R50/53 Official 2005 February Build Thread
2nd Gear
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From: Gold River CA
CapWKIDD
There is a thread at the MINI Owners Lounge on the Virgo Leader. It was scheduled to depart Southhampten on 2/25 at midnight and arrive at the port in CA on 3/19. The Virgo Leader is not a WW owned ship it belongs to NYL so very little info is available. At this time the WW site still shows my car recieved at terminal on 2/25 and booked on the Virgo but no confirmation that it was loaded. I believe the Virgo Leader is headed to CA, I have no idea if my car is on it or still sitting in Southhampton.
There is a thread at the MINI Owners Lounge on the Virgo Leader. It was scheduled to depart Southhampten on 2/25 at midnight and arrive at the port in CA on 3/19. The Virgo Leader is not a WW owned ship it belongs to NYL so very little info is available. At this time the WW site still shows my car recieved at terminal on 2/25 and booked on the Virgo but no confirmation that it was loaded. I believe the Virgo Leader is headed to CA, I have no idea if my car is on it or still sitting in Southhampton.
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,406
Likes: 0
From: Northeast Ohio
Originally Posted by CapWKidd
I guess I should just buy off the "menu" (lot) ...
Doug
Doug
3rd Gear
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Napa, CA
Has anyone who thought their car might be on the Carmen heard anything yet? It supposedly reached Port Hueneme on the 5th but for my car ASK MINI is still saying "in transit". I am really hoping it will make it to the dealer by this weekend.
4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 345
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
Dude...where's my car????
So, I imagine I should be at the VDC today...but that's a leap of faith. I know that, according to ASKMINI my car sailed from Southampton to Port Hueneme on or about Feb 13. That should have put it on the Carmen, but I was never able to successfully locate it on WW. According to some here, cars are shipped on WW boats under other carriers, so maybe that's the case...I don't know. WW had the Carmen arriving at Port Hueneme on March 5, so hopefully its there now, but still listed as "en route." Looking at the Southampton website there was nothing headed for the west coast that I could see around that date, so it has to be that one...right?
The anticipation is killing me!
Steve
The anticipation is killing me!
Steve
Thread Starter
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4th Gear
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 448
Likes: 0
From: New York, NY
48 Hours Later - A Quick Review
all i can say is WOW! the mcsa is a complete monster! i think mini has found the sweet spot with this car... they're gonna sell a ziliion of these things! i won't go into a long review of the tranny as it seems to have been covered everywhere at this point, but suffice to say it is flawless. i'll just give you some random points as they come to me:
- the shifting is crisp and fast. the car oozes power and it's all i can do to keep it under 4500 rpm for the break-in.
- the classic mcs burbling exhaust sputter is alive and well in the automatic! sitting at a standstill, rev the engine up to 3k and listen for what comes next... or better yet, throw the tranny into sd (sport drive) and listen on downshifts or while coasting at higher revs... bliss!
- coming from a cooper with leather sport seats i can now say that i prefer my leatherette sport seats in my s. they feel firmer and have a better grip on the body. i never really used the lower lumbar support, but it was a feature i liked. it just feels like the leatherette is tougher and by far more firm.
- seat heaters rule! didn't have them on my old cooper - but sure am glad i have them now!
- anthracite headliner is key. can't imagine the car without it. i think it should be standard and the grey should be the option.
- the factory apple/ipod adapter is amazing. who cares if it doesn't give you song info on the head unit. you know the songs you put on there dude... keep your eyes on the road!! ; ) sound is flawless - as is the control.
- speaking of control (back to the tranny for a sec) the paddle shifters themselves are a marvel. one twist of the wheel and you'll understand why both perform in the same way. makes perfect sense.
- the nav with british female voice is beyond cool. she says things like "take the second turning on the right" instead of "take the second right" - and "in one quarter mile, join the motorway" - it's just so slick...
- the sound of the engine is amazing as well. i've dabbled in the higher revs ever so briefly and i am sure the car has lots more to offer than what you can experience during break in. the supercharger sounds great and the engine is nice and beefy. very powerful feeling after coming from a cvt cooper.
