So around 4 months ago I sold my 2006 Subaru WRX STI; it just wasn't practical for commuting anymore. I've owned lots of performance cars, a few VW GTIs, an R32, a Corrado, and the Subaru. And I can say, without question, that this Mini is the best car that I have ever owned. It is sinfully fun to drive. The steering is perfectly weighted, the pedals are the perfect distance apart, and the cockpit is quirky (in a good way), yet sophisticated. The powerband is righteous and the supercharger whine gives me a big smile every time I put my foot down. I'm falling in love with the car all over again, and that's what 'motoring' should be about. That is all. Have a good day!

 

Congratulations & I'm glad you found a fun car you like!

Happy Motoring!

 

Congrats! Pics or it didn't happen

 

Here ya go! Sorry for the poor quality, it's just a cell phone pic. It's totally stock minus the Aero kit and H&R springs (complete with mushroomed shock towers...) and a few visual upgrades. Also having problems with the door lock actuator, but nothing compared to the electrical problems I had with my VWs. It's my DD, so my only plans are a reduction pulley, intake, exhaust, sway bar, pro tune, and maybe coilovers.

 

Lovely looking car - though its an R53 rather than an R52

 

Thanks! Just so I have my terminology correct - R52 is the convertible and the R53 is the hardtop?

 

Wow, very nice! My 2007 r56 is your bigger cousin. Chrome mirror caps and all. You will have many years of happy motoring.

 

Correct!

 

Welcome aboard from a fellow ex-VW/Audi owner. I'm still a VW guy at heart but I'm really enjoying my Mini at the moment as I presume you will as well. If you need some inspiration I have a few shots of a local guy's blue R53 slammed on BBS RS's ;-)

 

Haha well I wouldn't say I'm an ex VW owner, I still have my Mk2 GTI that I bring out to carve some canyons with every now and then :D Please feel free to share some eye candy!

 

Sweet ! Same color as my MCS

I must be one of the few that had zero electrical/mechanical problems with any of my VW's except normal maintenance and one EGR coolant line hose leak.

 

My MK2 had ZERO problems, and I continued to drive it for well over 25k miles after I blew a syncro in the trans. My 2003 did not fare so well; I replaced all 6 coil packs, replaced several door lock actuators, aux air pump, etc etc. Speaking of problems...

Engine ticking on my Mini got much worse today. Pulled out the dipstick, it was bone dry. Put it in, pulled it back out, and it broke off. Added a half quart of 5w30 and the ticking stopped... Fun stuff

 

Sweet looking mini! your smile is only going to get bigger once you start modding the car a pulley and cai will really make the supercharger scream!

The oem dipstick is known to break. hope it didn't get stuck in the tube. and keep a close eye on the oil. these cars like to use it

 

Thanks! I'm excited too. As far as oil goes; since I can't check it until my new dipstick comes (had to get creative to get the old one out....), I added in about a half a quart and it stopped ticking altogether. Sounds cherry now, should I worry about having too much oil? I know it can be a problem with these smaller engines. Regardless, I'll baby it until I know for sure. Just wondering if I should do an oil change tonight or if it can wait a week.

 

half a quart should be fine. I doubt you overfilled it. I had gone a while without checking my oil when I first got the car. Started it one day. It sounded funny and was ticking a bit. checked the oil and the dipstick was dry I've tried to keep a closer eye on the oil since then and it does use some. Not like my Honda that never used a drop.

 

Ok, cool. Thanks for your advice... you can imagine what was going through my head, something along the lines of "Cool, ruined my car and I haven't even had it a week "

 

What a nice looking MINI! Welcome to the club!

 

That is one nice mini. Looks exactly like the italian job ones.

 

here's one...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/xstartxtodayx/5105007946/http://www.flickr.com/photos/xstartxtodayx/5105007946/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/xstartxtodayx/, on Flickr