Welcome to all the new members!! Look forward to meeting your MINI's (and you of course.. silly. ) at some future runs.

Hey Japic,

Thanks for invite into the PW club! You can count me in. I'll change my signature as well!

Jezebel and I feel extra special now!!!

And, MiniMaybee - I'm like you about the OCD. Don't even like people to breathe on her wrong!
I usually park way out because door dents are just evil.

Thanks!

Aloha to all you Cooper heads!

This is my first post to NAM and MINI5280.

My baby was born on October 25th, 2002. She is a 2003 Indigo Blue Cooper S with white roof. Came with option packages 1, 2 & 3. Got it from MINI of Sterling in VA and crossed the continent and hopped on a boat to Hawaii in March of 2004. Stayed there until August of 2005 and hopped the boat again to Long Beach and then drove it to Aurora, where I live now. Why did I get a MINI? It was first suggested by my good friend and roommate at the time. He of course didn't think that I would by it. Believe it or not, the cars I was thinking of buying at the time was a Subaru WRX, Honda Accord Coupe V6 or the MINI. In the end, I bought the MINI for the fun factor! Every time I test drove the MINI (many times!), I would leave with a big smile on my face. Never regretted a bit!!! I still have a smile everytime I drive my baby!

I am looking to install a cold air intake. Any suggestions?

I am a member of MINI5280 but I am hardly in town to participate in any of the events.

Another thing that I love about owning a MINI is that there is a sense of comraderie with other owners. While driving, I like the fact that MINI owners acknowledge each other by a wave or a flash of the headlights!

See you around!

Welcome NG Driver!

The "sense of comraderie", will continue to get even better as you get involved w/ NAM / MINI5280! Best people flying low on the planet! Attend a MITM, MUTA, AMVIV or MOTD event & you will instantly have more family/friends than you could immagine!

Cold Air Intakes are available in many versions. Alta is popular, I got one used on ebay. If I were to do it all over again I would get the one Randy Webb & M7 sell. It may be available else where but I like the narrow even w/ stock base shape.

After installing the Alta, which is more than an inch wider/closer to the engine than stock, I added some additional mods which required me to modify the Alta box.

This may have been a rare situation but my hind site has always been a clear 20/20. You are smart to ask 1st.

Hope to motor w/ you soon,

Mike

Most, if not all CAI's, are open into the cowling on the driver side. There is abundant cold air at the highest density where the base of the windshield / back of the bonnet meet.

Welcome to NAM and MINI5280!

I'll second the recommendation to see Randy Webb about the CAI. While you're at it, I heartily recommend seeing Randy about his 15% S/C pulley. I got one yesterday and all I can say is wow! I wish I'd gotten it sooner!

Welcome to all new members!

NG Driver I too recommend Webb's cold air intake. I got a 17% pulley and airbox installed at MITM and I have no regrets. Here's a link if you need it. Hope to see you around soon!

NG Driver, my first MINI (a 2003) was also purchased in VA and then lived in Hawaii for a while, and then came here and I sold her after I got my 06. That's funny.
Anyways, welcome!!! Look forward to meeting you at some events!

WHEN did you get your MINI (or Mini)?
I haven't yet received delievery, but am on target to receive my MINI come mid-December 2007. It's going to be a *nice* Christmas for Dad this year.

WHAT color or colors is your MINI?
Mellow Yellow with a black top and stock black bonnet stripes. Bzzzz! Actually my wife and I had debated a few color schemes including her first choices, British Racing Green and Lighting Blue (neither with any bonnet stripes), but we concluded that a car with distinctive MINI styling deserved a distinctive paint job. (I didn't tell her that it also saved us $500 *and* mimics the color scheme from my alma mater.) It helps that this is my MINI (as opposed to our MINI) which works out in my wonderful wife's favor as she intends to join the club when the R56 convertibles come out in the 2009 model year.

What options did you get on your MINI?
I ordered a pretty loaded ride.
She's a 2007 (week 45 build) MCS with five of the packages. I didn't intend to order each of the packages, but in the end either I saved money by ordering components I wanted in each of the packages, or the stuff that seemed neat was reduced in price by going with the package that I thought "why not."