- speaking of the cvt cooper, here is my impression comparing the two: i absolutely loved my cooper. it was fun, peppy and very tight feeling. all that being said the mcsa clearly outperforms it in every way, but i wouldn't say it's a fair comparison per se.... the cooper feels "lighter" to me and plenty tight around a turn. (mine had 16's and my s has 17's). the s has a more "solid" feel to it - very sure footed and fast - but a different kind of fast. i guess it's hard to explain, but having now owned both i can say that the cvt cooper is a beastie unto itself and a real blast to drive. they are just very different cars all around and i wouldn't say that somebody who could only afford a cooper would be robbed of the mini experience in any way shape or form. personally, i cannot imagine not having a car with paddle shifting ever again, but that's my choice ; )
i guess i could go on and on - but i'll stop here. i think that mini will be hard pressed to top the sheer power, performance and joy of the cooper s automatic and i for one have had my expectations blown out of the water.
i can only imagine what the john cooper works kit is going to do to the performance and feel of this beast. i've been told it's nearing release for the mcsa and should be available soon. in fact, i put name on a list just today... ; )
happy and safe motoring - drew
- the shifting is crisp and fast. the car oozes power and it's all i can do to keep it under 4500 rpm for the break-in.
- the classic mcs burbling exhaust sputter is alive and well in the automatic! sitting at a standstill, rev the engine up to 3k and listen for what comes next... or better yet, throw the tranny into sd (sport drive) and listen on downshifts or while coasting at higher revs... bliss!
- coming from a cooper with leather sport seats i can now say that i prefer my leatherette sport seats in my s. they feel firmer and have a better grip on the body. i never really used the lower lumbar support, but it was a feature i liked. it just feels like the leatherette is tougher and by far more firm.
- seat heaters rule! didn't have them on my old cooper - but sure am glad i have them now!
- anthracite headliner is key. can't imagine the car without it. i think it should be standard and the grey should be the option.
- the factory apple/ipod adapter is amazing. who cares if it doesn't give you song info on the head unit. you know the songs you put on there dude... keep your eyes on the road!! ; ) sound is flawless - as is the control.
- speaking of control (back to the tranny for a sec) the paddle shifters themselves are a marvel. one twist of the wheel and you'll understand why both perform in the same way. makes perfect sense.
- the nav with british female voice is beyond cool. she says things like "take the second turning on the right" instead of "take the second right" - and "in one quarter mile, join the motorway" - it's just so slick...
- the sound of the engine is amazing as well. i've dabbled in the higher revs ever so briefly and i am sure the car has lots more to offer than what you can experience during break in. the supercharger sounds great and the engine is nice and beefy. very powerful feeling after coming from a cvt cooper.
- speaking of the cvt cooper, here is my impression comparing the two: i absolutely loved my cooper. it was fun, peppy and very tight feeling. all that being said the mcsa clearly outperforms it in every way, but i wouldn't say it's a fair comparison per se.... the cooper feels "lighter" to me and plenty tight around a turn. (mine had 16's and my s has 17's). the s has a more "solid" feel to it - very sure footed and fast - but a different kind of fast. i guess it's hard to explain, but having now owned both i can say that the cvt cooper is a beastie unto itself and a real blast to drive. they are just very different cars all around and i wouldn't say that somebody who could only afford a cooper would be robbed of the mini experience in any way shape or form. personally, i cannot imagine not having a car with paddle shifting ever again, but that's my choice ; )
i guess i could go on and on - but i'll stop here. i think that mini will be hard pressed to top the sheer power, performance and joy of the cooper s automatic and i for one have had my expectations blown out of the water.
i can only imagine what the john cooper works kit is going to do to the performance and feel of this beast. i've been told it's nearing release for the mcsa and should be available soon. in fact, i put name on a list just today... ; )
happy and safe motoring - drew
Banned
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,756
Likes: 0
Drew, great review! Although I am about to take delivery of a 6-speed manual MCS sometime next week, I will definetely test drive the MCSa. Sounds like a blast!
Cheers!
Cheers!
Originally Posted by newyorkcitymini
all i can say is WOW! the mcsa is a complete monster! i think mini has found the sweet spot with this car... they're gonna sell a ziliion of these things! i won't go into a long review of the tranny as it seems to have been covered everywhere at this point, but suffice to say it is flawless. i'll just give you some random points as they come to me:
- the shifting is crisp and fast. the car oozes power and it's all i can do to keep it under 4500 rpm for the break-in.
