Okay, so my girlfriend has given me a choice of anniversary presents. I can either get automotive parts or something more sentimental, probably a relatively expensive watch. What do you guys think?

For those of you who choose automotive parts, what do you think I should get?

This is my current wishlist:
Piloti Touring Shoes
M7 Understrut System
M7 Carbon Fiber Front Splitter
Webb HDI
Webb Exhaust (if it's released in time)
MTH or wait for FTR ECU modification...

 

Hahahaha IF you choose car parts i would probably say go with m7 splitter. She would be able to notice the difference that it makes and and be able to appreciate that she helped you with one of your hobbies (shes obviously cool enough to be giving you this choice already ).

On a side note....i dont really like my piloti's....but it might be a completely personal thing. I'm looking at puma driving shoes instead.

 

She and I both really like the MINI. In fact, one of the biggest reasons I got Morgan was because she liked the car so much. In addition, she really likes going on drives with me (i.e. - driving fast, mountain runs, etc. ) so any of the parts would be appreciated.

Hmm, I've taken a personal liking to puma shoes now so maybe I'll take a look. I've just heard really good things about the piloti driving shoes.


VOTES
Piloti Touring Shoes: 0
M7 Understrut System: 0
M7 Carbon Fiber Front Splitter: 1
Webb HDI: 0
Webb Exhaust: 0

 

Out of those I would say the Webb HDI or exhaust. If that HDI was out a while ago I probably wouldn't have put on the Alta. If Webb can get the exhaust Milltek quiet with the valve closed then it would be really sweet. Those would both really help liven up the pulley you have too.

 

exhaust is SWEET!

 

VOTES
Piloti Touring Shoes: 0
M7 Understrut System: 0
M7 Carbon Fiber Front Splitter: 1
Webb HDI: 1
Webb Exhaust: 2

 

I guess i made the (ignorant) assumption that she wouldnt necessarily appreciate the other things. If she enjoys going on drives and stuff, the intake might be the best bet. It's a fun little mod as well, and the noise it generates is a great effect.

 

I got lucky.

 

How about some M7 springs? I would go for the Webb exhaust. I may go that way later this spring.

 

I vote intake and/or Puma shoes!

 

I like the lowered look of springs and all, but:
1) Paying 3 hours for installation sounds pricey to me especially if - see #4
2) I'd have to get shocks down the line...$$$
3) Getting springs and shocks starts me toward the area of some basic coilovers
4) I'm fine with the ride of the MINI, so I would be getting springs mainly for the lowering effect
5) To me, it seems the progressive spring rates would make the car more unpredicatable in the twisties than a linear spring rate, but that's just me guessing

Correct me if I'm wrong on any of this. I was originally thinking of the H-sport springs, but balked at a paying a 3 hour installation time just to lower my car. Then I started thinking about having to get the koni yellows and I thought I might as well get some coilovers. Lately, I came up with the whole progressive vs. linear spring rates thought.


VOTES
Driving Shoes: 1
M7 Understrut System: 0
M7 Carbon Fiber Front Splitter: 1
Webb HDI: 2
Webb Exhaust: 3
(Springs): 1

 

You have to love a woman who has taste. Get the exhaust

 

Wow, I can't believe nobody has said that I should get something sentimental. That's one of the major reasons why I'm hesitating on telling her to just get me a car part.

VOTES
Driving Shoes: 1
M7 Understrut System: 0
M7 Carbon Fiber Front Splitter: 1
Webb HDI: 2
Webb Exhaust: 4
(Springs): 1

 

Umm last time I checked car parts are sentimental.

 

OO the webb motorsport exhaust is a good one. Isn't it really pricey though? I haven't heard anything about it.

 

I'm crossing my fingers. If it's too pricey, it'll take the place of my b-day gift as well. If it's not out, I'll get the next in the list. I still don't know though...

 

Unless you're going to keep the car forever, that gift or gifts will be gone one day.

A really nice watch will be around long after you've traded the car. For any other occasion, Xmas, B Day I'd say car parts. For anniversary I'd say watch.

Sentimental fool here, and I ain't even married!

 

I gotta go along with this too. Most especially if it's a Rolex or other fine watch. Those become family heirlooms and passed down from generation to generation. They last forever. To paraphrase Martha Stewart... Everybody needs a good watch.

Rawhyde

 

My girlfriend got me the Whalen that I wanted as an anniversary present. If I ever decide to get rid of my Mini, I will keep the Whalen for memories!

I would definitely go with the Webb Exhaust if I were you.

 

I gotta agree with these guys.

Bottom line ... no matter HOW attached you are to your car (and we all Love are MINIs) ... sooner or later its going to end up in a junkyard while that "Rolex" will be around 100 hundred years from now AND be worth far more than what it cost when bought.

I can't even believe you would consider a part for a car for such an event and trust me, my wife is a sports car nut. Sorry, gotta go with the watch.

Now ... if its a cheapo timex thing with a battery ... hmm I'd go with the exhaust in a heartbeat.

If is a Piaget or something like that ... take the watch, sell the car and the watch and buy an Elise

 

If it was me, I'd push my luck and ask for a Panerai watch

 

The way I see it, an anniversary gift is not just something from her to you. At some level it represents your relationship together. Therefore it is almost like a gift for both of you. You have to choose not only according to what you want, but also what she would enjoy.

She'll probably say that she only wants you to choose whatever you like the most, but you have to read between the lines. She'd be thrilled if you choose something that is not just for yourself, but shows that you are also thinking about her. For example, something that you wear and show off (such as a watch) becomes a visible symbol of the relationship.

If you want to do something car related, I'd suggest a weekend motoring vacation, or taking a driving class together. An experience together can create memories that last forever. Leave the intake or exhaust for a different occasion.

 

I say get what you WANT. We used to do jewelry and stuff like that, and I figure we will for big anniversaries like 10th, 25th, etc. But for now, we use anniversaries and b-days and holidays as reasons to get things that make us happy that we may not have otherwise indulged in. As for a watch, I have my cellphone with me all the time or I'm in front of a computer so I haven't worn a watch in 5 years and haven't missed it one bit

 

Yeah, I'm seriously leaning toward a watch for sentimental reasons. I can always buy the other parts or get them for other holidays. I personally really like A. Lange & Sohne watches. Unfortunately, they cost about a car. Most likely, it'll be at the most $500. After all, we are poor college students.

 

Dude ... good for you. BTW, you said "relatively expensive". That may have mislead some ppl since that will have widely different meanings to some ppl. I'm sure for that much money, you will get a beautiful and precious timepiece!