Picture Time!


Motor-On,
Ryan

 

Stop you guys! You're making me so jealous! Only three more days now!

copi: GREAT color choice, those pics make me almost wish I had ordered mine in EB. Its such a great color.

 

Just got back from a week on Maui. I looked all over for a Mini toy with a surfboard on top with no luck until I found a shop that was owned by a MINI (CR/W mcs) owner. They couldn’t get them from the usual sources so they bought some mini cars and glued their own boards on top. I got 2 of them. Birthday presents for Pyro who celebrates one year today!



_________________


03 MC CR/B. Rogue exhaust, Pipercross induction intake.

 

So many beautiful cars!

asodestrom - those toys are fabulous!

I managed to detail my car this weekend, inside and out! No more rocks in the footwells! Found two more marks where someone managed to run into my car with something, probably keys. Ah, well.. I can always take it to a body shop at some point and make them fix it

Beautiful weather on Saturday was perfect for a nice cruise. The sunroof is still just perfect.

 

The surfboards look great. My MINI (PW/B) is at the dealer. It was unloaded last Saturday and I went out to visit that afternoon. It was hard to leave it there, but I guess I can't have it until they do their stuff. They also told me that the accessories I chose with the original order on 2/14 would have to now be ordered from MINI. I was quite disappointed about that, I thought the point of putting it all in one order meant it would be there when the car was. It means at least five more days at the dealers and I won't have it until Friday at the earliest. But I sold the other car, my son is dropping me at the train so I can't complaint too much. Glad to hear everyone's experience has been good.
Waiting anxiously in Chicago!!

 

The truck is supposed to be rolling into my driveway tonight!

 

Alright, I've got everything worked out, and I'm going to pick up my MCS tomorrow!

I got the total for the car though...UGH! Washington state sales tax is waaaay too much! The car is going to cost me 24.6k AFTER my deposit is taken out of it! The car cost $23,283 before all the taxes and licensing fees, thats more than 2 grand in taxes and fees! I tried to get the car registered in Oregon, where my mom lives, and where there's no sales tax, but my liscence is for Washington State so they won't give me Oregon registration

 

ouch... that's some insane sales tax!

I think mine was just under $1,500 @ 7% sales tax; what's the rate in Oregon, like 9%?

Congrats that you're finally picking up though!!!! It will be worth the price tag (even the sales tax) I promise.

Congrats also to the other April Clubbers who have picked up.

And Ryephile: awesome pic (OUTSTANDING finish... really top-notch looking)... I'm so jealous of you folks who seem immune to swirl marks and such, try as I might I just can't shake them entirely and have resigned myself to just living with them.

 

>>I think mine was just under $1,500 @ 7% sales tax; what's the rate in Oregon, like 9%?

Oregon doesn't have sales tax, thats why I tried to register it there.

Also, I borrowed my friend's digital camera so there'll be pictures of my new MINI for you all tomorrow! Though it won't be until later because I can't get out there until about 6 pm (eastern time).

 

Detailing Lesson for Today
As you know, our soft paint is a total P.I.T.A.! The trick is to never apply pressure with anything (wash mitt, microfibers, and foam applicators), and always touchless automatics in the wintertime. I currently use Zaino shampoo, and Z-6 for finishing when I don't use Z-5 and Z-2.

Detail-On
Ryan

 

Man, this day is taking forever. I'm sitting in class right now...soooo bored. Come on day! Move faster! I want my MINI!

 

put the soda down! you don't need to be all hyped up any more than you will already be! Good luck with a smooth delivery!

 

Thanks! Last night I laid everything out I need to bring tomorrow, camera, sight draft, check book, papers, and even my Cheat window cling!

 

>>>>I think mine was just under $1,500 @ 7% sales tax; what's the rate in Oregon, like 9%?
>>
>>Oregon doesn't have sales tax, thats why I tried to register it there.
>>

Uhh yeah.... the thing about that is....

I meant Washington; I was a total space cadet by the end of my work day yesterday!

As for the paint... I've been trying to use "no pressure", but especially when waxing it can be quite difficult to follow that rule and still do a complete job. I guess I just need to order some good microfiber towels somewhere and a better wash mit. Right now I've been using this fluffy cottony sponge thing that is supposedly "clear coat safe", but I'm not convinced.

