Man Sportty, that car looks bad-ass.

When did your car arrive at port?

No word yet...starting to get very disappointed but seeing your car makes me happy, love the stripes. :D

I arrived at port around the 10th ... and even my dealer didn't know where it was (and OL still says its at the VDC).

Your car was probably stuck with a lot of ours. Its seems there was a 7-10 day delay due to the transmission fluid. No one can give real clear specifics .... but I think that is what it was.

Anyway, try not to give up ... you will love the car once it arrives ... just think of it as "carrying the car" to full term! :D

(and thanks everyone for the great comments ... I'm really happy with the color and the look. The car is better than expected!

Good shots, Sportty and Cadbury!! Is that the purple you have Cadbury? I once saw it in person with my wife at a local dealership, and we both loved it, thought if we saw that before our ordering, we might have order that color. Anyway, I love PW/B too.

Everybody's updating the status, mine now ...
over 100 miles already put on the car in less than 24 hr., SMOG, installed my custom rims and went to DMV. Thing is ... I didn't get the car completely registered.

Story is my wife thought we should go into the START HERE counter with my appointment, and I talked to a girl, who has the car already parked at that inspection lane, and she told me to go in first, then follow their instruction. That is wrong ... anyway, now I have already paid for the fees without the inspection because the clerk said it was too late the inspector has left for the day (it was 4:30), so I need to go next Monday for that. Luckily I have made another appointment on Monday as a backup, otherwise, I need to wait another two weeks. So, I think when you take your car to register, do make an appt and drive your car into the inspection lane as 1st thing, then wait for the inspector to come check you out before going into the counter, that you don't waste your appt..

Thanks for the heads-up Frankie, that's useful info. :) I've got to get on this stuff next week, but I'm going to busy with the first week of classes.

Glad you're enjoying your MINI!

-mike

Sportty,

That's even MORE unbelievable...your car landed a full week after mine AND you're in California and you still got your car before me :mad:

I'm happy for you...but really frustrated at the same time

As a side note, I went to college near san fran and it was great to see those shots of your car up on twin peaks :)

Good shots, Sportty and Cadbury!! Is that the purple you have Cadbury? I once saw it in person with my wife at a local dealership, and we both loved it, thought if we saw that before our ordering, we might have order that color. Anyway, I love PW/B too..

Yup - sure is Purple Haze... its a crazy color...
Inside the dealer it was PURPLE... with the sun shining on it, its BLUE...

when we parked it in the garage, the door opener light was shining on the bonnet.... when you looked on the right of the white stripe it was blue, on the left it was purple!!!

Crazy!!

I think Joe Dentist said it... worst part of the color is that you can't see it from the inside.... (didn't think about the same dash color as body option when I ordered).


Good luck, and happy motoring everyone!!!

MadisonMini.... call ASKMINI and speak to a person - express your frustration... I believe that they are committed to helping out the customer!!!

Hello to everyone... hoping that everyone is up and ready for a day of motoring!!! :) just want to pay homage to my 03 MC which I sold yesterday..... kind of sad since it was really a good car to me.... although, I'm ecstatic about my new MCS! Casper has been quite a blast... invoking tons of smiles and waves around it... Mike, Frankie - how about some pics of your new mods..... hope everyone else is ready to motor or at least almost ready with their babies.... have a fun weekend!!! I know I will...... now, how do you keep below 4.5k rpms again :D

I spoke with my MA in Chicago yesterday and my car is on the train to Portland and should be here Thursday or Friday :D Since I am picking it up at the railyard, no MA to show me everything. I hope the manual does a good job of point stuff out. For those who have their cars, are most of the things to get going pretty straight forward?

John

Most things are pretty much straight-forward, but here are a couple of things that had me looking in the manual:

- For follow me home lights, flash the high beams once before getting out of the car.
- To open windows and sunroof remotely, hold unlock on your key fob
- Windows are one-touch down only. To raise, keep holding the switch.
- Bonnet open latch is on the right side
- Make sure the rear interior light has not been manually turned off if you want it to light up automatically when you open a door
- Also play around with the wipers to get a feel for what operates the front and what operates the rear wiper

Yup - sure is Purple Haze... its a crazy color...
Inside the dealer it was PURPLE... with the sun shining on it, its BLUE...


