I went to MAG today for an oil change, brake fluid flush and to have them look at the right motor mount (Chuck noticed it was leaking last weekend). It was a great experience, especially since they seemed really busy. Wifey saw the new X6 and has decided that she wants one I told her that with a base sticker of $52,000 she will have to wait quite awhile for that.

On a side note.........Ben was that you I passed on 270 around Sawmill/315 around 10:00?

 

I've been nothing but impressed with MAG Service. Unfortunately their SALES well...

I was so thrilled when they hired the new Sales Manager, Kris... bu then they fired him/let him go/whatever. Too bad.

Oh well - at least they know how to do Service well. Glad you had a good experience!

 

I'm a big supporter of MAG's service department . Steve Morris understands MINI owners as well as he does MINI's

 

The new sales manager seems very nice and is really interested in the MINIs and getting the dealership as well as local clubs more involved together. While his background is BMW, he's willing to learn more about us and our cars. I see him [for now] as a definite plus.

 

Was I driving like someone completely foreign to accepted freeway travel speeds? I was on my way home from True Performance... Come to mention it I did note an especially suave looking MINI zip by, but then everything seemed to be zipping by. I have been doing an experiment for the past few days, shifting at 2.5-3k and setting cruise at 56mph and enjoying the slow lane on the freeways. Surprisingly no one has honked or given me the finger yet. With commute and mixed driving for about 150 miles so far the OBC has been giving me a reading of 42 to 44+ mpg with an average speed in the mid 30s. Not too shabby for an S I'm thinking. To be honest though I don't know how long I can keep the experiment up, but I would like to put enough miles into it to at least get a some what accurate hand calculation of the actual mpg.

 

I actually am glad to hear about your experiment because I was afraid you were having problems. I even told my wife to keep an eye out for a BRG on her way home from Whole Foods on Sawmill.

 

We do our shopping there and at the Trader Joe's across the street.

 

Glad to hear this:
>> OBC has been giving me a reading of 42 to 44+ mpg<<

I thought I might be crazy! Everyone says the OBC is not very accurate but, I've been seeing a high of 40.5mpg for the first time going about 68-69mph. Maybe not accurate, but it makes me feel great!
Previous owner didn't use premium. I have been. Wonder if that is the difference.

 

Oh dear...yet another instance of former owner non-premium usage...and the car is still running with its new owner! Sure, the difference in grades used WILL reflect a difference in mileage, but so will taking one's foot off the accellerator and driving the speed limit. Both my MINIs get great mileage around 68-69 mph, or lower...higher speeds DO cut into the mileage rether drastically.

 

We were at MAG yesterday also (around 11am)!! What time where you there? Don't remember seeing a Purple Haze so we must have missed you or your car might have been in the service garage!

We have worked with the new sales manager Erik Maxwell for the purchase of our MINI! He has been very helpful! We really like him and he seems like he is wanting to get the dealership more involved in the MINI community and has a real interest in the MINI community!!

We are looking forward to seeing the new MINI showroom!! They said it should be done by the time our car comes in!!!

Now we just wait..................

 

I was back on the road around 10:00. I did see several people checking out new MINIs.

 

I'm thinking that some engineer that is much smarter than I figured our cars need premium. I'm just a dumb old silverback & who am I to second guess the people who engineered my fine car?

If I had to, I'd run on lower octane if the choice was use some lower octane or run out of gas. Even then I would put just enough in to get to the closest source of high test & then fill her up.

Maybe if you toddle around & drive like Prius driver you won't hurt your car. If you drive your car like it was designed to be driven you could very well be hurting it. What you run in your car is your call, not mine. I bet you are only saving $1 on each fill up. Too me that savings is too small to make me risk damaging my car. Who knows if you are hurting your MINI? Oh yes those engineer's who spec'd high test do.

Slowing down a bit is a great fuel saving strategy. Trouble is, if one drives slower than the flow of traffic you are creating a hazard for yourself & others.

 

Kimini03 I hope your wait goes fast for you. What was the final spec of your new MINI? Or is that a secret surprise to be revealed later?

 

And with that being said, I am drawing my little experiment to its conclusion. I upped my cruising speeds toward the end, but even at close to the posted speed limit I couldn't help but feel an obstacle to drivers. The average mpg on the OBC did drop a bit, but moderate starts and stops still seemed to have quite an effect. At the end of the 236 miles The OBC proclaimed 41.8mpg with an average speed of 41.2mph. Hand calculated the figure was 41.5mpg, not too far off from the OBC. Even though it is nice to know these results can be achieved, it is now time to go back to driving as this car was intended.

 

Thanks for conducting the experiment. You did very well & once again confirmed that the new R56 MCS uses less fuel than the R53 MCS that it replaced.

 

Hmm, it wasn't my intent to discount the R53. My first tank at $3.99 a gal last week just made me wonder what the car could do if driven conservatively. If anyone took offense I'm not quite sure what to say.

 

Gas mileage? I believe the Silverback calculation is "fun mileage" I too appreciate the experiment, and also agree that it's time for you to get back to measuring fun mileage to and from the workplace

Hey Chuck, how many SPG's (smiles per gallon) do you get?

 

No offense taken by this R53 owner, I agree that with the ever increasing gas prices it makes sense to see how long you can stretch a tank of gas if needed. Every time I fill up my tank I wonder if I made the right choice in getting an R53 versus waiting another year and getting an R56, then I take a step back and admire the beauty that is PH/S. Besides, the 28 mpg that I've been averaging is a lot better then the 20-21 mpg I was getting with the Mazda.

 

Nope. Nobody's offended. The Silverbacks just like to expound and expand on concepts. We just go with it......

 

Hey Chuck!! We are hoping it goes by real quick also! How long did yours take? They said the end of June, so I hope that is right. We are planning on going to the dragon the first week of July, so I hope it all works out right. Kinda worried about making the plans and then something happens and it isn't in yet.

Final Specs: MCS08 Chili Red/Black Roof, Bonnet Stripes, and Mirrors. All 4 packages, Limited Slip, Xenon, white signals. Rooster red and piano black interior with punch black leather Can't wait!!! We are already creating a list of Mods with our time spent waiting!

 

No offense taken. I was just pointing out the fact that the R56 does get better mileage than the R53. I'm happy with my mileage on my R53 MCS, but I'm envious of the R56's mileage. More power & more mileage is a win win.

 

Mark I can get 30 smiles per mile if I use the cruise on a long interstate haul, boring. If I'm really having fun I can get down to 20 smiles per mile. Funny thing, my 20 smiles per mile are more fun than my 30 smiles per mile. Go figure?

 

Silverback math.

 

Sounds like you have a very nice MINI coming your way. It will be worth the wait. My MINI took 6 weeks from placing the order to delivery.

 

Well my MINI was at MAG again today. Sam gave me a choice of 4 loaner cars. I chose a Clubman S in a very nice blue. How cool is that?

Back to my MINI. They installed the long MIA seat cover for me & while I was there I mentioned a couple other things. Blu Brit got a new power steering fan & a LF drive-shaft is on order. It is such a pleasure to explain the problem to the SA & have him listen to your concerns. I also feel darn good that this silverback can still diagnose a noise.

Back to the loaner. Babs & I took a nice county road drive up north along the west side of the river to Prospect with a return trip down the east bank. I have to say that I really enjoyed the Clubman, a lot. Babs was very concerned that my infatuation would mean a big fat payment book & a new Clubman in the garage. Luckily for us when I picked up Blu Brit all I could say was, baby I missed ya lets never be apart again. For me it's an R53 MCS.

Thanks again MAG. Job well done!!!