[warped]

Well after a lot of procrastination I have finally ordered the MCS this morning ... however I won't be able to make any drive days for a while estimated delivery is April/May

Managed to 'squeeze in' two test drives for a total of about 2 hrs drive time Didn't want to take the car back, kept on doing loops around Olympic Park until the girlfriend started to feel sick

Still have a few difficult decisions to make regarding wheels and the bodykit and then there is the elusive JCW upgrade ... this car is going to be about $70K by the time I have finished You only live once I suppose

Cheers
Steve

[AussieMini]

Good on you for taking the plunge Warped.

As with ALL new MINI owners I have met you'll go forth and start the first day of the rest of your MINI life!

Can't wait to see a photo of it on here soon.

Hang in there!

Danny

[IML337]

and I thought the $60k for mine was expensive...

that's excellent news though - have to talk to Scott about a spotters fee hahaha

were you driving the demo with 'S MINI' plates? geez some of us have given that car a hard time - I've got this video and you should see........ ummm I'll shut up now, this is a public forum

Anyway, whats your preliminary spec? Colours and stuff? I'll show you my car and you can check out all the optional bits and see if you want them.

And if you're going for bodykits, there are alternatives nicer than the aero kit in my opinion The Hamann car I have pictures of looks superb! Can send them if you like...

and the wait (pain) begins

Tim

[warped]

Indeed the demo was S MINI ... now with about 6400kms on the clock and still holding up nicely ... I was impressed with the lack of rattles given the probable (and now confirmed) 'spirited test driving' Though I have to admit, I think a new set of rubber may soon be in order, I had the tyres 'chirping' all the time

Specification as ordered is Dark Silver with Black, sunroof, xenon lights, MFSW, climate control, HK upgrade, Sat Nav, rain sensor, light package, DSC , alarm and driving lights ... I'm still thinking about alloys and bodykit ... current thoughts are R90s ($5.5K ) and possibly just the side skirts and of course the JCW upgrade

Thankfully I don't have to decide on either until it lands ... I'm sort of hoping JCW pulls one out of the bag and surprises everyone with a full range of goodies

Already got the Hamann pics Tim ... I could use that front spoiler to sweep the drive way

Waiting ... waiting ... waiting ...

FYI on the upgrade Scott has received official confirmation through BMW about the JCW upgrade ... March is looking good

[IML337]

"In my day, we didn't have HK audio, or rain sensors! Crikey!"

[warped]

Rain sensor with auto-dipping rear mirror is a bit of a luxury but girlfriends 206 Gti has it and it is nice ...

As for the HK upgrade ... after the BOSE in the Audi there wasn't a lot of choice

Thought about the Park Distance Control and Heat Seats but they seemed a bit OTT ... they amount to a grand that could potentially be better spent on either the wheels or bodykit

I'm hoping that the Sat Nav will be DVD based ... forgot to ask Scott but since he didn't mention it I suppose I'm dreaming yet again

Only about another 3-4 months of mulling over possible final combinations

[IML337]

I would have loved to get a rain sensor, auto dipping mirror, and HK audio! Especially the HK audio...

I'm quite used to (read reliant and lazy) the parking sensors now... they are great

Nobody seems to know if Nav will be DVD based or not, though I don't see why it's gonna be of any advantage to us until the maps become more updated. In metro areas this year's CD is pretty good, and has fairly accurate street numbering too!

Have you got a rough build time? My original order was placed in July, and the spec had to be finalised in August for build week 1 or 2 of September last year, with a November delivery. Fortunately I picked my car up as a cancelled order in early October

[warped]

Parking sensors sounded great until girlfriend started going on about how only old people need them At that point I realised maybe they weren't that important ...

As for build time ... I guess I am about to learn an object lesson in patience ... Scott indicated I placed my order at a 'good time' as all orders for March build must be in by 4th Feb ... which would translate into a late April, early May delivery. Implication is that all orders must be placed at the beginning of the month preceding build, at least in the case of Australia

'03 models also get glovebox(with A/C), alloy pedals, different standard steering wheel, and the black backing for the front number plate is also apparently gone (better air flow to radiator)

[IML337]

a/c glovebox is in my car and it's a july 02 build

The new steering wheel is supposed to be really neat. And I have that crappy black reg plate backing - glad they disposed of it.

What you're saying about builds and dates sounds pretty correct to me The boat journey is about six weeks.

