Stephanie, thanks for checking. Wow, Grimace is one sharp MINI! Congrats and enjoy.

 

There's a mini-MINI in your MINI! Great looking car. All these pictures are making me antsy. I pick up Toby on Friday!

 

Flew down to Long Beach this AM to go get my MCS. It's quite a trip: car to BART to AirBART to OAK to jetBlue to LGB. I got a quick pick up ("Look for the DS MCS," they told me) and was at the dealer by about 1:20p.

Paperwork and "orientation" took just about 2 hours. Smooth overall. They do provide a complete "orientation," which includes going over the break-in pages (of course, I'd listened to WoofCast 37 last night) and all the buttons/switches in the car. I knew most of these, but I did learn a few things -- how to get to the H/K DSP settings, for example; I don't think that's documented anywhere officially.

I did bring and install my CR shift **** before I left. So I have a pristine factory **** FS soon.

Then it was "the" 405 to "the 101" to get home. It took just under 8 hours, including a) LA traffic, b) a couple of stops (food - I'm not eating in this car on it's FIRST DAY, fuel, and another pitstop).

101 and the traffic worked out well. I got some rev/speed variation in, so I feel like I was pretty nice to the car.

Though I did see a STRETCH H2, a Maserati Quattroporte, a 993 Turbo, only 2 MINIs on the entire trip. One early, going the other way on 405, and then a DS MCS back in the Bay Area at 11pm. We did a little "Peninsula Job" fun and he gave me the thumbs up, clearly spotting my Long Beach MINI paper "tag."

I love it so far, though with so much freeway driving on day one (just over 400 miles), I didn't push much. Though I never wanted for power over the mountains and the steering just feels ON. And the greenhouse on this car -- coming from a 99% time hardtop Miata -- is amazing.

Do I get to blame the worlds most useless cupholders on Chris Bangle? And I'll need to move the hack from the downtube as my Treo will go there on a ProClip. Liquid is going to be an issue. I already spilled today -- just ice, but I was looking forward to chewing it for at least a half hour; Grr -- so I'm glad I've got the Canadian floor mats in the garage.

Tomorrow: checker mirror caps, GbT, Euro Parcel shelf and (temporary) Euro front plate install. Why temporary? Because I got notice from the DMV today that I did get CPRSIZE as a vanity plate. Woo-hoo.

Oh yeah. And pics. I'll post a couple tomorrow night once everything's installed.

Thanks for all the support folks. Time to MOTOR!

--dwf

 

It's home!!! My '06 is put together so much better than my '02.....and feels much more solid. Features that didn't exist in the Mini's first incarnation make it a more refined machine, providing an even better experience: shape of the steering wheel.....new style xenons.....automatic headlights.....rear fog lights.....heated mirrors.....rain sensing wipers.....trunk unlock button on the key.....HK sound.....more power at the low end.....limited slip hugs the road.....front & rear clear bras.....larger rear view mirror.....center arm rest.....additional cup holder.....glove compartment lock.....softer seats with better quality leather......no interior squeaks and other noises.

Then there are changes that I have chosen: 17% pulley adds more pep than the 15% and creates a louder supercharger wine that is more evident from the cockpit.....JCW cold air intake pulls harder.....thicker, stronger sway bar provides almost no roll in cornering.....single can exhaust has a fuller tone.....Helix short shifter is higher and smoother than the B&M.....Whalen shift ****.....quite pleasing body colored dark silver roof instead of white.....silver interior instead of alloy patina.....white Shelby stripes on the bonnet and boot are more aggressive and feel like even more fun than just the stock white bonnet stripes.....sun visor decal is a better aesthetic than the visor warning label.....GbT glove box organizer.....no automatic climate control.....non run-flats grip better and ride smoother.....Blue-tooth enabled cell phone.....locking valve stem caps won't be stolen.....green brake pads make less dust.....engine feels even smoother than it did before with GIAC chip tuning.

And features I have kept the same: rubber mats.....dsc.....obc.....black panther leather.....front mud guards.....Cooper spare & bag behind driver's seat.....16" silver v-spokes.....white side-mirror caps.....radar detector.....heated seats.....silver M7 lower front grill.....and of course, Zaino.

Both the differences and the similarities have me feeling mighty good!

**Will try to eventually post pictures.....have never done it.**

 

Wow, BIG congrats to everyone who just picked up their MINIs - looks like the week 4's have all arrived safely home. I gave Emma her first bath yesterday - those brake pads sure are dusty! I actually washed three cars yesterday - Twiggy, Emma and Gump (our Subaru Forester who is now out in the cold with the arrival of Emma in the garage).

