What's this MINI thing...
 

It's just in my nature to ask, hence my user name, license plate, etc. I am new to the MINI universe, but not the car universe...been tinkering with cars for just over 30 years now.

Just put in an order for a '17 Clubman S ALL4 this weekend, very lightly optioned in Moonwalk Grey/White combo to replace my current '06 Legacy Wagon I have owned since new. Didn't need anything 'bigger', needed some reasonable cargo capacity, ability to fit adult backseat passengers, couldn't do the SUV thing and had to have AWD. Damn Subie spoiled me rotten these past 10 winters for sure. Always liked Mini's and was leaning toward a Countryman till I spotted the new Clubby this past February at the Chicago Auto Show and found out it was coming in an ALL4. Wife immediately liked it, so it ran to the top of the contender list. :thumbsup:

Expecting delivery right around New Year's Day and can't wait! Reading up on all things F54 and hoping to contribute to this community. Just in case you wondered where my user name came from...it is somewhat obvious with this evidence:

Welcome to NAM, WhatV8, and the world of MINI motoring. The Chicago Auto Show was one of my favorite hangouts when I lived there, and even met the first U.S. Formula 1 champion, Phil Hill.

There are quite a few of new and experienced All4 owners on this site, so you should be right at home. Please post some photos when she arrives, and if you have any questions feel free to ask. We're here to help!

Drive Hard. Drive Safe. Keep Grinning.

Welcome to NAM. Congratulations on your order. Be sure to post some images of the F54 once you get your hands on it. :thumbsup:

Thanx guys, hopefully should have a good time on here. First pics will likely be with a few icicles on her, but hey, isn't that what AWD is all about! This will be my first vehicle with electronic nannies on board other than ABS, so let's see how many dash lights I can ignite first time on snow :grin:

The AWD will make a good winter rally car.

All4
 

Agreed. I remember how much fun it was to take my '67 street Cooper S through the snow drifts in Chicago, while everyone was tiptoeing around and getting stuck. :lol:

Drive Hard. Drive Safe. Keep Grinning.

Welcome, lots of MINI owners have personalized plates and name their cars.

That plate was originally conceived for my former 1980 Mustang. That car had the N/A 2.3L 4-cyl, but I had modifications that gave it a lopey idle and about a 50hp boost, along with lowering springs, fat tires, dual exhaust and fender badges. It looked and sounded like a 5.0L until you got up in the revs a bit, but I was always asked, "What kind of V8 do you have in there?" My reply was simply, "What V8!", in reference to my 2.3L. Needless to say, that response became my plate and it has followed me through 4 additional vehicles and applies to each vehicle in its own unique way. We shall see if my new Clubman conjurers up a new unique plate...

Hey, found out my Mini was born on 11/15 and is now awaiting its cruise ship to America, yeah! Apparently it was put into production a few days ahead of the initial scheduling, as it wasn't due to start production till 11/16. My MA told me that if they (Mini Mfg) find a close match to my build on their schedule, they will sometimes slot a production order onto that unit. Since I have a really low option vehicle (only 3 options), they likely had my combination slotted for build with a few extra options and only had to set aside a few items to let my config fly. Maybe it will be delivered before Xmas...keeping my fingers & toes crossed, but not holding my breath.

Well then, my F54 hasn't sat very still so far from my tracking. Built on 11/15 and loaded onto the WWL ship PORGY on 11/18 @ 10:02am in Southampton with 72 other Mini's. From there it headed over to Germany (Bremerhaven), to Belgium (Zeebrugge), back to Southampton just today. Now the trip to Baltimore officially starts and is due in port on 12/3, so looks like there is certainly a chance at getting a 4-wheeled Xmas present!

Shipping and on the move. Will be an interesting car. Have not driven the new Clubman yet, but hear it's a very nice performer. Look forward to seeing pics.

Definitely on my short list for a next car when the time comes. Will go give one a try on the road this Spring when the Roadster goes in for its scheduled maintenance. Great color combo for it. Had a '16 Clubby S follow me for a few miles this Summer, and it was MWGrey/White. Looked really good. Congrats!

MiniRoadstah, thanx! This past week, I spotted a 16/17 Clubby MWG/Black running down a street right near my house...what are the chances!! At least it wasn't my color combo, sheesh! Just checked on the location of my transport ship (Porgy) and it is just about to make its way into Chesapeake Bay, so the ETA seems to be right on. My MA stated it takes about 1-2 weeks at most to get here from the VDC...oh the wait.

Will be well worth the wait. Getting much closer!

Well, got word from my MA that my ride is in, hurray! Unfortunately I tweaked my back a few days ago and can't drive for another week, booo!! Can you believe the timing, I am going nuts not being able to take delivery of my new ride, ugghhh!!! Next week I should have better news, for now it will have to 'rest' at my dealer for a few more nights.

Easy on the back, so it mends quickly!

That's just not right! Can you get her before Christmas?

Drive Hard. Drive Safe. Keep Grinning.

http://new.minimania.com/Deals_on_MI...nd_Accessories

Certainly trying! Right now may take a stab at it on Friday, fingers crossed, just depends on availability of time at this point.

WooHoo, finally got a chance to get the new ride! My back is coming along, enough to handle the 45 minute ride each way to the dealer...thank goodness. Here are a few pics I snapped on the way home from the dealer before it got dirty from the lovely rain/sleet/snow yesterday. I do have to say I am extremely happy with the LED lights, great visibility in the wet weather.

Clubman
 

Very nice, and congrats! Makes for a great New Years present. Love the color :thumbsup:

Drive Hard. Drive Safe. Keep Grinning.

That license plate :thumbsup::thumbsup:

Thanx, that plate has been with me for at least 25 years and now its 5th car. It has had its own place/story on each car as well...even one time when I did own a V8 for about 18 months (ack!). Origin of it was on my '80 Mustang 4cyl, which was pretty modified. I had it lowered, bigger wheels, dual exhaust, lopey cam and 2.3L fender badges (mimic the 5.0L's). Guys would always pull up alongside me and ask what kind of V8 I had in it and my answer back was always, "What V8?" Well, that became my tag line among my friends and eventually my license plate. :wink: