As I have been proudly telling anyone who will listen, I picked up my '06 MCS JCW on Saturday. This is the story of the whole process.

Here is my WRX that the MINI is replacing


This was my daily driver as well as track/Street Mod AutoX car. After months of going back and forth on whether I wanted/could afford a dedicated track car I stumbled back into the MINI website and discovered the JCW package. Test drove a MCS here in Denver and fell in love. Decided to replace the Rex with the MINI and race it in STX. Got on the waiting list at Schomp here in Denver in late December. Decided a couple of days later that I really couldn't wait 6+ months and wanted it NOW. Did some research and found my way to Classic in Cleveland (where I spent the first 35 years of my life. Cleveland, not a car dealership) and got the last spot on their Jan order/Feb delivery.

Fast forward a couple anxious months and two MA's later and it's finally time to pick up my baby. I worked Friday but have to admit I wasn't very productive. My wife and son took me to the Denver airport after work and I landed in Cleveland around midnight. My Dad picked me up and drove me to my brothers house in Ohio City. My brother was starving and I knew I wasn't going to sleep so over to Steve's Hotdogs for a couple slaw dogs (for those not familiar with Cleveland - it is a hole in the wall place that is open 24/7. Shown on the opening of Drew Carey show). Back to my brothers for a few winks and up at 7 to get ready. His friend Guy picked us up to take us to Classic (everyone wants to see the MINI) and we finally make it.

Queue heavenly music from above.

It's a few minutes before 9:00, so I'm worried that we'll have to wait but the doors are open and we walk in to a sea of MINI's in the showroom. Mike K. is finishing up with GT6/Ken but I spot my baby across the showroom and she is even prettier than I expected. Here is the proud papa (right) and brother (tall bald man).

The next hour is a blur (finance guy, Mike K's orientation, rudely ignoring Ken from NH because I'm obsessing over the car)

Mike K and I in the Sea of MINI's

My first peek under Maggie's bonnet

They had to juggle a bunch of MINI's in and out of the showroom to get Ken's and then my car out of the showroom but it was finally out in the open and time to motor!

Quick call to Sirius and a satellite beam to activate and my brother and I are on our way for a quick brunch with the folks. It's about a 20 minute highway drive and first impressions of Maggie are very good. Wasn't sure of the sex/name of the MINI until then. Thought it was a she but with the RG/S had suspicions it might be a dude. Turned out she is a sophisticated, gorgeous woman with a sexy deep voice.


Had a lovely but too short meal with my family who were very impressed with Maggie. My folks just bought a new Volvo and are doing the European delivery at the end of March. My brothers going to have to buy a car at the bottom of the ocean or something.

I hit the road around noon and decided to take the southern route (I-70) back to Denver instead of I-80 because there was some snow up north. A little longer and duller drive but wouldn't have to worry as much about some yahoo on bald tires sliding into me. I followed the breakin period and with much difficulty kept it under 4500 RPM. After driving a very well modded WRX (both power and suspension) was really impressed with the MINI. I was especially impressed with the brakes. I don't know how much is the JCW kit but the stopping power and feel is fantastic.

4-5 hours later stopped for a late lunch. When in the Cinci/Dayton area, gotta stop at Skyline for a 3 way (it's FOOD you cheeky monkies!).

One of the things I was nervous about was the chrome grill but I have to say, I love it.


Back on the road and I see what turns out to be the only other MINI on the whole trip. The weather is great and I have a fantastic drive through Indiana, Illinois and stop somewhere in Missouri for a late dinner (always sitting by a window to keep an eye on Maggie). Drive till 11:00 and stop about an hour out of Kansas City. Brush my teeth and fall into bed, sleep till about 6:00, quick shower and on the road again. It is pouring down rain when I leave but only lasts for a half hour. The performance runflats do suprisingly well in the rain.


I stop in Kansas for gas and put up on the Whalen. I had wanted to drive it for a day to get a feel for the difference between the stock **** and the Whalen. The stock **** came off easier than I thought and I really like the heavier feel of the Whalen.

It is difficult to keep her under 90 going through Kansas. I was good during the breakin. Didn't use the cruise control and varied my speed the whole way. I varied between 70 and 90, charging up hills and right before the top let off and coast down to 70 which saved me 4 times when there were Kansas' finest waiting over the rise.

Finally right before the Colorado border I reached 1,249 miles and pulled off at a rest area for a quick stop and then I was finally able to open her up. WOW! I was up that onramp and on to the highway in no time and when looking down was shocked to see triple digits on the speedo. The JCW exhaust really starts to sing over 5K RPM! A half hour later in CO, I was starving and saw a sign for a Mexican restaurant and pulled off. I couldn't find the place and after looking for a few minutes decided to just keep going. Another onramp to tear up and as I'm getting ready to merge, I look in my side view mirror and 'OH SNAP!', there's a Highway Patrolman. I look down and am doing 88 (in a 75). I lift off the throttle and merge over, coasting down to 75. He immediately pulls in behind me and puts on the lights. I'm thinking 'oh well, I guess it was inevitable'. I roll down my tinted windows and put both hands on the wheel. He lets me know that he pulled me over for not using my turn signal and asks me some questions. I tell him about the drive from CLE to DEN and that I had just gotten through the breakin, it was the first time I got to open it up and I guess I got a little over zealous. He laughed and went back to the car to 'get some info'. Ended up giving me a warning for the turn signal, which is a pet peeve of mine (other people not using theirs). Hell, I use my turn signal in parking lots when no one is around. I was so focused on getting down to the speed limit, I forgot to signal.

