I just ordered my 2004 MCS a couple of days ago and am a new an avid reader of NAM topics and forums. As a soon to be owner, I wanted to ask all of you if you could help me and list the Top 5 Things a New Owner Needs to Know. It can be anything from when you picked it up at the dealer to what now drives you crazy about your Mini. Thanks for your help.

JKS6467

 

If you've been reading around on NAM for a while, congratulations, you're already very well informed.

Make sure that your MA goes over the car thoroughly with you upon delivery, and that all of the dealer programmable options are set the way you want them.

If you pick the standard settings, your doors will lock at 10 mph. Remember, one pull to unlock the door, and another to open it. :smile:

Oh, and you need to know that people will stare at you, and you will have a lot of fun driving.

 

1. NAM
2. Mini2
3. Bridger.us.mini
4. Webb Motorsport
5. All the other Mini related sites in your favorites folder

 

Make sure your window drops each time you unlatch either door, whether from the inside or outside. Mine has a tendency to not drop nor not drop enough.

Do not let moisture get into your door latches.

 

Don't believe that this is among the top 5, but it's something that I just found out after 7 months of MINI ownership.

You're supposed to use your spare key from time to time to recharge the battery within. Anyone ever heard of this?

 

5. You WANT a parcel shelf.
4. That banging you hear in the back is the boot latch.
3. Yes, the windshield gets pitted very easily.
2. The brakelight mod takes 10 minutes and is worth it.

And the #1 thing to know about your MINI...

1. That chiming you hear in the winter means the temperature is 37 degrees or below! :smile:

 

5. You'll have to stop farther away at stop lights because of the small view windshield.
4. You get looks from the ladies and the gents.
3. You might encounter the stumble and yo-yo.
2. Forget about keeping the MINI's back side clean, it just doesn't happen.
1. TWISTIES, baby, TWISTIES.

B

 

5 - If you motor with the lights on, carry extra windshield washer fluid.

4 - Get an "I pity the poor SUV drivers!" bumper-sticker

3 - Invest in a good radar detector or a nagging codriver that can keep you under 100 mph.

2 - Don't go to the car wash if you have an aero kit - it's not cool to auto wash your MINI and your MINI won't have enough carriage clearance in most cases.

And the number 1 answer is:

1- Never - ever - fart on the heated seats! It's embarrassing, your passengers will hate you, and the other drivers will wonder why you're making faces

 

>>You're supposed to use your spare key from time to time to recharge the battery within. Anyone ever heard of this?


nope. i don't use my spare and store it in my safe. :smile:

You should know that:
1. seatbacks easily get scuffed up so be careful of that.
2. gear ratio's are very close so you need to briskly engage
clutch after a shiftup compared to a normal 5MT.
3. check your tire pressure regularly
4. be prepared to wash your front wheels and boot often.
5. wave to your fellow mini enthusiats on the road.

 

>>Don't believe that this is among the top 5, but it's something that I just found out after 7 months of MINI ownership.
>>
>>You're supposed to use your spare key from time to time to recharge the battery within. Anyone ever heard of this?

Yes tonto this is true. I handed the spare key to my Dad upon delivery and my MA said we should switch them every once in a while because the battery gets charged when the key is in the ignition.

 

Make up a bumper sticker like this so that the questions don't get in the way of your motoring:



Congrats' on your choice you will have many miles of fun ahead of you.

Jack

 

Welcome to NAM!

1. You'll have an easy time finding parallel parking spaces.

2. You will have a hard time thinking about owning other models after this one is "used up"; nothing comparably priced is anywhere near as fun to own/drive.

3. The NAM community is very helpful. Don't get discouraged by SOME folks talking about MINI problems; they are looking for solutions. Folks don't tend to dwell on what they like; they spend their time squawking about their problems.

4. Your car will show wear. Paint chips, windshield dings. wheel/curb scratches, whatever...You may even wreck it. But as much fun as it is, it is only a car.

5. Treat your MA/Dealer well. The karma will help--especially when you need help.

 

>>5 - If you motor with the lights on, carry extra windshield washer fluid.
>>
what????me no understand

 

I picked up Mr Bridger on 11-4 so here's what I've found is important.

1. If you twist the windshield wiper thing, the back wiper turns on, you have to hit it like a turn signal for the front ones. -- I'm still working on that one!

2. When you drive away, it auto locks all the doors, so you hear a Clunk.

3. When you stop and put on the emerg brake and turn off the car... all the doors are Unlocked so you can all jump out. But if you are dropping off someone, thus the car is still running, they have to pull the handle once to unlock their door and the 2nd time to get out!

