DISCLAIMER: I'm an "all or nothing" type of person. I also tend to keep my cars a VERY long time (10 years is not unusual), especially when I invest a lot of "extra" money that doesn't count towards blue book. It's worth more to me than to anyone else, know what I mean?

OK, many of you are going to call me crazy when you see my sig, but I'm diving DEEP into Mini fanaticism right from the get-go. I'm taking delivery of my new ride in about 16 hours (weather permitting... was supposed to be yesterday but due to snow here in Northern VA - the dealership closed early!). It's already prepped with almost everything that you CAN get (in official parts - including ALL performance-related JCW options except the 18" wheels and strut brace (both to come later)). I'm SO EXCITED, I've been telling all of my friends and coworkers, to the point where they can't wait for me to get the thing so I'll just shut up.

My other car is a 1995 Mustang GT Coupe, heavily modded (except for the 5.0L engine, which is still stock). I'm keeping it too... I eventually plan to rip out its engine and put a new one in, to the tune of 500 RWHP... that's my goal. The second that happens, it goes from a 3-season car (Mustangs are terrible in snow) to a STRICTLY SUNNY DAY ONLY "weekender" type car. So I needed to buy another daily driver before I could do that to the Mustang... and in shopping around, the MINI just grew on me. One test drive and that was it. I will be VERY proud to join your ranks. When all is said and done, I'll have one "insane" straight-line car (the Mustang) and one "insane" curvy road car (the MINI)... a fun combination.

Anyway, just wanted to say hi. Anyone else from the Northern VA or Washington DC region?

Edge

 

Congratulations. JCW too. Great. Please post a pic of both cars. Always interested in seeing MINIs next to standard sized cars. Have fun and drive safely.

 

Thanks... I'll be happy to post pics, but I think my Mustang will need a detail clean first... I bought it to DRIVE, not show.

 

I'm in the DC area... I live in Arlington. Are you going out to MINI of Sterling? Who is your Motoring Advisor? I'm going through Jeff.

If all goes well the wife and I will be able to order the MINI that I have designed next week! So I'm jealous of you. Terribly jealous.

 

Annandale here. Yes, MINI of Sterling, as you so correctly surmised in the other topic, and I told you there it's Tony for me.

As for being jealous, it's a pretty simple equation:

Edge + single, no kids = more money for MINI

As you come close to finalizing your car, feel free to ask about any of the accessories I have, I'll provide my feedback, and you can see them for yourself sometime. I didn't list the non-dealer-installed accessories, but here they are:

Outdoor cover
"Let's Motor" Black Frame
Black Rubber Floor Mats
Glovebox Organizer
Sun Shade
Bootbox Organizer
Grocery Bag Holder
Cool Bag
Rear Saddlebag

And I'm planning on obtaining the Euro parcel shelf too, once I verify it will match my interior OK. The ovesrized cupholder mounted on the passenger pillar is going to be removed on the first day. I don't want to encourage drinks in my car. For now it will strictly be a NO FOOD, NO DRINKS, NO PETS vehicle!

Heh.

 

Sweet car, that's almost the same spec as the one I have on order, can't wait to see pics

 

congrats on the new toy! if your looking for motoring buddies in the DC area, try this site www.dcmetrominis.org

 

When you take delivery of the car, did Tony throw anything in like the rubber mats or anything, Edge? Other dealerships tend to do that, and I wasn't sure about MINI of Sterling.

I'll go check your response in the other thread now...

 

Well, considering that I still haven't picked it up yet (leaving in 25 minutes to go get it though!), I'm not sure.

The thing is, I requested the Black rubber "S" mats from the very start... so I won't be surprised if I am charged for them.

I'll give him a ribbing about it, say "Hey, aren't you going to throw anything in for free, considering how much stuff I'm buying from you?"

Maybe he'll toss some of my accessories in for free, we'll see.

 

For other DC area motorers check out the DC Metro MINIs forum under the East Coast list under Club and regional forums on this site..........or http://www.dcmetrominis.org/

 

Thanks Stinger, I plan on it... Wraith suggested the same thing earlier.

I'm a little bit irked that there's a membership fee up front, and the upcoming events page hasn't been updated in over 5 months! Why sign up if there aren't any events being planned?

I probably will anyway - the fact that several people are already suggesting it means there is probably still some activity, in spite of the outdated events page.

 

Yeah, I'm looking seriously into DCMM as well, once I get the car. Though there is a membership fee up-front, it's not all that expensive.

Let me know what Tony says when you ask about the accessories.

I should head to the dealership right now and meet you. If only there wasn't stuff to do around the house right now! Darn these "days off."

Best of luck, and take lots of pictures! Please!

 

I didn't push too hard with him on this... but I did confront him about it... apparently he had already discounted a number of my JCW installs, since they were all being installed at the same time. He pointed out several of the items, the price he charged, and the "usual" price that is charged. I got the feeling he was telling the truth, but the only way I could be sure is to have someone else enquire about the cost of those items.

Oh well, either way I came and got what I expected to get, which is an AWESOME car to drive.

I even got up over 90mph on the highway on my way home, without realizing it... it's amazing how fast the car will go, and not even FEEL like it. The tricky part is only allowing myself to use up to 5000 rpm for the first 1250 - 1500 miles... although there is still plenty of power to play with below 5000.

WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO now I wish it was a weekend and I had a trip planned!

 

It's funny, with every new MINI the RPMs people are being told is higher and higher. When I bought mine they said 3500... last person I talked to said 4500, now you're saying 5000... I'm so confused.

 

That's awesome, Edge. Can't wait to see some pics!

Was Jeff at the dealership?

 

Yes, Jeff was there, and I told him about you... but the best I could say was "guy who lives in Arlington, going to buy an MCSa in either Dark Silver or Hyper Blue, can't decide". Heh.

Pics will probably have to wait until I have spare daytime to do it, which means on a weekend sometime soon.

WindMeUp - actually my rep said "3000 - 5000", which is confusing, why give a 2000 rpm range?

After getting home tonight (and hitting 5000rpm multiple times), I read in the JCW documentation that I shouldn't exceed 4500 rpm until 1250 miles. Oops. Well, hopefully those first 40 miles or so didn't do much harm...

 

Haha, yeah he was probably real confused. I sent him an email today with some questions, and mentioned you in it ("the guy with the fully loaded MCS" is pretty much all I needed to say!), so I'm sure he'll put two and two together.

Well congrats once again and I'll patiently await those pics.

 

::Waits patiently for pictures::

 

EDGE, Meet us in Vegas!!! LOL

 

Tuls - haha... that would be fun but I already have a long overseas vacation coming up and I don't think my boss wants me to take off any additional time!

 

just drive from Starbucks to Starbucks - you'll rack up those 1250 miles in no time.

 

genius!

I am glad to hear youre enjoying your new car!

please post a few pics asap!

 

I don't understand driving to starbucks to starbucks? Could you elaborate? although I am looking for the best and quickest way to break in my MCS when I take delivery of her.