So I must have been about the last January build delivery in the US. My car was completed on 1/28 and then it had to make the trek to Colorado via original port in LA. Once in state, I had to wait until the dealer options were installed. The one option that took a bit of time was installation of the JCW suspension package. My MA and I finally set up a time for me to pick up my car yesterday. Unfortunately, it is March in the Rockies, so it means that the weather is going to be a bit spotty. I woke up to wet and icy roads, so I knew I was going to temper my first day of fun.

I picked up my MCS at Ralph Schomp with my wife and the service dog puppy we are fostering. I guess not too many people bring dogs into the dealership as we got a lot of curious looks, but everyone was quite nice. My MA had brought my car into the Showroom for its unveiling. Very nice touch! I took a quick walk around, sat in it and tried to pry the smile off my face. After a 8 month wait (from getting on the waiting list to delivery), I was a bit giddy. After going through the paperwork and having my MA go through the detailed walk through, it was time to start motoring!

It was about 3:30 in the afternoon when I finally got to take it out on the road. I was a bit tentative as the roads were wet and I did NOT want to end up in a ditch after 5 miles! After crawling through friday afternoon traffic, I finally got work through the gear box. I had the iPOD adapter installed so I was playing my favorite tunes through the HK system so I was pretty darn happy! Life is certainly good.

My first impression is that the car has a wonderful sound. I've never had a car that had such note through the exhaust. It beckons you to rev it. I also found that the mundane act of switching lanes or exiting the highway on a cloverleaf is now an opportunity to test the handling abilities of the car. I am really excited to take it up to Estes Park tomorrow. After only 60 miles (yes the weather has been crummy all day!) I couldn't be happier. My wife is already angling for time in the left seat and two family members have volunteered to 'babysit' anytime.

Anyways, thanks for indulging me in this longwinded write up. I hope to post pictures as soon as the weather cooperates.

Cheers!

 

Fantastic write-up, ogrady! Congrats on FINALLY getting your baby! Hope you have many happy years of motoring in your new MINI!


Clover

 

Congrates,Fun eh
I take my dog to the dealer all the time,she is a friendly Lab,I don't let her in the showroom cars,but if I need a loaner,she rides with me.She did not like the X3 we got last time,as it was to hard for her to see out the windows in the back.She does like the sedans back seats though
Get snow tires for next winter

 

Excellent: I can't wait to hear more about what you think of the suspension. I'm pretty sure that I'll be getting it, too. Have fun!

 

congrats!! ive never seen a dog in the show rooms

 

A little off topic here, but my dealer must not be a dog person. When I got a loaner for a day, the contract I had to sign said specifically no food/drinks and no pets. That's great that your dealer is cool with your dog!

 

Looking forward to those.

I picked up my MINI in the winter, too (a mid-January 2003 build) and so the weather was pretty crappy (in general...we do have some spectacular days even in mid-winter). On the up side, I got through my break-in period by the time the weather got really nice.

 

If I were a MINI dealer, I'd welcome doggies in the showroom anytime!


We had a loaner car last week, only restriction was no smoking in the car. Fine with me, we don't smoke in OUR car either!


We were lucky and picked up our new MINI on a warm (actually, hot) Sacramento Summer day. Got out on the freeway home with the sunroof open, and was up to 80 MPH so fast I was shocked. My buddy in our old car couldn't keep up with me.

Enjoy your new ride!

 

I'm also considering the JCW suspension. Ogrady, if you don't mind my asking, what did your dealer charge for parts+labor?

 

brgfan,

The suspension package was $1250, but I think that is high. There is only one dealer in Colorado, so they have a monopoly. Some of the other dealerships in the east seem to be more price elastic. Probably due to the proximity of other choices.

BTW, the weather was nice today so I was able to manage a bit of mountain driving in today, before Easter festivities set in with the family. Heckofa lotta fun. I had to be a bit careful as there could have been some icy patches in the shady corners. The snow was melting and I didn't know the road very well so I was a bit careful. Lucky for me I was because after one of the corners I had gunned it a bit and then slowed down, a sheriff pulled out. I got to follow him for about 8 miles, with me behaving like the law abiding citizen that I am.

Wouldn't you know it, the weather is going to be in the 70's tomorrow and I will be stuck in the bowels of corporate cubicle hell. Oh well, I guess I have to pay the bills some how.