monkeynet - the first shirt with the four different colored minis look great. good job!

My mini is suppose to arrive at the dealership tomorrow!

Hey Scott, here in Chicago we say 'vote early, vote often' :p

gaminicool, I'll look around for a pdf with a cabrio in it. good tag line :) With all the nice weather we've had here this last week, I was about 5% tempted to reorder a cabrio :D

And Don, one more day :) Are you driving back out to CA with your MINI? I guess the benefit there, besides msrp, is that you'll be much closer to being done with the break-in and being able to rev the engine all the way!!

My mini is suppose to arrive at the dealership tomorrow!

Hey congratulations!! You'll pick it up then on Monday or Tuesday?

My mini is suppose to arrive at the dealership tomorrow!

Hi Kellzir,

Congratulations! Mine too. I was really hoping that it was going to be today so that I could pick it up tomorrow. Now I have to wait until next Saturday to get it. How about you? Do you get to get yours at the beginning of the week?

Debbie

I can't believe it! My Mini got to the dealer late in the day on 4/7. Today (4/8) I took delivery! :D She is a Dark Silver Cooper S 6sp auto, with tartan red/black seats.
Built on 3/17 by the British, arrived in the USA on 4/2, and in my hands on 4/8.

Special congratulations to Mini/BMW for their organization, and service!
If their goal is to order, build, and ship a personalized car in a limited time frame...they have done it. Their cash flow is really working.
I thank all the individuals in the Mini/BMW organization that helped to build, and bring this special Cooper S to me.

My first impressions: (I know it is hard to beleive...but I never test drove a Mini Cooper before ordering)
Solid doors and body.
No squeaks or rattles.
I love the steering wheel...like hugging your best girl. :p
I very much enjoy coasting to a stop light (sorry to those :mad: behind me)...I find great pleasure in feeling the car shift down through the gears.
Even though I must endure low revs, and a "mild" exhaust tone at this point; it is sweet to hear the supercharger emit it's whines every now and then.
Longer higher speed turns feel "planted".
Left and right transisions are solid. The car does not "bounce".
Big bumps in the road are much softer than I expected. (with the 17" runflats)
Medium bumps in the road are as expected. (short wheel base car...)
I am suprised at how easy it is to feel small imperfections in the highway through the steering wheel. (but that is alot better than vague or numb sensations..)
I am very happy with the chrome interior accents.
The chrono package is super...the gauges work very well.
How neat are those toggle switches! Such joy.
I love the way those tartan/leather seats look, and adjust.
The xenon light package works wonders! I could not ask for more.

A few :(
The paint background of the tach. and speedo. seem a little cheap, or dull.
The seats are firm (ok with me), but could use a little more side bolster.
The exhaust note might be too mild :rolleyes: for me (but not for my wife...)
The nighttime guage colors don't do much for me...

My favorite small extras; the Union Jack rear plate holder, and my Cooper Works cap. (I liked the colors and design) Notice I said "cap"...sorry to say I didn't have the $ for the Cooper Works "kit" :o

Well... these impressions have been directed more towards potential buyers, but please feel free to send your comments.
It has be a pleasant experience for me to have spent some time with with the 2005 March production Group. I hope you will reflect upon our exciting days of "March Mini Madness" every year at this time.
With respect,
Steve

Congrats SteveR!
Looking forward to seeing some pictures!!!!

I can't believe it! My Mini got to the dealer late in the day on 4/7. Today (4/8) I took delivery! :D She is a Dark Silver Cooper S 6sp auto, with tartan red/black seats
......

Me, too! Please post pics of your new baby!

I've considered the Union Jack plate, too...but not sure color-wise works as well w/the particular license I'll be getting...or the color of my car.

Also, have considered the UJ tire/wheel plug things...or checkered ones.