 

>>As for the paint... I've been trying to use "no pressure", but especially when waxing it can be quite difficult to follow that rule and still do a complete job. I guess I just need to order some good microfiber towels somewhere and a better wash mit. Right now I've been using this fluffy cottony sponge thing that is supposedly "clear coat safe", but I'm not convinced.

What're you using to apply and buff off your wax? My ideal is a GOOD microfiber (most of mine're from Pakshak, but I've been giving the Costco ones a whirl to see what happens - looks good so far!). A good wax shouldn't take too much effort or pressure to buff off or to apply - just gently smooth it over and lightly buff - really, I'm just using the weight of the cloth to get the wax back off.

I finally tried the NXT - WOW, does it highlight metallic paints! The Nogaro blue of the Audi has the teeniest touch of metallic to it, but it looks a LOT more obvious with the NXT application. Very nice, but I still topcoated with carnuba for a bit more depth. Of course dark silver looked stunning!

Wash mitts everyone goes around and around about... I use a cotton chenille loop mounted on a sponge. First I wet the car thoroughly, then I wash once with almost no pressure - just starting to lubricate the dirt and other particles so they'll be easier to remove from the paint. Rinse again! Then another wash with a bit more pressure and a fresh sponge. I use the two-bucket method for washing the car - one for soapy water, and one to rinse the car.

 

>>
>>Uhh yeah.... the thing about that is....
>>
>>I meant Washington; I was a total space cadet by the end of my work day yesterday!

I thought it was something like that. In washington its only a base of 6.5 percent, but where I live (Clark county) its 8.5 percent

 

>>What're you using to apply and buff off your wax? My ideal is a GOOD microfiber (most of mine're from Pakshak, but I've been giving the Costco ones a whirl to see what happens - looks good so far!). A good wax shouldn't take too much effort or pressure to buff off or to apply - just gently smooth it over and lightly buff - really, I'm just using the weight of the cloth to get the wax back off.


Hmmmm... perhaps this is part of my problem. I always apply the wax w/ a standard foam applicator (that came with the NXT bottle). I usually use a bit of elbow grease and some (apparently not-too-good) microfiber cloths to wipe off. To me, the NXT requires a reasonable bit of effort to take off all the way when it's completely dry; maybe my technique is simply off.

Since it's so nice out today I'm definitely planning to give my baby a wash after work (needs it badly after all the rain we've had). That frees me up this weekend to think about maybe giving a try to some new polish (can anyone recommend something I could actually pick up in an AutoZone or something this weekend?) and re-waxing with a lighter touch and better towel to see what I get.

Thanks for the tips! If it turns out well I'll certainly post pics.

 

Ack! I'm leaving now! I don't know if I'll be able to drive it home without spazzing out!

 

JPL,

I have been using NXT with the foam applicator and a costco microfibre for removing. It comes off pretty well after about 30 minutes or so.

Andy

 

Alright! I got my MINI!! WOOHOOO!!

There was one problem though, they forgot the bonnet stripes

Here's the manditory pictures, they're not that great since I was too excited and forgot to take them at the dealer, and had to take them later when it was dark.

My girlfriend looking kind of weird in the passender seat


My girlfriend looking better in the passenger seat


The back


And finally me with the car

 

One thing I forgot to mention, the Harman Kardon stereo is AMAZING. I don't know how anyone could complain about this. I've heard nice Alpine and all kinds of fancy systems and this is one of the best I've ever heard. Definitly worth the money IMO.

 

Looking great theWrkncacnter! I got my MCS only 5 days ago and it is one awesome ride! I also got the gray space cloth seats and the HK and I love them both. I'm around 820 miles as of tonight.....looks like I'm gonna get to start stretching its legs this weekend! Here's to alot of happy motoring! *cheers!*

 

Congrats Wrkncanter!

Motor-On,
Ryan

 

Looks great Wrkncanter. How about some daytime shots also. Ryan let us what you think about the NXT.

I am going to buy a new helmet before my next track day in May. My old motorcycle helmet is only 95 rated. Should I spend the extra money on an SA200? I like the pyrotect and the g-force but I am not sure if they come in black. Both about $250.00-275. I want to keep it under $300.


Andy

 

>>Looks great Wrkncanter. How about some daytime shots also.

Yeah, like I said I was so excited at the dealership that I forgot to take pictures there. It was my friend's digital camera and I had to give it back that night, so it was take pictures in the dark or nothing. I'll borrow it again this weekend maybe, my girlfriend and I might drive down to Mt. Vernon, that'd probably be a good place to take some pics.