Although I can program and index Access databases and leap giant spreadsheets with a single bound, I am completely clueless as to how to uplaod photos from my computer to my personal gallery here. Help needed please, for I want to share my baby. Thank you.

Also, driving impressions for first 400 miles:

Pros:

--Averaging just under 28 mpg, city highway stop go fast slow U name it, verified thru OBC and basic math at the pump. Impressive. :D :D
--Exuberant little kids waving at us while motoring :D
--the power increase and KEWL exhaust sound :D WOW WOW WOW
--The leather/cloth seats are comfortable and grippy, smell great
--The 3-spoke MFSW
--Using that new ugly new cup holder as an I-pod cradle (about took it off--UGH!)
--no rattles or buzzes yet, and I've done some dirt roads
--The orange Night lighting
--The new Xenons. I hope I'm not blinding anyone :eek:

Cons: (hard 2 list)

--A vague occasional smell of coolant, goes away after heat on full for 5 minutes
--Those GD Runflats :mad:
--Scraping the front airdam on driveways
--The access door next to the dead pedal is loose, like someone tried to force it on
--The remote key doesn't disarm the alarm the first unlock press, this may be me
--A slight pulsing vibration when releasing the clutch (break-in?)
--The dipstick's 75 degree bend

That's it. Getting closer to 1250 every day (although I have sent it to 5K rpm on a few occasions.) Hope everyone else is having as much freaking fun as I am. Jimbo

PS is anyone else having trouble with missed shifts in that tight gearbox?

Hey sequence, nice review. :) I took out my nasty cupholder and just use one of the little cupholders between the downtubes for my iPod, works great. If you wanna get rid of your cupholder you might try that.

As for setting up the gallery here, yeah, it's not the most intuitive thing in the world. Go up to the top menu here and choose Galleries -> Personal. Then just below the top menu there are a few links at the top of the page it takes you to - one of them says something like "Index & Manage". You can upload pics from there. It's kinda silly the way it's done. And then if you want the little camera icon to show up on your posts, you need to change your personal profile to say "images in gallery" (I think it's like the last option on the change profile page). But you can link to your gallery all the same even if the camera isn't showing up, once you've created your gallery page.

As for your mileage, that is good. For some reason I've only been getting ~22 mpg, which isn't cool. I'm hoping it's just break-in, and the thing that really blows me away about it is that I can't floor it so I have no idea how it's so bad.

As for missed shifts, haven't mis-shifted, but have grinded it on my way to 3rd gear a couple of times, expecting the throw to be shorter and letting out the clutch too soon. I had a short-shifter kit on my old car and the throws were very short, I guess I got pretty used to it. :)

-mike

I am happy to report that 12 days after delivery I have reached that magical number of 1250 miles. The car is performing beautifully and seems to average about 26-27 miles to the gallon (mixed hwy and stop and go).

There have been no major problems with the car so far except when I start it up after it has sat for a long time (8+ hours) the engine spits and putters then the RPMs go up to about 1000-1100 for a minutes or so then it settles back down to the normal 800 or 900 range. Can anybody tell me if this is the rough Idle problem or is that more of an all the time problem?

Also has any one tried out the rear wiper spray yet? I know that they changed the design for '05. When I use mine it seems to shoot straight up, barely hitting the window and sparying the spoiler, which in turn gets the window wet. Who knows, maybe that is how they designed it...

-Andy

Sequence - you can also use the attachment function at the end of a post to upload a few (small) photos.

I agree about rubbing the front fender on driveways - I've started taking them sideways, helps a little - or I drive around to see if there is another entrance. My own driveway is really bad, so I've been backing in.

My mileage is also not the greatest... but you know, if that was my primary concern, I would have bought a Prius!!!

I for one (and it seems I am the only one) am OK with the cupholder. I use a large cup to take tea to work (it seals) which fits well in the holder - and the 1.5 liter water bottles fit nicely too. Drinks (especially water) are mandatory travelling gear here in the Southwest - if you didn't have any onboard, you'd be stopping every 15 mins to rehydrate (or you could use a camelbak). I like that it swivels to the left and right, and I like that the rubber things come off so you can wash them.. I have a theory that you can actually pull off the metal part if you want, but I haven't tested that. Maybe someone who has taken theirs off can look at the inside and see if that would work.

