Hi, we just got our 2004 Mini Cooper S on Saturday at Neillo Mini in Sacramento, Ca. We have only had it for 5 days, and have already washed it 3 times and put about 350 miles on it.

It's Chili Red with black top, and all three option packages plus some other goodies, Gravity Black Panther leather interior. It looks like it was made in May of this year.

So far, we can't get the grins off of our faces, especially when passing up everyone else on the freeway. We went downtown to an English Pub for a pint, and saw a MC in the same color scheme in the parking lot as we left.

Any excuse to "go for a drive" and we are out the door to the garage!

As soon as they are available, I'm having the iPod connector installed.

I'm glad I found this forum, I am learning a lot about our new Mini!

We also just joined the NorCal Mini Club, and are looking forward to going to some of their rallies and events.

If anyone has any advice on how to clean dog nose prints off of glass, let me know. Our two dachshunds love to motor with us. (This weekend, I am getting a rear seat cover!)

Let's Motor!

 

Try the glass cleaner from Stoner (Invisible Glass ?). It works quite well when applied with a microfiber cloth.

Enjoy your new Mini!

 

Califzeph
Welcome to NAM... :smile: you will find a lot of info and more friends on this site than you can handle. This is a great site for MINI owners. Enjoy your MINI... I do enjoy my MCS.
Charles

 

Welcome to North American Motoring, Califzeph, from a SoCal gal!

Sounds like you're off to a great start, bathing your baby 3 times in the first week, and putting on the miles! Be sure to check out the National Events forum and read about AMVIV-2, A MINI Vacation in Vegas, to be this coming March. The first one was great, and we had some NorCal people, as well as people from all over the Southwest and as far away as New York! Great way to meet even MORE new MINI friends!

If you have any questions about the site, please PM me. :smile:

Clo/Wanda

 

Califzeph,

Good to hear from you. We're glad you found us.
Looks like you are not holding back and will have the miles needed for complete break in soon.

Maybe the glass tastes good?
It's appropriate your dogs are mini sized.
Post some pictures when you can. Don't forget the dogs!

 

Welcome to NAM and it sounds like your off to an appropriate start!

You will find this forum addicting so enjoy the reading. With the collective knowledge here your sure to find the answer to many or your questions so ask away. Be sure to give the search function a good work-out!

CR what a great color! Enjoy the ride.

Any Mods on the horizon or personalizing plans?

 

CR/B is one of my favorite combos! Glad you're having fun! I've had my MINI a year-and-a-half now and I love it just as much, if not more, than when I picked it up. How fantastic is it that a car can cause so many grins!

 

Hi Califzeph,

Welcome to NAM. It is a great way to learn about all things MINI and feed your obsession. My wife and I live in East Sacramento. We drive a CR/W Cooper S. It has a chrome grill with driving lights and a California Flag on the Sunroof. Give a wave if you see us. We are going to a MINI fun run around Lake Tahoe on Saturday morning, July 24th. The details are on the MINI2 website and can be found here: http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthread.php?t=61635. Let me know if you are interested and maybe we can caravan up the mountain to the fun run.

Cheers,

 

Welcome to NAM It sounds like you are enjoying your MINI already. It's only just begun. As far as the doggie snoodles, I've learned to live with mine

Lois

 

>>We have only had it for 5 days, and have already washed it 3 times<<

What's up with this? What were you thinking the other two days?!

Welcome to NAM! After two years I get the same amount of joy everyday with this car as I did in the beginning... you will too.

Dogs + MINI = ...ahhhhhhh DogsMINI! I mean fun, lots of fun!

Godspeed.

 

...for all the nice welcomes!

I'm attaching a couple pix for you all.

Thanks also for the window cleaning hints.

Our dogs are: Millie (standard dachshund/basset mix) and Bob Barker (mini dachshund).

As far as modifications go, haven't really thought that through, beyond getting the iPod controller put in.

Special shoutout to you in the Sacramento area! We would love to motor with you sometime. Unfortunately, we work for the phone company and usually have to work on Saturdays, but we'll keep it in mind.

I went to the auto supply store and spent a wad on car cleaners, microfiber cloths and such today. Wanna keep the baby pretty!

:smile:

 

Very nice looking Califzeph. We also ordered from Niello (expected delivery late August). How was your experience with Niello? So far, we have not had any glitches. We live in Yuba City and I commute to Sacramento. I will have to try some of those window cleaning tips due to our 90 lb. yellow lab's habit of licking windows, sneezing on windows, and rubbing his big old nose on the windows. Hope to see you around one of the local events.

 

Welcome! My 04 is identical except for the Yakima roof rack. This site is great. Using the search function and posting questions you can find the answer to ANYTHING. :smile: :smile:

 

We have a dachsund as well, and he loves the MINI.. he can stand on the seat and see out much more easily than the other cars..

 

The dogs have only ridden in the Mini once, so far, and that was with the back seats folded forward and a clean sheet put down for them. As soon as we get a seat cover, they will be riding along with us a lot more!

Trixie: Niello was great to us. We didn't pre-order our car. We needed a new car really bad, and couldn't wait the 3 to 5 months for a special order.

Beat us with a newspaper, but we bought one off the lot. Fortunately, they had one with everything we wanted, and then some. Although, the wifey wanted Indy Blue with White top. I fell in love with this one right off the bat.

Our sales rep, Paul Johnson is a great guy and was able to take a lot of time with us, showing us the in's and out's of the car. I like that the sales team is salaried and not on commission. While Paul showed us around, the finance lady got all of our paperwork in order. It only took about an hour from the time we drove in with our peice of C**P Chevy Metro and drove out with our baby.

I will NEVER buy an American made car again! The Chevy only lasted 4 years, and 50,000 miles, and that was with following all of the recommended service.

See ya around the streets of Sacramento!

P.S.- Ever go to the Streets of London Pub? GREAT Fish and Chips (especially with a pint of IPA)!

 

We'll definitely have to tip a pint at the old Streets of London Pub. I drive past it on my way home down J street and give em a honk on the horn just to show some British unity. I'm Mexican but my MINI, Padre, is British so I feel compelled to offer the respect.

Cheers,

 

Hey, where did ya get a Bear Flag graphic for the sun roof? I'd love a Union Jack on mine!

 

http://www.cooperflags.com/

They are a sponsor.

 

Best of luck with your Mini and welcome to the club!


regards,
Red

 

Well, about 2 weeks and 800 miles later, we are still in love with our Mini Cooper S! We drove to the Sonic Burger in Yuba City last Sunday, and after lunch, decided to continue on to Chico.

I got the water spots off the hood with Dawn dishwashing liquid, with a little bit of Jet Dry in the mix. Nice and shiny again! We bought a car cover, and have been using it religiously since.

Also got one of those California Car Dusters. It really takes the road dirt off well. There are several road construction sites in our area.

Anyone have an opinion? Should I put on a coat or two of wax? The wife says no, because once you wax it, you have to do it forever.

I am uncertain. I am thinking that wax will repell any water, and keep the finish spot-free.

How about just using one of the "polishes"?

 

Califzeph,


There are definately the Zymol waxers and the Zaino poly-polishers on this site. Do a search in the detailing section and then decide for yourself. Glad you're enjoying the MCS. I've been enjoying mine since 10/02, and the smiles haven't stopped yet.

 

Your wife is sort of right, once you wax your MINI, you will want to wax it forever.

If you want to keep it shiny, get some Klasse, or Zaino, or NXT and shine it up. CR/B loves to be pampered.

You have chosen the fastest color combo. Keep it shiny too!