So, after driving the Grey Goose (2007 MCS 6sp DS/B) for a few days, and reading the forums, here are my initial reactions...that, and i'm soo freaking bored at work...

-Aux in is an awesome little feature (+)
-The ambient lighting is totally radical, and my MA didnt even mention the color change! duhh (+)
-What a fast little SOB...coming from a heavy *** 2000 audi 1.8t quattro, i mean it had power, but this is something else. Though i do miss the all wheel drive...(+/-, though mostly +)
-Who ever decided that placing the turbo basically on the hood(bonnett) must have been drunk...good luck opening it up after driving....(-)
-The non-functional hood scoop can quickly and easily become much more functional, but here's the thing. Won't that let too much water into the engine bay...im especially concerned about it entering the turbo and farther back into the airbox. I don't want to waterlock the engine....am i way over thinking this?(...)
-Love the exhaust tone(+)
-No spare tire (-)not too concerned though
-Color is awesome(+)
-I'm really bored at work (-)
-The engine break in time SUCKSSS(-) (p.s...what mileage is reccomended)
-Here's a question...when i turn on the engine, on the tach i believe it reads 15,000miles...what does that mean...mileage until next service i suppose?
-If you made it all the way down here thanks and congrats (+)

--E

 

Thanks for your summary so far, I like the format. Looks like your overall impression is a "+".

Still waiting for my MC... about a week to go.

 

Welcome!

Motoring Advisors (salespeople) know way less about MINIs than we do, so that is no surprise that your MA didn't mention the ambient lighting. LOL. You're overthinking the scoop situation, E. Yes, the 15K is the service prompter. You don't have a spare, so you have runflats. Many dump the runflats and carry fix-a-flat with them.

Glad you are enjoying your new MINI!

 

The 15,000 miles (and a date) is time to next service. Mine is up to 20,000 (date 3-2009) after 4,000 miles. It's been debated ad nauseum here whether one should wait that long or pay for your own oil/filter change sooner. Sounds like your loving your Mini like the rest of us. The bonnet does get hot with that turbo right under it (240 degrees after you stop and it heats up).

 

Look at the scoop grille carefully. You should see that about 50% of it is open. That's how it is on my MCS (built in April).

Many of us have switched from the stock runflat tires to non-runflats. The ride is much better. I'm running Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 tires on CenterLine lightweight 17" wheels. I put the factory Crown Spoke and Dunlap runflats back on recently while I get center rings for the wheels. The ride is harsh. I'd forgotten how bad it was.

Clutch break-in? The engine break-in is 1,200 miles. Do not exceed 4,500 rpm or 95 mph during that period.

Yup.

 

Although the official engine break-in is 1,200 miles, my MINI really started to perform better after 5K miles. I am not sure if that applies to the 2007 MCSs, but it sure did with my 2003 MCS. And I agree with following the MINI Owner Manual's break-in recommendations.

 

I've noticed an improvement in performance with both the engine and the transmission and I'm at just over 4000 miles. Or it could be that I'm just getting to know the car better.

 

**yes, i did mean engine...my bad..

Robin Casidy..or anyone willing to answer..as far as wheels go im going to be looking for 17"s..what rings are being mentioned...do mini's need other parts...im fairly automotive savvy,but this one's got me stumped since i never encountered it before. thanks

--E

 

hubcentric rings. I had to get them when I got my new wheels

 

What clutch breakin

 

That's Casady, not Casidy.

Many third party wheels are made to fit multiple cars. So, to insure they are centered on the car's hub, it is often necessary to get centering rings. They cost about $15.00 for a set of four.

I bought a set of CenterLine RPM wheels with a polished aluminum finish. They were on sale at the factory. They seem to have "overstock" sales frequently. Anyway, they are rotary forged aluminum and cost $169 each. Weight of each wheel is somewhere between 15 and 16 lbs. The stock Crown Spoke 17" (comes with the Sport Package) weigh 22.5 lbs each.



I think these wheels have gotten mixed reviews on this forum. The only porblem I've had is that the factory said I didn't need centering rings. They claim their wheels are "hub-centric". But two different tire places have spin balanced them and they still vibrate. Both places said I needed rings, and people here seem to agree.

I ordered rings from Discount Tire Direct. They are due to arrive tomorrow.

 

The engine is basically sealed up in terms of injesting air or water. The only air inlet is behind the grille on the driver's side. You can see it when you open the hood. No water OR air from the hood scoop can get into the airbox, since it's all sealed up back there. So no, your engine is not going to hydro-lock from water entering the hood scoop.

--Dan
Mach V
FastMINI.net

 

Congrats! sounds like your car is a "+".

 

Strange... mine isn't like that. They must have switched.

 

Mine isn't like that either, I've got only about 25% of the holes open. I know, I know, details.