I picked up my MCS on Monday after a 3 month wait (yup, I’m in Canada, we’re always delayed) and just today did it all sink in that I own a MINI – 6 spd. DS /w black roof/mirrors and bonnet stripes, sport, premium, bluetooth and chrome line packages, LSD, auto ac, leatherette, front window defroster, alloy interior trim plus whatever came standard on Canadian MCS.

I’ll follow the +/- rating as some other person did, so here it goes – comments about specific things that caught my attention:

Bonnet hood temperature – I knew it gets hot, but not to a point where you can certainly fry some eggs on it. ( - )
iPod adapter – expensive, $900 CAD, but it works great ( - cost, + functionality)
Mood lighting – wish it was a bit brighter, but a funky feature ( a + nevertheless)
Engine/exhaust tone – all I want to do is roll down my windows and gun it ( a definite + )
Gearbox – so far so good (knock on the wood) though 3rd and 4th gears are a bit “stiffer” to throw. From what I know it’s normal, and needs some time to break in. ( + ) But, there is a bit of play, about 1/8” in all directions while in gears – is that normal? ( - )
Chrome line interior – looks great, adds to the appeal ( + )
Chrome line exterior – makes me want to get the chrome mirror caps and chrome hood scoop ( + )
Ride – ok, it’s harsh, but I knew what I was getting, so no surprise there ( a + for me, but for some could be a - )
Comfort – I’m 6’2” and I fit with ease and comfort. My friends were surprised that there’s so much room for front occupants ( + ) who cares about the back
Bluetooth package – that came with the center arm rest. For 750$ CAD it’s well wroth it ( + )
Front window defroster – I got some mixed feelings about this. There are thin zigzag lines going down the windshield. If I remind myself they’re there, they become annoying. At night the light from opposite traffic gets scattered and reflects off them - again a bit of a distraction. ( for now it’s a - , but I am slowly getting used to it. Need to wait for the winter to see it really work)
Bonnet stripes – I like them, but I don’t like the white border ( + & - since the white doesn’t match anything on m car)
Xenon headlights – they’re bright, but I find low beams to be short and have a rather abrupt cut-off point ( + & - )
Break in period – 2000 km under 4.5K revs/min. !!!! They should break in the engines in the factory! ( - )

I was never that excited about a car. It’ll sound cheesy, but I love it. It puts a smile on my face every time I get into it
Pictures are coming – hopefully later on today.

adrian

 

Congrats! Very nice review. WTF is the front window defroster though? Is that a Canadian option only?

 

Electric Front Window Defroster - a 190$ CAD option.

Works the same was as the boot window defroster (i think), with electrical lines embeded in the glass, but on the windshield they're very thin in a sort of a zigzag pattern going top to bottom. And there's a S&#T load of them, spaced about 1/4". You see them when you want to see them, or realize they're there.
a.

 

Yayyy!! Congrats and a very nice review - thanks...

Donna

 

love the review... congrats man... happy motoring!

 

Switch to non-runflat tires and the ride will be less harsh.

With black stripes on DS, I would think the white would liven it up a bit. Perhaps you could put some chrome pinstripe tape over the white.

Yea, I'm not much enamored with the Xenons.

Gotta have pictures.

 

I don't mind the ride. But if my butt becomes sore, I'll consider other options

I was thinking the same, but the white, well is just that, white. There's a bit too much contrast for my taste. Time to become a tape surgeon.

Wish there was a way to adjust the cut-off point, but I guess i want too much

Today, for sure. Just got to find a nice spot to shoot.


adrian

 

After 3 months and 8500 miles, I still get that smile. Congratulations

 

Congrats!

Looking forward to some pretty pics with some scenic canadian landscape framing that lovely DS/B MINI of yours.

Now get out here and get those pics...

Me want pics, me want pics... NOW!

Motor On!

 

I am too afraid to jiggle my shift **** because there is no good reason to. It feels tight though. My 17 y.o. 318is' stick is a lot looser so I know the MINI's is not loose at all.

 

Short because it's pointing down? Could they be adjusted to point a bit
upward?

Abrupt cut-off point is a good thing.. you dont want to blind other drivers on
the road or light up the tree like my old 97 M3 (non-projector headlights) .