On the antenna, I think it will fit and I like the idea of recycling it. Same with the plates, they're getting re-used from the Jeep.

I went on eBay and here are the links for what I ordered. They are multi quantity so just click and check out:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/380386379082...84.m1439.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/380386847776...84.m1439.l2649

I won't know if the info on the mod thread was correct until I try to put them on the car sometime next week - hopefully...

In regards to the rack, I am going to get the MINI one as well. The bike rail is the same as the one from my previous BMW except for the name applied to it so I will reuse that as well. I thought it was a good setup on the BMW and it's held the bike securely for many SF to Reno trips. We are toying with the idea of getting a kayak in the spring and I think there is an attachment that will fit the bill. We have a Yakima setup for the Pea but I liked the BMW bike attachment better as it requires less fiddling when tightening the fork down.

 

Guys, Check out Sewell. They have a great sale going on right now on everything!

 

I got new plates for mine, but I tend to change them out every 5 years or so, just for fun (what can I say - my Dad collected license plates).

I ended up getting the MINI cross rail put on, but would like more info on the kayak mount. I checked out some Yakimas (my current ones don't fit), but am always curious about my options. I ended up getting the MINI rear bike rack, as the mechanism to open the tailgate with the bike loaded was rather impressive. Also ordered the MINI stubby antenna, and mud flaps. Almost set to go. Elf is supposed to arrive today or tomorrow!!! My seat warmer broke last week, so am really looking forward to trying out the winter package!!!

 

congrats SpeedDD and Elf, for your impending union. Corduroy, finally, is on the Toronto, and hopefully will be available for pickup right after my daughter's birthday, and right before mine! what a great way to celebrate! Happy Holidays with the new car!

 

Just picked up my CMS bench and as previously discussed they did add the flat load floor to my order for the extra $250.

 

just heard from my MA... tomorrow noon is when I'm taking delivery of my car..... I was asking if it was on the lot so I can cruise on down to take pics but she said that it'll be there this evening. Wow.... I can't believe that it's almost here.... just 24 more grueling hours to go.... I ordered this thing on Oct. 14 and it's Dec. 24 tomorrow.... that's about 10 weeks.... It felt much longer than that and to think when I ordered my M3, it took 5 months from order to delivery and this one felt every bit as long as that.... anyway, I'm just glad that I can give the wife a nice four wheeled gift for xmas... get ready for some heavy duty pics tomorrow night.... Cheers...

 

Congrats, asaulo1 and Cobra-racer! I hope to join you in MINI ownership very soon!

 

Congratulations, everyone!!! So exciting to see everyone getting their CMs after such a long wait!

And I'm about to join y'all! My MA just called and said my CMS is coming in tonight, and I can pick it up tomorrow at 1:00! I'm so excited! I thought it wouldn't be here until next week, and was expecting pickup to be Wednesday or Thursday, but it's coming in early! SQUEE! I can't wait! I'll try to get pics up as soon as I can, but I may be busy motoring all day tomorrow...

 

Congrats and another great holiday gift!

 

After reading all the posts over the past few weeks (months??), it's fantastic to see all of you guys and gals getting your cars before XMas!!! Don't go MIA on the rest of us. We expect pictures and one of you needs to do the big red bow thing. Have fun with your new CM's.

 

Congratulations Ann!!!! I was so happy for you I fired off a nastygram to my MA wanting to know how a car gets all the way to Houston while mine is still sitting in Brunswick, GA. If you'd allow me to live vicariously through your delivery, I would appreciate it.

 

Happy Holidays to everyone! Here's hoping your CM arrive quickly and give you the utter joy Carol and I have been experiencing during the last week!

