[adame]

hey everyone!
Nice to see others from MN out and about. I am supposedly taking delivery tomorrow of my BRG Cooper! I had a hard time sleeping last night and don't think that it'll get any better tonight. I am hoping that everything goes as planned according to the owner's lounge. Cross your fingers for me!

This is going to be my first new car. Ever. I am so excited that it's going to be a MINI. I am currently cruising around in a 93 Festiva! You could say that there's a slight difference. I first saw a pic of a MINI Cooper in a magazine about a year and a half ago and tried to stay in touch with the local BMW dealer. Now here I am!

Has anyone heard anything about a coast to coast rally for MINIs?? I caught wind of one over in the Yahoo Groups for MINI, but I haven't yet checked here.

Anyone familiar with the "Oily Edition"? It's a newsletter for a local MINI club in the area. I think the website is www.mini-sota.com. I just recently became a member, but have been unable to attend any events yet. Check it out!

Sorry to hear all the trouble people are having with seats and doors. I'll for sure let you know how mine works. If we get it in time, my MINI is going to have the chance to take it's first road trip this weekend. We'll zip down to Bettendorf, IA, do some bike riding and then zip back home. I'll let you know how things go for us.

Anyone here have the yellow MINI out in the Burnsville/Savage area? I was following you for a bit one night, drooling!

Nice to meet you all, we'll have to hook up sometime and go Motoring!

Adam

[MINIme762]

I really wish I could join you guys, since I was born and raised in Duluth! I'm in Honolulu, where taking my MINI on a road trip is a little bit difficult! I'm there in spirit with you guys though. Maybe when I get off this rock I'll come find you guys in my Indi Blue w/ bonnet stripes Cooper! But have fun and Motor On!

[Wentworth]

Have any of you tinted your windows yet? If so, what is your impression and where did you have it done?

[adame]

I haven't had it done yet, but I am probably going to have a place in Eden Prairie do it.
Auto Visions.
I talked with them on the phone and they were very helpful and informative. However, it seems they haven't run across a Cooper yet, so he gave me prices for a standard 2-door vehicle.
$189 - $230
they don't have a website.

Adam

Quote:

Originally posted by Wentworth
Have any of you tinted your windows yet? If so, what is your impression and where did you have it done?

[Wentworth]

So you got your car Adam? What are your early impressions of the car? Any problems? How did delivery go for you?


Make sure to let us know about the window tint when you have it completed.

Thanks

[MINIapolis]

i'm curious about the tinting, too. i feel like i'm in a fishbowl and it would be great if i could minimize that a bit! also, with no opaque sunroof cover, the seats get hot in there!

i think i'm gonna take the MINI to my first autocross this weekend. i have no idea what to expect, but i'm thinking a lot full of pylons can't be any scarier than a freeway full of semi's and SUV's!

[vegan]

Hi Minnesota mini maniacs. I am also mini owner residing in the northern suburbs.

[Wentworth]

So yesterday I saw a yellow mini with a black roof parked near an apartment building in highland park. Looked really nice! I wonder if that owner is in our forum . . . .

I also have a question for the Minnesota owners. What number were/are you on the list at Motorwerks? I was told months ago that I was number 30 something, and now my car apparently isn't going to be ordered until July. I feel like I've been given a run around by Patty. I was asked to come in and order the begining of May, but now apparently the order won't be sent until July. This has me a little worried because I am really excited to get the car, but with as late as we are getting in the year I don't want to suffer a higher MSRP that may be applied to the 2003 model.

If you could let me know your numbers I would appreciate it.
Thanks

[vegan]

I got my MINI from Chicago. Wished I could get my service from them.

[MINIapolis]

wentworth, have you tried reading some of the other threads about waiting lists? they seem to be pretty complicated affairs. so far, i've been treated pretty fairly--though sometimes a bit brusquely--by patty, but i haven't experienced much with the list because i bought an "as is" special offer early on.

i was, however, on a waiting list in st louis and was assured (?) that as number 50, i would have taken delivery by now.

sari

[Wentworth]

Thanks for the info. Seems to me that either someone isn't being completely honest, or the list is moving very slowly at the Minneapolis dealership. Lets just hope things get straightened out soon so I can get my car.

[Sealevel]

Yellow MINI/black roof, spotted you pulling out of the Fairgrounds Como lot at the (fantastic!) Back to the Fifties car show. Honked and waved furiously (can never find either horn button fast enough) but you were pulling into traffic and missed seeing us. Pedestrians were amazed, probably never saw a MINI before, and here were two! Sorry our MINIs missed a chance to visit, they lead lonely lives at the moment with the "family" spread so thin. Yours was only the 2nd we've seen in 3000 miles, Florida to Wisconsin with many side trips.

