oh no, BE excited. My bad, I was trying to say, don't take it like a criticism, because it's NOT. I totally get it!

We traded my beloved 06 MCSa to get a 'family' Element, after my wife was having trouble with the car seat in the MINI with our 4 month old. I love the Element for the ability to haul bikes upright inside, the water resistant interior materials, the flexibility and hauling capacity... but after a year, we were missing the MINI fiercely. So after testing out a Clubman, which i used to H A T E like everyone else when it first came out, I was surprised to find it drove like a MINI, felt like a normal MINI hatch from the inside, and was generous enough in the back to make car seats a breeze. So the path was clear...

 

I'm waiting on a Clubman and I gotta say, sometimes I see pics on here where it looks super long and station-wagon-ish and go "oh crap, what was I thinking". But too many pictures elongate it and in reality, they're still tiny and fun and MINI-ish, just has more rear room. Heck, it's only 10inches longer than the coupe, that's the length of my forearm just about. The rear doors are so unique yet versatile. And honestly, you just don't see too many of these out there, but every time I do, I smile, and that's what's important

 

It was a tough nut for us, and it almost didn't happen. There are a LOT of MINIs in the bay area, and we live out in Marin now, so there are probably more Clubmans toting kids around, then in the city, where I see more shorties. In some colors, and in some configs, it still feels longer than desired. However, it was actually a happy accident: we saw a pepper white/white one one day while we were picnicn' with the chile' and wer elike 'huh. thats not so bad'... but the real convincing moment was testing one, putting a stroller in, putting the car seat in... we had 3+ years in a first gen MINI to compare to, so it was easy to see how a few inches make a LOT of difference on the interior, and while I still believe the form factor ont he exterior looks a bit off from what I'm used to, bumped up to 17s and you-i-fied? It'll be JUST fine...

 

Yeah I've always found the HC, MBlk, and BRG make them appear longer than they are. PW and the silvers do the complete opposite. I saw one on the way home from work after already seeing two coupes, and saw two more (!!!) coupes after, and while the difference is there, it's still a MINI and still a really great looking car (and that guy in the Clubman took a corner like a bat outta hell..or a DC driver trying to beat a red light ). I call it my "182hp go-kart with a trunk"

Orm: Tamesis left a short while ago..Came rather close to missing the departure day. I hope this doesn't mean a delay into Bmore But it's getting outta there and heading to us!! So soon!! Have you talked to your MA?

 

It will be interesting to feel out the stability of the longer Clubman chassis vs what I'm used to from the R56. That said, I also understand the torque steer is pronounced. Whatever, I wanted baby room! Wheel size makes a big difference on the proportions too, I think.

That white silver one I saw at the dealer was really sharp. That package is a waste if you already spec'd a lot of that stuff, and my wife hates those wheels, so it's a pricey add just for the tails. But Im really liking the body color C-pillars in that package and the italian Soho model, so I'm thinking about doing it myself on replacement stock.

 

My 2011 Clubman S made it to Omaha today. I'll pick it up tomorrow after work and bring it back to Lincoln. The long wait is over. The smiles are coming quick. How do you guys put your description/options after your text w/o writing it out each time??
Scott aka Black 'n Blue
2011 Cubman S, Laser Blue/Black/Black sport stripes/Premium/Cold weather/17" Conical Spoke/Rear Spoiler/Armrest/Adaptive Xenon/White turn signals/Chrome bonnet scoop/Union Jack mirrors/mud flaps

 

congrats!
That's just data in the footer, which you can modify in your control panel. The signature, if you will...

 

Nice color choice Black n Blue. We got just about the same build, except I got the roof rack rails over the spoiler. Post some pics to this thread when you get yours home, I'd love to see what the wheels look like.

And PLEASE for the life of a bunny rabbit, post a pic of the new LED tail lamps at night. I'm dying to see what they look like

 

Just found this thread and spent the last few days reviewing the start to almost finish of new Mini owners. It was fun to re-live your experiences. Can't wait to hear how the new little guys meet your expectations.

So some of you did better than MSRP? That's great. Seems like the dealerships down here in Texas don't want to budge! Any suggestions on how to get them to move. I think if I wait until late Nov or early Dec, they may be wanting to move some cars. I need to wait until next year to pay for the car anyway so I don't mind waiting them out a bit. I definitely want a 2011 so I can order the MCS with only the options I want.

Your advice is appreciated.

 

Thanks Third Rail, I found the control panel. I notice your build, too, Wahoo Shoe, we are similiar. I didn't know I had LED tailights, but I'll try to get pictures soon. I'm anxious to see the wheels in person myself. I didn't have a picture of the standard Infinte Stream spokes when I ordered mine, I like those too.