Grey/Carbon Black Leatherette Sport Seats
Sport suspension, LSD, DSC
Park distance control, Rain Sensor and Auto Headlamps, Rear fogs, Xenon Headlamps with Power Wash, Auto-Dimming Rear View Mirror, Universal Garage Door Opener, Comfort Access System
NAV, Bluetooth Mobile Phone Preparation (working with an iPhone)
17" all-season run-flats (for now -- they'll get upgraded to some summer performance tire {likely a non-run-flat} when things warm up)
10-speaker Hi Fi Sound System, SIRIUS Satellite Radio (subscription for life), Hi Definition Radio
Center Arm Rest, Leather Sport Wheel with Multifunction
Heated Front Seats, Heated Side Mirrors and Washer Jets, Automatic AC
Dual Pane Panoramic Sun Roof

I'm still on the fence with regards to ordering the $944 OEM driving lights (installed by Ralph Schomp). I'm trying like crazy to get my MA to convince me that I should order them (as I love they way they look), but it's tough to justify the price premium.

WILL you be doing modifications to your MINI or Mini?
I will, but I'm not the most handy guy. Things like hard wiring my radar detector and possibly installing the pulsar lights in the third eye are likely. Depending on what I think of the interior, I may upgrade the lamps inside with LEDs. Unless I really hate the sport suspension, I don't think I'm going to tweak anything big on the outside. I don't see me as likely for doing any crazy performance modifications.

WHERE did you get your MINI or Mini? New? Used?
She's ordered new from Ralph Schomp at the end of October 2007. I thought very seriously about ordering from an east coast dealership and breaking her in via a solo drive across the US, but held off mostly because I wanted to establish a good relationship with the local dealership.

WHY did you get a MINI or Mini?
My current vehicle is a soft-top '97 Jeep Wrangler. I wanted a daily driver that was a bit more "green" that would also be fun to drive and be a bit distinctive. I thought about the hybrids, but couldn't get excited about buying into the electrical technology that hasn't yet proven itself out long-term. The MINI has always been "on my list" since my brother and I saw one driving by in late autumn 2002 up in Nederland. "Is that one of those new Coopers?" he asked as it wizzed by. I couldn't even answer, I was too mezmorized. So it was pretty inevitable, even before the test drive. Of course, the full extent of the test drive had this perma grin on my face, and I literally was laughing when I dropped keys off with my to-be MA and said, "Yep, I'll take one."

WHAT part of town will you be seen in?
I currently live in the SW side of Longmont and commute to south Loveland for work. But while I'm awaiting delivery, I've spent *a lot* of time ploting out rides that invariably end up taking me through Estes Park, Idaho Springs, up Mt. Evans, up Pike's Peak, over Wolf Creek Pass, past Durango, off to the Four Corners, to Vegas, etc. Our kiddo is a freshman in high school and just getting to the age/maturity point where Mom and Dad could sneak away for a 3-day touring weekend without too much concern (grandma lives two miles up the road).

WHAT types of events would you likely be involved in? (choices are things like weeknight events, food rides, mountain rides, autocross, track days, weekend events, food only, tech talks, etc. Feel free to make up your own.)
While I'd love to partake in a day or two of autocross/track school, realistically I could see us getting involved in a few summer drives, be they weekend day trips or something longer.

WHAT can MINI5280 do for you?
Advice is always huge -- be it for vendors, local shops, specific products, summer tires, fantastic twisties, or anything else. Meeting up with fun-seeking like-minded owners would also be a great benefit.

I also posted details about my background in my First NAM post.

Can't wait for "Dad's Christmas!" which should be pretty close to December 14th.

~Neal

Hello, Well ,this isn't my first post, but I want to say, I've been enjoying reading all the threads on many of the posts here. First: Thanks to all about the premium gas chit-chat, because being a newbie, I'd have tanked up with regular unleaded. Phew, close call !

I am Wendy, my navigator is Jim - but I let him drive sometimes ... We've had our Mini almost a week, we were almost in the Snowball Run on Sunday, but missed it by about 3 hours, we were in the vicinity though. I wrote that somewhere. And YES she had a good washing today to get rid of the road grime.

I've been checking the calendar every day to see similar events and we're interested in the Saturday I-25 & HWy 7 VI breakfast TBD soon, I hope .. I'll keep watching.