4. The radio gets louder the faster you go - it's cool.

5. Never forget you are driving a computerized car! It's one smart car. It will bing at you when the temp is under 37 as a hazardous road allert, it will bing when you get low in fuel. I had my boot open light on and the boot was closed tight, I slammed the door over and over, light still on. So I went home. about an hour later I had to go somewhere. Sure enough after turning him off and letting him "shut down and restart" He remembered that I had closed the boot and the light was off. He did this to me for about a week and then he knew all the time how I closed the door and has never given me the false light again. These MINIs do remember things!!!

 

>>3. When you stop and put on the emerg brake and turn off the car... all the doors are Unlocked so you can all jump out. But if you are dropping off someone, thus the car is still running, they have to pull the handle once to unlock their door and the 2nd time to get out!

Is this a programmed option cause my MINI doesn't do this? I always have to pull the door handle twice.

 

>>>>5 - If you motor with the lights on, carry extra windshield washer fluid.
>>>>
>>what????me no understand

If you have Xenons, washing the windshield ALSO activates the headlight washers. These washers draw fluid from the driver's side tank.

 

>>
>>>>3. When you stop and put on the emerg brake and turn off the car... all the doors are Unlocked so you can all jump out. But if you are dropping off someone, thus the car is still running, they have to pull the handle once to unlock their door and the 2nd time to get out!
>>
>>Is this a programmed option cause my MINI doesn't do this? I always have to pull the door handle twice.
I agree its the same in my car. In fact I warn my passengers a head of time cause they get really violent with the door handle when it doesn't open on the first pull.
Its almost like they think they are locked in permanently. Strange to think that was so bad, being stuck in a MINI S...its an old habit to break from their days of SUV riding. Who in their right mind would want to be stuck in an SUV.

 

5. Remember your bonnet release is on the "British" side of the MINI
4. A clean MINI is a happy MINI (except when it is frozen)
3. All MINI's dream about running the Tail of the Dragon
2. Don't forget to buy your MINI something nice for its' birthday
1. Those two little circular things at the front of the center console? They're NOT cupholders, they're junk-bins!

Motor-On!

 

5. Stock brake pads create too much brake dust- replace them when you can with EBC Green pads or Mintex Redbox.
4. Stay away from potholes and drive carefully.
3. Driving school is always worthwhile. After breakin your MCS is happiest above 4000 rpm.
2. Light wheels are happy wheels- If you get aftermarket rims-light weight wheels will help you accelerate.
1. For the price, the pulley upgrade for the MCS is the best bang per buck. If you yearn for power-get it.

 

Thanks to all for your ideas and Need to Knows. I can't wait to apply them when my MCS arrives (late March).

Until then I'll be living the Mini life through NAM. Thanks Again!

JKS6467

 

>>>>>>5 - If you motor with the lights on, carry extra windshield washer fluid.
>>>>>>
>>>>what????me no understand
>>
>>If you have Xenons, washing the windshield ALSO activates the headlight washers. These washers draw fluid from the driver's side tank.
>>

...and the tank hold about two teaspoons of fluid... :smile:

 

1. Rear-fogs & brake light mod- just do it :smile:
2. Speaker/bass rattles are fixable, usually
3. Remember, it's a 1.6L, so this isn't a "clutch out without gas" car
4. Your car will seem sorta cool on the straights, then a twisty
road is found and your like "dang, everything drives like a boat!"
5. Your Mini will treat you well, but you need to treat her well-
clean and well maintained!

 

When you can't see the stoplights, try http://www.lightinsight.com. Cheap effective solution.
New MINIFINI cupholder is a must.

 

>>Thanks to all for your ideas and Need to Knows. I can't wait to apply them when my MSC arrives (late March).
>>
>>Until then I'll be living the Mini life through NAM. Thanks Again!
>>
>>JKS6467

Hey, I'm with you, join our club https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...mp;topic=21155

Minimoto, love your #1 reason! Might be a problem in our household...

 

1. Hide your keys! Even if your spouse didn't want to buy the car in the first place they will still take it every chance they get.

2. 120mph feels just like 60mph on a smooth road, get a radar detector.

3. Dirty wheels and boot, enough said.

4. If the stumble and Yo-Yo are enough to put you off, then this car is not for you.

5. Xenon's are just plain cool to watch start up and wash.

_________________
Every one should be familiar with the laws of tonage and value. That being said don't brake hard in front of that 1ton dually w/ 6" of lift and a bobcat on the trailer! His "Following too closely" ticket will never equal the value of your life or your c