We feel your pain. One of the reasons we bought our upcoming MINI is because one of our existing vehicles got moved from "No Heroic Measures" to DNR (i.e., it's this close to dying). Until the MINI gets here, we're carpooling (after that, too, but that's because I want to drive the MINI too).

 

In more positive news...I just sold my S-Lites and run flats! I can now put in my order for my new wheels and tires! YAY!

 

Some how, I ended up being taken care of by the main Manager, Shelley. They were so busy that day (Saturday, July 29th) that she took us under her wing. But, on the down side, she is always extra distracted and busy so I can't communicate with her very well. A very cool lady! I'm suspecting that they like to under promise and over deliver. I like it that we'll be seeing our MINIs earlier than expected, though...

 

Well you lucked out having her in the long run, I put my order in on the 23rd with Blair (the day it was over 116degrees and thier AC was down).... you put in a week later and are a week ahead of me! I'm liking the under promise makes me excited to get my car earlier.

 

Grats on getting rid of the S-heavies.

 

Ok.... so what do ya'll think about the S-lites? I don't like the appearance of them at all!! I was thinking about backing the tires down to 16". I like the 5 spoke type rims minus extra little nooks and cranny's. Seems like bolts and extra small little spots will be a pain to clean like my 330i's rims. I keep saving photo's of rims that I like. Now the problem is that they all look similiar. So how am I supposed to know who makes a good rim? And what about brands of tires. And why can't I find very many graphite color rims? Also, I am afraid that the 17" S-lites with the RF's will screw up my struts. My friends think I am insane. Am I insane?

 

Good for you. I already have a new set of wheels and tires sitting in my garage. I got them from the Tire Rack. How'd you sell your wheels so fast, sight unseen?

 

Main problems I have with the S-"lites" is that they're heavy wheels and you see them EVERYWHERE. They don't seem unusually hard to clean, though. Using a wheel/tire brush helps clean in the lug nuts, etc. I have a pair of the 16" 7-fin wheels (stock MCSc wheels) that I picked up just because they were easy to clean. I had the turbine-looking 24(?) spoke wheels on my 330i and swore "never again."

For tires I'm thinking about Kumho ECSTA SPTs or Falken Azeni's, both high performance summer tires that fit well with a budget.

If you're worried about strut tower mushrooming, I think the best option would be to get the M7 strut tower reinforcement plates- good insurance for $110. From what I can tell from reading here, the mushrooming seems most prevalent for people in the NE or in areas with REALLY bad and numerous pot holes.

 

Hey, it's your fault I am worried about the mushrooming! I am going to bring the M7's strut tower plates to the hollywood bowl on 10/22 and a tool bag and hand them to you to put on! Just kidding, that's what my SO is for.

 

Auto-x at the Bowl would be interesting. We won't be in quite as nice of surroundings. Make sure you show up at Hollywood Park, CG. Seriously, if you don't have them on yet, bring them and we'll hook you up.

Like I said, though, at $110 it's insurance I'm willing to buy. Guess I need to order mine SOON so I'll have them when the car gets here. Roughly 3 more weeks!

 

oops......park..park! apparently I have been at the bowl one too many times!

 

Is the MINI a material desire? Or is it a Graven Image? Perhaps it is a view to a long lost freedom of innocence. Its basic appeal seems to denote freedom, a place long held by "Bikers". Many MINI cultists seem to be "Bikers". What does it all mean? And what has happened to Naomi?
Just passing time .

 

CG - Dang, I'd recommend a site I go to for all my automotive cleaning needs but their site is undergoing a massive reconstruction and is currently down. I just got the Pinnacle claybar system & wheel brushes.

I put on the tower plates for a guy yesterday. 5 min max! Easy. Easy. Easy!

These are the Konig Unknowns. They're going on today or tomorrow. Tires will be Kumho Ecsta ASX. I was going to go with Toyo first but I'll go with the low cost option first and then move up if not satisfied. I'm coming from the S-Lites (they're not heavy. they're my s-lites - song) and the goodyear all season runflats. I cannot wait! All sorts of other mods going on today too.

 

Just got my e-mail from MINI with a link to pre-program my radio stations and key-features!

 

Ummm... I like those rims!! But I would have to buy a new toothbrush to clean them. I seem to notice rims wherever I go. That's not the girly thing to do. Shouldn't I be looking at jeans and shoes?

 

But they ARE shoes... just your MINI's. Nothing unusual there.

 

Let's face it CG, we are not girlie girls. I'm always looking at rims too. I must admit, every time I see the big trucks around here with the ones that "spin" all the time, no matter what the speed (or stillness) of the vehicle, I just start to giggle. They are so... so... tacky! Oops, hope I'm not offending anyone!:impatient

 

I got that Mind Meld email yesterday. I noticed preference #4 was about having your headlights shine after you lock the car. I'm definately putting NO for that one.

I own a 97 Ford Escort and I used to have huge amounts of corrosive buildup on the battery terminals every 5000 miles. The car produced several dead batteries in just a couple years. I couldn't figure out why it was happening. On a hunch I took it to the dealer to have them turn off the shine-lights-after-locking-the-car feature. The corrosion never returned and the last battery has yet to have problems.

Has anyone had similar problems?

 

Howdy,

I'm a week 37 guy wandering around here looking for an answer.... Did any of you left coast parents find a good way to see what ship your baby got loaded on to for the trip? Mine is supposed to be sitting around the dock with his thumb out....

Thanks! (It's been good reading the posts about what to keep your mind occupied with once your car is in route )

 

Yes... that has definitely given a new definition to "spinners". Kinda preferred to original.

 

I called the manager of of SB and asked her. They will know what line, name of boat, departure and arrival dates. Ours loaded on a NYK line that cannot be tracked online.

 

I think the only way to find out if it's not available on WW is to ask your MA.

 

KissMyS... did you get on a ship?

I'm with you and CG I LOVE to shop for car parts and wheels and tires.. my currrent ride is a BMW Z3 and I've had a bunch of fun with all the various upgrades, the only thing I stay away from is the engine!!

 

I STILL don't know if and/or when I got on a ship. My MA hasn't gotten back to me and I don't want to nag her. I sent another e-mail to her this morning suggesting she let me know who else I can bug for the information.

JJ Blue thinks I'm on the Sirius Leader with his MINI, encased in a wax cocoon, protected by four Druids. As he has a special sixth sense and connection with the cosmic powers of the universe, I'm hoping he's right!

 

CG — how's your arm? Back to climbing yet? I had an MRI done on my right shoulder last Thursday (after xrays, weeks of ice/ibuprofen and "rest" — yeah, sure) and now I've been diagnosed with an impingement (duh, I could have told them that a long time ago, but we had to dot all the "i"s and cross all the "t"s to make the insurance co. happy). So now I go to an orthopedic surgeon Wednesday to see what's next. I'm hoping for a cortisone shot and simple exercise plan. I miss paddling/rowing and haven't had a good, painless night's sleep in months! AND, I'll need to be in good shape to take Minx' wheel through those curves!