My partner has been in the 04 model with the cupholder lower on the downthingy and he said that it was horrible because he keps bumping his leg on it... this one is high enough that its out of the passenger's way, and if it didn't swivel it would be bad.

Anyway - those are my thoughts after a 1100 miles motoring experience.

Cadbury, you're not the only one, I like the cup holder pretty much too, except I kinda worry the mounting and its build are not too strong, afraid one day may break it and damage the center tube (the vertical tube the cup holder is mounted on).

I also like the large cup holder. The only thing I wish it would do differently is have a gyroscope function that swiveled when going around corners

That would be a sweet mod!

I like that it swivels to the left and right, and I like that the rubber things come off so you can wash them.. I have a theory that you can actually pull off the metal part if you want, but I haven't tested that. Maybe someone who has taken theirs off can look at the inside and see if that would work.
Just an FYI-

Be careful with that flipping it back and forth thing. I removed mine the day after I got Katie, but after I did, I noticed that a piece of foam/sticky tape was missing on the bottom of my attachment piece. Because it wasn't there to protect the pillar, I have a small scratch spot from where the swivel would catch.

Since mine is not attached, I can see that the ability to swivel it is not necessarily built in. Each time its swiveled from side to side, a little finger-like piece is popped in and out of a cavity. The cavity is only available for 1 direction, not both.

I don't think that the metal will easliy come out of the plasic framing either, but I haven't tried.

Thanks for the info, Kathie's mom!!

How are you enjoying the yellow MINI??

Ok all right for all of U who wish not to hassle with Webshots and who MUST ;) see pics of EFR here's a link to my quickie Earthlink "web" page. I'll be substituting pics as I go. The pics are all full size (500K) when downloaded. Enjoy. Comment invited.

http://home.earthlink.net/~sequence/

Oh and yes I'm having a cold (overnight) engine start issue like Andy: hold pedal down halfway, turn on ignition, engine jumps to 1200 rpm, then sputters down to six, I give it a little gas, back to 900, all's well. It has been wet here lately.

Anybody else? Jimbo

Cadbury, you're not the only one, I like the cup holder pretty much too, except I kinda worry the mounting and its build are not too strong, afraid one day may break it and damage the center tube (the vertical tube the cup holder is mounted on).

This is why it's good as an I-pod holder. They weigh 6.7 oz. ;)

I too questioned how it's held to the downtube, and all my passengers at least tolerate, but secretly, hate it. Jimbo

There have been no major problems with the car so far except when I start it up after it has sat for a long time (8+ hours) the engine spits and putters then the RPMs go up to about 1000-1100 for a minutes or so then it settles back down to the normal 800 or 900 range. Can anybody tell me if this is the rough Idle problem or is that more of an all the time problem?

Andy (or anyone else with this minor issue) try this: insert key in ignition, turn on ignition, WAIT about 8-10 seconds until ALL lites are off (to allow time for fuel pressure to build up), press gas pedal down about halfway, turn key and start, and it should be OK.

I tried this method this AM (after 12 hours cold) and it worked perfectly, no sputter. Now, let's see if it works on a consistent basis. Jimbo

Gee guys didn't mean to kill the thread! :(

hehe sequence. :) By the way, you all realize that a high idle for first 1-2 minutes of warmup is normal for most cars, right? The sputtering weirdness may not be exactly normal, but idling around 1100-1200 rpm is completely normal for a car that is completely cold on startup.

-mike

I have a question....

assuming that many of you are over break-in by now...

how high in the RPM's are you going before changing... especially between 1-2-3 ??
do you do it differently on the highway to the streets??

I've been reving up to over 5000 (of course you exceed the speed limit in 2nd)... but was wondering how everyone else is treating their MINIs...??

Although I'm only at 700 miles, I still push the RPMs to a tad over 5000 more and more frequently when changing 2-3 and 3-4, but that's about it. Waiting 1250 to go over 4500 rpms is too restrictive--nothing wrong with varying it over the entire rev range (although I've not exceeded 5500 yet.)

