Hey People~
I bought a used 03 Cooper S (DS/B) about 3 weeks ago. Became a member of mini2.com and NAM. Love the info I can get from all of you MINI experts. Learning something new everyday.

Love my MCS. But 2nd day with my new baby, she started to overheat in the middle of Storrow drive. (heavy traffic, yet 40 some degrees out... pretty chilly for May) I have been reading and following the thread long before my purchase, so I kinda expected it was the PS fan that blew the fuse. Guess what? I was right! I took her into dealer and got a new fan and new wiring. (of course free car wash! ) When I talked to the adviser, he was surprised how much I know about the car. Thanks to you experts!

You think my engine is damaged due to the overheating? I can't really tell because I only drove this car for a day before this happend. Hmmm....

So I got my car back, and started MOTORING! couple days later... Hit a HUGE pot hole, and ruined 2 of my s-lite wheels. (Damn Boston roads! ) I should have gone all aftermarket, but ended up getting a new set of s-lites. I like the stock look. (Got 2 s-lites and one runflat tire if anyone is interested.) Now I try to dodge all the bumps and holes. Love the handling.

Even with this rough starts with MCS, it still puts smile on my face whenever I put the key in the ignition.

I will be around. See ya~

 

Congrats on your Cooper! You're scaring me about those s-lites though. I ordered the 17"ers with my MCS so we'll see.

 

welcome aboard! glad you weren't writing to say your MINI was the one shot http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthread.php?t=91668 in addition to the other tales of woe in your early days of ownership!

 

Hi yellow2black...welcome. Glad you're loving your MCS. If ya gotta avoid potholes, might as well be driving a car that has fun doing it!!! Good for you sorting out those initial issues...here's wishing you smooth motoring from here on out!

Glad NAM has been helpful...when I step back and consider the vast amount of information collected over the last few years, yeah, it is very impressive (tho little of it comes from me ). I even learn about Pop Tart flavors I had no idea existed!!!

 

S-lite should be fine. They look good with our cars, and our cars are capable to dodge pot holes. very capableand fun doing it!

When did this "one shot" thing happend? Glad it' wasn't mine.

Pop tart flavors? Haha... I might do a search.

I been following the forum quite a while, but never registered. When I got my MCS, I was sorta obligated to register and say HI. So I knew about the common problems, so it didn't shock me when it happened. Besides... everything was covered under warranty, so no harm done!

Thanks guys. I feel welcomed.

 

Congrats on your new MCS! Hopefully you'll enjoy trouble-free driving down the road...

I just found your thumb's up comment about a free car wash amusing because I take what many would say are extreme measures to make sure the dealer doesn't wash my MCS!

 

Really? Why is that? I gotta do some search. I am missing something. Would they mass up the paint?

 

Yup. Although their intentions are good, no doubt, no one....I mean NO ONE...will do a better (or safer) job of washing your MINI than you. They don't take the time required generally and you have no idea about what products (especially for drying) are being used. Micro scratches could result.

Admittedly, some of us are pretty neurotic about this stuff.

 

welcome! did u go to herb chambers or peabody? can u comment on their service dept?

 

Welcome, Y2B ... hope to see you at some future MINI events in the area

 

Not that it'll happen every time, but it does happen. It's not uncommon to see the washing crew using long handled floor brushes to clean bumpers and even wheels. And who knows how careful they are about not re-using the same rag they used to wash the brake dust off the wheels to wash the paintwork. Or the same soapy water, for that matter. I'm betting the long line of cars they have yet to wash is reason enough for them not to worry about such silly details.

I've seen my own car damaged before (albeit minor scratches which the dealer buffed out). But when I saw another customer's vehicle arrive at the dealer's after-service pickup lane with really bad scratches, that was the last straw. I'm sure the dealer eventually took care of the damage but every time the paint is buffed, you lose some of the clear coat. btw, she had just bought the car new and was having something minor taken care of -- the dealer wanted to impress her with the "free" carwash...

Best to learn how to wash it correctly and do it yourself!

 

Thanks for the advise. I will wash her myself next time. That way I can get to know her better.

I took it to Herb Chambers. Mark Revin is the service adviser and he's been great. He's the one who sold my cooper to the previous owner back in 2003. Previous owner introduced him to me, so I kinda knew him befor I took my car in.

 

Welcome from a fellow Bostonian (Brightonian, actually...)! Glad you're enjoying your new car and not letting the early snags get you down.

I'll second your praise for Mark at Herb Chambers. Although I had a terrible buying experience at HC and consequently will be ordering my next Cooper from Peabody, I have had nothing but great service from their service dept, and Mark in particular. He's polite, honest, remembers my name, and has been very good in making sure they they don't wash my car!

See you around! Oh, by the way, Storrow Drive is one of my least favorite roads anywhere. No one knows how to do the merges right, and I always feel like I barely avoid an accident, no matter how defensively I drive. I never send people that way to my house, even though it's by far the easiest way from the north or south.

Chris

 

Chris - so you will be buying another MINI?! Before '07?

 

Congrats on your MCS. I too live and work in Boston. The roads are just so bad around here. If I were you I would buy a set of used wheels to use for winter (With winter tires) and wait until they fixed the potholes (well... some of them anyway) to put a good set of wheels on for the summer.

I actually just drop my car of for services this morning. Totally dig the service at Herb Chamber (Mark Ravin). I have never take my car for service at Peabody but I called them a few times and they were pretty good about answering my questions.

I am having Turner Motorsports installing a few things on my car next Monday (15% Pulley, Ramus Exhuast, Driving lights, and Altar CAI). We shall see what kind of performance I will end up with.

Good luck with your MCS.

 

I used to travel to Cambridge all the time (Analog Devices next to MIT) and the roads around there could beat you silly... I'm so glad I won't be driving around there any time soon.
Now i get to deal with the lower end of the Palisades Parkway in New York... That road could use some serious paving too... Salt is murder on the roads AND our cars.
MINI should be en route on Thursday, 5-19. BOHEME-ian rhapsody. :-)