Nummytime, I'm so sorry to hear about the delay for your car. I hope you will get it soon and everything will be absolutely perfect.

I received my car, but it had a few problems that I'm going to have to go back to the dealer to see, so maybe it's better to wait and get a perfect car than to get one that was rushed through with problems? Well, it's a thought, anyway. The MINI is very well engineered. Getting into the dash, etc. is extremely easy, once you know how. Ah, there's the catch. But, all went well. The instructions I had printed off were a good guide, but MINI has re-designed the dash a little and that slowed me down. It was also flooding where I live west of Charlotte, so I had to deal with water coming into the garage.

I figured out how to pull the glovebox. Gee, it was so simple. Just a few screws. I applied some felt tape and I eliminated 95% of the squeaky/creaky noise I had. I'll pull it again and put a little more felt tape on it to deaden it completely.

After the break-in process, I'll be installing the Madness intake I ordered in a group buy. It should be here by then.

Two days ago, I tried to apply some stripes to my MINI. That didn't go so well. I'm going to let a graphic installer do it. The flat part of the bonnet is easy, but those compound curves in front are hard to deal with. I couldn't eliminate the bubbles and creases, so I just pulled it off and cut my losses while I was ahead. I have a blemish under my clearcoat, so they're going to have to repaint the bonnet, anyway. I guess I should wait until that is taken care of, but with my rally lights, my MINI really wants the stripes.

I'll be taking my MINI to the beach this weekend. I'm really looking forward to it. Sure hope it's a trouble-free drive and we get some sun, so I can pop the sunroof.

I'll try to get some pics, soon.

Well, that's all the news that isn't (with apologies to Michael Feldman),
JS

 

Great pic, Minimark. What are those things in the field behind your car?

See ya,
JS

 

Oops, make that Minimarc. Sorry about the misspelling.

Oh, and your pic wasn't showing up. Here it is:






See ya,
JS

 

The car is one week old now. Finally figured out how to post a pic. A different angle from most.

 

FINALLY picked up my car today...had some hassle with the install of the luggage rack, and I'll have to take it back later to get that done. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE this little car. I've only had a small taste of the effect it has on people (me included) but I definitely am looking forward to more of the same. We're heading off all for a weekend of family camping (along with our new addition), so I'll post more impressions early next week. If you don't have yours yet, hang in there! It's definitely worth the wait!

(no further pics beyond the first ones i posted earlier in the thread...sorry!)

 

Gosh I have been so involved with my MINI that I have not gotten around to posting some pictures to see. We picked up our MINI (Rex) on May 16 in Portland, Oregon. Everything went very smooth and the car was absolutely perfect. The smiles are ear to ear everytime my wife and I go anywhere. And we are going to the Italian Job premere Thursday near Seattle. Should be tons of fun. Happy motoring to all May deliveries!! It was well worth the wait for our MINI!!

 

Well, finally got the run in done. Unleashed Drago and at 4500 he sprung to life! Smooth and very quick to red line, quick shift, back to red line. Lane stripes began to look like dots and my cheeks began to hurt from the gigantic smile Freeway on ramp with a sweet S turn, right at the beginning of the e-way (US 23 in Standish, Michigan). Max. launch, hit the main road coming up on a snoozing Honda Civic with full barn door rear wing and coffee can tail pipe - zoom - right on by! He'd been MINIed

 

Jstines that looks like the cars buried in the ground along route 66 somewhere. I think I've seen it on the History channel.

The stares and comments are a nice added feature of this car. I seem to get more nods from the large customized SUV crowd than anyone. The only question I have been asked so far is "is that a Bristish or Italian car?"

I haven't broke mine in yet but am leaving for a trip Wednesday. Half way there I should have it ready to go. :smile:

 

>>I figured out how to pull the glovebox. Gee, it was so simple. Just a few screws. I applied some felt tape and I eliminated 95% of the squeaky/creaky noise I had. I'll pull it again and put a little more felt tape on it to deaden it completely.
>>
Jstines;
You mentioned putting felt tape in/around the glovebox to eliminate squeaks. I have the same problem. Can you tell me more? Where do you get felt tape? Where did you apply it?

 

YIPPEEEE!!! Dealer called me and I will, in fact, stay a member of the ICWFM Club. My MINI is in! I'm picking up on Thursday.... NOTE: Longest day in my life = Wed, 5/28/03. I can hardly believe it. They called just as I was going to bed (work 3rd shift) and I couldn't fall asleep (what with that smile plastered on my face). Then dreamt about it. Thanks to all of you who were thinking good thoughts for me!

Never really cared for the Pointer Sisters, but have a yearn to here "I'm So Excited". Can someone please explain?

NUMMYTIME

 

Congratulations Nummytime. Get the song on a cd and play it on your way home with your new Mini. It will soon make sense. :smile:

 

My car is not hurt too bad!

I picked up my car last Saturday after a 6 mo. wait. We left the dealer at about noon. We stopped to see a friend. At 3:30 PM, after having the car for 3 1/2 hours,
a 1999 Ford Expedition with an idiot at the wheel hit me in the rear as I was pulling
into my driveway.

Luckily, the bumper height matched and I think that only the bumper cover is
damaged. I was turning right into the driveway and his right front bumper hit
my left rear .

A Ford Expedition is a large SUV and it could have been very bad.

As I wrote above, I think that only my bumper cover is damaged. The end of his bumper was bent back into the tire. The policeman helped the idiot pull out
the bumper so that he could drive.


I was more angry than I have ever been before. It is a good thing that I am not a violent man as I might have been in jail now.

 

That's terrible news ted8597. Some times I wish there was a mandatory driving school for people that cause avoidable accidents. Everyone, not just SUV drivers. Maybe even require them to place business size magnetic signs on their doors for 90 days which say "I was stupid and caused an accident". That would make them think again about not paying attention.

