R53 Production Week 36 (9/4/06)
5th Gear
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From: Alpharetta, GA (Atlanta suburbs)
Originally Posted by MLWagner79
Someone said something about the potential for needing it if you regularly drive rough roads...is that true? If so I definitely will need to do it, the 101 is a big piece of crap up here...
Originally Posted by kissmys
FWIW, I researched local dealers that used Xpel products and found a guy in the east bay that comes to your house to install the full clear bra (or partial if you wish) package. His total invoice to me was under $600 and I sent him a deposit of $150 to lock in the pre-September price (it's going up $100 for a material cost increase). When he found out I lived in Petaluma (and lord knows I didn't want to risk driving "braless" from Pleasanton home after picking up Minx!
), he said he'll meet me at East Bay MINI to install it. When I initially contacted him at his business (ProFinish Motorsports) his emailed reply indicated that "East Bay BMW used to be his account". In any case, I guess it isn't unusual to find installers of Xpel product that come to you.
), he said he'll meet me at East Bay MINI to install it. When I initially contacted him at his business (ProFinish Motorsports) his emailed reply indicated that "East Bay BMW used to be his account". In any case, I guess it isn't unusual to find installers of Xpel product that come to you.I'd much rather have someone come to EBM to do it though - the thought of driving to San Carlos or just to Fremont with no clear bra is sorta scary.
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From: urban rock
Originally Posted by MLWagner79
Someone said something about the potential for needing it if you regularly drive rough roads...is that true? If so I definitely will need to do it, the 101 is a big piece of crap up here...
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From: Alpharetta, GA (Atlanta suburbs)
Originally Posted by climbergirl
The 101 is a big piece of crap everywhere!!
3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Petaluma, California
I live right off the 101 in an area where it is really nice. However, just 15 minutes and it is construction hell (and I expect it to be that way for another couple of years... so I'm definitely adding the strut reinforcement to my list! Thanks for the heads up.
As far as ProFinish Motorsports goes, I'll ask him for some references today. I believe that his lower price reflects the fact that there isn't the huge dealer markup. All of their clear bra work is machine cut. They are listed in Pleasanton as one of two detailers. But you're right. I probably shouldn't just follow my "hunch" that he is a good guy. Business is business. And my MINI needs the best bra job available!!!
As far as ProFinish Motorsports goes, I'll ask him for some references today. I believe that his lower price reflects the fact that there isn't the huge dealer markup. All of their clear bra work is machine cut. They are listed in Pleasanton as one of two detailers. But you're right. I probably shouldn't just follow my "hunch" that he is a good guy. Business is business. And my MINI needs the best bra job available!!!
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From: Petaluma, California
JJ — I like your tights too! We get the Marin Renaissance Fair up this way each year and it is quite a dicey, frolicking, fun loving event! I'll think of you next time I attend. I'll need to get a real costume together. I generally just look like a hippie (nothing's changed) and fit right in...
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From: Philadelphia
Hello all- I've been reading evertyone's posts anxiously and have a question. The robot today said I was in the paint shop and scheduled for completion today(9/14). From your experience how long is the wait time from now until it ends up on a ship. I live in Philly and bought my MINI from Princeton. I guess it will end up in New York not far from Princeton so transport time will be minimal.Thanks in advance for any answers and good luck to all. Rich
Im over here from the 37er thread. Have any of you week 36 west coast people been able to track your boat going to the west coast? If you have how did you go about finding the name of the boat your Mini is on?
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From: Philadelphia
I just called ASK-MINI because my car is a convertible and the VIN # I was given had a 7 in the 10th spot. I was told I was given the wrong VIN by the dealer but the new VIN has the same 5 last numbers which is the chassis code and is only given to one VIN?,. Anyway he assured me that my car finished production today and I should see it at the dealer in "about a month"Oh well, it's gonna be a long month.
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From: urban rock
Originally Posted by richreef
Hello all- I've been reading evertyone's posts anxiously and have a question. The robot today said I was in the paint shop and scheduled for completion today(9/14). From your experience how long is the wait time from now until it ends up on a ship. I live in Philly and bought my MINI from Princeton. I guess it will end up in New York not far from Princeton so transport time will be minimal.Thanks in advance for any answers and good luck to all. Rich
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From: Petaluma, California
Whenever I talk to a live person they tell me that once the MINI gets to the dock they have no further information. Won't tell me if it has been put on a ship, period. I've tried on three occasions now. Very frustrating. :impatient I've got a call into my MA (which happens to be the manager) to see if she knows something more.
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From: Petaluma, California
Here are the references from Michael Rascon of ProFinish Motorsports in Pleasanton:
Dublin Buick Pontiac GMC (William Marta) 925-560-4400
Tracy Chevrolet (Rocky Howells) 209-835-4500
Xpel Technologies (Tim Hartt) 800-447-9928
I'm sure Xpel Technologies has a lot of history on him. He's sent me an invoice that reflects the deposit I've made and the promised total when it's installed. I'm pretty sure he's on the up and up.
