Hey all, checking in from the shore of Maryland. Picked up a 08 MCS a few weeks back -- both because I have always wanted one and because at 6'9", it is a major conversation piece

 

Congrats and please post some pix when you have a chance. I picked up an 04 MCS last month and it's just great. I'm guessing you have the front seat slid all the way to the back seat? Any mods made by the previous owner? How many miles?

Here's some great reference info, and please feel free to ask any questions. Welcome to NAM!

http://new.minimania.com/home.cfm

Drive Hard. Drive Safe. Keep Grinning.

 

I'm still trying to figure out how to get a photo of me in it. Might as well be no rear seat at all and I have to have things just right or the center roof pillar gets me in the back of the head.

 

Get someone to take that picture. That was one of the points in the recent Mini advertising "Labels" campaign. Nice going. Minis are pretty space efficient.

 

Once I get mine back in one piece and off the lift (toasted turbo), I'll get that photo posted

 

Make sure the new turbo gets cool down period before shut off at the end of all trips. A few miles of gentle driving will help cool down that red hot turbo and help keep it from toasting. Hope you get it back soon!!

 

Yeah, buying a used car has its share of unknowns. Not the end of the world, and at least, moving forward, I know how it will be taken care of.

As it stands right now, the Mini remains in the air while I shuffle the 2- and 3-wheelers around underneath.

 

Congrats and welcome. Frederick, MD here. . Cool down period sounds like something all drivers should be doing, regardless of turbo or supercharger.

 

My lift doesn't look like your lift! Very nice. Every garage should have one like yours!

 

I worked for many years laying on grass, then gravel, then pavement, and finally had a chance to build a garage. Contractor looked at me funny when I asked for scissor trusses on my bay along with 7+" of concrete. Did every side job I could find that year to pull together enough to buy it. Assembled and installed it myself -- getting those massive steel pillars upright with just myself was a little challenging, but I managed.

 

Love it! Super piece of equipment. And setting it up on your own... epic. Are there any Mini clubs out there? You could have had a Lift raising party!! I'm definitely impressed, honestly.

 

The sad part is that it is a ton of work to get the Mini on the lift -- definitely worth it, but because of the short wheelbase and the length of the lift arms, you have to have it positioned perfectly and do some jockeying back and forth to get the arms moved in between the wheels.

Haven't stumbled upon any clubs here in my area yet, but also only bought the Mini a few weeks ago.

 

I figured the lift went in before the Mini arrived. Would marking the optimal Mini position on the garage floor help when you want to lift it?

 

I did that with my jeep -- tape line for the left front tire so you knew exactly where it goes. I should do it like a crime scene chalk-body of the Mini this time :D

 

Welcome! Baltimore area here! We should get a Kent Narrows meet together once you have her running!

 

Excellent idea, but don't forget the yellow "crime scene" tape for that official touch. It's available online.

 

Welcome from the Annapolis area!

 

A MD meet and greet would be great. I host several bike rides on the shore over the course of the year -- I could set up an outing to cruise some of the back roads along the bay out to the middle of nowhere if we want to do something on the shore side.