Hello All,

Thought I'd post a quick 'hello', as I just picked up an '04 MC40 Cooper S here in Colorado (actually is Devin Scott's - from Ralph Schomp's - old car). This is my first MINI, but I have been firmly entrenched in British car ownership for the past 20+ years.

A Quick Pic:



The car is basically immaculate (and oh mama are the JCW motor bits sweet), but as you can see the car is sans MC40 graphics, a problem soon to be rectified as well as the fitment of the R90's.

At any rate, awesome forum and this noob is camped out in the R53 forum archives at the moment..

Look forward to meeting up sometime in the future!

Cheers..

Jeff

 

Congratulations, nice MINI! Well looked after, I would think. Are you the 3rd owner?

It will be interesting to see how far to original you take the MC40.

 

Don,

I am the fourth owner actually, but Devin got it pretty early on, I bought it with about 84k and a slug of receipts for the usual issues. The last owners were fantastic on service as well, so all appears good.

As for the MC40 graphics and chrome trim bits missing, I'll amass everything but will likely only install the graphics and wheels as I really like the CF bits Devin put on the car.

 

Hey everyone... Semi-new MINI owner (last August); brand-new MINI5280 member.

Here's about the best photo of Pretje (that's his name) that I have... Embarrassingly, I haven't had a good combination of weather, clean car, and appropriate setting for proper "glamour shots" yet. He'd just had a bath here.



Pretje is a 2011 Hardtop, Horizon Blue with a black roof. Quite plain as MINIs go, I suppose, but it was love at first sight. Had around 12,000 miles on it when purchased from Schomp; close to 19,000 now.

This is prior to his custom license plates (a necessity, right?), and also prior to his accident... Back in December, he was struck (while parked) on the right rear wheel. Thankfully the Saturn that hit him was badly enough damaged the driver couldn't have hit-and-run even if she wanted to, but in truth, she was good about it, she had insurance, and Hank's Auto Body West in Arvada did an amazing job restoring him back. Total bill? Nearly $9,000, most of which was suspension parts; pretty much the entire rear suspension was replaced, and both rear wheels. He got new tires, too. Unfortunately, I was without him for five weeks (most of it waiting on parts).

It had a scuff on the rear bumper cover and wheel trim when I got him, but that was replaced from the accident. And I had Hank's strip and repaint the hood (er, bonnet!). The previous owner must have lived on a dirt road; badly rock-pitted. But it's as good as new, clear-bra'ed, and better now than when I got him.

This MINI just needed a good owner to love him. And man, do I... I know you all relate, but driving a MINI is literally the most fun I've had behind the wheel of a car in my entire life... And I've been driving for... Awhile now. ;-)

Hope to meet some of you soon.

Wes

P.S. I have been studying Dutch for a couple of years now, and "Pretje" can be loosely translated to "a little bit of fun." It just seemed to be a perfect name for him.

 

Welcome Wes, nice MINI, it is apparent you really like "Pretje", lots of folks would have let a 9K repair be a fast sell after.

MINI looks and has found a good home. Come out to a couple of drives, we have a good one coming up on Feb. 17 and a nice dinner meeting planned for the 12th.

Drive safe and fun.

Don

 

I've heard the same reaction from a few people. The thought never even crossed my mind. I suppose I'm guilty of anthropomorphizing my cars a bit, especially the MINI, but I wasn't about to drop him like a hot potato just because he's seen some action, so to speak. As I described, Pretje is honestly a better, nicer car now than it was when I got him.

Anyway, nice to meet you Don. We're all coming-up for the meeting later this month, and I'm gonna try my best to participate in the ride mid-month too.

 

Greetings all...

I just purchased my second MINI. Sold my 2005 MCSC a few years ago and now back into a 2005 MCS. Ironically both are Chili Red. It must be a red thing I have. I am origionally from the Atlanta area and was involved with the AtlantaMINIS.

So here are my details on my MINI.

Year: 2005
Model: S
Color: Chili Red
Options: Winter, Sport, Chrono, Aero Kit
Mods: Bone Stock (for now)

Ive only had the MINI for a week so the name is a work in progress. I also and working on bringing all the maintenance up to par since i really don't know exactly when things were done and all.


When I was in Atlanta I used Way Motor Works a good bit for mods. Is there anyone like that here in Denver area? Its not that I cant do the work just sometimes schedules simply don't allow and personally I would rather be driving than under the car.

I am engaged and am introducing her to the world of MINI.

We live in the Thornton area.

 

Congratulations, and welcome to the forum.

Unfortunately we have no MINI only type shops here in CO. Peak Eurosport is the best shop I have found locally, but I do 99% of everything myself. I am also in Thornton if you ever need a hand, and my best friend owns a small body shop south of Brighton, if there ever comes a time for that.
If some guy in a white 4door Jeep Wrangler ever sticks his arm out the window and waves at you, wave back, its just me I cant help it.

 

Welcome back to the fold—and to Denver. Hope to meet the new addition soon. :-)

Wes

 

Welcome CraigATL and your second Chili Red MINI. Always good to get someone back into the cult.

As noted, MINI work, Peak Eurosport in Wheatridge, Ernie is your guy at Peak. Also, the MINI dealers are pretty good and have some expert mechanics.

Work with them on labor rates, they might give up a little, join the club and ask for the MINI5280 club discount at both dealers, also Peak gives a club discount.

