Hi everyone, I am making a deposit on an 04 mini in the next week and have a couple of questions:

1. what mini-oriented magazines are there to which I can subscribe
2. I have been reading quite a lot about dealer enabled computing options? can anyone shed any light on ones that are recommended?
3. would you recommend adding cat-back exhaust and intake after the break-in period or does it not matter?

Thanks everyone.

bcrx7
soon to have: IB/IB, mcs, sunroof, nav system, 18inch jcw wheels, harmon kardon, chrome accents, aero kit (can't wait!!!)

 

WELCOME to NAM.


>>1. what mini-oriented magazines are there to which I can subscribe

The Only MINI mag that I know of right now is a Bi-monthly mag from the UK. Its a good mag but is expensive at approx $45 per year for only six issues. I enjoy mine though.

>>2. I have been reading quite a lot about dealer enabled computing options? can anyone shed any light on ones that are recommended?


These are most of them

UNLOCKING FROM OUTSIDE: Page 24
Press the remote button once, and the Driver’s door unlocks
Press the remote button a second time and the Passenger door and Read Hatch unlock;
OR (Not shown in Manual, but available)
Press the remote button once to unlock ALL Doors (Driver, Passenger, and Rear Hatch)
Activate one or the other

AUTOMATIC LOCKING WHEN STOPPED Page 24
If the doors are not opened after being unlocked, within 2 minutes, the
central locking system locks the vehicle automatically.
Activate/Deactivate

AUTOMATIC LOCKING WHEN DRIVING Page 26
After you reach a pre-determined speed (10 mph), the central locking system locks the doors
Activate/Deactivate

CONVENIENCE OPENING MODE Page 24
Press and hold key fob button. The power windows (and sunroof) are opened
Activate/Deactivate

OPENING & CLOSING FROM OUTSIDE Page 25
Via the door lock: One turn of the key in the drivers door unlocks the drivers door only
Turning the key a second time unlocks the 2nd door, tailgate, fuel door
Activate/Deactivate

CONVENIENCE CLOSING VIA THE DOOR LOCK Page 25
With the door closed, hold the key in the locking position to close the
power windows (and sunroof)
Activate or Deactivate

FOLLOW ME HOME LAMPS Page 48
If you activate the headlamp flasher after having switched off the
engine and the lights, the low beams will stay lit for a pre-set period
of time.
Time delay for can be set for 30, 60, or 90 seconds
Activate and set time or Deactivate

DAYTIME DRIVING LIGHTS Page 48
(uses high beams at about 50% power when ignition is on)
Activate or Deactivate

SPEED Dependent Windshield Wipers: Page 51
(NA for vehicles with Rain Sensor)

NORMAL WIPER SPEED: When the vehicle is stopped with the wipers on, the wipers automatically switches to intermittent wiping
Activate or Deactivate

FAST WIPER SPEED: When the wipers are set to Fast Wiper Speed, the wipers switch automatically to normal wiper speed when the car is stopped.
Activate or Deactivate

See Page 64 for programming choices associated with Park Distance Control (PDC)-equipped vehicles

** Refers to page of 2004 Mini Cooper S Owner's Manual


>>3. would you recommend adding cat-back exhaust and intake after the break-in period or does it not matter?

You'll have plenty of fun without these upgrades. However, if you want more noise and few more horses, then go for it. Most owners on NAM have at least a CAI and probably 80% have some sort of aftermarket exaust.

 

I'm picking up my Cooper today...are the above mentioned features 'dealer only' programmable, or can I do it myself?

 

Dealer only. Have fun!

 

as far as I know they are only dealer programable. I believe the follow me home feature can be activated/deactivated at home but it has to first be programmed in by the dealer.

 

There's also a couple other options:
-Automatically unlock all doors when the ignition is switched off- I like this since I have the doors lock automatically at 10 mph.
-Audible fuel warning

The dealer programs all the options via computer.

 

Bitching about your car is a driver installed option.......particularly of you got a BRG job.....which I sure hope you didn't get......

 

So could I have the dealer turn off my DRL's? They kind of annoy me, but I guess there is some safety aspect, too, huh?


bcrx7 - did/do you have a CRX? I used to have an 85 Si, what an awesome car. Anyhow, I think the Mini is a good choice for former CRX'ers. I like my Mini a lot more than I was expecting to like it, it's a really fun little car. Not quite like my CRX, but for a modern day car with a full array of safety features, I can't complain.

