Sad. I'll bet Sylvia is missing you as well.

 

I agree the sunroof is one of the greatest things about the MINI, but I still couldn't bring myself to do it. My afternoon ride is just too miserable already. I'll have plenty of other unique things I can do to make my MINI mine - heck, just not having the sunroof has started me well on my way to unique-ness!

You could meet me at MiTM in August - one heck of a fun run! Have you joined the AZ MINI club (DMC/DRP) yet? They have a fun run at the end of the month that looks like a good time... http://dynamicminicollective.org/calendar/month.php I've already joined, but hubby doesn't want to do a run with the club till Scootr is actually here.

 

Those are some lousy pics. When you get a chance can you get one of how you positioned it "on the fold". The part that the gate covers. ( Not sure how to describe what I am talking about.

 

Where did you get them? My wife is complaining about the glare in her sunglasses. I am still glad we got it!

 

I have washed 3 times and waxed twice. I clean the wheels after every trip out. I was in the garage until 11pm last night. I was teaching the wife to drive manual tonight. We went down around a lake and the bug were thick. She had to use the windshield washer. I protested but she said something about not eing a ble to see the road. Of course the Xenon washers kicked in. I guess wash #4 is coming tomorrow. :impatient I just need to set up a bed in the garage (or sleep in the MINI).

 

I know I look like a post ***** but I have a funny story.

The wife and I went to our old church today to visit old friends and a bunch of the youth that we used to help out with. Well last week I had sent the secratary a photo of us in the MINI. Well she had forwarded it to everyone in the church. So from the time we hit the door until after the service was ended, people were asking about the MINI. "How's your MINI?", "Are you enjoying it?", "Where's the pull start?", "Is it here?". So after church a small crown gathered around and oogled, kicked the tires, looked under the hood. Then it was time for the fun stuff. In what only can be described as "in rollercoaster fashion" I would pull up to the group, load up, buckle every one up and away we would go. They have a really twisty drive way and a huge parking lot. IT WAS A BLAST!!!!!!! I was really giving them their money worth (all while keeping under 4500 RPM). The biggest comment was, "WOW, this thing really handles!" And in rollercoaster fashion when we would pull back into the station (by the crown of people), I would spike the brakes to a stop to give it the authentic roller coaster feel.

3 lessons learned. #1- I keep believe how well it handles. #2- I am afraid for when the break-in period is over because even under 4500 RPMs these things a wicked fast. #3 - My OEM runflats are only going to last about 5000 miles. MAN, you should have seen the marks all over the parking lot.

A good time was had by all and many prayers where lifted up in the MINI. "Please God, don't let me die!!!!!"

 

Sounds like FUN!!!! Instant celebrity in your MINI

Hey locomini, thanks for posting the pics, even if they weren't the best - at least a little something to keep us goin'

Think we'll hear from sam.ben tonight? He should be checking in with us soon to let us know how his first day with the MINI went!

 

herozup, what a fantastic story. I was just picturing it all in my head as I read it. Thanks for posting.

 

I REALLY suggest looking at limo tint. It's affordable (less than $50) and allows you to still enjoy the sky above while blocking the heat and glare. I had been looking at the different types of sun shades but it seemed like a hassle - putting them in, taking them out, and seemed like they'd sort of defeat the purpose of the sunroof to begin with. The limo tint is like the best of all worlds.

 

Came home to a box out on the front porch. We were looking at eachother and wondering "what did you order now???"

Turns out it was an embrodered Mini blanket with our dealers name on it, very nice touch, even after the manager gave our son one of the stuff bulldogs when we came to get the car (he is a flirt, so I'm sure that didn't hurt). Did anyone elses dealer send them something?

Coopster, looks great! Waiting to see more week 23 pics!

Washed Minitenango for the first time this weekend. Probably a stupid question, but how are you protecting the black parts around the wheel wells, bottom of doors, etc? Can they be waxed? Also the foe-chrome on the grill, can that be waxed? Can the stripes be waxed?

My rear washer fluid leaked on the mini wings and made quite a stain that was pretty hard to get out, grrrrr

 

Oreo has over 2800 miles on him/her now (wife and I haven't decided on gender yet). I'll be up for my first oil change soon.

 

Depending on the wax you use. You probably should try to avoid wax on these parts as wax tends to leave a residue. The new 'Ice' wax from Turtle Wax claims that you can go right over the plastic bits but I have not used it and can't confirm the claims. There was some testing going on by someone on the boards for the best product to "protect" these parts but his conclusion thus far is most of them are worthless is rained on.

Absolutely! Just keep in mind there are a lot of small spaces. Also, don't forget the chrome tips on the exhaust.

Yep! and it is recommended. Don't use harsh cleaning solvents on them are they are ink on vinyl and you will remove the ink. But waxing is not a problem. Be sure to run your microfiber along the edge of the stripe to remove the build up.

Other washing/detailing tips...