Dublin Buick Pontiac GMC (William Marta) 925-560-4400
Tracy Chevrolet (Rocky Howells) 209-835-4500
Xpel Technologies (Tim Hartt) 800-447-9928
I'm sure Xpel Technologies has a lot of history on him. He's sent me an invoice that reflects the deposit I've made and the promised total when it's installed. I'm pretty sure he's on the up and up.
Originally Posted by JJ Blue
Kissmys
I'll bet you're on the Sirius Leader with the rest of us. She is due to dock in Calif on September 28th.
I'll bet you're on the Sirius Leader with the rest of us. She is due to dock in Calif on September 28th.
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From: San Clemente, CA
Originally Posted by handn
Just make sure you know about the "reach around" (mind out of the gutter, please) method for installing the Aux. No disassembly needed, as long as you don't mind having the aux input come out the center. That's where I wanted it anyway. Takes 30 seconds to install.
Thanks for the info, could you expand on this a bit more though. What do you need to purchase and how do you install it?
Thanks,
Foo
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You need the MINI Aux input adapter (MINI part #82 11 0 153 367- about $40). It's really just a cable that plugs into your stereo head unit on one end and has an audio jack on the other. Normally it's installed in the glove box and they have to remove all kinds of things and drill a hole, blahblahblah.
I wanted mine to come down to the center console, behind the cigarette lighter. It's simple to reach under and behind, up to the head unit and plug that end in, just by feel. Zip-tie the extra cable length and you're good to go. I think the connector is on the right side of the stereo when you're looking at it. It's been a while.
Takes no time at all, especially compared to the standard install instructions.
I wanted mine to come down to the center console, behind the cigarette lighter. It's simple to reach under and behind, up to the head unit and plug that end in, just by feel. Zip-tie the extra cable length and you're good to go. I think the connector is on the right side of the stereo when you're looking at it. It's been a while.
Takes no time at all, especially compared to the standard install instructions.
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From: Petaluma, California
JJ — I hope you're right! I just need to hear it from my MA's mouth (or at least read it in an e-mail.)
Assuming they dock in So. CA, I'm figuring that it'll be another week to the Bay Area and then I guess the dealership keeps them for another period of time to make sure all is in superior MINI shape before releasing our babies.
So, that makes it like mid-October? That's nearly 3 - 4 weeks earlier than I was initially told. I really like that new time frame (if it's true that Minx is on your Sirius Leader, being protected by the Druids while in a deep catatonic sleep, storing up her energy for the great new "twisty" world!)
Assuming they dock in So. CA, I'm figuring that it'll be another week to the Bay Area and then I guess the dealership keeps them for another period of time to make sure all is in superior MINI shape before releasing our babies.
So, that makes it like mid-October? That's nearly 3 - 4 weeks earlier than I was initially told. I really like that new time frame (if it's true that Minx is on your Sirius Leader, being protected by the Druids while in a deep catatonic sleep, storing up her energy for the great new "twisty" world!)
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Orange County
It just figures that a month before my MINI is due to arrive, my current car which I plan to get rid of as soon as the MINI is here, starts to give me trouble. 
I already put $1000 worth of repairs last month to keep it running, and now I might have problems with the brakes. I just need to make it one more month, and I can finally get rid of it! I dont really want to put any more money into this car, as its old, not worth very much, and so close to when I would be getting rid of it, but I need to keep it running to get to work. The only bright spot is knowing that in one month I will be motoring in my MINI...
I already put $1000 worth of repairs last month to keep it running, and now I might have problems with the brakes. I just need to make it one more month, and I can finally get rid of it! I dont really want to put any more money into this car, as its old, not worth very much, and so close to when I would be getting rid of it, but I need to keep it running to get to work. The only bright spot is knowing that in one month I will be motoring in my MINI...
5th Gear
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From: San Francisco Bay Area
Originally Posted by kissmys
JJ — I hope you're right! I just need to hear it from my MA's mouth (or at least read it in an e-mail.)
Assuming they dock in So. CA, I'm figuring that it'll be another week to the Bay Area and then I guess the dealership keeps them for another period of time to make sure all is in superior MINI shape before releasing our babies. So, that makes it like mid-October? That's nearly 3 - 4 weeks earlier than I was initially told. I really like that new time frame (if it's true that Minx is on your Sirius Leader, being protected by the Druids while in a deep catatonic sleep, storing up her energy for the great new "twisty" world!)
Assuming they dock in So. CA, I'm figuring that it'll be another week to the Bay Area and then I guess the dealership keeps them for another period of time to make sure all is in superior MINI shape before releasing our babies.
So, that makes it like mid-October? That's nearly 3 - 4 weeks earlier than I was initially told. I really like that new time frame (if it's true that Minx is on your Sirius Leader, being protected by the Druids while in a deep catatonic sleep, storing up her energy for the great new "twisty" world!)