WHEN did you get your MINI (or Mini)? January 2nd 2008
WHAT is your MINI or Mini's name? Stella, after the great Marlon Brando line in StreetCar Named DESIRE. Plus, I like the beer (hic), and every time I yell out STELLA!!!!, no-one in the UK gets it
WHAT color or colors is your MINI? Pure Silver with black hood stripes
What options did you get on your MINI? I bought it from the showroom, had everything I wanted: Cold Weather Pkg, sun & moon roofs, Xenon headlights, leatherette seats, it's a dream come true ...
WILL you be doing modifications to your MINI or Mini? MUDFLAPS, geez, she was filfthy after the mtn run on Sunday! ps: I really enjoyed seeing you all in the photos Don posted from Snowball Run. Oh yeah, clear bra & window tint coming in the Spring. And a sticker or two
WHERE did you get your MINI or Mini? New? Used? New-ish 2007 (21 miles OD) R56 6-spd (yeah baby), Ralph Schomp.
WHY did you get a MINI or Mini? I've been in love with them since I was 8 (ok, I grew up in London - I had an advantage), but the new one is WAY cooler!
WHAT part of town will you be seen in? I-25, Boulder Turnpike, Stapleton, I-70, Hwy 119 - you'll see me about ... everywhere.
WHAT types of events would you likely be involved in? (choices are things like weeknight events, food rides, mountain rides, autocross, track days, weekend events, food only, tech talks, etc. Feel free to make up your own.) Sounds good to me (us).
WHAT can MINI5280 do for you? You're doing it! Loads of info, open conversations, I've gleaned MUCH insight, and love my mini even more now!
and more. Didn't I just say that?

I just bought an 06 Cooper S 6 speed in green with a black top. I love it to death I I have become a Mini Lover.. and the really funny thing is that I sell Mercedes and I no longer drive one ahahah.

I am curious to see what other peoples Mini's look like out here?

I am really looking into a Mini-Madness and a Borla exhaust system, does anyone have any knowledge of either of these?

I have a 19% reduction pulley on the way which should be a good little bump up in power. Next I a also want to look at the CAI.

Drop a line or a picture!

Does anyone know of any good places to drive around denver?

Thanks, you new fellow member.

CooperPooper!

Seems like there are a lot on NAM that have a borla exhaust. Mine is JCW exhaust and it is OK. I think there are YouTube clips of this as well.

CAI's...there is a multitude to choose from. Alta seems very popular, M7, DDM as well as KN's typhoon (which I have)

I think with the 19% pulley you have to get a new belt but I may be incorrect.



Welcome and make sure you wave when you pass another Mini!

Hello new MINI owners and welcome! Um, 21 miles is brand-spanking new! My "new" MINI had 29,144 miles when I got her.

I had a MINI 20 years ago in England I called the Blue Meanie after the Beatles' movie Yellow Submarine. Just mailed off for my BLUMENI plates today. Soon ya'll will recognize me. OK, a few months from now you will.

WHEN did you get your MINI (or Mini)? March 2004 and just ordered DEC 2007

WHAT is your MINI or Mini's name? No names

WHAT color or colors is your MINI? Mini - Dark blue with UJ roof / MINI - Laser blue/White

What options did you get on your MINI? Mini - steering wheel / MINI - too much to list

WILL you be doing modifications to your MINI or Mini? YES

WHERE did you get your MINI or Mini? New? Used? Mini - from DJMinis MINI -Pentagon Car Sales in Germany

WHY did you get a MINI or Mini?

WHAT part of town will you be seen in? Colorado Springs

WHAT types of events would you likely be involved in? (choices are things like weeknight events, food rides, mountain rides, autocross, track days, weekend events, food only, tech talks, etc. Feel free to make up your own.)
All of the above



Here is a pic of the Mini. The MINI should arrive at the CA port sometime in March. Later.

Sweet! I love your sig photo. My friend recently sent me a 100% Mini - No German Added sticker.

I bought the MINI Saturday Night
We have not named it yet
It is Pure Silver W/ a color matching top
Yes it will be moded
it is a '04 MCS
We bought it at Highline Motors in Ft. Collins( Really recommend this place Mike is great)
Looking for advice in performance parts(CAI, Exhaust)

• WHEN did you get your MINI (or Mini)? Last Week
• WHAT is your MINI or Mini's name? Mini Tater
• WHAT color or colors is your MINI? Dark Silver/Black roof and mirrors
• What options did you get on your MINI? Premium and Sport with Leather
• WILL you be doing modifications to your MINI or Mini? A few for sure.
• WHERE did you get your MINI or Mini? New? Used? GO dealer Used
• WHY did you get a MINI or Mini? Fuel economy and fun factor to replace motorcycle with
• WHAT part of town will you be seen in? Aurora near Buckley AFB
• WHAT types of events would you likely be involved in? (choices are things like weeknight events, food rides, mountain rides, autocross, track days, weekend events, food only, tech talks, etc. Feel free to make up your own.) Food rides, mountain rides, maybe some autocross
• WHAT can MINI5280 do for you? Network with folks/meet friends
• and more. -I'm Mike, a Security Policeman in the Air Foce. 28 years old and love to see this beautiful back country we live in as much as possible. I've been a Jeep fanatic for the past 6 years, but gas prices have created enough excuses not to go wheeling much anymore, so I'm done with Jeeps for a while and done with motorcycles as well since it's way to seasonal for those around here. So, the MINI is my newest addiction, and I think it is just what I was looking for. I almost want to trade the truck to have 2 of them

Hope to see some of you around!