BTW -- If you have ordered MINI Connected with Navigation, make sure your MA knows this system inside and out. Our MA was very knowledgable and spent about an hour of the delivery just on the MINI Connected/Nav and voice activation systems. And, while MINI have included most of the important information about these systems in the owners manual and the supplemental PDF about MINI Connected (you'll need to download the PDF to your smartphone, tablet, or print it out), the information doesn't flow well and you need to skip back and forth in the OM and the PDF to really get the hang of the system. As background, I am a retired 26-year IT professional turned high school teacher and I have to jump around to understand how to thread tasks together...the interface is just not as intuitive as it could be, I suppose. That being said, after a week I am catching on to a good percent of the task-related operations.

 

Oh, SoonerMack, I'm so sorry! I thought for sure yours would get to you first! You never know, though--your baby might be at the dealership already, and your MA just hasn't called yet! If you don't get a quick response form him, I'd call and talk to the manager. Maybe he can give you more info or at least kick your MA into gear! I really hope yours comes in ASAP!

 

Thanks for the tip, Koopah! From what I've heard the interface has a bit of a... learning curve. I'll make sure to get the goods on the system while I'm there.

 

I swapped emails with him today. It was scheduled to be picked up today from the processing center, but there were "no guarantees" according to him. My MA and the dealership in general doesn't understand the excitement of the process for their customers. I was treated more like a nuisance and I really didn't push at all. At almost every point in the process, I knew more about my car than my MA. I'm sure when I see my car I won't care any more ... right now I'm a little angsty.

 

That's so frustrating! You know, I think your MA makes all the difference in your Mini experience. I got lucky that my MA is a Mini enthusiast, and really "gets it." It sucks that your guy/dealership doesn't seem to. But I bet your car is on its way to the dealership right now. He'll be here before you know it!

 

I got a message from my MA yesterday that my CM had arrived! The MA sent pics, but it looks like it has a silver roof, not the black one on I ordered. I am so hoping it's just a piece of shipping paper!!! If not, maybe we can add some stripes? I went to check at the dealership, but they were closed for the holiday. Saw her up on a hoist, but it was too dark to tell. Can't wait until Monday, when I can pick her up! Whatever color hat she's wearing, she will still look so sweet! Wonder how often MINI screws up an order?

Anyway, happy holidays to everyone here. And a Merry MINI to all!

 

Here she is... With the sticky plastic files protecty thingy still on it...

Merry Xmas to all my fellow benchers!!!!

 

here's a pic with the bow...

pics of the rear bench which we used last night with 3 people to go to xmas mass.....

and some impromptu photoshoot pics

and some interior pics..

 

Picked up 4 days ago

 

looks like my twin..... Congrats... Cheers...

 

NAM needs a like button. White and black looks great and the big bow is a nice touch too. Congrats on the new CM's and thanks for taking the time to post pictures.
Mine's been released to trucking but still in PH. Hopefully it gets to Reno on Wednesday or Thursday.

 

Thanks, Fredo. I hope you get your car soon. i've just put over a 100 miles today just driving it around as well as letting some of my family test drive it. It's funny, the reactions that they have after taking a turn on the wheel. It definitely still has that "Mini" feeling but seems comfrotable large inside. Like I said earlier, I took it out to Xmas mas with 3 people at the back and it didn't look too tight for them. Granted that my 11 yr old girl is on the slim side so that helps a lot. We're looking forward to a trip to San Diego this New Year's eve to spend with family so that we can put it more miles on it. White over black really does look good in person.... and the anthracite wheels really make it stand out.... All in all, I'm a very happy camper.... Cheers and happy holidays to my benchers family...

here's a pic of my wife trying to look surprised on Xmas eve...

 

Asaulo,

Congrats! Same thing with me on Christmas. My friend has a new S hardtop and we switched off comparing the ride and handling. He was really surprised with my CMS. Saturday morning I took a drive before sunrise to test out my driving lights and put a few miles on the car. Still haven't hit 100 miles yet but tomorrow is another day.

 

Picking up my CMS4 this afternoon! MY MA assured me that Elf does indeed have a black hat, and is now getting her mudflaps installed before detailing. Better go clear some space in the driveway!