Yeah, I spent a good portion of the day in Towson and Hunt Valley... oppressive heat. Another thing I'll be glad about when I pick up my MINI next Saturday, will be much nicer day for it.

Will do, Q... would love to have a beer or two with you. I get to Baltimore a lot (like every other weekend) so next time you make it into the area, let me know and I'll see about meeting up with you. Cool ?

 

Sounds good. Ill be at some of the c3m events including the carshow at towson.
I decided to have carlos do the tint at the Aug mod party in Bowie.

We leave tues night to Chicago for some pleasurable business... Im testing new hovercraft out there to bring to DC.

So next Sat is your pickup for sure?

 

You mean the Car Show at MINI of Baltimore on Aug 4th ? I'll be there ! Will be glad to meet you and check out your MINI.

My MA told me they are not going to order the stripes from MINI Graphics again, their vinyl and clear bra guy is going to get some matching vinyl and cut them himself so they are sure it will be ready one day this week.

My poor MINI is probably dying to be driven. Between the wait at the port, the time on the ship, and now two weeks at the dealer, he's been sitting around a lot.

 

Sounds like our MINI's trip to Rhode Island haha, I swear she still has an accent!
It will be worth it though when all complete as you want it.

And yep, we'll see you on the 4th!

 

Outstanding ! Looking forward to seeing you there !!

Oh yeah, I remember your Rhode Island saga. How odd, but it all worked out, as will mine.

 

So tonight I got to see a CM with the green scuttles and mirrors live and in person...the only bad thing was that it was someone else's. Got me totally pumped though...mine is going to look much more complete with the green stripes and brake ducts.

Looking for opinions on the brake ducts: I've seen several done where only the inside of the duct is painted as well as seeing the JCW ducts; anyone have any opinions?

Kind bummed that I'll be missing the car show in Bmore on 8/4; my mother will be in from England and my sister from Mass. Maybe things will work out anyway...I could be picking up my car right around then...

 

Is it possible that the ducts with only the inside painted were painted on the car, making the job easier and less expensive? To get full coverage, the JCW ducts are painted off the car.

 

01, I thought you were coming down to pick up your CM tomorrow.

Agree with Spa, have the ducts removed and painted to get more coverage. If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right.

 

I'll be at the dealership tomorrow to verify some final details regarding the stripes and so they can evaulate my trade in...and of course to recon your JCW.

I've seen them colored both ways and only having the inside done looks pretty sweet too (was questioning not as a cheaper alternative, but just for the look) There's a user on here from Canada that has his painted an almost teal color...I'll see if I can find a pic of his.

 

User is 'Bentyyc' and here's a link to his CM

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...m/IMG_3913.JPG

Looks pretty sweet with just the inside painted...looks like I may be playing around with Photoshop today (again).

 

Oh... got you ! Good luck, hope you can negotiate some money off while you're there tomorrow, 01 ! Although expecting anything fair on a dealer trade in is usually an exercise wrought with disappointment. I have a 2-year old SUV I'm parting with (yeah, I've bought something other than MINIs on rare occasions LOL) and my order of selling is, A) private sale, B) Carmax, C) Dealer trade-in. I think even the crooks at Carmax do better than the dealer and the dealer will even tell you so.

Yeah, just the inside painted doesn't look too much different than if they were removed and painted, just less color shows up, especially when looking from an angle.

That guy has a LOT of teal on his CM. It makes a statement but can't decide if it's a little over-done or not. Regardless, if you commit to the design and really like it, cool.

 

Custom. Never ever want to see myself coming and going on the road. That is why I ordered her with nothing. Wanted a clean slate.

 

Yeah, I feel the same way, like being one of a kind out on the road. MINI makes it pretty easy to accomplish. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

What did you go with on tint ? Which brand, what type and what percentage ? I'm thinking of going 30% 3M Ceramic all around and clear Crystalline on the windshield.

 

Awesome!! I didnt know there's going to be a car show in baltimore. I might have to head out that way. Plus I've got to see your car CR . The anticipation must be a killer.

 

Yeah, went last year... was fun. Just walk around and check out everyone's MINIs and the ones in the dealer's lot. Some decent food and some door prizes.

While you're checking out mine, I'll be checking out yours.

 

Be careful where you guys play dress-up, CR, or you could get punched in the nose!

 

Thanks for the tip, Spa ! But dammmmmmm... who would punch a lady in the face like that ??

 

Johnson Marathon on the back passenger windows and those little portal windows between the rear door and the hatch, MN05.

Johnson Renegade on the hatch window, RN05. That is because "Renegade" isn't metallized and allows the AM antenna to continue to work. They weren't 100% sure the AM HD antenna was in the rear window but it is on most cars and I told them AM was critical to me, and it was worth the extra $25 for the foil to ensure I didn't lose reception.

Then I got Marathon MN45 on the front windows because anything on the front is illegal in California, but:

1. It is a very light color and just helps with heat, so not overly dark
2. They cannot pull you over for front window tint. It is a "fix it" ticket and they can only give it to you if they pull you over for other reasons
3. I'm a rebel

They sold 3M and one other high end brand (ASWF maybe?) but said that Johnson was high quality and they put it on my wife's Jetta TDI 3 months ago and we're happy with it, so I didn't see a reason to spend 50% more for 3M's name. Renegade and Marathon styles have a lifetime warranty and I trust the window tint guy - Execu-Tint.

 

Thanks for the info, E. The tint shop I use doesn't use that brand of film but thanks for the reminder to make sure the tint I use will allow for the AM signal to come through... I also listen to AM stations sometimes.

And LOL at the "rebel" comment.

 

Holy Crap!!! I may FINALLY have my Countryman... Well at least delivered tomorrow. According to the (minaccurate) OL, it was estimated to be delivered today, which of course no dealership is open on Sundays. Ergo. I'm hoping it shall be delivered tomorrow!

I'm super excited (though not holding my breath - I'm no David Blaine)! Fingers crossed ya'll. I'll make sure to take photos of the gal (or it might be a dude, not sure yet) when I finally do get her/him/it

 

jhortin...all fingers crossed for yah.I hope you get it very soon

 

What country do you live in where dealers are closed on Sunday?

OL shows my mini at the VDC. I picked it up Tuesday night, 5 days ago.

 

EHans, I live in the country of Chicago. LOL. (Though sometimes I do feel like it's a completely different country; but at least it's not SoCA... j.k.)

Oh and if anyone remembers that the whole reason I ordered my CM 2.5 months ago; it was for an epic road trip to Idaho. Unfortunately we nixed that idea and bought plane tickets; though MINIUSA customer service went epic on us and loaned us a CM for the weekend from the (AWESOME!!!!) dealership in Murray, UT! So in a sense we still had a sliver of awesomeness-Countryman-roadtrip

 

Oh, trust me. I know The People Republic Of California is another country, but the dealers are open here on Sunday.

 

E, I think your dealers and the exception, not the rule. None of the ones in this area are open on Sundays. Cool for you though !