R56 unveilings in February – 2/16/07

[GadgetGav]

So, were there goodie bags for those who stayed more than 2 hours?
Who won the detailing in the raffle? I'm sure everyone there could have used it..!

It's a shame Annette is away - she'd have seen photographic proof that Jane is not a figment of my imagination..!

[GadgetGav]

Hat trick!

Nice wide angle shots Brian - what lens is that..?

[blalor]

Can't believe I missed you last night, Gav! Guess I was a bit distracted by the new shiny bits all around. That lens is the Canon 10-22mm ƒ/3.5-4.5. I'm not sure it's really a good walkin' around lens, but I'm still getting to know it. The funky perspective's kind of fun at 10mm, though (provided you don't mind embellishing noses and chins...).

[Sheenabea]

Unfortunately, I arrived late to the unveiling. I was stuck in horrendous late 93 traffic leaving the city, but still got to check out and even take a short drive in the new MCa.

I have a lot of opinions about the new MINI. The ride feels much smoother (in non-sport mode) and refined, as I have read from reviews. I would still like to try out the turbo MINI.

All in all, I still like my R53 MCS much more. I concur with most people saying that you can definitely tell they have cheapened the making of MINI and in that sacrifice, made it feel and look cheaper in some aspects. There are some pros, but I find that they tried to make it more bells and whistley, and end up making it very confusing to find everything and have it easy access.

I welcome the new MINI, but I'm definitely glad to have gotten an '06 instead.

Great to see everyone there though! I will be at Gillette on Sunday, so I hope to see more of you!

[MGB Boy]

I'm fine with most of the changes, just one observation: I hate fake hood scoops. Not just on MINIs, I hate them on any car. Don't have a scoop if it doesn't do anything. A friend of mine got a Subaru Impreza Outback a few years ago like this, he got some "performance styling" option pack that included a big WRX-style scoop and a couple of hood inlet/vents, but the option pack was aesthetics only, none of the mechanicals underneath, so the scoop just had a big faux-mesh plastic blanking plate and likewise the hood inlet/vents were just plastic faux-mesh, like so:



Just like the one shown on the MINI above. So when I got my first MCS, I smugly showed him that my hood scoop actually does something. So I can't say I care for that. Heck, a lot of turbo chargers have intercoolers, couldn't they have left the IC on and kept the scoop functional? No sir, I don't like that. Don't mind the rest, though...

-Ricardo

[Cape Cod MINI]

Quote: Originally Posted by snid (original)

This coming from a guy who bought a Suby.

This coming from a guy who bought a Velvet Brown?

Quote: Originally Posted by GadgetGav (original)

So he should know then, right?

Yes! And I proudly admit it Didn't I see you briefly Fri. night and give a wave as I was thrust along in the human wave?
BTW, No one saw Jane your imaginary friend.

[snid]

Quote: Originally Posted by Cape Cod MINI (original)

This coming from a guy who bought a Velvet Brown?

At least I have the excuse of ordering it before I ever saw the color in person.

[GadgetGav]

Quote: Originally Posted by Cape Cod MINI (original)

Didn't I see you briefly Fri. night and give a wave as I was thrust along in the human wave?
BTW, No one saw Jane your imaginary friend.

You did - I shook hands with Dan as you were talking to someone else near by, but we were on our way out and it was hard to get near Mr Popular..! Look in Ian's gallery for photo proof that Jane was there

[blalor]

Any random babe can be photoshopped into a picture these days, Gav.

[GreenBrit]

I agree that Fake Hood scoop is a waste. I rather have the regular Cooper hood and the "S" tags.

[GadgetGav]

Quote: Originally Posted by blalor (original)

Can't believe I missed you last night, Gav! Guess I was a bit distracted by the new shiny bits all around. That lens is the Canon 10-22mm ƒ/3.5-4.5. I'm not sure it's really a good walkin' around lens, but I'm still getting to know it. The funky perspective's kind of fun at 10mm, though (provided you don't mind embellishing noses and chins...).

I thought it must be to have such extreme wide angle shots and you being a Canon man. I was going to buy one a while back, but thought that I wouldn't use it a whole lot and a friend of mine has one, so I just borrow that occasionally..! There's a few in my Flickr that I took with it. I was amazed at how close you can get to something and still get everything in..! I think the lens was almost touching some of the statues on the beach. A cool lens, but I think I'll put my money into telephoto first (or more likely in to rentglass or ziplens)




Hmmm - can't I link to flickr pictures..? Well, the gallery is here: Flickr: Photos from GadgetGav

[Zipperblues]

I was a little disappointed with the New MCS... First thing I noticed was the bonnet did look cheap. I loved the "s" side markers in pictures, but in person I thought they were a bit much, and also looked cheap. I also did not like how wide and short the tail lights are now, and I think they took the speedo too far! I love a big speedo, but I think they made it a little too big, and I don't like how the radio is part of it--not because it is impractical, but for aesthetics. I also miss the round shift knob. I love the new seats...but overall, I think the new Mini looks a little...cartoon-ish.

All that being said, I'll probably own one in a few years anyway

[Chapel]

Quote: Originally Posted by snid (original)

This coming from a guy who bought a Suby.

Hey now!
There's nothing wrong with Subarus
Mine's rather burly

Also, I put the photos I took up on Home MINI of Peabody Peabody MA