Hmmmm...might as well have fun thinkin' about accessories now. :D

Don't forget to rate the March 2005 thread. So far April 2004 is the only one with a 5 star rating! :)

For my 100th post I was going to throw a tantrum..but then I found this schedule information for the Port of Charleston. It might help you K-Line people know when to expect your car too...

here's the link

http://www.port-of-charleston.com/vessel_schedule.asp

oh..don't freak out..it's not in date order..just search for your ship...the MB docks today..the Resolve on the 14th!!

Watch this space later today (9 April) ...............

Congrats, SteveR! Can't wait to see pictures. Am relieved to hear you love your tartan red seats. I've ordered them with my PW/B (due in in a few weeks). I saw the seats in person at a dealer before ordering, but that was a while ago, and sometimes I wake in the night scared---"oh lordy, those red seats . . . have I made a terrible . . .?" I know when I saw them, I thought they were absolutely stunning. Hearing you're happy with yours makes me happy!

Watch this space later today (9 April) ...............
you don't mean.....could it be.......you got "the call"?

you don't mean.....could it be.......you got "the call"?


:D

:D

Congratulations! I'll be looking for pictures later. Good things are happening for the March production group!

Hopefully I'll be posting a message like this one about this time next week. I think my MINI is arriving at the dealer today. At least with a whole week of preparation, it should be nice and sparkly by the time I get there. :)

I'm going to watch some MINIs (4 of them) race some other cars today (BMWs, Corvettes, etc.) today. That should be fun.

Enjoy your MINI! Everyone have a great day!

Debbie

Wow! Being a left coaster, I've been out of the loop on all this activity since I've been unable to track my MCS because apparently it's on a non-WW vessel. It's actually been rather peaceful and stress-free. :D The latest word is that it should be ready for a 4/25-4/26 delivery date at MINI of Murray in Salt Lake City. I can't wait to break it in on the 1200+ mile trip back home! :)

Congrats to all that are out motoring with their new MINIs! Great idea on the March build t-shirts. Here's a caption suggestion: "March Madness! March 2005 MINI Production Group".

Just over two weeks to go until :black: :D :cool:

monkeynet & dpacker - I will get the car in about a month. A group of CA buyers bought from Classic mini in Ohio and is having it all shipped at the same time. So it can take awhile for everyone elses car to arrive at the dealer.

Congratulations SteveR! I drove the S auto for only 10 minutes and was convinced it was the right way to go for me :) I'm glad you're enjoying it!! You're probably out driving now, but don't forget some pix for us :p


Pamlico :D :D

Hi everyone, Thanks for the comments! I'll start working on sparkle-izing the designs ;)

In the mean time, here are three more to ponder. :red:

-paul

I like the original best, at least the graphic, anyway.

Zip

How about....

Front:
MARCH 2005 MINI PRODUCTION GROUP

With a graphic showing a head on view of a MINI.


Back:
WORTH THE WAIT

With a graphic showing a MINI's rear end




Tom

To those awaiting delivery at Bill Jacobs;
I talked to my MA around 11:15 this morning and the truck still has not come in yet. They expect it to be in this afternoon or later today. So I am probably looking at a pickup next Saturday, which is great but with the nice weather here in Chicago its terrible that I wont be motoring this weekend....
At least the wait is just about over

Monkeynet-
I dig the first version. With a solid color scheme it should be cheaper to produce. Does anyone here know how to post a poll? See if we can get a poll going on which one to use.




Since I need some thing to keep me from going crazy on my daily commute to work each day till the MINI arrives :D , I've started to whip up some t-shirt ideas.

At the moment I only have Photoshop Elements on my notebook. This design was done with it. Too many limitations to do anything properly and serious with Elements. So in a few moments I'll install Illustrator 10 and Photoshop 7 and do things right!

Comments and criticisms welcome ...disclaimer: it's my first attempt at design since completing my BFA 10 years ago :eek: :D

BTW - I'm keeping things simple, a few solid colors, etc, to keep costs down if we decide to get any of these printed.

I would like suggestions on tag lines!

More designs to come!

