Well I picked up my new Lil Red MCS (to me) last night!!! I have waited for damn near a week for them to get the car ready...even though it's winter and I do not YET have winter tires on it, or undercoated (this weekend's project). It was a nice drive down the 401 home with my wife following in the Pumpkin.

I had taken the owners manual home for a few days to familarize myself with the controls etc...glad I did as it got dark before we left.

This is a 1 owner car from Mini in Toronto, and only has 73000 km (approx 45,000 miles) on the clock. Drives GREAT.

Only thing to "fix" is the glove box pops open . And thanks to THIS forum I will be getting that done tonight or daylight tomorrow (wish I didn't have to work today!!!).

This has the Panoramic sunroof, Cold weather PKG, Premium PKG (thanks again to the forum).
Power mirrors, keyless entry, Xenon lights with washers, Auto AC, CD Boost (no 6 disc YET), Power Windows, heated leatherette seats, TPM, DSC, 16 inch R84 X-lite's, Cruise w/steering wheel control, rear spoiler.
I know some of these is in all...still becoming familiar with what IS on ALL Mini's and what IS an option, so sorry if it's redundant.
I do plan on adding the on board computer, fog lights and 6 disc changer all in due time, along with some OTHER mods ....This may be 7 years old but it's still like a NEW car...to me!!!!

Thanks for all the great stuff everyone has and WILL POST!!! (I hopefully can contribute in future).

I originally was looking at RX-8, Audi TT, Mini, Boxster, Z4 etc.
I found no deals on Z4's anywhere!!!. Boxster's mostly were prices TOO high or had WAY to high KM's. Audi TT without Quattro 225 in coupe...decent mileage.??? for decent price??? RX-8 reliabilty?
When I zero'd in on deciding to go for a Mini there was not a lot of choice ether below 100K. If they did have decently low Km's (like this one), then they were quite expensive

Anyway Love the car...need to spend some QUALITY, QUANTITY time with it this weekend.

By tonight my new armrest from Armrest Kingdom
www.armrest-autoaccessories.com
Should arrive and I'll be installing THAT this weekend. Just hope my Berkley manual gets here SOON too!!!

Thanks again to all the GREAT forum help I'm sure to get in the coming months.

Regards

Scott.

 

Scott enjoy your ride and welcome to NAM.

 

Thanks, appreciate it. I am sure to find LOTS of useful information here. Also something (else) to do in these COLD winter months, I really hate winter!!!!!

Spring/Summer is My TIME!!!!

Nice car the Triple Black is nice.

Your 09 any MODS planned yet????????

Regards

Scott.

 

You mention getting the car "undercoated". I've never heard of this done, but I could see the benefit as working on my old MCS with 70k miles, everything underneath was rusted/seized and a pain to do work on. What is the process, just out of curiosity?

 

Well it's a bit of a misnomer now. Undercoating use to be where they sprayed (or painted) on tar (petroleum based product) like on the roofs of houses etc. It deadens the sound and sealed the bottom of the car. Unfortunately it also SEALED IN any moisture (if there was a crack) and rusted out frame rails etc faster.

Now-a-days they use a chemical compound that coats the underside with a synthetic compound that moves constantly and stays pliable and repels moisture. I am going to use Crown Rust Control and have then spray the underside and engine compartment area including inner door jams, rear hatch, rocker panels etc. This will prevent/stop rust from forming. We did my wife's Beetle last fall (even though it's stored for winter). It has a track record and does help to keep cars driven in winter from getting the RUSTIES!!!!!

Even if your in a southern climate it can help from effects during rainy periods. Seattle, San Fancisco, etc.

They use SALT here and it's very corrosive stuff, the BRINE they spray on the highways sticks like GLUE to cars and add some moisture..perfect reciept for corrosion...of many kinds.

Not expensive either...here in Canadian $$ about 100.00 and is recommended to be re-applied once every year.

Regards

Scott.

 

I don't drive my MCS anymore during the winter, but when I did, I had a lot of fun. I'm sure you will too.

Even if it's in storage during the winter, once a year I go for an anti-rust treatment at this place: http://antirouille.com/en/index.php

Congratulations Scott!

 

Thanks I don't WANT too..but will need to for this winter atleast. You never know what NEXT will bring . As long as I COULD convince my wife to put it up...but having....4 vehicles for summer only is getting a BIT much!!!!
The bike and my Miata...and I am sure her Beetle will all stay summer only...so it's the Mini and the S-10 for 4 season duty...(Pumpkin goes back in spring and not planning on a new one...M3 redo ...yuck a doo....inside and front end

I will admit my 3 never got the normal care and attention my other cars have. Maybe due to it being a LEASE. I had a 2001 Mazda B4000 Dual Sport and babied it..on it's return only had 30,000 km's in 4 years!!!! was just broke in and still looked and smelled like new.

