My 03 MCS was giving me so much trouble, we went out and bought another one this afternoon!

Nice trade in value, that is for sure, and we are looking forward to our 06 DS/B Anthracite Dash, B/G leatherette, chrome in and out.

We got someone's cancelled spot and already at 112, maybe 150 (production start) early next week. Not only got free mats again , but $500 discount! (before we talked trade in). The $500 seems to be common at two of the three dealers on Long Island.

regards,
Red

 

AWESOME! Congrats on the new baby! Happy waiting!

 

when you order like that, do you trade the car in now and wait for the
new car, or do you wait for the new car and then trade-in when it arrives?

congrats.

 

So let me get this straight......you were having problems w/ your MINI......and you went out and bought.....another one???? Not a Honda? Not a Toyota?? Gee, whadaya make of that?? Kinda makes you wonder about what conclusions to draw from the latest JD Powers "study" doesn't it???

Good job!!

 

What kind of problems did you have with it to go out and buy a new one?

 

Thanks!

Let's see: They gave me my trade in price on the contract. It is good for when I pick up the 06, as long as it is in the same (photographed/carefully checked) condition.

I bougjht another because it is so much fun! We love it.

Troubles in the first 16k miles: Glove box adjust, then replace; SRS lights on, seatbelts replaced; then underseat harness replaced. Sunroof drain pipe breaks and leaks directly in car. Drivers window and regulator, 5k later, same for the passenger door. "Clips" for both doors replaced 2x. Speed sensors go shutting down ATC/DSC/ABS.Hatch squeaks adjusted. Dash pad removed for tape to quiet rattles.
I know I am forgetting stuff.

My son just got an 06 Civic EX. I said, "you should not see the dealer again". As for me, I am staying freinds with my Service Mgr.

regards,
Red

 

thanks for the explanation of the trade-in.

btw, your son has good taste! (I got a 06 CivicEX too ...sedan for the commute).

 

I traded my '02 in Dec for a new '06 because it was a deal I couldn't refuse (excellant trade equity actually lowered my monthly payment and reduced loan term by one year) and I was able to take advantage of 4 years of upgrades and improvements (yes there were many) and I got a new warrenty

Loved my old one and love my new one, and still generates comments every where I go

Love my MINI experience !

 

why did ya have to get the seatbelts replaced? hmm i just remembered something. i purchased my '05 MINI Cooper S used with 11k miles on it and one thing i noticed was the passenger seat belt is beginning to unthread or shred (however you would describe it) around where the plastic thing (sorry not sure of the name of it)...not the buckle itself....moves. it is strange to me. i have never seen a seatbelt do it before. i am guessing maybe the previous owner did not appreciate his/her MINI like he/she should have. that saddens me teehee.

 

It was not the fabric, it was the latching mechanism not completeing a circuit.

regards,
Red

 

Not even sure what all the "improvements" are, just hope there is less trouble. Sounds like you did very well. Best of luck!

Did you get used to the 3 spoke wheel? What about that "bolt on" copholder on the downtube? Looks nasty to me, but the dealer says we will love it.

regards,
Red

 

:impatient The cup holder kinda clutters the dash/cockpit area and makes it feel smaller, definitely an aesthetic eye sore. It's real easy to remove though, two torx screws and some double sided tape. I removed mine last weekend for a show at work and it really does look much better without it. BUT...it is really useful for holding all kinds of stuff, not just cups. I do find myself missing the cup holder, like when I wanted to pick up a wendy's frosty, and when I take my work badge off in the car I always used to put it there, now I have no place convenient. I'm planning on a couple FL to NY trips in next month or so and I'll definitely be putting it back on for those to hold beverages. Ugly, but has come in handy so far.

 

Thanks for the good advice. We lived without it on the 03, and I will ask them to leave it in the boot on delivery, Nice dash looks cluttered with it IMHO, and we are not Big Gulp fans.

regards,
Red

 

Hello - I just bought a MCS convertible (standard, of course )and am LOVING it. Since I am new to the "Mini-world," I would appreciate anyone's advice/opinions, etc.

One question..I thought mini's wave to each
other ? I have waved at a few mini's so far...and nothing...what's the deal there? thanks!

 

Sadly, most MINI owners are not enthusiats, and thus don't wave. They simply use the "cute" car as a commute vehicle and nothing more...sadly, it's true! I just got a job at a MINI dealer washing the cars...and let me tell you there are not many enthusiats MINI's that come in there. No WAY a true MINIAC would let there MINI get dirty like the one's I saw today! On one of them, the brake dust was so thick, we couldn't get it off! It was on there for good!

Anyway, inside tip: Don't get your car washed at the dealer! I love seeing MINI's in there, and they are very easy to clean...but if you care about your MINI, DON'T get it washed! Whenever you take your MINI in for service, be sure to tell them not to wash it. Some of the people will drive the car, not knowing or barley knowing how to drive a stick! Grinding the clutch, stalling, etc. They also drive it around the lot, get gas, etc. so they actually drive your MINI!

Warning to all!
-Cody!

 

Most notable improvements were...new tranny and improved gearing, interior lighting improvements, better engine management in conjunction with the air conditioner(manual)...the three spoke took some getting used to, I still prefer the two spoke with the controls on the back. Cup holder is bulky and ugly but quite useful...still haven't ruled out pulling it though.

 

Thanks Jimbo, That's a real nice color combo!
It's still a Getrag tranny, right? What is different about the gearing? Guess they had to get rid of the controls on the back once they went to the auto trans option. Those new buttons look small, but I guess you get used to it.

I always found the engine well behaved with the a/c on, and we have one of those aftermarket TVA "pockets" that fit between the downtubes, hold lots of stuff so it's coming with us on the new one. The new cupholder looks like it's either in front of the glove box (wonder if anyone scratched it opening it?)or radio.

regards,
Red

 

Thanks Red, as it turns out it is a limited edition color as production of Solar Red/Silver began in late Nov 05 and was discontinued after April 2006 production.
The 2002 Models had Midlands tranny's and much taller gearing on the low end, the new getrag does not require you to keep your revs up as much in around town driving which gives quicker response with out down shifting and a noticable increase in fuel efficency around town !

I always had to compensate for the A/C being on in my 02, but the 06 is much more reponsive when the A/C is on.

The cup holder is usually folded in front of the glove box and must be extended in order to open the gbox. Extended it is somewhat in front of the radio's right side but is not a problem if you have a MFSW.

 

I meant the MCS, which always had the Getrag tranny. Did they change the overall gearing, or the ratios in the box?
I know the MC went to a Getrag too.

Thanks!

regards,
Red

 

I think all MINIs got revised gear ratios, both MC and MCS.