I am happy to announce a new addition to our family: a 2005 Dark Silver MCS Convertible delivered this evening by Long Beach MINI. A Dinan CAI kit and throttle body are being installed tomorrow -w- a new JCW kit to follow at the end of the month. Hopefully I'll have some pics by tomorrow evening.



ftbt

2005 MCS Convertible, Dark Silver -w- Dinan CAI kit and throttle body.

2002 Works Cooper S, Sn. 1165, DS/W; Sport + Premium + UNIchip + Alta CAI + H Sport Springs, Competition Front & Rear Sway Bars, Rear Camber Control Arms + 17" Team Dynamics Pro Race 1's; 215-45-17 Kumho MX's + AP Racing Formula Big Brakes, XDrilled Rotors, Goodridge SS Lines + Clear Bra + Cobra Daytonas + Schroth Harnesses and a full tank of 100 octane ... life is good!

2002 Cooper CVT LY/W

 

Congrats, ftbt! Great to hear about the new MINI and great to see you here again! Please post pix of the new baby ASAP! :smile:


Clo/Wanda

 

Woah - another JCW? I guess one for cloudy days and one for sunny days!

Congrats!

 

:smile: Congrats to you - Yayyy!! Can't wait to see the pictures.. And if you are willing to share, did you pay MSRP?

Chow!

Donna

 

Yes. We have always paid MSRP for our MINIS at Long Beach. They are absolutely great to deal with!


ftbt

2005 MCS Convertible, Dark Silver -w- Dinan CAI kit and throttle body.

2002 Works Cooper S, Sn. 1165, DS/W; Sport + Premium + Alta CAI + H Sport Springs, Competition Front & Rear Sway Bars, Rear Camber Control Arms + 17" Team Dynamics Pro Race 1's; 215-45-17 Kumho MX's + AP Racing Formula Big Brakes, XDrilled Rotors, Goodridge SS Lines + Clear Bra + Cobra Daytonas + Schroth Harnesses and a full tank of 100 octane ... life is good!

2002 Cooper CVT LY/W

 

Awesome. Let us know how you like the Dinan intake, and if you have any way to compare the differences.

 

What MINI am I going to drive today ?

WIth three to chose from, you must be pretty decisive as not to waste alot of time deciding !

 

Here are a few quick pic taken this evening. A clear bra gets installed tomorrow and I'll post more pics this weekend


ftbt

2005 MCS Convertible, Dark Silver -w- Dinan CAI kit and throttle body.

2002 Works Cooper S, Sn. 1165, DS/W; Sport + Premium + UNIChip + Alta CAI + H Sport Springs, Competition Front & Rear Sway Bars, Rear Camber Control Arms + 17" Team Dynamics Pro Race 1's; 215-45-17 Kumho MX's + AP Racing Formula Big Brakes, XDrilled Rotors, Goodridge SS Lines + Clear Bra + Cobra Daytonas + Schroth Harnesses and a full tank of 100 octane ... life is good!

2002 Cooper CVT LY/W

 

You guys must live in a swanky neighborhood.

 

Hey ftbt,


Must be a hard decision choosing which car sits out at night! Sure wish I had to make that choice.

Motor On

 

Some pics from this morning: The "Evil Twins" and geting ready to be fitted with a clear bra.


ftbt

2005 MCS Convertible, Dark Silver -w- Dinan CAI kit and throttle body.

2002 Works Cooper S, Sn. 1165, DS/W; Sport + Premium + UNIChip + Alta CAI + H Sport Springs, Competition Front & Rear Sway Bars, Rear Camber Control Arms + 17" Team Dynamics Pro Race 1's; 215-45-17 Kumho MX's + AP Racing Formula Big Brakes, XDrilled Rotors, Goodridge SS Lines + Clear Bra + Cobra Daytonas + Schroth Harnesses and a full tank of 100 octane ... life is good!

2002 Cooper CVT LY/W

 

Are you having the dealer install it? How much do they charge?

 

No. It is being installed in my garage at this very moment by Ultimate Auto Care: (714) 412-4851. Installed price: $695.00. They did the other 2 MINIS. Not cheap, but I can attest that it is worth it in the long-run. (I know others have installed clear bra kits themselves. I don't have the skill or the patience.)


ftbt

2005 MCS Convertible, Dark Silver -w- Dinan CAI kit and throttle body.

2002 Works Cooper S, Sn. 1165, DS/W; Sport + Premium + UNIChip + Alta CAI + H Sport Springs, Competition Front & Rear Sway Bars, Rear Camber Control Arms + 17" Team Dynamics Pro Race 1's; 215-45-17 Kumho MX's + AP Racing Formula Big Brakes, XDrilled Rotors, Goodridge SS Lines + Clear Bra + Cobra Daytonas + Schroth Harnesses and a full tank of 100 octane ... life is good!

