Hey all...

I'm putting my M3 to pasture and just ordered a '09 Chili Red/Black JCW (Week 32). I should get it late September and will hopefully track it at Frost On The Pumpkin.

And I just sent you my 30 quid for membership.

cheers...

Dean

 

Congrats on the new beastie! And welcome aboard!

 

congrats and welcome... may i ask what year was yr M3?

 

It's a 2005. You can see a picture of it in this thread: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=146794

 

sweet M3... i alwasy dream of a conv M3..

 

Welcome!

Great photos you've got there by the way.

NAM has a monthly photo contest that you might want to participate in.

Camera and Video forum

 

Welcome Hope to see you at some STL MINI Club events after your MINI arrives or before You can bring the Bimmer

Lois

 

Thanks for the pointer, and I'm glad you enjoyed the photos I started a thread there (and dropped your name ): https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...27#post2355727

 

Glad to have you on board Dean!

 

I'll be there and can't wait to see it! I'll also be requesting to be your instructor.

 

I'd be happy to have you as an instructor, but as already asked Brad. It makes perfect sense if you think about it. He went from a MINI to an M3, and I'm going from an M3 to a MINI.

But I hope to ask several of the MINI people to ride and feed me tips after the weekend gets started. I was signed off to solo in the advanced group for my last school. It's been a while but I've done the 2 Day BMW M School since, so I expect I should stay in advanced. I think Aaron is the only MINI driver that's ridden with me before.

 

Brad's a great instructor. But you still need to give me a ride.

 

If you give me a ride in MINI Me.

 

The new JCW arrived at last. It came in on Wednesday and then Mark at Clear Bra took it over to work his magic (sport stripes, clear bra, and tint). It looks great. Hopefully I can detail it on Sunday to get it ready for pictures.

I love the car. The exhaust is awesome -- makes it easier to be without the M3. The things burbbles and farts all over the place, like a bullddog. I find myself modulating the throttle just to get it to make noise.

I hate the big ball-like shifter. I ordered the Alcantara/CF JCW shifter today. It even comes with the new logo. The VDC got my driving lamps wrong. I ordered chrome lamps with white caps and got black lamps with black caps. Dealer ordered replacements within an hour of delivery.

Need to relearn how to heel-toe downshift (after years of using SMG II). I'm not quite yet used to the pedal placement in the JCW for that.

My first mods are:
1. checkered mirror caps
2. glove box tidy
3. red track maps on the window
4. moved the BT microphone from the right side the the left
5. hardwired the Valentine 1
6. rubber boot liner

I've ordered:
1. Canadian "big circle" rubber mats
2. stubby antenna
3. JCW CF shifter

Now I'm trying to come up with ideas for vanity plates.

 

You will really enjoy the MINI at the track. It's one of the most neutral handling FWD cars out there and has a ton of tire for its weight. Plus, tires and brakes are a lot cheaper!

Post some photos, we can't wait to see your car!

Aaron

 

If you're doing the winery thing next week, you can see it in person. We plan to join in. I'm waiting until I can get the car detailed and the lamps corrected before I talk any pictures.

 

Congratulations on the delivery, remember to post your pictures in the 09 JCW thread.

Nice set of mods, are you going with a little bigger tire for the track?

 

I haven't yet figured out my tire situation. I have the Challenge wheels with Dunlop summer runflats. I think what I want to do is get a second set of wheels for track wheels. I'll then put all seasons on the challenge wheels for everyday use. Now I need a decent set of wheels for track that will fit the BBK.

Any recommendations on all-seasons for the 17" Challenge wheels?

 

I have the Kuhmo ASX all-seasons on my street wheels and love them! Great grip dry or wet at a good price...got them from Alex at the Rack.

Aaron

 

Snapped these quick shots today. Still have to get the dealer to swap out the black driving lamps for chrome (VDC got it wrong).

 

Looks great Dean! Congrats!

Hey, when you get a second would you mind measuring the interior of your wheels? I'm wondering if those JCW brakes would fit under my 17s.

Mike

 

I'll do that when I get a chance, but that's not the only issue. Even if the inside diameter works, you have potential issues with wheel offset. Those calipers are thick, and only clear the spokes on the Challenge wheels by a 1/4" or less.