My wife and I found that craziness too when we saw that purple one I mentioned. that is one of the reasons we thought we would have chosen that color, if we'd seen it. :)

Most things are pretty much straight-forward, but here are a couple of things that had me looking in the manual:

- For follow me home lights, flash the high beams once before getting out of the car.
- To open windows and sunroof remotely, hold unlock on your key fob
- Windows are one-touch down only. To raise, keep holding the switch.
- Bonnet open latch is on the right side
- Make sure the rear interior light has not been manually turned off if you want it to light up automatically when you open a door
- Also play around with the wipers to get a feel for what operates the front and what operates the rear wiper

To add to that, I found that the hood/bonnet is locked on both left and right sides, so when closing it, just hold the two metal ring pieces, which lock to the locking mechanism at he engine bay, and pull down, so both locks will be lock securely, otherwise, may lock on the left, but not on the right.

Also, when driving, the auto close of the moonroof only goes to the tilted position, you have to hold the button again to close completely.

BTW, Alfredo, I am up since 7am already, and I have just installed the Mini alarm myself this morning. Now, just need to make an appointment to activate it. This save me $250. :)

On more trick, is mentioned in the mannul, to people coming from Asia like me, have been getting used to use C than F in temperature scale (I know, F is more finite so the climate ctrl is more precise, since 18F = 10C, just used to it). So, you can change the unit by pressing both the 'air con' and the 'vent to foot' keys on the climate control simultaniously. It also changes the unit of the temperature display in the onboard computer. :)

Good tips everyone! Yeah, the sunroof thing has baffled me, I'm afraid one time before I get used to it I'll forget it's not completely closed and it'll get rained on/in.. Can the car be programmed to close it all the way?

As for pics of my mods, nothing really yet except the ClearBra, and it might be hard to take a picture of it since it's virtually invisible. :) But I'll try later today. Over 150 miles now, did a little late-night motoring last night. I love this car!! :D

-mike

Here's another good tip I figured out. I couldn't understand why the seats would not return to their original position (how far forward or backward) after I moved them down for rear passenger entry. Instead I found them further forward and would have to readjust manually. Page 44 of the manual has this gem.

Original position
Slide the seat back to its home position before folding back the backrest, otherwise the seat is latched in at its current position. In this case, adjust the longitudinal position manually, refer to page 42.

Pics of new rims on my MCS. I know, I know some of you may not like the way it looks :( I like it though. :D I think it now looks more sporty and less cutie for a guy to drive.

BTW, I am selling those 4 S-Lite I have and the wheel locks, I have posted in the 'For Sale' thread, if interested please check it out and let me know.

http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthread.php?t=72223

http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/20038/44939_thumb.jpg (http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/20038/44939.jpg)http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/20038/44940_thumb.jpg (http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/20038/44940.jpg)
http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/20038/44941_thumb.jpg (http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/20038/44941.jpg)http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/20038/44942_thumb.jpg (http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/20038/44942.jpg)
http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/20038/44943_thumb.jpg (http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/20038/44943.jpg)

Thanks.

My MCS seems to be stuck in Southhampton.

I called the ask Mini phone number and spoke to a rep. He advised that my car is at the Southhampton port and has been since 9/06/04. Do any of you know if the shipping has been delayed by all the storms in the Atlantic? I was originally told that my car would arrive at the dealer in San Francisco the last week of 9/04 or the first week of 10/04.

Are there any others out there in a similar waiting mode? My vin ends with TD92600.

Thanks for the info, if any is out there.

:confused:

lah, not sure if the ASKMINI is correct sometimes. In my case, my car was at the port for about 10days, then one day, I called ASKMINI, he told me "your car just arrived at the port yesterday", but actually my car was there since 10 days ago. In fact, my car was lost in the WW site after appeared few days.

Thanks for the tips guys. I don't have a sunroof so I don't have to worry about its secrets. I am sure some wierd things will happen on the way home from picking it up. Since this is the Pacific Northwest, learning how to use the wipers is a priority ;) I'll take some pics next weekend and post them. Not too many solid red Minis around and the aero kit with the black grills should accent it nicely. I think I am going to be pretty distracted at work this coming week.