-paul

Steve,
Excellent synopsis on your first impressions with your Mini! Well thought out too. I only hope to be half as observant when we pick up our car next week. :) Thanks for taking the time to desribe your impressions for us. (I'll be showing the wife the post as she has been wondering about the overall ride a lot lately. Our test drive was a short one that we did over a year ago in an 02 Cooper)
Pics are a new requirement you know...didn't you get the memo? :D :D

To those awaiting delivery at Bill Jacobs;
I talked to my MA around 11:15 this morning and the truck still has not come in yet. They expect it to be in this afternoon or later today. So I am probably looking at a pickup next Saturday, which is great but with the nice weather here in Chicago its terrible that I wont be motoring this weekend....
At least the wait is just about over
Thanks for the update Hype. Mine is coming from there too and our MA told us she would call today to let us know if it made it in or not on saturday. If they come in today, we will hop a train for Naperville on Wednesday! If they don't make it in, we'll have to scramble a little bit with the train tickets.
Now we sit around here all day awaiting "the call"....gotta love it. :D :D

would anybody like to trade their new cooper s for my new cooper s due in about a week? wink wink :) I think i know way to much about this car especially since I don't even own it right now... and the cowbell joke was a Christopher Walken quote. guess you had to be there for that one...I don't know if I mentioned this for the bill Jakob folk but they don't put any badging on the car luckily, they just have a license plate frame. I will be so disappointed if my car comes off the boat wrecked....

Quick first imprssions.

As compared to my previous '02 MCS there is a world of differnce. Lots of intangibles, but it feels just more complete and secure. Quite a few little changes that make things nicer. Also feels a lot faster than the previous edition (of course the JCW kit adds to this, but the majority of the added power doesn't really kick in until after 4500 rpm, which is a no-no for the next while). The radio (non-HK) also sounds a lot better as well - much clearer and better bass.

More w/ pictures later.

- dl

looking at motortrend.com new future vehicle forecast I was surprised to find the mini cooper redesign under the 2008 model year. I am actually not that surprised by this because was not the mini cooper out in Europe a whole year before it hit the states? That is usually how BMW introduces new cars, first in Europe and then a year later in the states. Look at the 1 series which is out in Europe but not out here yet. I am guessing that it will become available late in 2007 as the 2008 model year. Everyone seems to think it will come out late 2006. I think that is very optimistic though as that is only about a year about and there seems to still be a lot of design issues they have to address. What are you feelings?
http://motortrend.com/future/spied/112_2008fvf/index2.html

All cars have been "discharged" in New York. Mine got off at 11:53 this morning. :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

Despite all the MINIs being off the boat already, the WW website is still showing that the Resolve won't leave NY until tomorrow. Sorry Ken. I guess the crew want to see the sights. :(

Tom

All cars have been "discharged" in New York. Mine got off at 11:53 this morning. :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

Despite all the MINIs being off the boat already, the WW website is still showing that the Resolve won't leave NY until tomorrow. Sorry Ken. I guess the crew want to see the sights. :(

Tom
Well..tell them to get back on the ship and get that thing down to Charleston! I leave MINIapolis tomorrow to go back to Atlanta..no delivery date on the web yet....but the pics of the MINIs keep me from going crazy!

KC

Well, today was the day. As requested here are some pics (pls pardon the less than stellar photos). This is right from the dealer. Still waiting for my Zaino stuff to arrive, so there is no polishing, waxing, etc.)

http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/Pamlico/58818.jpg


On the Erie Canal

http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/Pamlico/58819.jpg


http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/Pamlico/58817.jpg


New webspoke wheel

http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/Pamlico/58820.jpg


The new armrest

http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/Pamlico/58810.jpg


Armrest top folds back to reveal this storage space
http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/Pamlico/58807.jpg


The armrest folds upwards (this is the max it folds)
http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/Pamlico/58808.jpg


Interior shot - pretty typical
http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/Pamlico/58814.jpg


JCW
http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/Pamlico/58815.jpg

JCW exhaust tips
http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/Pamlico/58816.jpg


The same but different from my '02 MCS. It definitely wants to pull - it's difficult to keep under 4500 rpm. This is going to be an interesting car.