SCR in the Loveland area is another potential, the are pretty heavy into track cars and work on MINIs.

Don

 

Thanks all and very glad to be back . Definitely will be hitting up the club site.

 

Cool, took me a while to stumble across the Colorado thread, but glad I found it finally. Howdy neighbors! had our MINI for a week now, and still loving it, looking forward to some mods and meeting a few of you as things warm up here.

 

Sweet lookin' MINI! Your first? Be sure and check-out the club too at mini5280.org.

 

Yes first one, thanks!

Is there a forum on 5280? Or is it mostly just static content? I checked it out, but kept being redirected here for events, etc.

 

I just joined MINI5280 myself, but the site is primarily information to join the club, and an archive for newsletters. You are correct—the calendar for the group is maintained here, and we leverage the discussion forums here (and elsewhere) for all that. You'll find a lot of the officers and members piping-in here as well.

Nice group of folks, though, so definitely consider joining. It's cheap, you get a nice packet of goodies when you join, as well as the newsletter, warm fuzzies, etc. I'm primarily looking forward to the various drives and get-togethers—the Icicle Rallye on Sunday being my first.

Wes

 

Right on, just signed up thanks!

 

Welcome Nakman with your new MINI, Wes, thanks for the update and information you provided. (Good info and correct).

Yes, click the link for the Sunday run above and join us for some fun.

Nice first picture, remember we get together monthly for a meeting/dinner on the 2nd Tuesday. This changes as the weather changes!

Welcome again.

Don

 

Sunroof/Spoiler - Let the Sun in! First ever?

A First for 5280 and Denver!

I have read that Coupe owners said it couldn’t be done . . . . .Not as good as a ‘T’ Top, but almost. Electric one-touch, lifetime guaranteed, looks as good as any factory installed sunroof.

Cheaper than the factory installed model … Oh’ there is NO factory installed model !!!!

This is the 4th sunroof that I have had installed by Justin Kerstiens cst.108@classicsofttrim.com, Denver, of Classic Soft Trim, have never had a problem. (Inalfa Spoiler Roof 450 OE)

More fun under the sun without having to worry about drafts, tears or a flimsy top

2013 Mini Cooper Coupe - ScanGaugeII / Phone/ GPS / Radar Mounting w/ Coupe Sunroof view ...

http://www.blendmount.com/ Radar Mount Mirror Tap 1000/2000

http://www.cravenspeed.com/ W mount for ScanGauge and SmartPhone

http://www.mountek.com/ For Garmin GPS or other accessories ...


Less than one hour total installation once everything arrived ......

Gauge Mount installs with Sunroof view ...


Gauge Install:

 

Nice aftermarket sun roof!

 

Welcome to the MINI5280 area, I agree nice sun-roof on the Coupe.

 

Hello MINI5280, I just joined MINI5280 as of yesterday (not sure when I will receive an email confirming that my $27 will be well spent, lol). Although I am new to MINI5280 I am not new to NAM. I have been posting for about a year now.

Although a lot of questions about my Mini can be seen in my sig here is what my sig will not tell you:

I purchased my Mini February 4th, 2012. I just celebrated my one year anniversary (which is longer than most of my relationships oddly) with her. No matter what relationship you find yourself in they require work. But I am into making this relationship work.

My Mini was purchased used at Mini of Loveland. In February on an overcast day Astro Black does not look so Astro. It looks black. Once to took delivery of it - under the lights of the delivery bay - it then appeared I had something special.

It wasn't but a couple days before I added my red 'hash' marks to my fenders. I cant leave anything alone. This would be the first of many little changes made to her.

I first fell in love with Minis when when Jason Bourne rocked that original mini in the Borune Identity. Then in Italian Job...enough said. I was too young to afford a R53S so I decided to own other affordable force induction vehicles (WRX, S60). Once I was a little older I found my Mini, sitting and waiting for me to find her. And so I did. And the rest they say is history.

I can be found north of Denver, but I can be spotted in Wheat Ridge, Arvada, Golden, Westminster, Bloomfield, Louisville, Boulder so on and so forth. I travel on Hwy 36 to and from work. Sometimes I will get in my Mini and just drive nowhere.

I would love to attend drives and meetings with other Mini owners. I would love to hear everyone's joys and heartache of ownership. We've all been there. And it is what binds us to our Minis. I want to meet up and hear stories, share stories and of course make stories.

What can MINI5280 do for me? Well. So far so good.

 

Welcome to the club, and nice ride! You should find it's a friendly group; the meetings are laid back and a great excuse to talk MINI with like-minded folks, while the rides are always a kick in the butt.

 

Welcome myR56s, that is a good essay on why MINI ownership is fun.

We will have many things going, watch FB, here, our calendar and the MITM forum area here, etc.

Not sure about April, I'm sure someone will get something organized, I will be out most of the month.

MITM in August, Yalla Yalla in late September or October. Join in the fun.

Don

 

Hello Don,

My Mini ownership has been expensive these last couple months but once behind the wheel it is what makes my repairs so justified.

I cannot wait for the games to begin. I missed MITM last year as I have other outdoor activities that sap my time. Nonetheless, I am ready this year. I cannot wait to run around the mountains in a heard of Minis. Too cool.

Thank you,

Matt

 

Kind of new here, created my account when I ordered my car back in March, but I have it now!

Here is my 2013 JCW R56, "Gizmo". Been having too much fun driving her the last week to post here.. :P