John

Though I have said once here that I will wait until I regain my manual driving skill before I head out to SF, I did it today. It was a nice drive, got stuck in traffic on 101N into the city and on Van ness, moving from 1st to N, N to 1st, back and forth. No hickup or anything. Think I have regain my power already. :D

On more trick, is mentioned in the mannul, to people coming from Asia like me, have been getting used to use C than F in temperature scale (I know, F is more finite so the climate ctrl is more precise, since 18F = 10C, just used to it). So, you can change the unit by pressing both the 'air con' and the 'vent to foot' keys on the climate control simultaniously. It also changes the unit of the temperature display in the onboard computer. :)

I made the switch too. Set internal climate to 20ºC - 21ºC. Also noticed that in ºC you are able to change in increments of 1ºC (which is a change of 1.8ºF) while in ºF you are only able to change in increments of 2ºF. Similarly, the computer will display outside air temperatures in increments of 0.5ºc (0.9ºF) vs 1.0ºF. So Celsius is more precise.

I've taken very few pictures, as standing within eyesight of the MINI just seems to encourage me to drive it instead. With over 600 miles since Wednesday, the journey home begins tomorrow.

Hope everyone is enjoying their cars, or gets them real soon.

I made the switch too. Set internal climate to 20ºC - 21ºC. Also noticed that in ºC you are able to change in increments of 1ºC (which is a change of 1.8ºF) while in ºF you are only able to change in increments of 2ºF. Similarly, the computer will display outside air temperatures in increments of 0.5ºc (0.9ºF) vs 1.0ºF. So Celsius is more precise.

I've taken very few pictures, as standing within eyesight of the MINI just seems to encourage me to drive it instead. With over 600 miles since Wednesday, the journey home begins tomorrow.

Hope everyone is enjoying their cars, or gets them real soon.


Enjoy your drive, BrantV!!
Good luck with the break-in!!! Dealer told me to vary spead by 5mph ever now and again and the long trip would be fine.....
At least when you get back to Pasadena, you can redline on the 101!!

Just thought I'd post an update. Over 300 miles, baby's first gas tank is gone (surprisingly fast, especially since I don't give it more than about half-throttle, but I'm assuming the low mileage is due to break-in), and the 'gas log' has begun. :) Had to take my girlfriend to the airport this morning and on the way back down 280 there was plenty of open road and everyone going 90+ as usual, so I got to really stretch the MINI's legs. Brought it up to the break-in limit of 95 for a while, and varied the revs/speed/gears a whole lot. Also getting more familiar with the handling, this thing is absolutely insane. Love it more every second! :D

-mike

Just got the call: EDD 9/30! About freaking time.
<<<...snip...>>>


Sequence -- how did you get your EDD, and any idea how reliable it is? I am (im)patiently waiting for my MCS and my guess is it should be on the same shipment as yours. My production number is #7461xxx – pretty close to yours – and I purchased from a Southern California dealer (Assael, near Pasadena).

My MCS went to "Awaiting Transport" around 8/16, and to "En Route" around 9/1. Now when I call 866-ASK-MINI all they can say is to call my dealer, their automated phone system said it was waiting to PUT on a ship (GASP – tell me it is not true!) The dealer said "it should be here any day now," but it sounded like they really didn't research it.


Thanks,
parkerea

Sequence -- how did you get your EDD, and any idea how reliable it is? I am (im)patiently waiting for my MCS and my guess is it should be on the same shipment as yours. My production number is #7461xxx – pretty close to yours – and I purchased from a Southern California dealer (Assael, near Pasadena).

My MCS went to "Awaiting Transport" around 8/16, and to "En Route" around 9/1. Now when I call 866-ASK-MINI all they can say is to call my dealer, their automated phone system said it was waiting to PUT on a ship (GASP – tell me it is not true!) The dealer said "it should be here any day now," but it sounded like they really didn't research it.