For the next hour I used the cruise and poked along at 79. I could only stand it for an hour and took the cruise off and roared into Denver around 3:30. Maggie and I went to the carwash (do it yourself bay) to get her presentable to meet the family. My wife and son were VERY impressed and we all went for a drive as soon as I got home. Both yesterday and today my son (9 yrs. old) has demanded that we go for a drive as soon as I get home from work, which I gleefully agree to. I have still only seen one other MINI (and it was parked). I used to see 4-6 a day driving around Denver. Last night I put one of Maggie's new sets of shoes on - Kosei K1's w/ Goodyear Eagle F1's and we both really like them. I'll put some Blizzak's on the Webspokes soon.

Anyway, that is my story. Thanks for reading.

 

Great first road trip story - congrats on your good looking new baby!

 

Fantastic stories and pics! Yet another Week 4-er makes it home safe and sound.

 

Sounds like my trip from NY to Denver in June of 2002 (minus the part about doding snow). Congrats.

 

Fantastic write-up! Maggie's beautiful and now I have to ask....are you going to The Dragon in May? https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/motd-home Be sure to click on the Discussions link and read about what is one of the best annual national MINI events in the U.S.!

 

Very nice write-up! I love the excitement of picking thiese cars! No one knows just how fun it will be until they're behind the wheel! (in fact I think they call it a wheel, becuase of the wheee! factor)

Enjoy your new ride!

 

Pulling over for not using turn signal? I think the cop was just too jealous of your new baby.
Fascinating writeup, thanks for sharing.

 

Great write-up and I am thrilled that we came on the same name for our MINIs !! I debated for a long time on this - I definately felt that my nascent MINI was a sultry female, who was decidedly British and red haired to boot (make that bonnet to boot) - hence, Maggie. Perfect! Hope they can meet some day !

I just finished my first road trip with my MINI - four day weekend to push through the rest of my break-in period (almost got there) - and laughed over a lot of the same reactions you shared. Mainly, just many "Holy Crap" moments over what this car can do - be it the MINI, the S, or the JCW, or all of it together, there is magic in this machine !!

I never had a problem avoiding tickets over 32 years of driving (only one I can remember and that was a 15 mph zone !!) - but I am seriously concerned now that it may be inevitable. I just love the sound of that JCW exhaust, the supercharger whine - all of it - and, hey, I haven't broken 4500 yet !!

Your car is really beautiful - good luck with it and I wish many safe miles for you both !!

Bill

 

You made my mouth water with that story!!!<img> My JCW is still about 5 weeks away.

Just out of curiosity, how did the power/power delivery compare to you Sub? I know the WRX is very fast, but how does it compare?

 

Some of you MINIacs may want to invest in radar detectors!

 

Thanks for all the nice comments.

MINIclo, I won't be able to make MOTD this year, probably next year. But we will definitely be at MITM in Aug.

Jersey_Bill, Ha! good to see another Maggie!

davisflyer, the MINI doesn't have quite the same straight line speed that the WRX does but it seems a lot more 'usable', if that makes sense. The supercharger distributes the power over a wider RPM band and you don't get that throw-you-back-in-the-seat power when the turbo kicks in at 3K. All around is just a very solid feeling drive. I can't wait to get it out on course.

 

If I can make it to MITM, I'll see you there! My MINI's license plate is "MINICLO".....imagine that!

 

Great story and pictures too!

 

HOLY COW ANOTHER RG/S JCW!

Awesome, welcome to the (very small) club! I've had mine since late December and am absolutely loving it, I hope you do as well.

 

I've only had mine since June but that sure brought back the excitement! And I gotta admit, RG/S with the chrome exterior is becoming my favorite color combo Very beautiful car.

 

Thanks! During my production wait, I occassionally went and looked at the pics of your car to tide me over.

The other piece that I was worried about was whether or not the Lapis blue leather interior would work with the 'complex' color that is Royal Grey. I must say it is gorgeous and works well together. I'll have to try to take some interior pics and post.

 

Ah, so we meet again, this time on your post. Great write up, sounds like a memorable trip back home. I still can't believe I did my trip with only the one pic in crowded showroom! The camera just sat on the passenger seat the whole trip home. I This weekend is supposed to be in the 60's in NH so I'll be able to get my new ride spruced up and get some pics taken.

Ken

 

Good photo essay! How did you do with fuel consumption? I just added my first tank and got 27 on it.

 

Hey Ken, yes but I had accomplices. The majority of the pics were from my brother. I did take a few on the drive back. I can see how it was all too easy to get wrapped up in the motoring and forget to take pics. I look forward to seeing some sunny NE pics.

It is snowing here in Denver (which we desperately need) so I'll get to see how Maggie handles in the snow. Although I may have to take the Rex out for one more session of AWD drifts before I sell her.

jibeho, I'll have to look at the OBC again but I was averaging 24-26 on the drive back. Not too bad considering I was fluctuating between 70 and 90 with some pretty aggressive accelerations up to 90.

 

Nice story/photos. You may be hearing from someone at Car and Driver or , at least MC2. Thanks.

 

Nice little read on you and Maggie there Sounded like fun!
Congrats

 

Just stumbled across your write-up. What a fun read from a fellow Wk. 4'er! Now that's the way to get through a break-in period post HASTE! I've still got about 750 miles to go but am loving every minute.

 

What a great story...I had to laugh at the description of your son--mine is seven and seems to be more excited about Nigel than I am...I guess we are investing in the "Mini" future....
ENjoy..