Hey everybody, just wanted to introduce myself. I just picked up a Black 07 Vert Sidewalk Package on Friday. Traded in my 05 M3 Vert. I am loving it so far, the car is incredible and the attention it's getting is very cool. While the Cooper is considerably cheaper than the BMW, I really don't feel like I'm sacrificing much overall.

My daughter has named it the Batmobile, and I think it'll stick.

I've been lurking the forums a while picking up "advice", and wanted to say thanks, it's a great forum. Pictures attached.

 

Welcome to NAM. Nice MINI. It should be more fun than your old M3, but you might miss the rear wheel drift. I myself have never known a FR car powerful enough to break the rear loose...it was a '90 4-cylinder mustang with 96k miles, there is a story for why i had this car...

 

Hello and welcome to NAM! Great looking vert...I love those seats I noticed you were in Maryland and want to encourage you to check out the DC Metro Minis. We have 300+ members and always doing fun things. Our forum happens to be on NAM:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...splay.php?f=85

And the official DCMM home page is here: http://www.dcmetrominis.org

Congrats and hope you enjoy your Mini

 

Welcome to the asylum - you've joined a great group of motorists. If you're in the DC metro area be sure and check out the local MINI club, DC Metro MINIS at http://www.dcmetrominis.org/ Enjoy your new ride!

 

thanks! I do love the seats as well, a major factor in the selection of this particular car. I like the contrast with the Black exterior.

I will miss the rear drift, but not enough to wish for the old ride. I'd forget to turn off the DSC in the M3 and the throttle would constantly cut off. I'm sure the MC will be better in the nasty weather (came with all season tires).

I will check out the DC Metro local MINI club.

 

That is one HOT looking COOPER

 

Welcome to NAM, Marylander! Beautiful MCSC! And what a great self-portrait shot, too!

 

Hey Marylander,

I made that switch almost 2 years ago out of a Jet Black '03 M3. I can't say that I've ever looked back and wondered if I should've kept it.. but I just keep looking ahead to the E92 M3. I can say that NAM rivals even the biggest Honda/Acura boards, and NAM is only on a single car, not a fleet of Honda products.

Welcome to the world of NAM.

 

I too, switched from an E46; now almost 2 weeks into that change. I am still not fully acclimated to the change. More road noise and stiff runflats are some of the things (I still may ditch the runflats) that nag me. Also, after living with the E46 for almost 8 years, the controls of the MINI still baffle me.

 

Ha! Believe it or not that was NOT intentional. I was wondering if somebody would catch it. Thanks for the welcome.

 

Good to know. I can see Black is your color, that's a sweet ride- love the dark wheels.

I went from a silver M3 to the black Cooper- pics below. The Cooper has a lot more style, that's for sure.

 

I'm finding the controls similar enough to the E46, the radio is nearly identical to my old Harm Kard "Business" Head Unit.

Much more road noise, but I'm liking that. The biggest change for me is the tires, I've got all seasons now, compared to my old performance tires. I think I'll stick with the All Seasons for now, at least through the winter.

 

Sweet sidewalk, enjoy your ride

 

Beautiful! The Coop' does have more style and it's much easier to you-ify it... a lot cheaper too . You've got a farily unique combination to start with, (what looks like) jet black with the sidewalk package. I wanted Jet Black but it wasn't offered in the hardtop in '06.. so I went with Astro Black.

You'll have a blast with the car and almost as much fun you-ify-ing it.. We picked up an '05 MCSC a few months back for my wife.. You'll probably want to pick up a larger rear sway bar and an M7 Under Strut System. They really help the handling and keeps the car from acting like a contortionist. Chopping the top on a Mini really makes it twist.

 

Same here...just sold my 07 335i Twin Turbo for a MCS on order.

 

wow is this what i was looking for!! just ordered my '08 BRG MCS sidewalk and wondering if i did the right thing. i'm coming out of an '05 imola red M3 lease. i was impressed by every aspect of the MCS, and have to admit, i won't miss paying $450/month for gas! don't get me wrong, ive got many fond memories of the M3. but i couldn't pass up on an equally FUN, less expensive, more environmentally kind ride. pics forthcomming in april!

 

Wow...another AB Sidewalk! You're in good company!

Question though...did you choose not to have the chrome package, or did it just not come with it?

Mine:


I do like the chrome, the only thing I would change on mine, is the chrome grill...I wish I could have gotten the body color grill like yours.

 

Wow Nice Exterior Chrome! Mine did not come with an exterior chrome package. I will be adding a chrome scope, gas cap, and boot hinges soon.

I would love to see some more pictures of yours...did you get the chrome boot hinges?

 

How about from a '06 M5 to a '07 MCS Vert w/Sidewalk Package? Already picked up the Vert.....

 

Our MCS black sidwalk came with the crome packege, We are adding the crome scoop. O and I am also SMC

 

Yeah...see below. The chrome package that mine came with (again, not ordered...just saw it in the showroom and went for it!) included chrome grille, headlight rings, mirror caps, boot hinges, boot handle(above license plate), door handles, roll bars and interior trim. Sadly...no cool chrome gas cap...only a body color door.

More pics:




Don't suppose you'd want to trade grilles...since you're opting for more chrome parts?! That's the only thing I want to change chrome-wise on mine.

 

Im digging the sidewalk interior. :D

 

Hola, my brotha from anotha motha.....

 

Awesome pics! I had been considering switching...let me think about it. Although, I'm pretty sure the chrome on the grille may be removed, I think they are just strips stuck on top? you might want to check it out. I've attached a better picture of my grille.

I'm seriously considering getting the racing stripes (not the typical stripes...the fatter ones), but am worried as it will drastically alter the car. see attached pics. input?

 

Are you keeping both? Seems like the MCS vert will be a great compliment to the M5. can't think of a better combo of cars.

Sounds like a big change to swap the M5 for the MCS. Serious decrease in passenger capacity. From an M3 there's only marginally less room in the Cooper.