- the classic mcs burbling exhaust sputter is alive and well in the automatic! sitting at a standstill, rev the engine up to 3k and listen for what comes next... or better yet, throw the tranny into sd (sport drive) and listen on downshifts or while coasting at higher revs... bliss!
- coming from a cooper with leather sport seats i can now say that i prefer my leatherette sport seats in my s. they feel firmer and have a better grip on the body. i never really used the lower lumbar support, but it was a feature i liked. it just feels like the leatherette is tougher and by far more firm.
- seat heaters rule! didn't have them on my old cooper - but sure am glad i have them now!
- anthracite headliner is key. can't imagine the car without it. i think it should be standard and the grey should be the option.
- the factory apple/ipod adapter is amazing. who cares if it doesn't give you song info on the head unit. you know the songs you put on there dude... keep your eyes on the road!! ; ) sound is flawless - as is the control.
- speaking of control (back to the tranny for a sec) the paddle shifters themselves are a marvel. one twist of the wheel and you'll understand why both perform in the same way. makes perfect sense.
- the nav with british female voice is beyond cool. she says things like "take the second turning on the right" instead of "take the second right" - and "in one quarter mile, join the motorway" - it's just so slick...
- the sound of the engine is amazing as well. i've dabbled in the higher revs ever so briefly and i am sure the car has lots more to offer than what you can experience during break in. the supercharger sounds great and the engine is nice and beefy. very powerful feeling after coming from a cvt cooper.
- speaking of the cvt cooper, here is my impression comparing the two: i absolutely loved my cooper. it was fun, peppy and very tight feeling. all that being said the mcsa clearly outperforms it in every way, but i wouldn't say it's a fair comparison per se.... the cooper feels "lighter" to me and plenty tight around a turn. (mine had 16's and my s has 17's). the s has a more "solid" feel to it - very sure footed and fast - but a different kind of fast. i guess it's hard to explain, but having now owned both i can say that the cvt cooper is a beastie unto itself and a real blast to drive. they are just very different cars all around and i wouldn't say that somebody who could only afford a cooper would be robbed of the mini experience in any way shape or form. personally, i cannot imagine not having a car with paddle shifting ever again, but that's my choice ; )
i guess i could go on and on - but i'll stop here. i think that mini will be hard pressed to top the sheer power, performance and joy of the cooper s automatic and i for one have had my expectations blown out of the water.
i can only imagine what the john cooper works kit is going to do to the performance and feel of this beast. i've been told it's nearing release for the mcsa and should be available soon. in fact, i put name on a list just today... ; )
happy and safe motoring - drew
- the shifting is crisp and fast. the car oozes power and it's all i can do to keep it under 4500 rpm for the break-in.
- the classic mcs burbling exhaust sputter is alive and well in the automatic! sitting at a standstill, rev the engine up to 3k and listen for what comes next... or better yet, throw the tranny into sd (sport drive) and listen on downshifts or while coasting at higher revs... bliss!
- coming from a cooper with leather sport seats i can now say that i prefer my leatherette sport seats in my s. they feel firmer and have a better grip on the body. i never really used the lower lumbar support, but it was a feature i liked. it just feels like the leatherette is tougher and by far more firm.
- seat heaters rule! didn't have them on my old cooper - but sure am glad i have them now!
- anthracite headliner is key. can't imagine the car without it. i think it should be standard and the grey should be the option.
- the factory apple/ipod adapter is amazing. who cares if it doesn't give you song info on the head unit. you know the songs you put on there dude... keep your eyes on the road!! ; ) sound is flawless - as is the control.
- speaking of control (back to the tranny for a sec) the paddle shifters themselves are a marvel. one twist of the wheel and you'll understand why both perform in the same way. makes perfect sense.
- the nav with british female voice is beyond cool. she says things like "take the second turning on the right" instead of "take the second right" - and "in one quarter mile, join the motorway" - it's just so slick...
- the sound of the engine is amazing as well. i've dabbled in the higher revs ever so briefly and i am sure the car has lots more to offer than what you can experience during break in. the supercharger sounds great and the engine is nice and beefy. very powerful feeling after coming from a cvt cooper.
