Well after about a month of waiting (which is relatively short I guess) I got my new clubman today from Mini of Sterling in Virginia.

Put simply I'm amazed by most of the features on the car and totally in love! Like many on this site I've been a mini fan for a long time and previously owned a 04' coupe. It was owning that car I think that gives me such appreciation for this car. Here is what I mean

1. The car feels so much more solidly built - from the lack of squeaks and other weird noises to the even more substantial weight of the doors this car feels more like a BMW then the kind of flimsy car my 04 coupe was.

2. Small features like auto up and down windows (did a mod on the old car) the width of the center stack, improved sunroof screens and more places to stash stuff

3. Ok I know this is not a quiet car but man this car seems silent compared to the 04' coupe

4. The clubdoor + baby carseat = pure joy! It is so easy to get the baby seat in and out of the back. Granted its not the best seating position for the passenger (thats the side we have it on) but its no where near as bad as the coupe

So the only things I'm not liking so far and they might be user error are:

1. Maybe I've just gotten fatter or something but the clutch seems to be pretty far to the right. Is this a race car single foot clutch brake thing? DId they move the clutch closer to the brake in the redesign of the interior

2. I can't seem to figure out a way to simply hit the navigation button and look at a map without having to put in a destination - anyone know a way around this?

3. BMW is still not shipping iPhone 3G cradle for the smartphone prep! Come on the phone was shipped this summer! How long does it take to mold some plastic.

4. I seem to have full iPod functionality with my iPhone through the supplied Y cable (including charging) but it just shows up as an AUX device not an iPod in the nav list of devices - Anyone know a work around on this? Small deal really

This car is really really nice and I'm super glad that I got it. On my list of things to do for this car are: first tint the windows, next look at some 17in wheels. Other then that this car is pretty sweet!

 

Congrats! Another VA Clubbie! How many times have ya gone out just to look at it the first night home? C'mon, I know I ain't the only one! LOL!

 

CONGRATS!!! Excellent color choice too!

 

To get a moving map display without a destination, I hit Navigation, then poke the joystick down-once, down-twice and then rotate to select Map direction of travel.

I'm easily boggled though, so there may be another setup somewhere I forgot I made...

 

If you have voice commands/multi function steering wheel, hit the voice button on wheel and say "Map". You can also say "Map Facing North", "Map Direction of Travel", or "Perspective" to change the map view.

 

Congrats and Welcome from North Carolina.

 

Yeah about 5 times last night before I went to bed! Then today since its thanks giving I've been in the car all day reading the manual - messing around and then going for a spin.

Yeah I'm addicted!

 

Ooooh! I never even thought of that. Something for me to look forward when my time comes. Enjoy yourself.