Just wanted to introduce myself. I just bought my wife a new '06 Mini Cooper (non-S). Have to hand it to Mini, it's a darn nice car. I've never riden in or drove one until this weekend. My cars have always been high horsepower sports cars, but I was more than thoroughly impressed with how fun these cars are to drive!

Picking it up tomorrow night.

Here's what we're getting:

Hyper Blue with white top and white hood stripes
Manual Trans (that's right, she insisted on the manual)
Premium package
Cold weather package
DSC
Rear spoiler
17" Wheel upgrade (don't remember exactly which ones we ordered)

I have "gearhead syndrome", so I'll have plenty of questions on what the good accessories and mods are.

 

Sounds like a very nice MINI. Make sure to post some pics once you take delivery! I have an 06 MC and absolutely love it. Happy Motoring!

 

Will do.

 

Welcome to NAM and the MINI phenomena!

 

I have had a Cooper in Minnesota for almost 2 years now. Your wife will love it! I see you have experienced the cornering capabilities. Oh yes, and they handle great in the snow! The cold weather package will be most appreciated. Although winter, so far, has been postponed. My MINI has 15" wheels that are perfect for this climate. Let us know how the 17's work! Here's a pic of her in case we ever cross paths. You will always get a wave!
Motor on.

 

It has the 15's on it right now, having the 17's put on, and were debating and keeping them. We were caught up in the moment when buying the car and on second thought, I think we should keep the 15's too, for the winter. I'll have to see how much of a credit they were going to give us for the stock wheels. That'll help determine whether we keep them, go only with the 17's, or just wait until spring to put some aftermarket's on it. :impatient We'll see. I didn't even ask what kind of tires are on the 17's, but know that the tire compount and size make a dramatic difference in winter driving. The tires for the 17's are probably hard as rocks. Plus, we are taking it out to Big Sky, Montana, in February to go skiing/snowboarding. So, we'd probably be better off with the 15's for the time being. I suppose that's what we get for getting too excited.

 

I used to live in Rochester, MN (moved to NY this summer).

A couple good local links for someone with a Mini in Minnesota:

http://www.mnautox.com

http://www.sotaminis.com/

 

Welcome to NAM. Hope you enjoy your MINI.

 

JS, you'd be happy keeping the 15's. I know big wheels are way more popular, but if you like handling and performance...keep 'em.
Enjoy your new additon to the family!

 

Welcome to NAM and Minnesota MINI's

It sounds alot like my MINI.

Here is a picture that must almost look like the one you are picking up.

 

Welcome to NAM. Please post picture when you get a chance we love picture.
Hope that you and your wife have many great years with the MINI.

- KP

 

Welcome to NAM! Nice choice of ride. Your wife is very lucky indeed. Hope to see you motoring!

 

Welcome from yet another Minnesota MINI owner!

JS - We'll both be finding out in a few days how they handle the snow! I'm looking out my window now and see precip. starting up.... My new MCS, dubbed "The Liberator" came in August.

I'm in Lakeville........ see my gallery for pics of my ride!

Jimmy Racoon - Nice to hear of your winter experience. I've put some 15" holies on mine now with the stock tires. I like the softer ride from the run-flats, but the next few weeks will surely tell if the stock tires are good for snow. I LOVE my holies, only wish they were white.

And how do you both like the NEW MINI headquarters there in Bloomington? I got to be one of the first "launches" there, and have yet to be back in besides the occasional window shopping....

Now where is that window scraper?

Sir M.

 

Sir Mini-great to hear from you!

Nice move with the 15's. I really like the light weight and the feel of them. Just got my 2nd set of Conti All Seasons after 35,000 miles. I was down to 2/32 of tread and knew that would not fly once the white stuff started coming.

Here's a couple pics of some snow action. You're gonna love it!

Motor on.

 

Welcome to NAM and good luck borrowing the MINI from your wife. Nice color choice.

 

Welcome to the perma smile club of MN

and join sotaMINI's

 

Thanks for all the warm receiption!!

We picked up the car last night from Motorwerks BMW. I can't say enough how impressed we were with the great buying atmosphere we experienced there. They really care. They showed my wife all the gadges, features, etc. She knew every inch of the car by the time we drove it off the showroom floor. They even had the car sitting right in the showroom when we arrived to pick it up with a sign next to it congradulating us on the purchase. Very impressed. I might have to trade my '05 GTO in for a Cooper S or 3series beemer.

We did opt to stay with the 15" wheels. The forcast for rain, sleet, and snow had a lot to do with that. We'll buy aftermarket this spring if she wants bigger wheels.

revmini, ours is identical to yours, less the white stripes. They didn't have them on when we picked it up. (we forgot to give them the final go-ahead to put them on) However, we are having them put on in a week or two. We have different wheels and we had a spoiler installed, too.

We're both very happy with the purchase. I'm sure she's going to want to drive the Mini anywhere we go, so my poor car is going to see a lot of the garage for a while. I'm not complaining, though. The Mini is fun and we'll save a lot on gas.

Well, got to leave the office and finish Christmas shopping. It's snowing and there's an inch or two of slush on the roads. Sure would be nice driving the Mini right now.

 

This afternoon was my first experience with the MINI in the snow. Thank goodness for DCS! Kind of weird with the loss of power feeling, but I got used to it quick, as I motored from a stop right through the intersections.

 

Congrats on the MINI and welcome to NAM. Keep us posted on how much you let you wife drive her car

 

I see 2 MINIs in your future

You probably were smart with the 15" wheels. We love our car, but with 17" runflats, you need a kidney belt to drive over the George Washington Bridge in NY. I can't imagine what it will be like when the roads around here get bad after a few rain/freezes.

Welcome to the addiction...that is this forum and the MINI!

 

J S,

I thought you would enjoy the "drive out" experience there at Motorwerks...

It was a rush to take the MINI right off the showroom floor and down the canal.
I'm glad we took pics of the whole thing.
Needless to say I was a bit nervous and my heart was racing as I worked the clutch for the first time,
and I came out in the summer!

Let's enjoy the winter AND our new MINIs! (we didn't get any snow down here in Lakeville.... )

Sir M.