I thought that the stripes that are included in the MCS Sport package were installed at the factory

Motor-On!
Ryan

 

Thanks for tips yet again! Well I thought the stripes were factory installed too. Irregardless, I just ordered the Rogue Viper stripes and one way or another they'll wind up on the car!

 

Hi All!!
I just found out the my MINI has just gotten on board! Yey!
I suppose she should be here in a couple of weeks from now.
So can I join the club?? I have been wanting to post here for sooooo long ! :smile:

I have notice many of you start buying supply/stuff for your MINI while you wait for their arrival. I am thinking about getting bonnet stripes and driving lights later myself but from the maintenance point of view, what is the most essential thing I should get before taking delivery??
Should I get oil, filter, and coolant before delivery? And how about primer stuff like wax or Zaino? (Do you have to apply them right away?)
This is my very first car... although I learned a LOT since I found this site, I have a long way to go. So every little advice/tips to keep my baby healthy would be greatly appreciated!

*******************
My Bonnie will be: MC CVT PW/B with all 3 packages, Chrome bumper inserts, Anthracite, leatherett with "S" fuel cap.

 

Welcome tokyogirl! :smile:
*My two favorite Motoring additions are the Moss Glove Box Organizer, and the Euro Shelf (got the kit from Classic MINI).
*I would pick up an extra quart of oil (the MINI synthetic would be best in this case), just so you can keep the oil topped up until you first oil change. During engine break-in, the MINI might consume a bit of oil until the rings and bearings are seated. Not a big worry for you, just check the oil every 1,000 miles for the first few thousand.
*I would recommend against waxing the car for the first month. Even though MINI uses an environmentally-safe water-based paint that cures relatively quickly, it is still quite soft paint (as JPL just found out!). Keep washing to a minimum for the first two weeks, and if you do, be very careful not to apply pressure with the wash mitt. Zaino is my first pick for shine and protection; check out my Detailing 101 thread, that hopefully will help

Cheers!
Ryan

 

Hi tokyogirl! Welcome to the group. Since my MINI started production I've been doing nothing but ordering stuff. Ryephile has some great suggestions. I think he needs to stop though, because my check card is about to ignite! I would second the Euro-shelf and glove box organizer. I also picked up a cubby organizer. The quart of oil is a good suggestion. You shouldn't have to worry about any oil changes or filters (oil or air) since MINI covers all service for the first few years (at least in the US).

For an idea what I've bought the past couple of days here's a list:
-Alta Cold Air Intake
-Ferodo brake pads
-Whalen shift ****
-Rogue engineering short shifter
-Euro parcel tray
-Cubby organizer
-Glovebox organizer
-Center arm console
-Chrome bezel (for the fog lights and turn indicators)
-ProClip mount for my iPod Mini
-New MINI - The Book

I'm going to take off work for a month (I wish) after my MINI arrives to install the stuff and maybe drive it once or twice.

 

>>I thought that the stripes that are included in the MCS Sport package were installed at the factory :smile:

 

I prefer the look of the aftermarket stripes myself..

I'm thrilled that my car is clean enough to actually SEE them currently.

Hopefully the SMR will be enough to remove the swirls . It's got a few fillers, so be prepared to see the swirls come back and ready to attack them again if it can't take them all out. I'm getting ready to go out and attack the Audi again (oh, annoying car of rock-hard clearcoat). I've got a brand new claybar and I'm not afraid to use it *spritzing CWFAC liberally with detailing spray*

 

ROFL! uh oh, the temptation is awfully strong...

Interior:
Removed Airbag Warnings from Sun-visors
Moss GBO
MINI Euro Shelf
Auto Meter Ultra-lite 2 1/16" vacuum/boost gauge (30inHg - 20PSI)
Schroth 4-point harnesses for driver and passenger
Mr. Turtle in the back seat
Full row of toggles (and rear fogs activated)
set of MINI rubber flo' mats (awesome for winter!)
soon: Iancull's Auto-Up windows with DSC module

Exterior:
Clear CHMSL
Re-wired tail-lights (swapping brake-light and rear fog-light)
Lamin-X wheel arch reflector tint (thanks Wags for the find!)
Exel TZ-10 17x7" ET42 in white with Yokohama Parada Spec-2 in 205/45-17
Exel Vega 17x7" ET42 in white with Pirelli Winter 240 in 205/45-17

Suspension:
H-Sport springs
H-Sport Competition sway bar set
H-Sport rear lower adjustable control arms
Ferodo 2500 brake pads

Engine: (Webb Motorsports 200HP package):
ALTA 15% pulley
ALTA CAI with black tube
Webb/Powerchips ECU
Milltek Sport Cat-back exhaust - plus:
Denso IK22's (torqued regularly)
Pilo 40KV ignition coil pack

that should keep your check card busy for a while! (evil snicker)

 

AHHHHHHHH

*Kevin's head spinning around like Linda Blair in the Exorcist*

Ryan that is an impressive list! Why did you have to do that? Man I'm going to have to be good, because Santa is going to have to help me out! A lump of coal isn't going to cut it. LOL

 

I think I found Ryan's computer.