 

G3,

There are 5 screws that hold the glovebox. They all use Torx T-20 screws.
Open the door to the glovebox, and you'll see one screw in the back and two near the top inside lip. Remove those. Now, if you have a magnetized screwdriver with a torx bit, you'll find the remaining two screws much easier to remove. They are located in recessed holes on the left and right side of the glovebox. Once those are out, the entire glovebox can be lifted out. Be careful not to scratch the downtube, as it is easily marred. Before pulling out the glovebox, disconnect the light connector (just pull it out) and take a look under the glovebox so that you'll see how to reconnect the air conditioning hose (it's clear plastic with white ribbing). It's just a tension fit hose. No clamps or anything, so it'll just pop loose and fall on the floor when you remove the glovebox. It helps if you saw where it came from, first.

On the back of the glovebox (with it removed), you will see a plastic tab that is inserted into a slot on the dash. I wrapped that in felt. You will also see a brass-looking (maybe heat treated) very large (Torx 40?) torx screw head on the lower right dash frame where the glovebox was mounted to the dash. I removed this screw, pulled back the plastic frame about 1 inch, and I placed the fuzzy side of Velcro behind the plastic and then tightened the screw back. On my car, this large torx screw was loose. Anywhere on the back of the glovebox that looked like it had the potential to rub, I applied felt/Velcro.

As for where to get the felt tape, I removed some from the knee bolster that I replaced with a euro shelf. I also used the fuzzy side of sticky-back Velcro. You could also apply felt from a hobby store with an adhesive of your choice. I looked but could not find felt tape.

Hope that helps. That squeaking was driving me nuts and I'm so happy it's fixed. Car is very quiet and solid as a rock, now.

See ya,
JS

 

Congrats Nummytime!

So happy that you finally got your car. Let us know how you like it.

Your Tosca-twin,
JS

 

Nummytime: Congrats! You've had an agonizing wait. Glad its just about over. Make sure you post some pics.
Jstine: thanks for all the tips. I now know what I'm doing this weekend. That glovebox rattle is driving me nuts.

 

NUMMYTIME,

So glad to hear that your baby is finally in. You're going to love it. The best part of my day is driving to and from work. One thing I have noticed is that it seems like the spedo is off. I can't keep it under 70 on the highway! Once I get my hands on a digital camera and it stops raining (14 days sraight now) I'll post some pics.

ted8597,

I feel for you. Hopefully you will have it back on the road soon looking new again. I guess it could have been worse had he hit you broadside. I hate SUV's - ok, what I really don't like is the idiots that drive so many of them that just don't care because they think they can do anything because they won't be hurt surrounded by all that metal.

 

Within 2 hours of of posting a want ad on the Marketplace forum at this site,
I found a "new car takeoff" rear bumper cover.

 

Ted8597,

Sorry to hear about the bump-up. I can't imagine how upset I'd be if someone rear-ended my new MINI. Heck, I watch the car from my office window and from restaurants just to make sure no one dings my doors. In fact, I just peeped out to make sure Ace is OK.

That is amazing that you found a bumper so fast. Hopefully you got your misfortune out of the way and from now on, it's smooth sailing.

G3, if you have any questions about removing the glovebox, getting at the rattle, etc, send me a private message and I'll help you all I can. I've completely torn out my entire dash and dash top, so I now know all the little tricks. Could you imagine tearing into any other brand new car like this? Sure is out of the ordinary for me. We're becoming a part of that fine tradition of owning an English sportscar.

See ya,
JS

 

"We're becoming a part of that fine tradition of owning an English sportscar. "

Yea, but without Lucas electrics! Back in the day I use to buy and restore old Triumph TR 3's. I've owned a TR-2, 2 TR-3's, a TR-3B and a TR-4. Also an MGB. I was a glutton for punishment and have the bruised knuckles to show for my folly. Only thing I've done to my MCS is replace the antenna with a short one of a Honda S2000, but I'm sure its just a matter of time before I start getting into it like you jstines.

 

Well, after straddling the May/June fence sinced we ordered in February, looks like we're permanent May personnel. Going to pick up the BRG/BRG Cooper S tomorrow night, just in time for a first night showing of The Italian Job.

 

Thanks to all of you who have "felt my pain" in waiting for delivery of my MINI. It is now going nighty-night in my garage after a full day of whooping it up on back country roads today. I'm having a ball with it. Just sold and said goodbye to my Fiero which I had for 15 years. Had a pang of sadness as she drove away, but then turned around to see my new MINI smiling at me and instantly felt better. I couldn't be happier with it and still can't believe it when my garage opens and I see it! Pinch me, SOMEBODY!!!!! I AM NOT WORTHY (ok, I guess I know I really am). All the research that we put into this process before ordering our MINIs and then going over the top as we wait really pays off... I'm so enjoying this time!!!!!
NUMMYTIME

 

Not only didn't I make the May club,I didn't even get the Mini.

The car arrived at the dealership but I didn't sell the car I was driving.The dealer gave me to the end of May to sell my car.It took me until today (June 1st)to sell the car.Problem is my Mini dealership changed hands over the weekend sold the car to someone else on Saturday(May 31st).

I missed the car by a day.I spoke to my motoring advisor last Thursday and he told me the car would be fine sitting there at for the first week of June.I'm told now they HAD to sell it to get it off the books before the dealership changed it's name.

Well,I at least have a picture of the car.Never sat in it however.Oh well.Somethings just don't work out.

I'm calling dealerships tomorrow to see what unsold Mini are just lying around taking up space.

Oilman930(Founder of the "I can't wait for May" club)