First, to start, I can't say enough good things about Moritz Mini in Arlington, and Christopher Lord, my MA as well as Debbie, the Customer Relations person that picked us up at the airport. Nothing short of a fantastic buying experience from the start to delivery. Since we were driving the car home from Dallas, Chris even called us Friday night after our first 5 hour stint on the road, and again on Saturday just to make sure things we're going okay and that we didnt have any new questions about our MCS.

A little ground work before the fun part, I ordered our Mini on April 20th from Chris at Moritz after contacting 15-20 Mini dealers in the West/Southwest/Midwest to find out what/if they charged above the MSRP and when they had production slots available. My local dealer here in Scottsdale, AZ was running a 4-5 month waiting list which I simply didnt want any part of if I could avoid it. I'd waited two years already to put myself in a position to buy an MCS! I received emails and calls back from numerous dealers, mostly in Southern California, and all of them had 3+ month waiting lists to order as well as some markup.

I had made the above info also aware to forum members here and had two members suggest Moritz in Arlington, specifically Dan in Las Vegas, I can't say enough thanks about that tip to get us to Moritz. Much gratitude Dan!

Okay, onto the good stuff When Debbie delivered us to the dealer they had our MCS all nice and shiny and in the center of the showroom, quite on display






Stop at a rest area along 287 on our way NorthWest from Dallas


We stayed a day in Los Alamos, NM one day where some friends live and work at the Lab there. The museum is really amazing and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the Manhattan Project, etc.





About an hour East of Flagstaff, AZ on I-40 is the amazing Petrified Forest.

I would have taken more pictures but it was just too much fun to drive to stop! The roads around Los Alamos were a great test for me to get used to the handling, which of course, is just beyond fun

Wow, my impressions of the new ride. The one thing that impressed me over and over again about the MCS was the power it has in 5th and even 6th gear at lower RPM. Plenty there to go in and out of cruise control at 75-80 (I40 is mostly 75mph speed limits) as you have to slow for big rigs or slower vehicles going in and out of the fast lane. Rarely did I have to down shift or even touch the gas pedal, just tap the break to turn off the cruise, wait til the road was clear, and re-engage the cruise back to speed.

The most fun stretch was coming down the mountains, southbound from Flagstaff on I-17. By then I was beyond the recommended Max 4500RPM/1,200 mile break-in and was able to have a bit more fun. Even still, not having to slow for corners, simply keeping a nice smooth and even pace was a pure joy.

Once home, I gave our new MCS a good rest until the driveway was in shade and had my first good wash. Lots of bugs to clean up after that drive! This weekend will be a really good Zaino covering and detail job, but for now a clean wash before we went to dinner did the trick. A nice open spot right in front of Outback appeared as we pulled in the driveway and the long way back home after dinner completed a great four day weekend

After the first four days of ownership all I can do is grin, and I can't wait for the drive to work tomorrow!

Dan in Phoenix

 

But because of scheduling, I went from Murray Mini (Salt Lake) to SF bay area over night. I didn't stop for lots of nice pictures, but I did eat in Lee Vining, pee in Tualame Meadows, power nap at Lake Don Pedro, and was in my bed in Woodside at 7:30 am the next day!

I learned (again) that there is lots of space in this country, and that 4500 RPM was 108 MPH in 6th gear!

Matt

 

Congrats on your new MINI, yzdj! That was a FAST process, from ordering to delivery....good for you!! Did you get a chance to meet Uncle John in Texas?? Love your pix!!! Happy motoring!


Clover

 

What time did you take delivery? Chris mentioned he had someone else taking delivery around 2:30 when I got my MINI earlier that morning at around 9.

Good looking ride, that color sure does look nice with the chrome package.

 

Yep, we had no hiccups at all, so the process went fast and smooth But no on Uncle John, he had other commitments that day... lucky dog was "working" at the Texas Motor Speedway!

Dan

 

We arrived at the dealer about 2:15 I guess it was. And yeah, I'm really happy I went with the Chrome package. Most of the MCS' I've seen went with either the classic black or white, and well, I just like to be a bit different... hehe.

Another BIG winner are the Xenon headlights... WOW are they bright and shoot a long way. Day one on the way to Amarillo I'm sure they saved me from hitting a big shredded re-tread in the middle of the fastlane on 287.

Dan

 

Very nice! Love the wheels!

 

Yayyy! Glad you had such a great experience - thanks for sharing the trip with us....Congrats on your new motoring machine...

Donna
02' CR/W MCS (gone to MINI heaven - burned up)
05' Cool Blue MCSC "Ariel"
05' HB/W MCS

 

The DS/B combo is really sharp, and doesn't look like its "missing something" without the bonnet stripes.

For obvious reasons, I have to second what kaelaria said:



W-e-e-e-b Sp-o-o-o-kes

Rock on!

Cary

 

Great write up, great photos, great car!! You can get more chrome. Nick

 

Sorry I'm late to this thread, or I would have let you know this before. You can see in one of the showroom pics that a Giant Bulldog has licked your shiny new roof - check for the telltale tongue marks and hit it with some Scratch-X and she'll be good as new !

BTW that's a very Niiiice ride for the niiiiice ride home you guys had. Sure wish I could've done that "instant break-in" thing.

Enjoy,
Tatt

 

Dan, thanks for mentioning me (Dan from Vegas not Dave). Looks like you found what I did with the good folks at Moritz. Maybe we will see each other next year at AMVIV. Dan

 

Sheesh, you'd think i could remember my own name! hehe... thanks Dan! And you bet, we'll definitely be making some roadies!

Dan (in Phoenix, not Las Vegas!)

 

Made our first short local road trip to Prescott, AZ via Wickenburg/Yarnell yesterday after putting on the first layers of Zaino. Love those twisty roads!