Hello, hello!

I am ordering a 2006 MCS this week (!) and have a few questions. First, here's the rundown to give everyone some context:

2006 MCS
Six-Speed
Dark Silver/Black Roof
No bonnet stripes (I think, maybe black, I dunno, give your opinions)
Premium Package
Sport Package (all-season tires)
Cold Weather Package
Convenience Package
Rear Fog Lamp (no blank toggles for me)
Black Leatherette
Chrome Line Interior
Anthracite Dash & Doors
Anthracite Headliner (so slick in person)
iPod Adapter

OK, on to the questions:

As of now I am going to order the convenience package. I searched here: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ight=fog+light but need some clarification. If I leave the auto-headlights in auto mode, can I simply just flip the toggle for the fogs or will I have to move the auto switch to parking or normal?

I am moving to Lincoln Park, Chicago in a few weeks (after graduating from grad. school) and I know I will purchase snow tires next fall. Considering this, should I opt for performance tires when I order or should I just play it safe and get the all-seasons?

To those using an I-Pass or EZ-Pass, can someone provide some more insight (maybe pictures?) of the sunroof install or any other location? (I did the search, but could not find pictures, and they describe a nook that I can’t seem to visualize.)

Basically, I fell in love with the MINI when I still had my Miata (RIP 2003) and was very close to buying a (gasp!) Xterra, due to all the fun blizzards and hauling capacity. I finally realized the error of my ways, convinced the hardest critic, my girlfriend, that the MINI is very safe, great in the snow (at least that’s what all of you are saying) and that I can still go to Costco and make it home with a 100 pack of TP and a garbage bag full of pretzels.

Thanks for reading, thanks in advance for the response, and I’m glad to be a part of such a great community.

 

I don't have all the "auto" stuff, but i'm pretty sure you could use the switch for the fog lights. i'd go for the performance tires since its almost spring and you said your going to buy snow tires later .... don't know about the sunroof issue..... and DUDE!! GET THE WHITE ROOF AND BONNET STRIPES WITH DARK SILVER!! its the best looking combo you could POSSIBLY get! if you want i've got pics of mine i could email you...

 

Haha! I thought I was set on the color, but I'm willing to take a look at some pics with the white. I'll PM you my e-mail.

 

If you want stripes I suggest getting them from the facrtory. As in make sure they are part of your car's order. Getting them after the fact can cost alot more then they did from the factory.

EZ-pass I believe many folks have just attached the EZ pass to the rear sunroof glass.

When the auto headlights come on you can just flip the fog switch.

 

Great! Thank you! My girlfriend has a Mercedes C240, and in order to turn on the fogs, you have to switch off the auto option. Weird...

 

 

nevermind...

 

First... Welcome Chicago is MY kind of town! Make sure you check out the local club site for up coming events : CMMC

I'm no help for your first set of Q's ... BUT, I have the all-season run-flats and I didn't have a problem when we had that blizzard b4 Xmas. Tires/wheels are a personal preference. Check out my gallery for the I-Pass mounting. I have it right below the mirror.

Good luck and post pics when you get your ride

 

MiniMac, Love the look of the BRG and tan interior!

I checked out the CMMC site. I'll def. become a member as soon as [still thinking of a name] arrives! It looks like I'll miss the poker run on the 26th, since my est. delivery will be the first week of May, but who knows!

Thanks for the tips and I'll see you around the city soon!

 

Miyam if I were you I would join your local MINI club early. So you can hang with the gang and get to know people. Maybe even learn a few tips about your new MINI before "it" arrives.

 

If you are getting snow tires anyway, I would get the high-performance
runflats. They appear to have a lower profile than the all-seasons,
have meaner looking tread, and look better all around.

Not that there's anything wrong with the all-seasons.

 

You bet. I'll make sure to do that after I order the MINI and order some rubber floormats. Oh, and I know "it" is a she, I'm just not sure what I'm going to name her yet.

 

Thanks mayim

Come on out for the run (MINI or no). I'm definitely going to be out there for that one. Should be a good time. At the very least, you'll get to meet some of the people and you'll be able to go to IKEA or Woodfield afterwards

PM me if you have any Q's. btw... I still don't have a name for my MINI

Francis (MiniMac2005)

 

What I would do is to e-mail the specs of your car to all 3 Chicago dealers. I bet that they would have one if not perfect match, very close. Dealers love to keep plenty of MCS with #1,#2, and #3 on hand.