 

Some of us got good deals, you just have to be prepared to spend the time or shop around. By just forced negotiations, I got to about $800. I came back with Costco pricing and got $1000 off. Then I continued to sit and I got a bunch of freebies. It took me three visits to accomplish this, all in all about 8 hours over two weekends and a night. Just stay put, dealers can obviously afford to dump $1000 off the price, plenty of others have done it. You just have to be willing to get up and leave. Explain to them you're going to go with the dealer with the best option and shop around.

Have you looked into getting a 2010? You could easily get your desired options and MUCH more for much less than an ordered 2011. But if you can wait, then you have time to shop around. It's always either saving time or saving money

 

BnB, I'd love to see that hood scoop too. Enjoy your new toy, but remember us folks on here who are about to go nuts with anticipation on our own

 

I prefer the money savings - so I think I will hang out a while for a month or two. I have been looking at the different options and I been wondering about a few things. Has anyone ordered an alarm system? I always like to have one of those on my cars, but have not seen anyone talk about or even order one. Any info on this?

 

I ordered the alarm. But I don't know if I just got it for my peace of mind, or if it will really have any real value. Maybe a red blinking light would have been just as efficient.

 

Hey wahoo, what freebies did you squeeze out of em?

 

I thought about the alarm just for peace of mind, but my previous car had it and I tore the button out of the fob because I was constantly setting off my alarm...where's the head smacking smiley face on here?

third I'm sending you a PM. I had to put down the MINI stalking for a night last night

Orm: any word from your MA? I called mine and emailed with a friendly "hey, my car's 9 days away, let's get this thing rollin" but to no avail

 

YMMV but in the past having an alarm has lowered my auto insurance bill.

 

Maybe I'll just throw together a circuit of a steady blinking red LED light and put one in the boot and in the front somewhere if I'm leaving it somewhere shady-ish. I bet a AAA battery could make it blink for a year, each would be less than $5, and sure beats the $500 "blinking light" Plus..I'd have enough motive to hunt down the damn thief myself. Then again if I were a robber I'd see the expensive-ness behind a MINI and just assume there's an alarm and not bother.

Tamesis finally left the English Channel and is out on the open road, er, sea. Guess we'll see her again around the 28th History shows dealers within a couple of hours from a port get cars in as little as two days after the ship arrives. That means my dealer could see the car Friday...I wonder how much begging and pleading I can do to convince them to get it to me late Saturday. After all, the only dealer installed options is bonnet stripes and a checkered RV mirror cap. What else do they do at the dealer, just the dealer options and wash/inspection?

 

Wahoo, if you want just a moderated dose of obsession while your ship's out in the deep blue, this site can help: http://www.sailwx.info/ Ack! It actually looks like it's down right now, but by clicking on the top link towards the right, you can search by ship name and get the lat/lon reported in their weather reports--my ship's been reporting every 12 or 24 hours, and the map is quite interesting to look at: basically how they're avoiding the tropical storms and still chugging along towards Panama. Hopefully the site will be up again soon.

 

RE: Blinking Light -- Radio Shack did it for you:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=2062571

From the product reviews:
"After researching the web for possible "car alarm" alternatives. I figured I could do this myself. This is already assembled all you have to do is mount it or create a small casing or the flashing led. Perfect alternative until you get a legitimate car alarm installed."

and

"This item works great as a fake car alarm. Drill one small hole and slip it in, or just tape it on for a non-permenant mount. It even comes equipped with two sided tape --> A+"

 

doesn't the mini have an immobilizer w/o the key? i would only worry about thieves stealing my wheels or breaking into the car if I have valuables shown in plain site.

 

My understanding is that the stripes get installed at port for some reason, and then the dealer will do the mirror cap.
My Clubman got delayed a day. The dealer forgot to order the Union Jack mirror caps. They will be in tomorrow, and I pick up the car tomorrow afternoon.

 

to anymore tracking until a week from now. I'm just gonna let it all rest. I don't need to worry about the impending storms either

I thought stripes were dealer applied? It'd be nice if they're put on at the VDC, means a job well done (hopefully) and then the dealer has no excuse to hold on to it for more than a half a day to do the inspection/wash/install a freaking RV mirror cap haha

 

finally got my deal done and order in - 2011 midnight black mcs! i'm so stoke. i think dealer gave me their slot and i have order status as '112 - scheduled for daily'.

does anyone know how i can check my status?

 

sweet! you can register your production number in the MINI owners Lounge and they'll give you access to relatively out of date, teasing info...