- speaking of the cvt cooper, here is my impression comparing the two: i absolutely loved my cooper. it was fun, peppy and very tight feeling. all that being said the mcsa clearly outperforms it in every way, but i wouldn't say it's a fair comparison per se.... the cooper feels "lighter" to me and plenty tight around a turn. (mine had 16's and my s has 17's). the s has a more "solid" feel to it - very sure footed and fast - but a different kind of fast. i guess it's hard to explain, but having now owned both i can say that the cvt cooper is a beastie unto itself and a real blast to drive. they are just very different cars all around and i wouldn't say that somebody who could only afford a cooper would be robbed of the mini experience in any way shape or form. personally, i cannot imagine not having a car with paddle shifting ever again, but that's my choice ; )
i guess i could go on and on - but i'll stop here. i think that mini will be hard pressed to top the sheer power, performance and joy of the cooper s automatic and i for one have had my expectations blown out of the water.
i can only imagine what the john cooper works kit is going to do to the performance and feel of this beast. i've been told it's nearing release for the mcsa and should be available soon. in fact, i put name on a list just today... ; )
happy and safe motoring - drew
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 931
Likes: 14
From: NW Georgia, USA
Originally Posted by newyorkcitymini
thanks ; ) - and enjoy your new 6 speed!
cheers - drew
cheers - drew
Just to satisfy my own curiousity, I'm going to test drive an MCSa when (if) my MCS arrives.
Rawhyde
Originally Posted by newyorkcitymini
- speaking of the cvt cooper, here is my impression comparing the two: i absolutely loved my cooper. it was fun, peppy and very tight feeling. all that being said the mcsa clearly outperforms it in every way, but i wouldn't say it's a fair comparison per se.... the cooper feels "lighter" to me and plenty tight around a turn. (mine had 16's and my s has 17's). the s has a more "solid" feel to it - very sure footed and fast - but a different kind of fast. i guess it's hard to explain, but having now owned both i can say that the cvt cooper is a beastie unto itself and a real blast to drive. they are just very different cars all around and i wouldn't say that somebody who could only afford a cooper would be robbed of the mini experience in any way shape or form. personally, i cannot imagine not having a car with paddle shifting ever again, but that's my choice ; )
I am going to my first MINI meet this weekend (just a monthly meeting of the local club) and then Sunday to a MINI car show. The local club organized with a local movie theatre to show the cars first, and then we all pile into the theatre for a showing of the Italian Job (new). I can't wait.
6th Gear
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,433
Likes: 1
From: Gloucester, MA, USA
Drew, Great review
Here on GBMINI.net are my comments after a quick 280 mile drive yesterday ...
Like you, I have trouble keeping below 4500rpm; at 350 miles I am already allowing a little cheating now & then - especially because that is the magic number to get the JCW air intake to open up & let in the extra noise
With some regrets at walking away from GBMINI#2, and attempts to drive gently to keep the revs down, I am not yet as enamoured as you with the auto - but I believe I would have just the same not-quite-happy-yet with a manual, because I think it is the GBMINI#2 issue in the background.
Having said that, I pressed the pedal tonight at one point to pass a couple of cars on the highway - I think the transmission must have kicked down two gears and I literally was pushed back in my seat You have to work much harder to get that feel in the manual ...
And about the JCW air intake - when it is open (at higher revs) and you hear the louder supercharger noise, you should really listen for the sound when the transmission shifts down a gear; the revs sort of "slide" from the higher pitch to the lower pitch. Very cool :smile:
So you can see I am beginning to get more into GBMINI#3 - I think it will really need the stereo upgrading before I am fully happy, because that just sounds awful after the Harman Kardon / aftermarket combo in #2 ...
Separately: Sorry to read of so many stuck MINIs
As said by others, keep waiting - it REALLY IS worth it!
Here on GBMINI.net are my comments after a quick 280 mile drive yesterday ...
Like you, I have trouble keeping below 4500rpm; at 350 miles I am already allowing a little cheating now & then - especially because that is the magic number to get the JCW air intake to open up & let in the extra noise
With some regrets at walking away from GBMINI#2, and attempts to drive gently to keep the revs down, I am not yet as enamoured as you with the auto - but I believe I would have just the same not-quite-happy-yet with a manual, because I think it is the GBMINI#2 issue in the background.