 

Hey Ryan I was thinking about offsetting my Rogue Viper stripe. I found a picture of my EXACT CR MCS (including driving lights) with an offset stripe. What do you think?

 

Sweet! My order just changed to Scheduled For Production online! So I guess that means 4-5 weeks from now I'll have my MINI!

 

--->the Wrkncacnter: Yep, you're coming along nicely! Give 1-866-ASK-MINI a call to check your current status :smile:

Kevin - uhhhh, no, that's not my 'puter I just have a very plain looking white Antec case; it's what's inside that counts, hee hee. Speaking of stripes, take a look at Chefrichie's stripes:

 

N I C E ! ! I like the stripe and the MINI isn't too shabby either. j/k

Well I received item #1 today. The Whalen **** is gorgeous and weights a ton. God forbid anyone try to carjack my MINI..the Whalen would do some serious damage. I think I may go see my MA this week just to try out the Whalen on the demo car.

 

Finally dug up a picture of MM2 at the Dyno. This was my baseline run. 155 HP at 6900 RPM and 143 Lb-Ft at 4000 RPM - bone stock. I'll be going back in a few weeks to dyno my Webb 200HP package



Cheers,
Ryan

 

It's refreshing to see that MINI under rated the engine HP. What is the general concensus for average drive train loss for a front wheel drive? Isn't rear wheel around 20-25%? Being generous and saying that the MINI only has 15% loss would put your stock MCS at a touch over 180 at the flywheel! That's about as powerful as the supercharged 1.8 in my wife's Mercedes. I'm curious how the dyno looks with all your mods. BTW, I originally order my MCS in IB/W. It's an awesome color.

 

MM2 is a bit of a hot-head from the factory. Most Dynojet tested stock MCS's pull about 147 WHP - about a 10% loss from advertised. 10-11% seems to be the number most aftermarket guys can agree on for the MINI's driveline loss.

 

well i haven't posted in a while.. i didn't post for Winnie's first birthday so everyone could wish her HAPPY BIRTHDAY. but yeah a whole year has passed as of March 8th. Kinda funny because that's the same day I got her back after this horrible-to-deal-with body shop FINALLY returned her back to me, after almost 3 weeks.

If you remember, I ran up on a curb with my left tires and the airbags were deployed and I bent my rear wheel and popped my font tire. So I took her to Crown MINI in richmond, va and they sent her to their body shop down the road, and it just took forever. well when I FINALLY got her back, I noticed the airbag indicator light was still on so I took it back to the dealer, and it took them about 90 mins to say they fixed and that it cost me 90 bucks to do so!! but as I was standing there in confusion, they said, oh nevermind, it's back on. i didn't have time to wait, as I had to be at work soon in Va Beach, so i said well sorry i have to go. so they gave me a print out of what i needed to get it fixed, which is just some sensor thing, and since it was the body shops fault, i'll have to get Checkered Flag MINI here to bill them who will bill my insurance co. At least that's how I understand it to be happening.

So if that wasn't bad enough, I noticed on my way home that I felt funny in my seat. And to my dismay, they had put on the wrong seat when replacing the driver's seat after the airbag deployed. I had sports seats, but the seatback was just the standard seatback. !! So I call the place, and the guy is all confused and blames the dealership because they are the ones that ordered it based on my MINI's specs. I tried to tell him I knew what i was talking about but it was no use. So now i have to get that replaced as well, which is turning this whole mess into a bigger mess and inconvenience. I still have not made time to get an apt for all this nonsense, but I hope it will be done soon.

So anyway, a year minus a couple weeks of possession of my MINI and she's got about 22k miles. and other than the crap just mentioned, all is well.

i'll catch up on missed posts later as i have not been on in a while.. hope everyone is well, and april 04 is nearly here, horray for new MINIs arriving shortly!

- wags

 

Wags. I'm posting a wet noodle asap. Feel free to flog, strangle, or in some other way punish EVERYONE there severely with it. That's just unfair.