- Don't use a sponge. It basically turns into a sanding block when grime gets caught under and and then dragged across the paint. Can you say swirl marks? Get a microfiber wash mit. About $5-$7 at any auto store or Target.

- Rinse your wash mit before you dip it back in the bucket. This keeps the wash water as clean as possible.

- If you hit a huge spot of dirt and you can see it on the wash mit (such as along a wheel well) rinse the mit before continuing.

-Use a seperate wash mit (or your old sponge) to clean under wheel wells or any other non-paint or non-chrome parts.

I could go on for hours. See the detailing section of the site.

 

Hello everyone,

I have been on vacation in Cape Cod for almost 2 weeks but now I'M BACK.

During this time I have had limited access to the internet (GASP!) and have tried to keep phone calls to my MA to a minimum so that he doesn't think I am a complete lunatic. (I only called him one time. Wasn't I good?!)

I think my car arrived in Charleston on the good ship INTEGRITY last weekend----based on info at the WW website. On Thursday, MINIUSA indicated that my MINI was at the VDC! (The "voice" at 1-866-ASK-MINI was no help---it only indicated that it was "in transit")

This morning I spoke to my dealer. My car is there!!!! They are installing the audio aux today and I can pick it up at 5:30!!! WHOO HOOO!!!

Finally!!! I think I must be the last non-west coast Week 23er to get their MINI!!

I will give you an update and post pics later. Until 5:30, I will try to keep busy!!!

This is so hard.

 

YAY ANNE!!! I was wondering what had happened to you. I thought you'd picked up your mini and motored away into the sunset. POST PICS TONIGHT!!!!

 

Thanks herozup. I will have the check out the detailing section. I did use the microfiber and not a sponge so I did at least one thing right. I left the plastic parts and didn't wax them as I was worried about the residual. The front has so many little areas and parts to wax, I felt like I was working on it for an hour alone! I suppose I will learn as I go, for example it is good to dry the roof before the sides...dugh, lesson learned

 

Oops. that was herozup with all that good advice. I went and bought a bunch of stuff,but haven't dared to try any of it yet. I'm afraid I'll do something wrong and scratch her or something!!

 

As far as waxing goes, I heard good things about Zaino. I ordered their full kit at www.zainostore.com . Their wax does not leave marks on black trim pieces. I tried the Ice stuff on a previous vehicle and I did not like it.

 

Zaino is good stuff. I prefer Meguiar's NXT (personal preference) but I have friends that use Zaino and swear by it.

 

Thanks Herozup! I checked out the detailing forum, very confusing for a first timer :impatient

If I am understanding, there are auto shampoos that can be used in between waxing that won't remove the wax? So weekly, I could wash with shampoos that don't remove the wax to keep clean, then when i notice the water not beading up, it's probably time to reapply the wax and can use something like dawn (noted discussion about use of dawn vs claying) to make sure it is all off, then start again. But what about multiple coats of wax? can you use the auto shampoos and reapply wax to keep the wax up a bit longer or wax on a bi weekly basis without removing the original wax?

 

Horrayyy Anne

let us know how it goes...can't wait to see your little baby.

Swizzle

 

Hi Herozup,
I just ordered a wash mitt and some microfiber towels for Nigel. Comes with car shampoo. So far, I've gone back to the dealer three times for their free car washes and rinsed it off once myself. Dried it with a newer chamios.

Anyone know what the OEM finish is? If I want to use a quick detail wax on the original finish, what is a good product? Will the NXT screw it up? Do I need to strip off whatever is on there?

Lastly, someone was asking if anyone else received any gifts from their dealer. I received a nice note from my dealers General Manager along with a gift certificate for $50 on any Mini accessory. Where do I begin! I didn't really expect it as they offer a life time of free car washes (as long as I own the car of course). Heck, driving the thing is a gift.

swizzle

 

My Mini is at the dealership I think we are going to make the treck to Ashland on Friday to pick it up. It is suppose to be detailed tomorrow!
I asked my MA to send some pictures asap, so hopefully I will get some tomorrow!!
I can't wait to join all of you motoring
Maryanne

 

Wow, everyone around here comments on my free weekly car washes (have to go in between a certain time period on Saturday to get them though). Mine was originally only for the 3 year warranty period and they extend it a year if you buy the extended maintenance package. Free lifetime and a $50 gift certificate... wow, that's just incredible.

I haven't received anything else from the dealer so far except for the free floor mats. It was only supposed to be front floor mats but it seems I got the rear ones thrown in as well. They didn't say anything about it, I just happened to notice.

 

congrats to annewithane and thewizardofodd! you will soon be motorin in your new MINI's.

I have gotten the clear bra installed on Sylvia, and I just had tint installed today. Here are some pics. I took a close up pic of the bonnet. If you look close enough, you can see the line of the clear bra.

 

bluminiboy...good taste in cars...(its what I have)...tint looks good...I also got the clear bra to protect the Coopster...have fun motoring...I am still very early into my break-in period...