 

When the stock brakes go, or even before, replace them with green brake pads.....lots less dust.

 

DwFrank:
Replace that cup holder with the old, pre-2005 one. It clamps on the down tube at whatever height you want. This was my first 'mod' on Emma - it holds the drinks much more secure than the new one.

 

I know exactly what you mean. This car is FAR better than I could have ever expected. I never disliked my 2003 Cooper, but the 2006 feels sooo much better. Everything feels more solid and better quality. I'm thrilled!

p.s. Let me know if you want/need any help with the pics

 

Herby74:
I've really been thinking about the green pads as the fronts especially get filthy very quickly. Do the green pads really make that big of a difference? I had put ceramic pads on my 2002 Passat and I didn't see much improvement with those.

 

Picked up my MINI at 4:30pm yesterday afternoon. Everything went smoothly. Ok no more keeping you guys in suspense, here are a few pics with plenty more in my gallery. Let me know what ya all think.

 

T - Hawk . . .

that's a Sharp CLASSIC !


Guess/Hope you weren't "sharing the road" there!!!

 

I made a new thread so all the other folks -- the Welcoming Committe and those in Productions weeks later than 4 -- can take a gander.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?p=836671

Thanks for all the support! It's been a blast. See you on the asphalt.

 

A couple quick pictures of my car.......





Jason

 

I'm thinking about purchasing through them. How was your buying experience? Did you get all of the NAM stuff that you were supposed too? I've never bough a car out of state, but am considering based on positive feedback I've heard about this dealership. . .any thoughts??

 

^^ I also ordered from Classic. I highly recommend Mike Kost. My original Motoring/Sales Advisor left before I took delivery so Mike came in as my new MA until I took delivery. He was fantastic.

 

OK guys, I need some more pictures or motoring stories to tide me over till Saturday. I hitched some rides in a couple MINI's at the local AutoX on Sat. to get a feel for the cars on course. Oh boy, am I gonna have fun! I rode in a JCW ASP car ('03 I think) and got a feel for the power I'll have (plenty) and then rode in Grant Barclay's GS MCS and got to see what a very good driver can do with the car. Also rode with some of my STX competitors. Lots of fun. 5 days and counting!

 

I haven't checked this thread in couple of days. Congrats everybody!!

I also have to chime in and say how much more solid my '06 feels in comparison to the '02

 

I describe it this way: My '02 MCS felt rigid. My '06 MC feels solid.

 

My baby made it to Classic and is off for tint! Must have been sight-seeing along the way up.

 

A while ago my MA mentioned how much improved the build was for the '05's and '06's. However, I was quite happy with my '02 and his comment went right on by me. After driving around for a couple of days I now know what I would have missed. I got the '06 only because of an accident in December in which the '02 was totalled and while I'm not exactly happy about spending an unanticipated $10,000, it will be well worth the investment in the long run with respect to both $$$ and satisfaction. I'm not very enamored of the '07 design and by having this last year of the model I feel like I'm getting the best bang I could possibly get for my bucks.....more than I could ever have previously imagined!

 

Sure is quiet in here of late. Everybody's out motoring. Am I the last of the Week 4'ers to take delivery or are there others out there?

On a totally unrelated note, I've had my WRX for over three years and am a pretty agressive (but safe) driver around town. I had yet to get a ticket in the Rex. Been pulled over twice but was let off with warnings both times (not enough can be said for showing remorse and being courteous). After many citations in my youth, it had been about 6 or 7 years since my last - until this morning. 40 in a 30 - in a construction zone. I'll take double the fine and points, please! $210 would buy a lot of MINI go-go juice. Oh well, the fine officer thanked me for my courtesy before wishing me a good day and sending me on my way.

 

Traffic school online and you should be good to go.... takes about 2 hours.

 

I've definitely abandoned this thread. I guess we all got too excited about our new MINIs and forgot that not everyone has theirs yet. We can't forget the guys who are still waiting!! :impatient

I hope everyone continues to report back here even long after their babies are home. It would be fun to see when everyone finishes break in.. who breaks 10K first... how everyone is doing in a year or so.

 

Ok guys . . . I'm hitchin' a ride with a work cohort here and I'm off to pick-up lil' bluzeke! MA's even gettin' a six pack of HARP - wonder what that'll get me?

. . . to be continued . . .

 

The waiting is finally coming to an end. I am picking up my MINI this Friday at noon. I don't think I will be able to sleep or concentrate for the next couple of days.