Topeka landed in CA early this AM !!!!!!

Hoping that everyone's car (mine included) get's through the distro center quickly...

 

Steveski,

Pre-congratulations for the arrival of your MINI ! How's the weather shaping up for the p/u day ?

 

Looks like the Topeka made port a day ahead of the new two day Panama Canal delayed scheduled, making it only one day behind the original schedule.

That means my Mini is in the USA!!!

 

Another pic, this time amusing

 

Great pic Cameroon, love the way your roof, mirrors, and wheels match. I just found out from CN that the car is in Alberta! Its about 2 hours from the Edmonton rail yard. Woohoo!

 

Thanks!

Mainly sunny with a high of 9C, that's 48.2F. Supposed to be like that for the whole weekend. Much better than the below freezing temps with wet snow we've had the last day or so.

 

 

Getting close!!

 

I'm reporting-in on my first fill of gasoline: 35.5 mpg, about the same as the computer said. The fill-up took 13.5 gallons, and the computer said I had about 10 miles left to go. Should have waited for that next gas station

Of course, I don't know how full the dealership had the tank, and this is break-in time, with me taking every exit and entrance ramp, and driving people nuts by varying my speed between 45 and 85, revving up to 3000 - 4000 rpm before changing gears.

My 2007 MCS got 34 mpg average, so 35.5 is not a great figure, considering the tremendous reduction in power, going from the turbo to the normally aspirated MC Clubman. Hoping to do better when I get past the break-in period and can quit challenging the engine.

The Goodyear all-season runflats on the new Clubman are a lot quieter and softer on the bumps than the Dunlop summer performance runflats were on the MCS. Handling is not so crisp, but it's a good trade-off with the condition of some roads around here.

Oddly, the Sport mode feels more spirited in the Clubman than it did in the MCS. Can't quite figure that one out.

 

Well, its not going to happen this weekend. CN got the car to the rail yard this morning but that particular rail car isn't due to be offloaded today. Since it takes a couple of business days to get it to the dealership and complete PDI and detail, and service isn't in on Friday due to the holiday, it will not be possible for me to take delivery this weekend. Bummer. 18th it is then.

 

I think that's what might have happend to mine. Nothing on any tracking site updated for about 2-3 days once it should have reached Toronto. It was probably just sitting in the rail car at the yard. I might of have had mine last week if this didn't happen.

At least you know you're only one week away.

 

Topeka pulled into port huaneme yesterday!

 

I saw that, but I have not been able to confirm that my car got off. I'm sure it did, but MiniUSA is still saying it is in transit. I'm told by my MA that it will be about 2 weeks before I can pick mine up. How long is yours going to take to get to the island?

 

I haven't posted in this thread, but I have been following it. I brought my little guy home last Friday (April 3).

Here are a few pics for ya.

 

hi all! cameroon, love the new pic glad to hear everyone's getting really close!

i have to say, this car is HARD to keep clean. it's been raining since i got it, and while the front of the car holds up ok, the back looks so dirty after even just a light drizzle.

i have to say - i'm at about 500 miles now, and this car is amazing. i don't even know where to begin. once i have some good weather, it's getting a nice wash/detailing (my supplies came in ) and i'm taking some pics!

 

Thanks for the pic, Cameroon, my other half always says the FJ Cruiser looks like the Cooper's big brother (I say redneck cousin once removed)...

bogs, I hear you on the rear end getting dirty - I've had as much rain up here, and I've washed him 3 times already! I have yet to install my mudflaps, maybe they'll help...also, what kind of detailing supplies did you get? I'm thinking about getting the Prima stuff - everyone over in the Detailing Thread raves about that line...

Hopefully I can take more pics this weekend - PhillyMINI is having a get together at Otto's on Saturday, it'll be Ianto's first outing with his new friends!

 

Dang SiouxsieQ, that looks great! Good color choice! What's with the giant rocking chair?

 

Yep, I ended up getting Prima Mystique, Hydro, and Nero. I'll let you know how it works out. I'll stick to my regular wax for now since everyone seems to use mostly Hydro anyway (instead of waxing often). I also got a Mr. Clean Auto Dry - I don't use their soap, just put the soap I want to use in it. I like it because I get to avoid putting my wash mitt in a bucket for the most part. Not sure how it will work with Mystique, but we'll see! I'll let you know how it goes...I'll probably wash it in the next few days if the weather looks like it'll be nice!

 

Great to hear that delivery times are getting really close for everyone now! And Steveski, have fun picking your MINI up today!

A word of caution when picking up, double check the edge of your doors for any paint chips. I had two (which my MA fixed, he missed them too) that were almost certainly from the door being opened into something. They weren't big (I didn't even see the 2nd, the paint guy did), but once I knew where it was I couldn't not see it.

 

SiouxsieQ (like the name!), nice car! Hope you're having as much fun in the break-in period as I am

As for keeping it clean, yeah the boot gets dirty fast but mud flaps won't help much. It's more from the air over the top of the car that is pulled down against the boot and deposits dust. And if your car is wet...

I've already done a carwash, though finished it up under porch lights I have to beg wash areas from friends, so I take what I can get when I can get it.

 

So I'm only at 500 miles or so but I couldn't hold out any longer and tried out the sport button last night. I believe my reaction from just tapping the throttle at the green light was HOLY SH*T! My R53 never had throttle response like that....it was fast, but this was insane. Now I need to keep myself under control and not use that button again until after 1200. Easier said than done.

I'm also waiting for nice weather to do my first wash but in Vermont that means May at the earliest. Bogs, let us know how the Prima stuff works, I'm going to be ordering some Mystique, Hydro and maybe Epic + some monster fluffys.

I still haven't installed my JCW scoop but I did install the side reflector tint, looks great. I also got my long awaited floor mats from the dealer, so had to vacuum the driver's side carpet last night before installing. Glad to finally have them in.

 

I can't wait to press the sport button in my MINI. I took an S for a test drive and the sport button was a hoot in that. Still never driven a JCW so we'll see what the sport button does in THAT!

 

Were you told to not use the Sport button, or are you doing that by choice?

I don't think I've done more than backup without the Sport button on, because I don't like the mushy feeling of the throttle response without it on.

 

Oh, it was by choice....because I know once I hit that button, keeping it under the manual-recommended 4500 rpms is going to be tough.

 

Heh, yeah, I set myself a soft limit of 4000 rpms for that very reason