonics-built motor, header, Liestritz, Konis, BBS, 6-point cage)
- 1990 small-bumper 2.0 bubble block GLI
- 1984 16V Cabrio, tachtonics header and all the braces
...and that's just the "interesting" ones... more I won't take the time to list...

While Minis enjoy attention and respond well to mods (speaking of which, get a CAI and an exhaust and you'll LOVE your "Justa"...), they're not completely ADHD like the VW's are, you can actually enjoy them a while between repairs!

Oh, and think carefully on the armrest - if you've got a manual and are over 5'8" or so it can get in the way of your shifting elbow.

 

@ Uncl3
Thx I hope to learn a ton.

@ DixonL2
Yeah I had a 95 Jetta (Tranny finally gave out at 190k miles) and a 94 Golf (Engine exploded at 210k) So had great experiences with them . Im a bit of European engineering fan.

About the arm rest, fortunately Im 6'1" and have a auto so I should be ok.

I also got the car with a 2 year power-train warranty and in doing the research on the car before purchase I found out that a new tranny had been installed in Sept. 2011 with a 1 yr warranty. Repairs other than engine I can do (Electronics are my specialty).

BTW what is a CAI??

BTW x 2 GO STEELERS!!!!

 

Welcome and have some fun!

 

CAI = Cold Air Intake. Makes a couple more horsepower show up, and gives a nice growl when you crack the throttle open.

Steelers, naturally, but Go Pens!
(Let's just not speak of our baseball team...)

 

Ah..forgive me as im a bit rusty in the custom car terminology (Kids do that to you)

Quick ? I looking to hook my tablet to the stereo via a headphone jack, how complicating is this going to be or should I wave off?? Its the Harmon system

 

Welcome. I don't think you truly have an automatic. Your car should be a CVT, if it's not a 5 speed. Is it a sport package? I can't completely tell from the photo, but it looks like you might have fogs and sport seats. I can't tell if you have a rear spoiler or not. Anyway, the sport package included those separate options, the Daytona wheels you have, and dynamic stability control. The biggie there is the sport seats, although after driving mine through the winter with four good snows, the DSC is beginning to grow on me. The wheels, fogs, and spoiler are just fluff, but they look nice.

Edit: I just noticed your signature, so obviously you know what trans you have (surprisingly, many owners don't). I also saw the DSC. Nice car.

 

@ BlackBomber
From the info that has been given to me by NAM members, it is in fact a Sports Package. Everything else you pointed out is correct also. You definetly know your Mini's

 

Grabbing an "aux input" jack is easy peasy lemon squeezy as long as you're an '04 or later, plugs right into the back of the head unit, driver's side. Doing it the first time you'll need a coupla torx "screwdrivers" and it'll take 15 minutes, plus time to decide where to put the input jack itself. If you know what you're doing, it's a 5 minute job but you've got to put the plug in "blind". Search the 2002-2006 threads on interior or electronics for "aux input". FWIW, I put my input plug in front of the gearshift with a 90 degree right-angle plug on it. There are many creative places to put the jack.

 

yeah ive been lurking the forum and found a pile of info on this mod..I will prob mount it in the empty switch location. Just ordered my precut tint which is to state limits and plan on haveing it done in a week or two