Hello all, I've just got 3 ?'s

1. Does the standard cd player for the R56 cooper work with mp3 cd's...also can anyone with the standard player tell me how it sounds (does it get loud enough).

2. During the break in period (first 1250 miles) is it suggested to leave the sport button off, or is it just under 4500 RPM...also has anyone noticed a difference in shifting with the sport button on (manual).

3. Can any give me a rough estimate of how long it takes the mini to get from the offloading port to their dealership. I know it's different depending on where you live. I'm in Houston coming from Charleston.

Thanks!

 

1) Yes it works with mp3 cds. I got the Hi-Fi cuz I thought the standard player is not enough for me.

2) I don't think anyone have said to leave the sport button off for the break-in period. According to the manual, it only says don't exceed 4500rpm and 160km/h.

3) duno about this one~ :P

 

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1. sound quality is great. unless your a musician or audi fanatic and can hear every not possible, then i dont know how it s, but its great for normal use
2. I have use the sports button since 200 miles...only because i just remembered about it....and yes, the acc. becomes quick and shifts are tighter.
3. it took me about 1 and 2/3's of a month for it to arrive on the east coast.

 

A lot of work is done at the VPC (Charleston, in your case) before handing it over to the transportation company. It depends on how many cars are queued for processing and what kind of processing is needed.

Most MINIs are processed for the usual stuff within a week or two, perhaps sooner if they hit the shore during a low volume time. This processing includes removal of protective measures (skins, cosmoline, etc.) and fittment of a few items. If a new release of the ECU software is needed, it is done at the VPC.

And some cars come through with blemishes from transport to the US. They are repaired at the VPC before handoff to the transportation company.

It takes a while for the transportation company to get the car to your dealer, too. Your MINI dealer should have visibility of the day it hits the VPC. Your dealer should also be notified by the transportation company of an expected delivery date after the VPC hands it over. Make sure you know your MINI's VIN as THAT is the number by which everything is tracked.

Theo

 

Thanks alot for the replies guys. I'm hoping the sound system is enough for me, and I'm looking forward to trying the sport button out on a manual.

Thanks for the informative response Theo, I guess I'll just have to have patience.

 

You may feel that the shifts are tighter, but the sport button doesn't do that on a manual. It results in quicker engine response to acccelerator and steering is tighter. Shifting is the same, though.

 

That long? My MA told me 3 days at the VPC and then a quick delivery (I'm in Boston). My car will be arriving at port on 4/30 (Monday) and he told me it should be ready for me to pick it up next weekend. I'm not having anything installed at the VPC or the dealer. Is he just trying to make me happy?

 

Is your dealer MINI of Peabody or MINI of Boston?

Regardless, there is no exact way of telling until your dealer hears from the transportation company. They are probably basing their timing on averages which may (or may not) be fairly accurate.

You'll be coming in to the NJ VPC, a very busy place indeed. In fact, both NJ and Charleston process all BMWs as well as MINIs (and a few other marques as well...you'd be suprised!). It is a busy time for MINIs but I would expect the other marques to be in the late model year phase so you might sail-trough.

Keep tracking it...remember, you will be able to tell when is is off-loaded through MINI but the next opportunity for visibility will be through the transportation company. Have your MA notify you when the transportation company notifies the dealer of an arrival date.

Theo

 

My answers:
1. The standard stereo system has been fine for me and I'm coming from a system with and Alpine 5-channel amplifier, bazillion speakers, and 12" sub. I was pleasantly surprised. We tore out the Harmon/Kardon in the '05 and replaced it, but the '07 is fine. (I don't do radio though.)

2. I am so concentrated on shifting, watching the RPMs, speed, other cars, wonderfully responsive brakes, debris on the highway, and so many other things, I have not even pushed the sports button. (Today was not a fun day of driving---I was overwhelmed with nervousness. I've developed a rattle in the driver's window, I can hear the clutch--even with the aforementioned stereo quite loud. AND bug guts got all over her!)

3. She landed in Charleston on a Saturday and was at the dealer on Friday--although they told me she came in on Saturday morning.

 

Peabody. Thanks for all the info. I'll definitely ask my MA to let me know when they recieve an estimated arrival date from the transportation service.

 

haha yea thanks for clarifying i was just letting him know what it "felt" like...but thanks!

 

(not to hijack the thread or anything....)

Tell them that Theo from MINIs on Top is the instigator of the inquiry! Are you planning to attend Peabody's Spring Rally on May 20th? PM me for more important info...

Theo

 

Actually, our MA said to not turn the sport button on until after 1200 miles. But we think he was more worried about breaking in the drivers than the car!

We ended up flipping the switch at about 800 miles...love it!!!

 

I had that little buttom pushed since the drive home

 

I found a link to a pdf copy of the manual here in the forums somewhere (and of course I can't find it now) and read that you weren't supposed to take it over 100mph before the first 300 miles.

The drive home from the dealership closest to me is 350 miles. So the way I see it, I'll be able to be doing the 139 around the loop once I get into town after picking it up in July.

I don't remember seeing anything about the sport button however.