My buyout was WAY higher than I could buy one off the lot for (same for the Protege ES GT)..and they wouldn't budge...I turned it in but got a good deall on the 3. But now there ALL over the place..and my buyout is again WAY higher then I can buy one off a Mazda lot for. So in a way the MINI replaces it, as Mazda once again will not sell MY car to ME for what I can purchase one off there lots for!!! and since they have nothing else I want (Mazda 6 is over prices) since they didn't bring the Mazda2 to Canada. I am forced to look elsewhere. Since I am NOT leasing again...likely EVER....buying NEW and loosing depreciation so rapidly is again NOT FOR ME!!!! Even the NEW mini's are WAY overpriced here. Nice cars...obviously!!! but NEW..NO THANKS...let others EAT all that LOSS...

Sorry for the RANT !!!! it's over ...boy...and all you said was Congrats!!!!

Thanks again BTW....

Regards

Scott.

 

No mods planned for this one. I used to have an R53 (you can see pics on the gallery section) with a lot of mods but this time around I got the JCW09 and dont plan to do any mods. In fact, it is currently kept indoors until the Spring. I see all that salt in the snow and I can't get myself to get it all messed up. The only trip I have done on this car was from NYC to Miami and back. Ever since that trip the car has been sleeping, with the occasional 5 mile run to just run it for a sec every other month. I've had this car since mid Oct.

 

Scott congratulations! Beautiful car. I hope it gives you many smiles and years of service.

 

Thats a nice one. I wouldn't drive it in winter either...as my Miata and bike and wife's beetle are sleeping now.....can't wait till spring to get them out!!!
Mods on a new one I've heard can void warranties too..so not worth it...JCW edition..nice...I like the clubman, hope they build the SUV they have in the design study making rounds at the auto shows.

Regards


Scott.

 

Thanks appreciate it....love the RED...Yellow are nice too...and Triple Black...very classy...I hope to get years of service too....and plan on keeping it for quite some time...lots of potential here..

Regards

Scott.

 

Welcome to NAM , and goodluck with your addiction !

 

I need to go to Autoholics Annonymous!!

But alias, I don't think there's much hope

But on the bright side!!!I will always have someone to talk to

Thanks

Regards

Scott.

 

Great !

,VIC

 

Congrats on the Mini! I really hated the winter. Thats why I moved from Canada to here a long time ago.

 

Wish I could...boy do I!!! job...wife's job..house...family...all keeping me here. It's GREAT country to live in . And 3 of the 4 seasons are fine for the most part.

But being able to ride all year long...drive with the top down most of the time and NOT have to put cars away in winter...that IS appealing!!

MAYBE I'LL WIN THE 43 MILLION THIS WEEKEND!!!!

Regards

Scott.

 

III love winter !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Well its a whole different story where i live ! it was 85 F. last week

 

Beautiful!! welcome! : ) Im glad you chose a MINI!!!!!! I know Audis are hard to pass up but youll fall in love with the MINI if you havent all ready haha!

 

Thanks. I do love it. I took one (first in dealerships 2002) for a test drive from Oakville Mini (Budd's) if anyone knows them. It was a promo Demo drive in 2002 to introduce the cars and you got a MINI hat for the test drive. For other reasons it wasn't viable then cost etc.. But now it is. I've always liked the look. Didn't want another lease, and NEW...well...lets say have had my share of NEW and just loose money....first non auto I've had in years..always sacrifice for one thing or another...now this is for ME!!!!as a daily driver. Remember I have other "toys".

Now my mothers side is Scotish and there made in England, my fathers side is German.

That's why It's a perfect fit

Seriously..its a nice ride....Thanks again for the nice comments.

Regards

Scott.

 

Can you please post some feedback on this product? Quality of product, fitment etc...

 

Congrats, and welcome!!

 

Good luck with your MINI. I'm partial to Chili Red!
Thanks for the link to the armrest. That looks very interesting...

 

Haha don't get me wrong I miss Canada. Just not enough to move back. Besides visiting often is good too. I moved from Comox, B.C. so the winters weren't even that bad. I guess Im just a Baby.

 

Tell me about it! My wife is from Toronto and we always go for xmas and let me tell you I can't believe how cold, freezing and wet that place can get. not a 100% fan but if you visit in the summer is actually quite nice.
BTW: I hate winter weather as well but our design studio is in NYC, go figure .

 

Hi scott from another canuck! Good looking MINI and nice to see another miata driver.