Oh and my MCS "bit" me yesterday as I attempted to change out my OEM panel filter with a K&N unit. As I tried to clip shut the stoopid little clamp that secures the hose to the airbox, the crude tool I was using slipped and gouged my hand (I had to go to the dealer where the very helpful tech used some special $50 tool to re-clamp it.) So maybe EFR was telling me "keep your hands off me maintenence-wise you FOOL." :eek:

and Mike I realize the engine operating at 1100-1200 when cold is normal. What I (and Andy A ) were referring to was the engine attaining this level, then sputtering down to 500-600 rpm for a few moments, then back to 900. Waiting 8-10 seconds with the key on in position 2 before start-up and giving it a bit of gas at ignition seems to alleviate this problem. Jimbo

Ah, gotcha sequence, didn't mean to imply you wouldn't know that sorta thing, just got the wrong impression from the thread. :)

Cadbury, sadly, I'm still not out of break-in. :( I've been very busy with school the past week and I was planning on motoring a ton this weekend, but I've been quite sick since Thursday so I've had to limit the driving, unfortunately. Still I've managed to get her up to about 900 miles, so it won't be long now. Hopefully it'll be a calm week class-wise. ;)

-mike

EML & Service Engine Soon light ... Has anyone else seen these pop on? Mine will come on every few times I drive her. However, if I turn off the car and turn it back on, they almost always go off. When they are on, there is no noticeable difference in the power or driving. I guess I should just take her into the shop ...

I still have only put 225 miles on her. But almost all of them with the top down!

:D

I have just over 300 miles now, and when I start the car the service soon light comes on briefly. It has not come on while driving though.

John

I have just over 300 miles now, and when I start the car the service soon light comes on briefly. It has not come on while driving though.

John

it should come on for a few seconds when you start the car and at the odometer, it should show you how many miles til the next service is..... should be normal behavior... had it on my 03 MC and now on my MCS...... cheers :)

Guys, long time no post. :)

I have been motoring the past weekends, if you familiar with the bay area ... Last last weekend, my wife and I motored to Santa Cruz, then followed Hwy1 up north thru Half Moon Bay then to SF. On the way up, one PW/W was going south, we waved to each other, it was nice. Yesterday, we motored up to Napa valley, drove around, went to the outlet mall and stuffs. Weather was nice, drive was pleasant.

Latest mod of my car was painted the caliper to green, this Wed, I will bring the car in to the dealership for activating the Mini alarm. :)

Hey, Frankie - good to see that the Aug. group members are out busy motoring in their new cars..... actually have 700 mis. now on "casper" and been loving every min. of it.... wheels/tires I'm told are to be delivered tom. so I will post some pics once installed..... here's my latest mod.... just put in the "chrome" trimmings for the inside... bought the parts from Classic and all I'm missing now is the chrome ring for the tach... which accdg. to Classic is not avail. you would need to replace the whole tach... needless to say, that's out so I just went with the chrome ring from moss mini.. a little pricey for $50 but hey, it'll complete the "chrome look"... here's a pic..... not sure if you can make it out though... it's the whole center console rings, couplhoders, shifter ring and rear cupholder as well... not bad for $60+ for the package.... ;)

Hey, Frankie - good to see that the Aug. group members are out busy motoring in their new cars..... actually have 700 mis. now on "casper" and been loving every min. of it.... wheels/tires I'm told are to be delivered tom. so I will post some pics once installed..... here's my latest mod.... just put in the "chrome" trimmings for the inside... bought the parts from Classic and all I'm missing now is the chrome ring for the tach... which accdg. to Classic is not avail. you would need to replace the whole tach... needless to say, that's out so I just went with the chrome ring from moss mini.. a little pricey for $50 but hey, it'll complete the "chrome look"... here's a pic..... not sure if you can make it out though... it's the whole center console rings, couplhoders, shifter ring and rear cupholder as well... not bad for $60+ for the package.... ;)

Cool, man. Why didn't you order that interior chrome pkg when you spec casper? I ordered mine in the spec because I afraid some aftermarket ones are just tinny rings you stick them on top of the existing components and not covering the whole part, after seeing yours, maybe I am wrong. :)

BTW, put in the Alta intake yet? Like it?

frankie - I wasn't aware of the chrome interior package... also, I was told that I could order the parts anyway so I did that instead.... hven't installed the Alta intake yet.. waiting for the break in to be over, I guess.... then maybe, I'll do that....