2002 Cooper CVT LY/W

 

I was quoted a much lower price but still think it's still quite high. I am going to order the auto clear guard and am tempted to slowly install it myself, maybe first start with the side view mirrors, then the head lamps, then the bonnet and finally the bumper. I've watched the installation video and it looks quite challenging but with patience and a lot of liquid solution, it should be manageable.

 

How long did it take from when it got on the ship in England to get to the Oxnard VPC here in CA?

All I know is that I'm on a boat now for about a week and want to know how much longer I'm going to wait for my MCS (also will be getting JCW kit when available).

Patrick

 

So how about a driving impression from the MCSC? What's it like with the top down at 80? How useful is the trunk/backseats? Is the top easy to use? Enquiring minds...

 

Here are some pics with the top down. I had the clear bra installed today along with the Dinan CAI. For some reason, the dealer could not install the Dinan throttle body unless Dinan software was downloaded to the ECU, which wasn't available for the '05's. So ... no throttle body. I'll post a pic of the clear bra (you really can't see anything) and some pics of the Dinan CAI.

ftbt

2005 MCS Convertible, Dark Silver -w- Dinan CAI kit and throttle body (not).

2002 Works Cooper S, Sn. 1165, DS/W; Sport + Premium + UNIChip + Alta CAI + H Sport Springs, Competition Front & Rear Sway Bars, Rear Camber Control Arms + 17" Team Dynamics Pro Race 1's; 215-45-17 Kumho MX's + AP Racing Formula Big Brakes, XDrilled Rotors, Goodridge SS Lines + Clear Bra + Cobra Daytonas + Schroth Harnesses and a full tank of 100 octane ... life is good!

2002 Cooper CVT LY/W

 

Pic of the clear bra ... look close
Here is a pic of the clear bra. Honestly ... you can't see a thing unless you get within 3 or 4 inches of the car.

ftbt

2005 MCS Convertible, Dark Silver -w- Dinan CAI kit and throttle body (not).

2002 Works Cooper S, Sn. 1165, DS/W; Sport + Premium + UNIChip + Alta CAI + H Sport Springs, Competition Front & Rear Sway Bars, Rear Camber Control Arms + 17" Team Dynamics Pro Race 1's; 215-45-17 Kumho MX's + AP Racing Formula Big Brakes, XDrilled Rotors, Goodridge SS Lines + Clear Bra + Cobra Daytonas + Schroth Harnesses and a full tank of 100 octane ... life is good!

2002 Cooper CVT LY/W

 

Unfortunately, as I mentioned above, the dealer was not in a position to install the throttle body because Dinan didn't have the software for the 2005's. (Since when do you need special software for a TB?) Anyhow, I convinced them to go ahead and install the CAI. My initial impressions of the car (with the stock CAI) echo the current reviews of the 2005 MCSC. A lot more low-end grunt/torque in the 2,500 to 4,000 rpm range. My seat of the pants tells me that the Dinan improves the low-end even more. Yes, I could feel the difference between the stock air box and the Dinan. There is also a bit more engine/throttle body noise. Nothing like like the vacuum-cleaner sucking sound of the ALTA ... the "woosh" is a little more subdued, but certainly audible. It will be interesting to sell how the Dinan and the JCW kit improve the total performance. Nonetheless, the car is pretty quick straight out of the box. Certainly not as quick as my JCW but I am very impressed with the increase in horsepower and what certainly seems is an increase in low to mid band torque.

ftbt

2005 MCS Convertible, Dark Silver -w- Dinan CAI kit and throttle body (not).

2002 Works Cooper S, Sn. 1165, DS/W; Sport + Premium + UNIChip + Alta CAI + H Sport Springs, Competition Front & Rear Sway Bars, Rear Camber Control Arms + 17" Team Dynamics Pro Race 1's; 215-45-17 Kumho MX's + AP Racing Formula Big Brakes, XDrilled Rotors, Goodridge SS Lines + Clear Bra + Cobra Daytonas + Schroth Harnesses and a full tank of 100 octane ... life is good!

2002 Cooper CVT LY/W

 

:smile: ftbt, When you had the clear bra installed, did that include the headlights and foglights? Your MCSC is gorgeous!!!!! Thanks for sharing the pix!


Clo/Wanda

 

ftbt,

Thanks for all the neat pictures. What do your neighbors think of your MINIs?
How many drivers do you have for the three MINIs?
How do you like the new style wheels? They look good.

 

Great pics... 3 MINIs... I am jealous!!!! My girl would be too if she saw your MCSC... she loves convertibles. She really wants one, but we cannot trade in the SUV yet... Until the kids get a little older!!!

 

"When you had the clear bra installed, did that include the headlights and foglights?"


