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General MINI TalkShared experiences, motoring minutes, and other general MINI-related discussion that applies to all MINIs, regardless of model, year or trim.
Love the Mini parking... just what I try to do... end parking space, and squeeze it as far to the end as possible, giving neighboring car as much space as I can!!
Thanks guys. Funny you noticed my parking but I guess we all understand why . Sounds crazy but I will only park at the far end like the above picture. I will actually drive around until I find one or park far away.
Thanks guys. Funny you noticed my parking but I guess we all understand why . Sounds crazy but I will only park at the far in like the above picture. I will actually drive around until I find one or park far away.
This is where Sirius is currently at now. Did a lot of cosmetic modifications. Planning a few more including possibly installing Red Mirror Caps. Purchased them from the UK since I was having trouble finding them in the US.
So far I have replaced or had wrapped all the chrome trim and have installed a bike rack for my racing bicycle. I also installed 6mm wheel spacers. Looks pretty good.
Was just searching on the internet about some stuff for my Mini. I added Midnight Black to my search and ended up over here. Very cool to see all those beautifull Mini's in the best color ;-)
Was just searching on the internet about some stuff for my Mini. I added Midnight Black to my search and ended up over here. Very cool to see all those beautifull Mini's in the best color ;-)
I'll be getting my first JCW and first Midnight Black MINI shortly. My car arrived at the Halifax Port on March 31st!
It was ordered by my local dealership, so it's not entirely built like I would've done it myself, but short of the color (sorry to say that MB was not my first choice; hoping I will learn to love it regardless of the cleanliness challenge it presents) and seats (wish it had the punch leather interior over the standard dinamica cloth carbon black), it's pretty close to perfect for me.
Here are the key options/packages it will have:
Wired
Essentials
Loaded
DDC
JCW Track Spoke Black Wheels
Auto Transmission with Paddles
Roof Rails
Storage Compartment
Park Distance Control
Harman Kardon
Lastly, any tips on the first thing I should do to protect and care for the finicky black paint (i.e. to avoid the dreaded swirl marks) would be much appreciated!
Lastly, any tips on the first thing I should do to protect and care for the finicky black paint (i.e. to avoid the dreaded swirl marks) would be much appreciated!
Looking forward to be part of this Owners Club!
Congrats on the Mini... Black is tough to keep clean, but looks great. I'd have a ceramic coating done on it. That stuff seems to protect the finish for years. Don't fuss too much over the paint, though, just enjoy the driving. Looks very well equipped, too.
Congrats on the Mini... Black is tough to keep clean, but looks great. I'd have a ceramic coating done on it. That stuff seems to protect the finish for years. Don't fuss too much over the paint, though, just enjoy the driving. Looks very well equipped, too.
As always, pictures when you get the chance.
Thank you!!!
I hear ya, but I do find that the F56 gen looks pretty nice in dark colors, so it's a price to pay I suppose.
Good tip. Will look into where I could get this done in my area, but do you know if it's expensive? Wondering if it's worth it since I'll be leasing.
Ha, thank you kindly for the wise words! Will aim to focus on the overall enjoyment! Happy with the options but hoping I'll like the dinamica seats. They seem a tad less comfortable than my current leather seats.
Ceramic treatment is expensive. I only mentioned it since you expressed concern about keeping swirl marks from forming on black paint. It could be worth that expense in the long run if you decided to keep the Mini after the lease period ended.
Otherwise, taking the time to keep the paint surface clean with the proper car care products and topping it off with a careful application of high quality Carnuba wax could do the same thing. It involves a little more of your time. I've owned a black car for over 24 years now and has not developed swirl marks. Careful washing, plus waxing at least twice a year, has kept this car's paint in great shape. On the other hand, this car is not in daily use and only goes out when the weather is good during the warmer seasons. It lives inside a garage and even gets covered. So it's been a lot easier to maintain compared to a daily driver, since it's actually never even been muddied.
Ceramic treatment is expensive. I only mentioned it since you expressed concern about keeping swirl marks from forming on black paint. It could be worth that expense in the long run if you decided to keep the Mini after the lease period ended.
Otherwise, taking the time to keep the paint surface clean with the proper car care products and topping it off with a careful application of high quality Carnuba wax could do the same thing. It involves a little more of your time. I've owned a black car for over 24 years now and has not developed swirl marks. Careful washing, plus waxing at least twice a year, has kept this car's paint in great shape. On the other hand, this car is not in daily use and only goes out when the weather is good during the warmer seasons. It lives inside a garage and even gets covered. So it's been a lot easier to maintain compared to a daily driver, since it's actually never even been muddied.
Fair enough. It's rarely worthwhile to buy back a lease, but I have done it once in the past for specific reasons. With that said, the residual on the JCW I will get is quite high, which is great for my monthly payments, but not on an end of contract purchase point of view. And by then, the new gen will be out, so I may want to look at those!
I have no issues in putting in some work to keep it as pristine as I can, but mine will be a daily driver, so it will face some adversities. It will be kept in a garage both at home and work, but will have to go through Canadian winters!
. Sounds crazy but I will only park at the far end like the above picture. I will actually drive around until I find one or park far away.