FORGET FACTORY STRIPES! They are the bigest rip off! Go to a local vinyl shop the main section is 4 inches wide. Total cost would be near $40 to $60, far below the $125 that MINI asks you to pay. And the vinyl shop stripes would wrap around the back edge of the bonnet and go all the way and tuck under the chrome ring around the grille. MINI stripes have huge gaps in those areas. IMHO the gaps are UGLY! I also want to say that I do not care for the new 2006 U stripe. U is for UGLY!

I wish I had the $$$ in my budget for anthracite headliner. My dash and seats are anthracite but my headliner is gray. I will be adding the chrome interior bits when I have some extra $$$. It is more expensive that way but the initial budget....

I would also suggest you take a look at the factory alarm. I added it in when I finalized the loan. The payments went up just a few bucks. It is controlled by the key and is IMHO better than aftermarket because it is built into the car and not added on.

A thought on tires. Just about everyone replaces their runflats as soon as possible. So do not pay extra $$$ for optional rubber that you will replace. I have all seasons on MIB and they worked fine for the Indy winters. Afterall you will live west of Lake Michigan, the prevailing winds almost always are from the west so I doubt you will ever see any lake effect snow... If you stay away from Indiana and Michigan.

 

To qualify that a bit. ASAP does not necessarily mean a month after you buy the car. I asked a consensus on that in a tire thread and the consensus seemed to be most everyone KEEPs their original OEM tires until the thread is gone and then does what they want. After all, its a bit silly to throw away $800 of perfectly good tires.

 

Besides, why waste the tires you really want on the break-in period? I figured by the time I get through 1200 miles of official break-in, plus another several hundred gradually ramping up the revs, that's already a sizeable chunk of mileage I'd rather not waste on my tires of choice. After that, I'll autocross 'em until I learn my way around AXing in a MINI, by which time they should be ready to be replaced with something good.

 

hmmm... almost loaded... no LSD?

 

BTW you MUST get the LSD!

 

Ya, what he said! If you ever want to install JCW or other aftermarket mods you'll need the LSD. Its NOT something youy can put in later... "MAYBE" you could, but the cost will scarry.

 

Wow!


Thanks so everyone who responded! I'm beginning to like my new home away from home!

MiniMac, thanks so much for the invite. I'll let you know if I will be able to make it as time approaches.

DrDiff, thank you for the suggestion. I will definitely forward on my build sheet to the three. Right now we (my parents, who are helping with finding and getting, but not the paying) are going through the Indianapolis, IN MINI dealer. In fact my mother has been spending an awful lot of time on the phone with a man named Scott, and I think my father is getting worried.

Thanks for the tip regarding the vinyl stripes. When I first made the decision to get a MINI, I wanted stripes. After seeing a few up close, however, I have changed my mind. I would prefer painted stripes, and my dad spends his free time painting motorcycles, so I know if I want them in the future, it won't be a problem.

The full anthracite interior is by far the part I am most excited about (or is it the supercharger whine, or is it the "retractable roof" or is it...). She is going to look like the Batmobile. Now if I could only justify buying the R99 wheels for her, it would look perfect. Maybe I'll pull that trigger come bonus time next fall.

I do like the factory look of the MINI alarm, although I am, myself, not an alarm guy, especially since now they are being outlawed in some cities. I am going to purchase some tint (around $250 installed, thanks to the mininess) and since I am going to keep it titled in Indiana, I think it will prevent the Chicago Police from ticketing me every day (someone correct me on my legal prowess; I did read a post on NAM where someone got a ticket from a walking cop on my new street!).

I have noticed that most owners replace the run-flats after they wear with better equipment, but I have lived in the lake effect snow belt my entire life, so I think I may go ahead and keep the all-seasons for the time being.

Chows4us, I completely agree. I may want to mod early, but I’m not the type to throw away perfectly good equipment if I don’t have to.

Porco, duly noted. Great suggestion.

sandtoast, SuprCooper, and nethack…ahhh!! I knew someone would chime in on the LSD! As the LSD is a performance-first, potential safety feature-second option, and being that the MINI rides on rails as is, I am planning not to add it. Don’t get me wrong, I love LSDs, I’m just not sold on what (if any) difference will be in everyday driving (I know, I know, it’s only $500, but still). I’ve searched on it already, but I’ll go through a more thorough search tonight and weigh the pros & cons.