As of March 2012, there will be a Mini dealer outside Burlington VT. I took the chance to put in an early order on a 2012 JCW hatch. Should be here in March. Very excited. I'm coming from a MKIV R32 (which I love, but for various reasons well documented on the Golf R vs. JCW thread, I've decided on the mini). I know VWs very well, but it's time for a change. My R32 has been great, no problems, but I stay on top of maintenance and treat it well. The JCW will get the same treatment.

Moving to the Mini I wanted to keep the car as light and basic as possible. Good lighting on the back roads is a must here, so I opted for the xenons (had to go OEM euro HIDs for my R32). I also opted for the keyless entry which I enjoy on my wife's car. These are the options I picked.

2012 John Cooper Works Hardtop
Color
A62 White Silver Body Color
Packages
Options
319 Universal Garage Door Opener
322 Comfort Access System
383 Black Roof/Mirrors
3A2 Black Headlamp Housings
431 Auto Dimming Rear View Mirror
494 Heated Front Seats
4NA Rearview Mirror with Compass
502 Retractable Headlamp Washers
522 Xenon Headlamps
674 Harman/Kardon Sound System
785 White Turn Signals
Accessories
Mud Flaps front and rear axle

Again, very excited about the car. No mods planned right away except probably doing something about the chrome trim. I'm looking forward to learning from everyone.

 

I'm new to Mini as well,...but I'm also in Vermont, so I figure I'm as good as anyone to welcome into the fold. I have an 09 JCW Clubman,..black. I was also waiting for the Golf R,...to swap for my tired old S4 Wagon. I more or less stumbled on my Clubman,...and really like it. As it will be for you,....I'm sure I'll miss awd at some point,...but generally,...really entertaining.

AND,...like you,...really psyched Automaster will be our local dealer.

Congrats and welcome!

Rich

 

Welcome! I just picked up my Midnight Black JCW Hatch last weekend. Love it so far--as will you.

 

I've had A LOT of VAG cars over the years. I've had a 09 JCW since April. So, much fun. So, raw feeling. You're going to have a Good time!

 

Welcome just got mine on Sunday!! But I still haven't driven the damn thing
Good luck on no mods...it worked well for me
I ordered mine back in September so I know what you will go through...good luck. They are awesome little cars!!

 

Are you crazy??? How can you have your car this long and still not driven it? I would be going insane. So what is the deal man get on the gas!!

 

I'm not going to comment on the crazy part
But good Lord..it takes time to get all this stuff installed, I figure I have till Friday to pull my hair out. Although, I will drive her about 15 miles to the detailer tomorrow ...it's going to be a real tease.

 

Congrats on picking up the car...now drive it!

Getting my car in March works perfectly up here. The worst of the winter (hopefully) will be over by then so it'll be spared a winter of snow driving. And I won't have to pick up my snow tires/wheels until next fall because I can leave the mini in the garage on snowy days. Already planning on picking up the white OZ WRC wheels for my snows.

I've been driving VWs/Audis for a long time. Everything from my current R32 to a 1990 audi coupe quattro (great snow car). But I'm ready for something new. Although I hope the clutch problems aren't prevalent, and I'm already counting on a carbon clean around 20-30k miles (thank you direct injection).

I'm not having them drill for a front plate up here. Anyone know if a standard US plate can be zip-tied to the mesh on the aero bumper? I imagine the fit is close. I have this setup on my R32 and it works great. If not, I'll just pick up a mounting kit for the tow hook.

 

Zip Tie??

The mounting kit for the tow hook would be 10 times better than zip ties????

 

Actually, the zip ties look just fine. It's totally flush with the lower mesh of the aero bumper, so you can't see the plate unless you're right in front of the car. You can also center the plate, which I think looks better than the offset from a tow hook mounted plate. Trust me, it looks fine, if the plate will fit on the mesh of the aero bumper (obviously a height issue for the plate).

It's also very secure. Up here in the snow, a tow hook kit wouldn't last long. VT cops are pretty relaxed, so if it doesn't fit I'll probably just go without a front plate.

 

I would vote no front plate if your not going to use something like This . I would never use a zip tie anywhere on the car especially not the exterior...but thats just me.

 

It really looks totally fine. Can't even see the zip ties. A very standard way of doing the front plate on R32s. I've had my front plate attached like this for 4 years with no issues. I'm too old to mess up the look of a car with a sloppy solution. I'll get pics in March...if the plate fits.

 

Welcome VT_JCW, Nice to finally see that there's going to be a dealer in VT. Too bad it's still way too far for me. You should totally be able to use a tow hook mount for your plate. I like it because it's an easy swap for a hook on track days. You can somewhat see mine in my sig.