It's been a whirlwind couple of weeks. After looking at a lot of different small SUVs and then test-driving a MINI Countryman, just to get it out of my system, I concluded that I would eventually order a new Countryman--probably in the mid to late Summer. I then noticed that my local CarMax dealer had a 2012 ALL4 on the lot. Long story slightly shorter, I ended up test-driving it, and then, after an evening of diligent research, I bought it the next day.

I am now the owner of a Light Coffee (Milk Chocolate, if you ask me) 2012 ALL4. CarMax offers a 5-day never-mind period, so I called MINI to confirm the balance of the factory warranty, and discovered the original owner bought the extended maintenance plan, so I've got factory maintenance for 100,000 miles. I also took it to Otto's MINI in Exton, PA, so they could give it the once-over. It received a clean bill of health. They pulled the maintenance records, and everything was up to date. I also found out that at some time in the last two years, the high-pressure pump had been replaced. Other than that, no record of any serious issues. I decided to keep it.

This is my first MINI and I'm loving it. I'm 53 years old, but that's a different thread. If you're scoring at home, it has brown club-leather seats, with cold-weather, adaptive xenon, auto-headlights/wipers, split rail, automatic transmission and MINI Boost CD w/ Sirius. I've already replaced the Union Jack mirror covers with Black. I bought the black replacements on Ebay and sold the UJs right here in the Marketplace. I've installed a Craven Speed iPhone Pro mount and some 2013 cup holders from Sewell MINI are going in this weekend. Thank's NAM, for the discount.

True Story: When I first test-drove it, the low tire warning was active (Left Front). CarMax filled the tires before delivery, and I reset the warning. The tires are Pirelli P7 All-Weather w/ 28,000 miles on them. Since purchasing, I've had to add air to the same tire three more times. I also found a small cut in the tread right at the outside radius of the tread. I called CarMax service (30-day purchase warranty) and told him what I just told you. He said that they would certainly take responsibility and replace the damaged tire. After looking at the cut for about two seconds, he said he would order me two new front tires. Then, he asked if it was 4-wheel drive. When I told him it was, he had a service tech. come out and measure all four tread depths. From this information he determined that he should replace all four! So, I'm getting brand new P7s all the way around for free.

NAM has been a great resource already, and I appreciate all of the information sharing that goes on here.

Regards.
Steve Kay

 

Sounds great! Welcome. Post up some pics.