Thanks,
parkerea

Pakrerea,

Welcome to the vortex known as EDD! My original EDD was 9/11 and it just changed today to 9/29. I can't tell you how many times I've called my dealer and they said "it should be here any day now". Frustrating isn't it? :mad:

Though I have said once here that I will wait until I regain my manual driving skill before I head out to SF, I did it today. It was a nice drive, got stuck in traffic on 101N into the city and on Van ness, moving from 1st to N, N to 1st, back and forth. No hickup or anything. Think I have regain my power already. :D

FS-Mini: Next time you come up, let me know ... I live right at Van Ness and Mission (where Mission Street exit off 101)! We went out for brunch in the car today and came out to find a group of 6 people peeping into the car. Its so much fun!

Happy Motoring All!

Hit 200 miles today...
Gave the MINI a wash... decided that my nemesis is BRAKE DUST!
put a little wax on those white rims, see if that helps!

I'm so worried about going over the RPMs!!! Especially from 1st to 2nd!! I am a zippy driver (thus the MINI) and I just can't break the habit.

The sun coming in the sunroof was a little harsh yesterday afternoon, so I go the cheap shade and cut it up today. That AZ sun can get to you!

My MA advised that I not open the windows until today (let the tint seal and all that)... so of course, I stood in the garage and did the convenience open and close a dozen times!!!
I think that's going to be GREAT here in the summer - vent the car as you walk up to it!

Got a cable yesterday for the aux port (now why doesn't it come with one?!) and have been thouroughly enjoying listening to the MP3 player!! - but I keep forgetting to turn it off when I get out of the car.

One more thing... a really nice thing about people getting their cars and posting pictures, is now we get to see what everyone looks like :)

I know I should move on to one of those other threads now that I have my car... but I am much more interested in hearing about the driving experiences of people I "know" than all those other people doing whatever they are doing!! and this thread is still very popular with all of our daily posts...

So for those who don't have their cars yet, hope you don't mind me going on about my first impressions.

Lisa

I'm with you on that Cadbury, I enjoy being with the people with whom I went through this 'rite of passage'. ;) I've been dying to give the MINI a wash but the ClearBra folks said to wait at least a few days until washing it, so I'm afraid it'll have to be later this week or (gasp) even next weekend before I'll get the time. But yeah, the brake dust is a bit much. :) There are also some sticky portions left on my wheels from apparently some sort of stickers that were attached to them, and they will have to come off.

-mike

Well, after my long wait my Mini arrived at the dealership on Saturday morning. It unfortunately had the wrong wheels on, but that should be sorted out today. :( If all goes well and they complete the pre-delivery inspection etc, I will be able to take delivery today or tomorrow. :rolleyes:

Now that I have seen my car, the suspense is killing me. I did not sleep a wink last night. I think you guys know exactly what I am speaking about. You seemed to have been left a lot more in the dark regarding your delivery than I was.

I have posted a few pictures in my gallery of my car, but will add LOTS more when I actually take delivery of the car.

I was so disappointed when I got there because they guy who took me to show me my Mini did not have keys to open it for me.... so I just left lots of finger- and nose prints on the windows hee hee :D

Guys, please hold thumbs for me that I can take delivery of today. Thanks

what's up.... hope everyone had a good time this weekend motoring in their new babies.... although I had to work (yuk....) all weekend long, I found some time to rack about 200 mis. on "Casper"... also, I was able to add some "mods" while working.... :)
here are some pics....
Frankie - see what you made me do..... stripes are in place... magnetic which was pretty cool... the right one looks like it wasn't cut right so I have to request a new one... the left one was pretty perfect.....
check out the dash decal... I had this one on my 03 MC and just thought that it gave it a more "familiar" look to the dash.....
hope everyone is doing good with their new toys... and if not, hopefully, you get yours soon.... :)

Hey I realized I haven't really posted any good pics of Hyper in here :)

so here's a LINK (http://www.mini2.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1104660&postcount=26337) and another LINK (http://www.mini2.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1104697&postcount=26340) and a teaser... only things remaining are driving lights (this Thursday) and Sirius (who knows when :rolleyes: )


http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/BartMack/44918.jpg

Hey I realized I haven't really posted any good pics of Hyper in here :)

so here's a LINK (http://www.mini2.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1104660&postcount=26337) and another LINK (http://www.mini2.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1104697&postcount=26340) and a teaser... only things remaining are driving lights (this Thursday) and Sirius (who knows when :rolleyes: )


So very nice BartMack! I see you finally got your aero kit sorted and installed. Sweet! :D