I picked up my new '06 MCS last week on Thursday, and I'm loving every minute of it. My daughter named it Oswald, so there you go.

Do Mini people wave at each other on the road? I traded a Subaru WRX for the MCS, and it was sort of a thing to wave. Not so much now that lots of WRX-es are on the road, but so far no other Minis have returned a wave.

I've searched on the boards, but I have a new question about gas. The dealer said that as of Jan 1, BMW-NA said that 89 octane is OK. I see most people running 91 or so, and I'm fine with that, but if I can save a little and run 89 without pulling gobs of timing, I'd rather do that.

Also, is it normal to cruise at 3K RPM? I find myself right around there in normal driving, it feels right, but I wanted to double-check.

Josh

 

As far as fuel...the sticker on the fuel door still says Premium on the 06's and the owner manual says Premium as well. Don't skimp...give Oswald what he deserves...the good stuff!

 

I use 91 also, the manual says too.

Yup. Happens quite often. I've had mine for a week and noticed this.

 

Welome to our little obsession.

I only use premium in my 2006 MCS

All good Mini owner should wave or flash lights, but unfortunatly it doesn't always happen

Yeh, I find myselft cruising around 3k most of the time also.

 

Welcome, Oswald! You've hooked up with the right bunch.

 

Welcome to NAM!

If you ever have any questions about anything about Oswald, this is the place you'll find the answers. (just search for it first, otherwise people are bound to rib on you a bit )

Glad to have you with us!

 

Welcome to Oswald and his family! Follow the owner manual's suggestion, which is premium fuel, minimum of 91 octane. Dealers say plenty of things...

The MINI does like to run at 3K+, that seems quite normal.

The waving thing is something that has been discussed a lot the past couple years. Those of us who bought the first year MINIs absolutely waved to one another. I don't know where you live, but I live in Los Angeles, and there are many MINIs on the road, now. I believe that many of the newer drivers bought them off the lot, rather than spec'ing them online and waiting for delivery, and to them, it was just a well-priced vehicle. I doubt many of the non-wavers know about the great MINI community and its subculture.

I actually get acknowledgment from not only other MINI drivers, but from motorcyclists and classic British car people, as well. I wave or flash my lights, if I can.

 

Wave, flash headlights, honk, when you see other MINI's. Heck I do it even when I am driving the MiniVan. That is when I get rather strange looks!

 

Very cool Clover, we are neighbors, I live in Orange County.

 

Welcome to NAM!

I always wave and ocassionally honk or flash (as long as I don;t think it will scare the drivers around me. I notice that being in Chicago where MINIs are common I get fewer returned waves because to many the MINI is just a car; I do recieve many more waves returned when I'm in Daytona, as a MINI is still fairly rare (the club is growing though). I've found there to be "MINI people" who love the comminuty; and then those who couldn't care less, the first half will wave.

I can cruise comfortably anywhere form 2500 to 4500; it all depend on just how much reserve power I want on tap, I'm assuming you're still in the break in, in which case I highly recommend you follow the manuals instructions of varying engine speed, just to make sure your new MINI will be reliable for many many miles.

Motor On,
Drew

For gas I always use 93, which is premium in my area; one day I found a station that sells 91 Octane the manual said it was ok so I figured I save a few $$ (right after Katrina and in FL that ment regular was above $3.10) I felt the timming pull not too long after that and quite frankly the preformance sucked, so I always put in 93.

Where are you located, we can connect you with your local club of MINI owners who are almost bound to wave.

 

Hey all, thanks for the welcome.

I assumed we'd wave, the Mini is just that sort of car. I don't understand how one would think that it's just transportation, but I'm a motorhead so perhaps my view is skewed.

I live in Palatine, a NW burb of Chicago. I plan to join the CMMC, but I'll miss the Culvers meet this weekend. We're actually planning to load up my two kids and road trip out to Columbus, OH to see some family. They don't know that I've got the MCS yet, so it's going to be sort of a surprise.

I figured the 89 was too good to be true, I'll just keep filling with 93 then. I had a re-map on my last car that required 93, so I'm very familiar with the issues.

Later!
Josh

 

Welcome to NAM!!

Can't wait to see a pic of Oswald!

 

I posted one in my gallery. Check out the groovy mirror covers (all three!).

 

Nice photo!!!

Love the mirror covers!

 

Welcome aboard!! Love the mirror caps (all 3). A big WAVE to you from So Cal..

Donna

 

I go through Palatine all the time, I'll keep an eye out. A group of MINI owners are meeting o-ron from Seattle later this week (Wed.) in Shaumburg when he picks up his MINI from Patrick.

 

Congrats on your new ride. It looks great

I just got back from MN and I got a wave on my way out of town On the way home, a passing MINI tried to wave... but we were travelling in the opposite direction on I-90 in WI. I wave all the time, I don't care if they don't wave back

 

Where in OC? I'm near Venice Beach.

 

Without resurrecting the 91 vs. 89 octane debate (ack!), I *would* be curious to see a link to BMW-NA's statement about 89 octane.