As far as what was DONE to the Countryman, some cheddar bunnies were thrown around in back by the younglings. But I received the MINI Care Package in the mail yesterday, and this one was the best of the three I've received. I just loved the package outer ayer being a satchel backpack inverted for reuse. How fun!

More details below for those with pre-2013 CMs or the future MINI owners browsing with anxiety while their cars sit at the dock waiting for rides...







This year was probably my favorite batch. The MINI USB thing is cool, which my son stole. There's a vinyl decal to put on or in your car for naming it, like a 'MY NAME IS ____' kind of thing. Many of the usual trappings, like an aluminum ballpoint pen and a journal, a foam ball antenna topper and so on.







But my favorite detail was the packaging itself. For the first time, the care package was shipped in a reusable parcel. It's inside-out, and offers instructions to cut it open along the top seam, then invert it, and it reveals one of those backpacks with rope straps. The INSIDE lining is better than the outside (little MINI pattern motif over their inexplicable bulldog mascot, which does not speak to the characteristics of a MINI at all) and I love that it is reusable, useful, and most of all, unexpected. It's a PROCESS gift.

Even the parcel within that is reusable, sort of a hard bubble-wrap type folio.

WELL DONE!

 

Brake duct DRL done and plastidip in black..

 

Looks great!!

 

Installed the NM Torque Arm insert I received from WMW today (a mere 3 days after I ordered it). It definitely starts/shifts more smoothly and I like it, but it's a more subtle improvement than I had expected. I guess after reading some posts that my expectations were too high. No noticeable increase in vibration.

Install was a breeze--I raised the passenger side of the car only and that was enough.

I also ordered my 2013 cupholder console--finally I'll be able to properly stow my Kleen Kanteen!

 

Torque arm insert has been my best value mod. I noticed an increase in vibration of the clutch pedal, but I guess every car is different.

 

Washed with Adams Car Wash solution (stuff is a miracle in the sun!) and then clay barred the roof, which I think eliminated the water spots from the previous wash. I'll know more in the sunlight tomorrow. I'll do the rest of the car tomorrow.

 

Installed new center console with bigger cup holders. Also replaced two broken lower pressure lip seals. Took a total of 30 minutes for all parts to be installed.

 

Washed, clay-barred, and waxed.

Need to clean up the wheels and tires. Some spotting there.

 

Wrong thread.....

 

I drove mine to pick up my dogs from the kennel. It could be all psychological, but it seems like the ALL4 systems makes the drive down the gravel/dirt road a lot smoother than in previous cars.

 

Detailed and installed new stripes last week for Pearl's new moniker: The Blackjack Pearl

 

I thought the same thing, but people on the forum convinced me otherwise. I sprayed the tips on my wife's Clubman back in May and haven't had any issues with the New Mexico summer heat.

 

THat really surprises me, but good to know. THanks!

I still like the chrome there, but noted for future reference. Next year I may be in a blackout phase.

 

Center console/cup holder swap out. Another easy and worthwhile change. Used my existing trim ring with no issues.

 

Did a wrap on my headlight trim


http://www.flickr.com/photos/101426345@N08/9681517813/

 

Installed Philips silver bulbs and JCW Red Mirror Covers/ Brake Ducts.

 

Forgot the pic. Haha!

 

Ordered the new cup holders and got the boot stripes to match the bonnet.

 

Installed a VIP front strut bar and NM torque bar inserts. Last week changed my black mirror caps & brake vents to chrome.

 

Installed TSW x-brace.

 

Thinking of removing the front bonnet badge. I know how but I've read that there are alignment pins underneath it and I'm wondering, are they actually holes or dimples and are they super visible. My personal opinion is it would look cleaner with out it. Any suggestions?

 

Hmmmmm, for me it depends....sometimes there are WAY too many badges on a car. For instance, on my Toyota Tundra, it had BIG TUNDRA badges on each door....those came off for sure.

For me, I really like the winged-Mini emblem on the hood. It's small and tastefully done, so mine is staying for sure.

And although I am usually not a fan of big emblems, I totally did the rear hatch giant emblem with the integrated hatch release....very cool....

 

I agree with you on the rear, I love that emblem, however I did remove the COUNTRYMAN and COOPER S off of the rear door. Too much for me. While the front emblem is nice, I was just looking at it thinking it might look more sharp without it. Guess I could always remove it and if I don't like it I can always put it back on.

 

Agreed....COUNTRYMAN came off the back lid on day 2 of ownership....Oh, and of course, I kept the JCW badges....boy, did we pay extra for those

 

According to Motoring File MINI has decided to make the badging an option in the future,