Mike

Congratulations Mike on your new MINI. We have a very active MINI club here in Denver and we would love to have you join our group. On Feb 16th at Ralph Schomp our club has been asked to help roll-out the new MINI Clubman. We will be meeting there about 12:00 PM to greet customers, solicit new members, discuss the benefits of MINI ownership and to have a drawing for club swag - oh and to have our monthly meeting and to see the new Clubman too.
I see you posted on that thread (Clubman) so I hope to see you there!

I bought my Indigo blue/white 04 MCS two weeks ago from a NAM member in Boulder. Got a MINI cuz I wanted a fun, good mpg car. I live in Colorado Springs. Gotta say that of all the forums I frequent that NAM has got to be one of the best communities going. Lots of good information and friendly people.
Already posted a question in the 5280 forum before I noticed this thread, I'll get these forum rules figured out yet!

Dan

Welcome fellow Colorado Springs resident to the Mini Motoring community!

We have the monthly meeting tonight in Denver if you're interested. I will be leaving from Garden of the Gods Rd / I-25 area about 5:30P if you would like to come along.

Mike
719-338-5901 cell

Welcome Dan!

I'm new to MINI5280 and NAM - but not a new MINI owner. I started with a 2004 Cooper S and loved it, but got the opportunity to purchase a JCW-GP in 2006 and jumped on it!. Couldn't find one here in Colorado, but I reserved one from Mini of St. Louis. It was officially "born" 8/26/06 - and we were able to pick it up in November '06!

• Name: Beastie(Officially GP1649)
• Color: The standard GP (Thunder Blue/Red side mirrors)
• Options: again, standard GP - added an IPOD interface.
• Modifications: none yet - pretty nice just the way it is!
• Where: from Mini of St. Louis
• Why: One test-drive in 2004 and I decided that driving my original Cooper S was about the most fun you can have in a car!! The GP just kicked it up a notch for me - (love the way it burbles...) Hoppin' behind the wheel always makes me smile.
• Part of town: Beastie is my daily driver (with snow tires in the winter), and I travel regularly to and from Swedish Hospital via Santa Fe and C-470 to Kipling, then up Deer Creek Canyon (REALLY fun to drive home!)
• Events: At the suggestion of my husband and son who love to autocross, I started racing with SCCA last year and it's a blast! I'd also love to particpate in weekend events, track days, food rides, mountain rides - pretty much anything.
• Happy to be a member of MINI5280 and NAM, willing to volunteer to help out as my work permits.

Name: Mini - Previously "Shazam's White Lightning" - still learning her new name
Color: Pepper White all over with GBF custom stripe - its been around Colorado for a while
Options: 2004 S Premium/Sport w/ leather interior tan/black.
Modifications: She came with tinted windows, England flag on sunroof, unique stickers and just too cool.
Where: NAM member in Denver.
Why: Because it is just too fun. I've been wanting a speedy little car and this just calls to my soul.
Part of town: Mostly between Longmont & Louisville or around Boulder.
Events: Don't know yet...Mini in the Mountains 2008 looking like my first one.
Will be joining Mini5280 soon but just trying to clean out my new baby and focus on getting her just right for my outings. Looking for recommendations for annual check-ups other than Schomp & part dealers.
About me - originally from England and remember driving around in my grandmother's mini to go out and walk the dog....

Welcome all!
JohnJohn and Alida, thanks for coming to this past meeting , hope it was worthwhile. Smeglet we are all looking forward to your membership and seeing the PW, love to hear about dog walking, grandmother, England and Minis too!

WELCOME WELCOME!!!! We love new additions to our MINI family!!! Smeglet, check out our local MINI club at MINI5280.org
We have alot of fun!!
JohnJohn & Alida, gald you could make it to the monthly meeting! Hope everyone made you feel welcome because you are!!