Hello All!

My name is Eric Snyder and I just bought my pre-owned 02 Mini Cooper, and I have to say I love this car.

I have been a longtime VW follower (I have owned 16), which my favorite was my New Beetle that I had all decked out. I traded my 2002 Jetta 1.8T with a full ABT body kit and ABT 18" rims for my plain, jane Mini, which is not plain at all. These little cars have a ton of attitude and personality, much like my 99 New Beetle did.

I just found a set of 17" Cooper S lite rims that just arrived yesterday via ebay (man do I love ebay), and I also think that I am going to put on the factory ground effects kit.

I am very happy with the enthusiasm surrounding these cars, and the loyalty that I have seen so far. VW used to be that way, but the dealerships have gone down hill, and quite frankly, that is why I have switched.

I look forward in participating in many threads.

Happy Motoring from Charlotte NC

 

Hi Eric! Welcome to you and your MINI! It sounds like you were a very loyal VW owner and I'm impressed that you made the switch. I suspect you'll find the MINI bug even harder to shake than the VW bug (no pun intended ).

Enjoy your new to you MINI. Is it truly a "plain jane"? No options at all? If so, it's a pretty rare MINI!

 

Welcome and watch your wallet now since the mods will be a callin'

 

Well, I claim that it is plain, but actually it is equipped quite well from many of the options offered from Mini. I referred to it being plain because my Jetta 1.8 Turbo had quite a few items that I added. A full ABT ground effects kit, 18" ABT rims,some interior dress up items, tinted windows, rain shields on all four windows.

I have to admit, I am not the most patient person so the other day I found a set of R85 rims (17") on ebay for $500.00 and snatched them up. My alloys that came on the car were the standard 15" that looked similiar to the old Porsche bubble rim with the holes around the rim. My 15" tires are brand new, so if any of you need a good set of winter tires and rims, these would be perfect, and I will let them go cheap. I can not wait till my wife notices the new rims, she is going to s _ _ t! I know what her comment will be, "What was wrong with the other wheels and tires"?

Here is the low down on my 02 Mini:

Pure Silver Metallic w/BlackRoof and Mirror caps
Panther Black Profile Leather
Combo#1 Premium:
-Multifuntional sterring wheel w/cruise and audio controls
-Leather Steering wheel
-Dual-Pane Panoramic Sunroof
-Automatic Air
-On-Board computer :impatient

Chrome Line Interior
Heated front seats
Front Fog lamps

Now that I have the 17" rims on, I am going to install the Mini Ground effects kit. But I may have to do some brake work first. As I was putting on my new rims and tires it looked like may pads may not have much life left on them, and the rotors did not look very good. Have any of you installed any after market rotors and pads, and if so what have you used that you like? I put a set of cross drilled rotors and green stuff pads on my New Beetle and they squeeked like crazy when I applied slight pressure to the brakes.

I was also thinking about installing the K & N intake tube and filter kit. I installed a Big Bore intake kit on my New Beetle and it made a big difference. Has any one heard any feedback about these?

I will leave my interior on my Mini just the way it is, they did a great job! I will have the windows tinted, that is a must.

O.K. enough from me. I am off to checkout some other information on the forum. I hope to meet anyof you that are members of the Mini Motoring Club of the Carolinas, as well as others across the US. Happy Motoring!

 

welcome on-board Eric, don't be stranger and hang around more often

Berk