 

I have DRL's active on my car...and glad I did. I don't like using HID on
short trip. I have aftermarket H7 bulbs in them and looks very good. :smile:

I would recommend intake/catback. very noticable difference. :smile:

 

DRLs are great. For one they can save you on insurance costs since its more safe. And secondly if you're like me you forget to turn on your lights at night when driving around places with street lights. DRLs help you not look like a total idiot and not get killed. Also, I drive on military bases frequently and they always require you to turn your lights on no matter what time of the day, so having DRLs is a big plus. It also helps people check out your mini so they can see how cool it is

 

>>So could I have the dealer turn off my DRL's? They kind of annoy me, but I guess there is some safety aspect, too, huh?
>>
>>
>>bcrx7 - did/do you have a CRX? I used to have an 85 Si, what an awesome car. Anyhow, I think the Mini is a good choice for former CRX'ers. I like my Mini a lot more than I was expecting to like it, it's a really fun little car. Not quite like my CRX, but for a modern day car with a full array of safety features, I can't complain.

thanks for the answers everyone, No Satay, I have a 78 Savannah rx7 that I imported from Japan...mostly a hobby car as it needs some work...just had a new engine put in (a 13B Turbo, free flow exhaust and huge intercooler) currently puts out about 375 horses. So the Mini will be quite an interesting companion to the rx...

I have one more question...I just got an order number from the dealership...how can I track the order and what do the numbers mean?

thanks....bcrx7

 

>>2. I have been reading quite a lot about dealer enabled computing options? can anyone shed any light on ones that are recommended?

There is a good list here. Go toward the end of the thread, you will see mattcoon's list.

>>I have one more question...I just got an order number from the dealership...how can I track the order and what do the numbers mean?

For this check out this FAQ from MINI2.

Although you may not want to track your MINI because it could drive you insane! It did for me and I still don’t have my MINI yet…

 

>>Hi everyone, I am making a deposit on an 04 mini in the next week and have a couple of questions:

bcrx7,

Aloha from Hawaii and welcome to NAM.
You'll like your MCS stock so just do the break in without adding anything first.

>>1. what mini-oriented magazines are there to which I can subscribe
While there are old standard classic mini magazines from the UK like MiniWorld
there is also a new mag called GOMINI. See.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...mp;topic=25903

>>2. I have been reading quite a lot about dealer enabled computing options? can anyone shed any light on ones that are recommended?

Decide which options you want and ask for them to be enabled at the time of delivery or before. Once the MINI is delivered there is a charge to re program any changes.

>>3. would you recommend adding cat-back exhaust and intake after the break-in period or does it not matter?
There is no reason to time the upgrades with relation to the break-in period. However, there is no reason to add the upgrades until you have a firm feel for the MINI in stock form. There is nothing really lacking with the MINI in stock form so just drive it for a few thousand miles as stock and work on the breakin first.

Later if you want to have different looks or different louder intake then consider a cold air intake but they run about $150 to $299. Cat -back exhausts do add a little power and come in quiet (Rspeed/Borla street/Milltek) to moderate (UUC,Alta,quicksilver) to loud (Magnaflow, Borla Race). Don't bother with an exhaust header for now due to high cost and limited gains. The biggest gains in power come from a reduced supercharger pulley, common sizes are 15%, 17% and 19% and all run about $400-$420 installed but it does void your supercharger warranty.

Another choice is suspension upgrades- Rear 3 hole adjustable swaybar 22mm-helps to keep the rear end neutral, and lowering springs- Alta, Eibachs, H-sports, HR are all good choices (listed in order or less drop to more drop and from close to stock ride to firmer ride).

Enjoy.

>>soon to have: IB/IB, mcs, sunroof, nav system, 18inch jcw wheels, harmon kardon, chrome accents, aero kit (can't wait!!!)
The setup you have is already good. th 18" JCW wheels ride just like the stock 17" S-lytes so no problem and I think they look better. Also they discontinued Indiblue for 2005 so you'll have a rare MINI in the future.

 

Thank you everyone for the tips...I actually lived in HI minihune for 4 years...stationed at hickam..used to race scca while there in my 78 rx7...right hand drive...anyway, the transition to the mini will be quite interesting. Can't wait to get it...just got an order number so I am thinking i will have a mid july delivery...take care and thank you again...

bc