[Wentworth]

I need to know ASAP, what make and model of tires came on peoples 16" wheels (also, what 16" design did you get?)!

My order is supposed to be sent this week, and I am trying to work out a tire swap with a tire dealer so that I can get good all season instead of the run-flats.

Thanks for your prompt responses.

[adame]

Wentworth,

I may be a late with this, but when I went to the MEET MINI party, I was 64th on the list. Shortly after the dealership opened, we were just hanging around checking things out, and I was told that I could give my deposit that day. Then she just decided to work out my order also. I wasn't about to say no to that! Then it just went from there. I think I officially had my order into the factory early to mid may??

I finally got my plates! (Although it doesn't seem as cool as the 21 day sticker sitting in the corner, telling people how new it is....but at the same time, plates tell people that I have had it for awhile!!) Anyway - I was on my way back to work (yawn) and I saw another BRG Cooper! It had a white top/mirrors with silver spoked wheels. Looked very sharp. I also noticed that he had the tan leather that I soo wanted to have. Nice choice! We drove next to each other for awhile and felt pretty cool I think. Then it started to rain and we turned on our lights. As he left in another direction, I saw that he had the Xenon lights. Let me tell you they look GOOD!!
I was wondering if maybe that gentleman was a part of this group or not??

Just last night I was sharing the love and letting a friend drive and we were talking about how we both have seen a yellow one out in the Burnsville/Savage area, when VOILA! The yellow one appears! It was awesome. Any chance that person is here as well??

I think that's enough babbeling for now,
later!

Adame

[Wentworth]

So I finally got my car ordered:


Blue/White Cooper w/chrome
Cold Weather Package
DSC
15” 7-hole wheels
Fogs lamps
Sport Seats
MFSW


Set for September delivery, so I am getting excited now for sure. If anyone knows someone in the market for a 97 Taurus let me know.

Also, saw a guy washing a Red/White S yesterday near Macalester. Looked really nice.

[MiniSkibo]

Hello fellow MINI-sotans! I just test-drove an S down at Southdale, and it was wicked-fun I am going to put down a down-payment and get on the list. I have a lease that will be up July 03, so I guess I can stand to wait a little while, but it is going to be tough! What kind of progress with the waiting list has everyone been seeing?

Cheers,

-Chris

[Wentworth]

From my experience the sales people at Southdale don't try very hard to contact you when your number comes up on the "list". I was apparently skipped at least once without even getting an email or voice mail. This may work in your favour if you try contacting them monthly to see when it will be your turn to order. If others get skipped you may be able to fill one of those slots.

Anyway, I guess that doesn't matter anymore as my Cooper is scheduled to be delivered the first week of September 2002.

On another note, I am looking for someplace that can put a hitch receiver on the Cooper so that I can use a hitch mounted bike rack. There have been other threads about this, but none too helpful. Do any of you other Minnesota folks have any suggestions on places to check with?

Also, has anyone tinted their windows yet?

Thanks,
W

[adame]

MiniSkibo-
congrats on the successful test drive! I would have to say that the whole "list" thing is somewhat sketchy. When I placed my order for the car, I just planned on giving my deposit. I was told that since I was there, we may as well do the order as well. Fun for me, but I'm not sure if I jumped ahead of people or not. I was number 64 on the list and took delivery June 12th. I would take Wentworth's advice and stay in touch with the dealer all the time to ensure that you keep your spot.

Wentworth-
I'm not sure what the other threads have told you for a hitchrack, but have you contacted The Hitching Post? I have heard people talk about getting them installed there. I also believe that UHAUL centers will do it as well. (not 100% though). What are you looking to carry?! I have been taking both wheels off of my mtn. bike and getting it to fit. Unfortunately the first couple times I left a few marks....
I'll try to get some more hitchrack info for you.

Adam

[Wentworth]

Thanks Adam. I didn't think to check with UHAUL, but that may be a good place to look. If you have information (URL) on how to contact the other places that would be great too. Basically all I want is a hitch receiver that a bike rack will fit into so I can transport 2 bikes on trips without taking up too much space instide the car, and without the rack contacting the car's paint.

Has anyone else had this done yet?

[adame]

I just checked with a good friend of mine and he recommended U-Haul. He said that they are reasonably priced and excellent quality. here's what he said to me -

"I called about every place in town when I got mine and I went to U-Haul, they have their own hitch division. They are great quality, cheap price wise and have a lifetime guarantee. It's warranty is good anywhere in the US so if I have problems with my hitch in California I just go to a U Haul and they replace it!! I went to the one on Hwy 13 by my house!! I recommend them highly."

Hope that helps!
negative on the tinted windows..hopefully soon though!

Adam