Yes. It included the headlights, fog lights and mirrors.

ftbt

2005 MCS Convertible, Dark Silver -w- Dinan CAI kit and throttle body (not).

2002 Works Cooper S, Sn. 1165, DS/W; Sport + Premium + UNIChip + Alta CAI + H Sport Springs, Competition Front & Rear Sway Bars, Rear Camber Control Arms + 17" Team Dynamics Pro Race 1's; 215-45-17 Kumho MX's + AP Racing Formula Big Brakes, XDrilled Rotors, Goodridge SS Lines + Clear Bra + Cobra Daytonas + Schroth Harnesses and a full tank of 100 octane ... life is good!

2002 Cooper CVT LY/W

 

Our neighbors are very good-natured. Several of them came out to take a look at the new car. (One guy down the street has a GT-40 replica in his garage and he was even impressed.) At one time we had a 3 car garage, but part of the garage has been converted into an office .... so one car will have to be kept outside .... but we just got a car-cover this evening from Long Beach MINI. There are only 2 of us, and our yellow CVT is a daily driver. The MCS's are used primarily on the weekends. I'm not in love with either the new wheels (too heavy) or the Dunlop run-flats (so-so ride and handling). Both will be replaced very soon.


ftbt

2005 MCS Convertible, Dark Silver -w- Dinan CAI kit and throttle body (not).

2002 Works Cooper S, Sn. 1165, DS/W; Sport + Premium + UNIChip + Alta CAI + H Sport Springs, Competition Front & Rear Sway Bars, Rear Camber Control Arms + 17" Team Dynamics Pro Race 1's; 215-45-17 Kumho MX's + AP Racing Formula Big Brakes, XDrilled Rotors, Goodridge SS Lines + Clear Bra + Cobra Daytonas + Schroth Harnesses and a full tank of 100 octane ... life is good!

2002 Cooper CVT LY/W

 

I drove the car for only one (1) day with the stock intake. Not a lot of seat-time, and obviously I am following the break-in recommendations. With that said, my initial impression of the stock set-up was, "wow" ... the gearing is certainly better ... not as tall ... the extra 6 or 7 horses are certainly felt and there is now more low to mid-band torque. (However, my tricked-out Works car running 100 octane is faster ... but that is to be expected.)

As I mentioned in one of my posts, the dealer did not want to install the Dinan throttle body, since Dinan claims that you need their software to run their throttle body and they didn't have it for the 2005's. (Sounds strange to me ... since when do you need special software to install a TB? Probably just a way for Dinan to "bundle" their products, so that you have to buy more than you actually need in order to get the Dinan warranty??)

Anyhow, I have the ALTA on my Works and it makes a difference. The Dinan also makes a difference. The new car with the Dinan felt a bit quicker and bit more "torquey" (again, this is based purely upon the subjective "butt-meter"). The ALTA is loud. You either hate the sound, like the sound, or eventually learn to live with it. The sound of the Dinan is much more subdued. No "in your face" woosh or sucking sound. In addition, as you can see from the pictures that I have posted, Dinan's CAI solution involves a sealed box that looks almost like the stock air box. Dinan claims:

"Pressure tests of the stock air box resulted in a NEGATIVE 13 mbar measurement at 90 mph. ... The Dinan system pressurizes the system very effectively, measuring positive pressure of 1 mbar at the same road speed. How is such a dramatic increase in pressure possible? Cowl induction. The Dinan air box lid features ducting that picks up highly pressurized air from the windshield, force feeding the completely sealed air box with cool, oxygen rich air for optimum performance."

Even though the convertible is heavier (beeifier A pillar and underbody stiffening) it seems just as nimble and as quick (or quicker) than any standard MCS. (Aside from the horrible run-flats and heavy wheels.)

Wind noise isn't bad at all with the top down cruising at around 75 to 80 mph. I did have all the windows up, but I was able to carry on a normal conversation quite easily, and the Harmon Kardon stereo really does fill the cabin with fantastic sounds. (Of course it is a different story if someone in a Harley blasts by you doing 85 or 90 ... you do hear that sort of road/traffic noise ... small price to pay, though.)

The 2005 JCW kits are due at the dealer by the end of the month (or so they say) and that will be the next up-grade. I'll let you know how it "Works" out.

ftbt

2005 MCS Convertible, Dark Silver, Black Top, White Bonnet Stripes, Premium, Sport & Cold Weather Packages, Clear Bra -w- Dinan CAI kit and JCW kit to follow, Calif. License No. "JCW CAB."

2002 Works Cooper S, Sn. 1165, DS/W; Sport + Premium + UNIChip + Alta CAI + H Sport Springs, Competition Front & Rear Sway Bars, Rear Camber Control Arms + 17" Team Dynamics Pro Race 1's; 215-45-17 Kumho MX's + AP Racing Formula Big Brakes, XDrilled Rotors, Goodridge SS Lines + Clear Bra + Cobra Daytonas + Schroth Harnesses and a full tank of 100 octane ... life is good!

2002 Cooper CVT LY/W