Tim

[erichui]

my MINI only costed 48k
though about adding NAV system but decide its going to be a waste of money, and also didn't like the 17inch wheels and its too heavy too

want the JCW kit or maybe the Hartage 1.
but will decide until the JCW comes out, but i can't afford $10000 for the JCW if it is going to cost that much

[Boo]

Mine was 52K without nav... got the 17" rims, they rock IMHO...
I am definitely going the JCW Kit so i suppose it will end up being 63K not including race rims, tyres etc..
Congratulations on the order.... BTW, i think Col Crawfords down at brookvale have a DS/B (think it was black) on the floor, not sure on the spec...
Will be good to have another Northern Cooper S

[warped]

So what your basically what your saying Boo is that your pride and joy is about $70k

I have to look at it that way because it is the only way that I can justify myself to the other half She is still struggling with the concept of an option that could cost $11K and the fact that I am getting close to doubling the list price of a standard MCS

After having said all that I basically had to forcibly remove her out of the demo when she was driving

Cheers
Steve

[Boo]

Let me see....
Car on road $52,500
Harness, extinguisher etc $800
Semi slicks $1420
Oz Racing Chrono 17"x7" $2240
JCW Kit $11,000
Driving lights $650
Car Cover $290

Total thus far $68,900

Yep, pretty close sheeesh
Could have bought an investment unit... problem is, they just don't give me the same charge....

[warped]

Sounds like your car is set up for the track Boo I take it you have two sets of rubber ... I wouldn't fance skating around Sydney roads on a set of semi slicks

What type of harness are you running? Unfortunately there is no way I could ever get a harness fitted ... girlfriend is freaking out that there are no passenger side hand grips as it is, so she wouldn't even get in the car if I was wearing a harness would be good to see her expression if I did get one fitted though

Sounds like there is going to be a bit of a stampede in Sydney when the JCW upgrade finally lands ... dealerships must be revising targets for March upwards already

[Boo]

We'll have to dummy mine up into your car before you go and see her.. you could always get her one too

Two sets of rims and rubber...
The semi slicks are great unless its raining , awesome around corners, even on Sydney streets they'll easily out-perform the run-flats
But i don't use them on the road...
The rims are coming in this week, going to get them painted white...
As for the harness, got a four point 3". Back two clip straight into the points already provided at the bottom of the passenger seats. The lap sections have two straps with metal D rings attached under the drivers seat using the current bolts that attach it to the chassis.. pretty slick actually

Will take some pics tomorrow to show you guys the fittings...

Just doing some driver training at the moment with the BMW Club and you have to abide by CAMS rules to use your own car...
You should come along and join in the fun
If i wasn't going overseas for 8 months i would be seriously tempted to get another S to race but we'll see what happens when i get back!! Would love to do Targa Tasmania in a Works S...
But maybe i should just get a Go-Cart, much cheaper

As for the JCW Kit, apparently there is quite a big demand world wide hence the delay to market.. I have had my deposit in since August last year for the kit so hopefully i am at the top somewhere.. i know i am #1 on my dealers list to get it fitted....

[warped]

Thought about the Targa too ... maybe you need a navigator

Targa looks a lot of fun, but given my driving skills I think it would be for the enjoyment of completing more than anything else ... friend's brother supposedly has a MG Rover X Power on order for the Targa, car can be optioned with a factory nitrous kit for 900Kw somehow I can't see the JCW upgrade competing with that

Given the delivery date for my car I'm hoping I will be able to have the JCW upgrade fitted before I pick it up ... waiting waiting waiting

Cheers
Steve

[Boo]

Quote:

Originally posted by warped

Targa looks a lot of fun, but given my driving skills I think it would be for the enjoyment of completing more than anything else ...

Don't get me wrong here
This is my first performance car and i have no illusions that i am in anybodies league...
I'm in it for the enjoyment and the thrill of using both lanes in a road race legally

As for the 900KW, they still have to slow down for the corners, and that is where we get them
I think a 240HP Cooper S with a bit of handling adjustments would surprise a few people i think... Be fun to find out at any rate, and if i do it, yes i would need a navigator hehehehe

[warped]

Boo, in the right hands a 240bhp MCS would be a real weapon on some of the Targa stages ... awesome ribbons of road just made for a Mini

But as for the X Power if you knew the guy in question you would realise it wouldn't be close at the end of the day ... I've seen him over take (and then leave behind) a modified WRX when he was driving a Lexus 4wheel drive with the family in the back I have never seen a 4wheel drive lean like that before and I don't think I really want to see it again either

And send me the application form for the navigator position

Cheers
Steve

[Boo]

Remind me to never let him drive my future family around