Hi Everyone,

I just joined the forum as a new Mini owner. We just purchased a 2013 S convertible (I've come to learn that means it's an R57). I joined this particular forum because my early searches for information about the car often ended up here. There seems to be a wealth of information here, and an active community of helpful people.

The Mini is, more or less, a replacement for a Harley Ultra Limited touring bike I recently sold. My wife and I wanted something we could take to some of the area we like to visit...western NC, Tennessee, Virginia, etc...places we traveled to often on the bike.

I feel like I have tons to learn about this car. I think I'm in the right place.

 

Welcome to the MINI community Scott. I am sure you will have a blast going on adventures on your new Mini.

Post a photo or two of your new ride.

 

Thanks! Here’s a pic of it waiting for me in the rain while picking it up at the dealer.

 

Looks great. I am a fan of those beige seats.

 

First road trip - MINIs on the Dragon (MOTD)...
WELCOME TO NAM.

Motor On

 

Thanks. Yeah, I like'em too. I think they're officially called Toffee. Oddly, I looked up the build sheet from the VIN, and it calls out Carbon Black as the interior color. Not sure what's up with that.

 

I would love to, but won't be able to. I'll be down there on a motorcycle a couple of weeks after though.

 

Hi and welcome to NAM, ScottKY!
Great looking Mini.
Make sure to only use the correct fluids and only use premium (high octane fuel. You will regret it, if you don't!

 

Welcome, nice r57. I like the toffee seats.

 

Thanks, me too! It was a selling point for me. I’m just curious why the build sheet for the car calls out black seats. The Toffee seats look to be the same age the car, so...???

 

Bet someone wanted them and swap them or the dealership did it after the sale.

 

Mystery solved. Per the dealer (who sold the car new, and did all of the service on it) the previous owner had the original black seats re-covered with new leather from a company called Katzkin.

Anyone heard of them?

 

Yep, they must have like the oem toffee seats but not the price and went with katzkin, they are an aftermarket seat cover company. In the early years of MINIs in the USA in 2002-2006 dealers used to do this all the time as there were not many options. Dont see it too much anymore.