Met Randy Webb today from Webb MS-- great guy, very informative, and he LOVED EFR's anthracite headliner--the whole interior for that matter! Anyway, when I asked him about the cold start problem others have been having, he said that this is fairly normal for areas that have high Ethanol content in the gas for pollution "control." Also, he said that despite what the owner's manual says, do not press on the gas pedal when cold starting, for because it is DBW it does no good. Nice to have someone so knowledgable so close here. Jimbo

http://www.webbmotorsports.com

PS 800 miles on EFR and no issues at all, except the cold starts. Rock solid car.

Met Randy Webb today from Webb MS-- great guy, very informative, and he LOVED EFR's anthracite headliner--the whole interior for that matter! Anyway, when I asked him about the cold start problem others have been having, he said that this is fairly normal for areas that have high Ethanol content in the gas for pollution "control." Also, he said that despite what the owner's manual says, do not press on the gas pedal when cold starting, for because it is DBW it does no good. Nice to have someone so knowledgable so close here. Jimbo

http://www.webbmotorsports.com

PS 800 miles on EFR and no issues at all, except the cold starts. Rock solid car.

Why don't you have Randy install a pulley for you. He's the master at it. Jimbo. :rolleyes:

EML & Service Engine Soon light ... Has anyone else seen these pop on? Mine will come on every few times I drive her. However, if I turn off the car and turn it back on, they almost always go off. When they are on, there is no noticeable difference in the power or driving. I guess I should just take her into the shop ...

I still have only put 225 miles on her. But almost all of them with the top down!

:D

Have you put gas in yet?
if so, did you turn the knob all the way to the right until you heard the click?
I was told that if you don't do that, the check engine light will come on....

otherwise.... I have no clue! ;)

Why don't you have Randy install a pulley for you. He's the master at it. Jimbo. :rolleyes:

O...K...., uh, is this your characteristcally saracastic side coming out here GS, or were the :rolleyes: a symbol of something else re. RW? :confused:

Have you put gas in yet?
if so, did you turn the knob all the way to the right until you heard the click?
I was told that if you don't do that, the check engine light will come on....

otherwise.... I have no clue! ;)

I'm ashamed to admit it ... but I haven't even put my first tank of gas in the car yet! The good news is the service light hasn't done it for 2 days now.

A cool thing happened today on the way into work. I'm stopped at a light with the top down, and a Hyper Blue Mini cabrio pulled up next to me. For the next 6 blocks, we acted out a few scenes from the Italian Job, zipping all over the place. At the last block, a new Mini S pulled up as well. What a great way to start the day!

okay, folks... here's a "major" mod (at least for me, $$$ wise) :)
exel tz10s 17 x 7 in hyperblack..... with 215/40/17 hankook ventus ?!?!? tires :confused: anybody know anything about these tires? "value" package tires, I guess... anyways, pretty glad they turned out not too dark....
oh yeah, also saved 5 lbs per corner on this new setup.... not too bad....
will take better pics tom. during the day..... frankie, mike - any new mods? anyone else get a new mod from our "august" group..... cheers :)

Gorgeous, Alfredo! Now you just gotta lower that bad boy. :) Still no mods for me - I guess I feel like break-in is an extended part of delivery. :) Since I'm still babying the car so much, I haven't even begun to think about mods, and I just love the car so much I don't feel like 'violating' its from-the-factory look and feel yet. ;) I guess I'm just not used to having a car that I am extremely satisfied with in every aspect from the start - with my A4, I felt the looks and power both needed a lot of work. I may feel the same way about the power with the MINI once I can really get into it, but not so far. As for looks, I will probably end up with different wheels eventually, but really not for aesthetic reasons as much as for weight. I dunno, the MINI is a very different story than my A4 was.

-mike