Ryan...what are you thinking of Randy's latest and greatest from his website? I can't WAIT to see more about it (and to get it in my car).

'scuse me while I cry over the half-foot (at least) of snow we're supposed to get tonight. I'm glad I didn't take off my winter wheels yet! Maybe I'll sneak out and do some donuts in the neighborhood to make myself feel better.

 

Sorry to hear of your travails Wags. Keep your chin up and think of happy motoring days ahead.

Cheffie, Burnie is looking great.

It hit 93 here today (I'm not rubbing it in Rachel) and with it came the dreaded MCDRDS (Mini Cooper Dark Roof Dimple Syndrome). I had forgotten about it.

For you next generation people. Black or dark roofed minis when left in the sun develop a noticable wave or dimple in the roof. If and when it happens, not to worry, it goes awaywhen it the roof cools down. And yes Ryephile, I know white roofs don't do it.

Just bought some Meguairs NXT that I am looking forward to trying.

Finished the leaky mustang oil pan job with only 1 smashed finger. Now, I'm free to enjoy the great motoring weather.

Looking forward to seeing some new April Club MINIS soon.

Andy

 

Glad to hear you have Winnie back, Wags!

--->Rachel - which latest and greatest from Randy? LOL he's got so much awesome stuff he's working on, my budget can't even come close to keeping up!

--->Andy - hee hee, white roof's are apparently cooler (nudge, nudge). Let us know your Meguires NXT feedback. Long-lost Aprillite MINIclo had her Wicked Wanda pampered by Meguires at their day-spa a few weeks ago, the product sounds promising!

mmm, abstract MINI:

Cheers,
Ryan

 

>>--->Rachel - which latest and greatest from Randy? LOL he's got so much awesome stuff he's working on, my budget can't even come close to keeping up!

uhh... yes! They're all yummy. I look most forward to seeing the charts for the uni-chip.

Great pic!

I ordered some NXT at the last special they were having (they were giving away some free samples of products, but you also got free shipping on whatever you ordered from them at the same time). Now for the warm weather....

 

I did a quickie comparison of Zaino, Klasse and Meguiars nxt today. All three products on different parts of black roof and red body. After application I held a drop light over the finish to compare clarity.

I can't see a noticable difference in the shine that each produces. I couldn't even find the margins between the different products. They are all great.

Zaino is the most difficult on and easiest off. NXT was easiest on and hardets to wipe off. Klasse was more like NXT but easier off. All were pretty easy.

Klasse works great on glass. A keeper. Klasse smells awful. Kind of like cleaning solvent. I kept thinking "What am I putting on my car"?

NXT reccomends using a foam applicator (supplied). I think that's why it was so easy to rub in. NXT has the coolest packaging.

I kind of like mixing up the zaino. Makes it seem special somehow.

NXT is easiest to find (Target) Zaino mail order is hardest to come by.

NXT has a wax booster spray product. I bought it because I thought it was some kind of detail spray. Didn't read the package. It is a kind of spray wax that you rub in like the regular NXT stuff then wipe off after 15 minutes. I don't like it because it gets all over everything.

Bottom line.

Klasse. I will use it on glass and other cars.
NXT I think I will do the whole car and try it for a while.
Zaino In the long run will probably win out.

Mothers detail spray. Best smelling car care product ever

That's my initial wax test, whatever it's worth.

Andy

 

Andy - nice comparison... have you tried topping any of these synthetics with a carnuba? I'm a BIG fan of the S100/P21S (same thing, except the S100 is sold in motorcycle shops for much cheaper than the P21). I've found that it gives a bit more depth to the shine and it's silly easy to put on and take off.

The one negative that people are muttering about with the NXT and is currently being tested is how long it stays on the car. Some people are only getting 2 weeks on it; others claim much longer. We'll see how it holds up on the Mini...

 

>>Andy - nice comparison... have you tried topping any of these synthetics with a carnuba? I'm a BIG fan of the S100/P21S (same thing, except the S100 is sold in motorcycle shops for much cheaper than the P21). I've found that it gives a bit more depth to the shine and it's silly easy to put on and take off.
>>
>>The one negative that people are muttering about with the NXT and is currently being tested is how long it stays on the car. Some people are only getting 2 weeks on it; others claim much longer. We'll see how it holds up on the Mini...

Topping off with wax is next on my list. When you do that do you have to remove it before adding another polymer coat?

As far as NXT being short-lived, I wonder if that's why they sell the booster wax spray stuff?

Andy