[Kraigster414]

bit the bullet as we say and traded in my 2004 Mini Indigo Blue CVT for a new 2005 MCSa. Wow, I liked my old Mini with CVT but the 2005 MCSa is a different car altogether. Dark silver and black top and loaded with options.

Now I know the S purists back in the other rooms hate to hear this but I think the MCS with auto is a hoot and a half. Great pickup from a dead stop and passing on the expresway is a breeze. The power I always wanted in a Mini without the hassle of shifting in stop and go Washington, DC rush hour traffic. (I did my manual shifting when I was younger, no more for me, thank you very much.)

Funny story though (sort of) - must have had a faulty seal in one of the 16 in. run flats. Tire warning light went on while I was driving back from the showroon near Baltimore. Stopped the car, noticed one tire appeared a little low, no big deal, and continued on home. Turns out, there was no air in the tire at all!! I guess those run flats do work! A dealer service tech. came out to the house the next day and brought me a new tire.

[paulr]

Kraigster414, Nice ride!

Just curious, I noticed you didn't order the sport pkg, but some of the sport options. Any particular reason? I didn't either on my Chili, btw.

I know this might be a little ot, but how do you like your rims?

I'm thinking of going after market on a set of 17s sans the run flats (a set of low road noise performance) and keeping the 16s for winter, where I don't ever want want to be stuck outside changing a tire

[HyperBlueS]

Great ride, the dark silver looks sleek. Congrats,
Mine is scheduled for Mid April. How long was your wait? And was your estimate of arrival fairly accurate?

I agree with the shifting issue, if you drive in traffic (for me Chicago) its a bit of a hassle. Since I put in an order for an MCSa as well I am a bit biased.....

[Kraigster414]

[quote=monkeynet]Kraigster414, Nice ride!

Just curious, I noticed you didn't order the sport pkg, but some of the sport options. Any particular reason? I didn't either on my Chili, btw.

I know this might be a little ot, but how do you like your rims?

I'm thinking of going after market on a set of 17s sans the run flats (a set of low road noise performance) and keeping the 16s for winter, where I don't ever want want to be stuck outside changing a tire [/QUOTE

Monk, I don't know. I guess I figured I had enough bells and whistles already. After my experience with the run flats and knowing what they cost to replace, I have mixed feelings. Yes, they saved me the hastle of having to change a tire on Route 95 but they cost a bloody mint to replace, and there still are not -even in the Wash DC Metro Area -that many tire dealers who sell/install/repair them. The closest Mini dealer is an hour away.

[Kraigster414]

Quote: Originally Posted by HyperBlueS

Great ride, the dark silver looks sleek. Congrats,
Mine is scheduled for Mid April. How long was your wait? And was your estimate of arrival fairly accurate?

I agree with the shifting issue, if you drive in traffic (for me Chicago) its a bit of a hassle. Since I put in an order for an MCSa as well I am a bit biased.....

Blue, I expressed an interest to my dealer way back. He ordered two MSC autos for his inventory, one of which had all options/color I told him I wanted. So, it was not a personal order but I guess it was in reality. When it came in, he called. I told him to give me first shot at it, I drove up, 'liked it, 'bought it (actually the bank bought it) and the rest is history.

You are going to love it. Let's compare notes when it arrives. Enjoy. Yeah, Chicago, DC, you're talkin' gridlock. Manual? Fun sure but not everyday. Not for me anyway. The auto is still plenty of excitement and moves like the wind!

[waterway4]

Kraigster414,

Have you tried the bluetooth yet? I'm interested in how the steering wheel buttons work and if you can link more than one phone.

Just ordered MCSa for June delivery.

[Kraigster414]

Quote: Originally Posted by waterway4

Kraigster414,

Have you tried the bluetooth yet? I'm interested in how the steering wheel buttons work and if you can link more than one phone.

Just ordered MCSa for June delivery.

No, the Bluetooth will have to wait. The hardware was installed at the factory but I don't own a Bluetooth phone.

[rsinsheimer]

Just curious, since I've heard both versions of reality:

Does your new Mini have the integrated Bluetooth that uses the buttons on the steering wheel for control (supposedly only available in Europe) or is it the external Bluetooth with the stuck-on control panel on the dash? According to the folks at Mini USA that's what we're going to get on this side of the pond for the forseeable future.

-- Roger

[paulr]

Quote: Originally Posted by rsinsheimer

it the external Bluetooth with the stuck-on control panel on the dash? According to the folks at Mini USA that's what we're going to get on this side of the pond for the forseeable future.

.... which is exactly why I didn't get the bluetooth option

If it is integrated, I hope that it's some sort of dealer/self installable module that fits behind the stereo that we'll end up being able to purchase some day.

[Kraigster414]

Quote: Originally Posted by rsinsheimer

Just curious, since I've heard both versions of reality:

Does your new Mini have the integrated Bluetooth that uses the buttons on the steering wheel for control (supposedly only available in Europe) or is it the external Bluetooth with the stuck-on control panel on the dash? According to the folks at Mini USA that's what we're going to get on this side of the pond for the forseeable future.

-- Roger

Roger, external on the dash.

[scanner]

Sweet Ride !!! Mine should be here in the next week or so...DS/DS & sport pkg MCSa...best of luck to us all!!

[AprilWhine]

I'm sure I'll see you around the neighborhood.

I also went from a CVT to an MCS-A. Mine is on order with a March production date, so I haven't tried it yet. I know I'm going to love it just like you do.

[mg_atx]

Quote: Originally Posted by rsinsheimer

Just curious, since I've heard both versions of reality:

Does your new Mini have the integrated Bluetooth that uses the buttons on the steering wheel for control (supposedly only available in Europe) or is it the external Bluetooth with the stuck-on control panel on the dash? According to the folks at Mini USA that's what we're going to get on this side of the pond for the forseeable future.

-- Roger

I didn't get the bluetooth option, but did order the premium package and so I have the multifunction steering wheel. The steering wheel has the bluetooth buttons on it, but they don't do anything unless I pay the $450 to hook them up...

This is a just-delivered MCSa in Texas.

So maybe you have to order the $300? steering wheel (or the premium package) to get the buttons on the steering wheel?

Marc

[AndyP]

Hi Kraigster,

Looks very nice. Nice rims. Dark Silver with the black roof really works too.

We picked our MCSa up on March 1st and are loving every minute of it.

The more you drive it the more fun it gets. Playing about with all the different gear changing ways is soooo much fun!

Good luck with your new baby, and have lots of fun.

AndyP

[rsinsheimer]

mg_atx,

Unfortunately, the Bluetooth package that uses the buttons on the wheel is not being offered on this side of the pond. I was hoping that MiniUSA was wrong, but it appears that the "factory" Bluetooth package that Kraigster414 purchased was in fact the standard dealer-installed package. The beautiful pictures we've seen on motoringfile of an armrest with an integrated phone charger and a Bluetooth head unit that uses the steering wheel buttons are parts of a very expensive package -- for Europe only -- at least for now. We can hope that, with time, the price will come down and it will become available in the Colonies.

-- Roger