Hello everyone. A newbie here, just entered Mini world on friday, 04/03. I bought 05 MCS stock with manual trans. It had 26,736 miles on OD. The previous owner babied it I suppose, not even a scratch on exteror or interior, runs smooth no problems at all, paid 14,995 + tax, title, reg at a dealer here in Houston. Oh, its dark silver with black roof.
I love it too much, I will be devastated to see chips on hood, and fenders. I was thinking to put invisishield on the hood, door mirrors, fenders, and front bumper. Any suggestions. (I read alot on this topic in the forum, can't really make out the cons)

 

Howdy!

Welcome to the NAMily!

First advice: Join a Club!

Houston Mini Motoring Society
www.hmms.org (very active)

Mini Club of the Woodlands
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ands-mcow-311/ ( posts stuff on HMMS as well)

Aggieland Mini Club
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...mini-club-309/
(My club, we have a facebook that is more active than this forum)

Second Advice: Ivisishield that thing up! Cant hurt

Third Advise: POST PICS!

If you need any local help, post on the forums or feel free to PM me. I love the Mini Network. It has gotten me far and I have made tons of friends along the way!

 

AB-SO-LUTELY invisishield that thing. My hood is scarred beyond belief, and a friend of mine has the pepper white with the invisible bra and no issues. Can hardly tell it's there on white, and it disappears even better on darker colors. The curved metal on the mini simply INVITES rock chips.

Do it!

And... welcome to the slightly-insane world of Minis.

 

Welcome from Madison, WI to NAM-land, where MINI-mani and a lot of MINI-knowledge resides! Sounds like you got a great deal, I know that you will be smiling for quite some time, both in & out of your ride. (I've had my mini since January and I still go out just to look at it whenever I can find the time.)

 

So are you gonna fix-a-chip before Invisasheild? I'd suggest!
Seen some people at AMVIV that removed Invisasheild (said still got chips) and replaced with Vinyl Styles color matched vinyl, vey good color matching but not sure they have ALL colors.

 

Thank you for the warm welcome, guys. Joining a club will be the top priority as sson as I get some time, this weekend.
Regarding the car, I think that this flies. I am constantly changing gears from a stop. I am used to changing gear between 2500 to close to 3000 rpm and seems like it hits that mark instantaneously in Mini.
I got a quote from the Invisihield for $495 for bonnet, front bumper, fenders, and mirrors for parts and labor. I saw the parts for $240 on momentummini website not sure what their installation charge would be though I will check them out tomorrow.
One more question, I have the OBC button on the turn signal stalk. It only shows outside temp and speed though. I read about the possibility to get it reprogrammed through dealer to show fuel consumption and miles remaining on the fuel tank. Have any of you got that from dealers in Houston?
Another one, what is the best method to connect Ipod, I do have aux port in glove box, and mp3 player, no Nav though?

Thanks again for your suggestions.

 

In regards to the Ipod connection, I found that the "DICE" I -Pod Interface kit works great with the steering wheel controls. ( if your mini has the multi function controls.)

It connects to the harness in the boot that controls a multi cd changer, then runs under the sills to a connection location of your choice, such as the glove box.

If you use an AUX. connection, you can't use the steering wheel controls and the songs will not appear on the radio either.(again, if your radio is so equiped with that function). The later 05-06 models should have this radio as standard.

If you already have an AUX. port, that is the cheapest route. You will need to purchase a cable from Radio Shack or even Wal Mart.

Have Fun!!

 

Mild clarification: With the AUX port, you can use the steering wheel controls for volume, but not song selection. I actually like the AUX port compared to the OE Mini iPod interface, since the OE one has some limitations. Haven't played with the DICE though, but heard it's good.

That seems like a competitive price for invisishield. I went the budget route and didn't protect the car (and absolutely hate plain black vinyl bras, do more damage than good. So.... I have chips that I touch up. Could be worse, and I don't really mind much, but if I was into the concours scene it'd drive me nuts.