Having said that, I pressed the pedal tonight at one point to pass a couple of cars on the highway - I think the transmission must have kicked down two gears and I literally was pushed back in my seat
You have to work much harder to get that feel in the manual ...And about the JCW air intake - when it is open (at higher revs) and you hear the louder supercharger noise, you should really listen for the sound when the transmission shifts down a gear; the revs sort of "slide" from the higher pitch to the lower pitch. Very cool :smile:
So you can see I am beginning to get more into GBMINI#3 - I think it will really need the stereo upgrading before I am fully happy, because that just sounds awful after the Harman Kardon / aftermarket combo in #2 ...
Separately: Sorry to read of so many stuck MINIs
As said by others, keep waiting - it REALLY IS worth it!
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,336
Likes: 1
From: Clinton Township, MI
Hello! My MCSa was built Feb. 24th of this year... She is supposed to be on her way here, but I cant find anything on her... stupid Virgo Leader. Has anyone looked more into it? Found out anything?
1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: kernersville, NC
Originally Posted by WindMeUp
I guess I'm one of the lucky ones, my car was loaded on the Resolve and is on its way here.
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
From: Montreal, Canada
Ok, my car is on the Resolve, and what do I do to celebrate? Buy a set of 17" OZ Superleggras 
I'm mad, no car yet but already collecting the mods, here is my list so far:
17x7 OZ Supperleggras in Anthracite (discontinued)
Invidia Exhaust
Alta 15% Pulley
Scroth Harnesses
Ian's Auto Up
Extra Toggle Switch
I think I need to have some therapy done, MINI should give some kind of warning. Waiting for your MINI may cause premature spending!
Here is the pic of the new purchase:
I got restless looking for a pic of these on a HB/B so I photoshopped the combo myself...drool....
cheers
Amit
I'm mad, no car yet but already collecting the mods, here is my list so far:17x7 OZ Supperleggras in Anthracite (discontinued)
Invidia Exhaust
Alta 15% Pulley
Scroth Harnesses
Ian's Auto Up
Extra Toggle Switch
I think I need to have some therapy done, MINI should give some kind of warning. Waiting for your MINI may cause premature spending!
Here is the pic of the new purchase:
I got restless looking for a pic of these on a HB/B so I photoshopped the combo myself...drool....
cheers
Amit
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
From: Montreal, Canada
Originally Posted by WindMeUp
Atleast you're not calling your dealer twice a week to change your accessories, I've called 5 times and changed accessories
Looks like our cars are a similar spec. these last couple of weeks are going to be killer.Amit
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,406
Likes: 0
From: Northeast Ohio
Originally Posted by djafactor
Ok, my car is on the Resolve, and what do I do to celebrate? Buy a set of 17" OZ Superleggras I'm mad, no car yet but already collecting the mods
I'm mad, no car yet but already collecting the modsAlready Purchased
- Littlefuse add-a circuit for the planned added 12v adapter...
- GPS powered ready mount for my wife's PDA (I've already got one for mine)
- Sony Ericcson HCB-300 Bluetooth Car kit
- Radio Mute kit for the HCB-300 from NewMINIstuff.com
- John Cooper Works chrome signature badge (I bought the one with the adhesiveon it this time Ian instead of the stainless steel one that's on the Cooper)
- Cooper Sport chrome badge to replace the Cooper S badge on the boot hatch
- ALK Co-Pilot Live Pocket PC 5
- Euro Parcel Shelf
- 12v Power adapter for the parcel shelf
Did the Resolve sail into a black hole?
Darn thing isn't showing up on the tracking sites yet. They reported their positions on their last trip... Maybe if they do go through a black hole the temporal effects / space warping will allow them to make NY in a three day transit instead of 8.
4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
From: SoCal
BUT... will I be much happier to spend the extra $3k for the mark up, as opposed to buying off the lot, and paying sticker? Bah!
Doug
Doug
Originally Posted by mbabischkin
I know the wait sucks but DON'T GIVE IN TO TEMPTATION!!!! Wait for your car, you'll be much happier in the end...
Found the Resolve in Route...
( I've updated these Mar 10th...)
Resolve's not showing on the Oceanweather site right now so left old one up of that, SailWX continues to show plots.
Here's the position of the Resolve (call sign wcz5535) via Oceanweather.com and sailwx.com...
Resolve's not showing on the Oceanweather site right now so left old one up of that, SailWX continues to show plots.
Here's the position of the Resolve (call sign wcz5535) via Oceanweather.com and sailwx.com...
Last edited by mmatarella; Mar 16, 2005 at 07:20 PM. Reason: Updated charts
