Just got back from a 2-week vacation in India and must say it is absolutely great to be driving Monique again! The stupid grin was wider than normal on my way to work. I'll cross 1250 miles this week for sure and can't wait to experience post-4500s!

I was hoping the Mini Welcome Kit would be here when I got back, but didn't get it in the mail. How many of you have gotten it already?

I did get my plates in the mail but need to figure out how to put the front frame on! I'll probably just take it to the dealer this weekend because I also want them to take a look at the rear apron (aero kit) installation. My exhausts are not aligned in the center of the cutout, instead they seem to be sticking out more from the left side.

Cant wait for the drive back home today...although the fight against jet lag will be tough :impatient

 

Welcome home. Glad it was a safe trip.

I have not received my welcome kit yet. I imagine I will get it late like I did Icarus.

I have my "regular" plates. Am waiting on custom plates. Icarus!

 

I got my Welcome Kit this evening, actually. It was waiting on my doorstep. I got my Euro Taillights yesterday, but had to pick them up at the post office today.

435 miles before break-in is over...

Haven't gotten my vanity plate yet.

 

No welcome kit yet... but did get a cool little mug and piston key ring for the dealer...

 

Got the welcome kit last Tues (11/22). Had a heck of a time over the past several days taking relatives for joy rides in Icarus. Scared the crap out of my dad. Took a 50 degree turn, banked a little, at about 50. Had to take the rest of the drive like he would...zzzzzzz... No fun there but everyone else enjoyed going fast and all loved it even the skepticals after the ride!

 

I'm not sure if I've mentioned it yet, but there's a short strip of road that's got switchbacks in a narrow road that I used to love driving with my old car (Subaru Outback Sport) near my house. 'Beatrice' is no slouch, mind you, but recently I took my friend down through it at night. Now that was an experience!

250 miles to go before the break-in period ends....

 

Hey, minibot, why no pictures? I had considered the SB/S combo. Would like to see what it looks like in pictures.

 

I've been very bad about pictures, but I have some here:

http://gallery.toasty.org

They're not that good, but I'll try to upload some more tonight.

 

Hey! Hey! Nice MINI. I know you're just lickin' your chops to get past the break in period. Just make sure you get the feel for the curves before stomping through those switchbacks. Right RR?

 

Uploaded several more. Need to get some more pictures, especially of this morning when Miles was completely covered in frost. Never was there a more happy moment for having heated seats.

 

Got my new (correct) wheels today!!!! The white holeys look so good with my checkerboards. Though while at the dealer I found wheels I like better (they are pricey)

 

Right, Gr8Force... know your curves, before they know you!!

Sagworks, where did you get the XM mount on the car? I think you have it listed as a Roady XT. I would like to put one on the driver's side to mount a GPS. I assume the wheels you saw were on the PW/PW. That is one good looking car. My wife wanted me to get the PW, but I opted for the CR.

 

My mount is from Kuda. Great service and great product. I am soooooo happy with the mount. it uses the 2 screws already in the downtubes (sames ones holding up the cupholder). You order the base and then the appropriate plastic add-on to hold your device. it is not cheap - but so worth it in my opinion!

The wheels I saw were in the '06 accessory guide. Stock mini wheels - in white. I just had the holeys put on to replace the new '06 stock wheels. A bunch of people think I am crazy for waiting the holey's but I think Minerva looks so good with them. Now all I need is white side-indicators, and maybe a tailight switch (when I find ones I love) and I think Minerva's clothes will be done (for the time being)

 

Gee, you'd think hitting 1250 would be a great thing. Nope! As soon as Miles rolled over to the 1250 mark, I hit a one-mile backup that I spent 30 minutes getting through.

Oh well. It's done. Miles got a celebratory wash in 35 degree weather.

 

oh no! That's too funny, in a sad way. So what did you think once you could stretch into the upper bands? I've actually hit the rev limiter a couple of times now. It's kind of nice to know it's there to keep me from being more stupid than I already am.

I'm currently putting together a pulley party for the AtlantaMINIS club for sometime in late Jan or mid Feb. If we get enough response I'm going to see if Randy from Webb Motorsports will come on down. I'm adding the following for Icarus at that time: Alta CAI (blue), Alta 17% pulley, Alta Oil Catch Can (blue), MTH tuner file. I've already bought the USB cable so I'll get to play around with that and see what kind of software is out there to play around with. I wish I could do more but that'll run roughly $1k so the Milltek exhaust & MTH header will have to wait behind the Zeemax body kit for the cabrio & wheels/tires. I'm sure this will be enought to wet my appetite for performance for a while. -sigh- Yeah right.

 

Well, the PSMINI group today did a group run picking up food donations for the local food bank. I didn't get to really ping the rev limiter, but there were a few times when I accelerated hard, and it was a gorgeous day to go out motoring.

Still, when accelerating hard, you definitely feel the push into the seat, and corners are still as fun as ever.

I'll put up more pictures tomorrow (my main desktop is taken over by my SO).

As to upgrades, everyone's asking the same thing. I'm of two minds, I think the first performance upgrade I want to do is a rear sway bar. A couple of the guys on the run swear by it. Engine modifications, I'm not sure. I might try to save my pennies and go the JCW or Dinan route.

 

Here are a few pics from Seattle Center, on a foggy evening under the EMP....

Happy Holidays!

 

75 miles until the break in period is over.................cant wait.

 

Hopefully you won't hit traffic on I-5 like I did.

 

SFS- That one shot with the tree lit up behind your MINI looks great! Nice wheels too.

I just turned 4000 miles. I can't stop driving so much!

The pulley party is slow going. Not quite enough interest. Hmmm...

 

glad you like the pics

anyone have any feedback, from the MINI dealerships, on replacing the supercharger pulley?? does it void your warranty??

if it doesnt, me thinks Sarah's ride might get a little FASTER soon

Cya Mr Superflysarah

 

It's kind of a border line call on that issue but I've never heard of one person that has a pulley change get declined on warranty work and that includes maintenance. The only time I've heard this being an issue is if you've subscribed to the MTH way of ECU management (reprogramming v. a chip replacement/overlay) then if the dealership has to update the version of software on your ECU then you'll have to reload your file onto the ECU. If you go to the MTH section of the BB you'll see lots of "discussions" on everything MTH.

You'll want to keep your original equipment if you plan on selling your MINI (ha!) as you'll never see any return on aftermarket mods and most likely a decrease of value. I don't plan on selling Icarus so I could care less.

 

From what I understand, NW MINI's service department is pretty good. I'm also told they offer DINAN parts (but I'm still on the JCW fence).

 

got my welcome pack yesterday....

2200 miles and 2 months in...

 

Oh ya I also got mine last weekend. Just finished sticking some of the toggle button stickers! They're so cool!

On a sadder note, stupid me scratched one of the wheels yesterday. Thankfully I cant see the scratch from most angles because its right where the wheel meets the tire. Ah well, it was bound to happen sooner or later...MOTOR ON!