I finally pulled the trigger. It was an internet sale, and I had to go 340 miles to get it. Pulled it home on a tow dolly behind my truck.

Well, I know AS IS, means "as is", and although I'm not having buyers' remorse...I'm having a bit of angst over the things I should have noted on my inspections. Got it from a reputable Chevy dealer in Atlanta, 40 yrs in business, one of the largest on the planet. Ok, Chevy dealer does not a MINI expert maintainer make...as Yoda would have said in my Jedi training.

Like the windshield washer doesn't work - it has fluid, but nothing comes out when activated.

Now after the tow back home, the check engine light is on! It wasn't on during the test ride.

There is a battery message something like "... excessive electrical discharge with ignition off.." and sure enough, the battery is low enough to make starting questionable. Didn't notice that when I first cranked it on the test drive...too excited to be actually sitting in my little dream machine finally..

Doesn't have the Harmon Kardon - would like to have that after hearing the standard set up.

This vehicle does not have blue tooth - I thought if the telephone symbol was on the steering wheel, it had blue tooth, and I thought it would be part of the Premium package. Nope... Does anyone know if you can add that later? - apparently part of the center console option, which this unit does not have. I'm hoping that's a dealer ad - and that the Communication option will then show up on the Nav display panel.

I'm hoping all these are little things and I can get past all of this because it DRIVES like all my hopes and dreams.

Images in My Gallery - not sure how to get them in the post... I'll check it out and post pix later.

 

Love Laser Blue - good luck!

 

Take a deep breath. Look at your MINI. You're going to love it.
The following only reflects my experience and knowledge, which is not the final word on anything.

Washer - is it making noise? Yes... check that the hoses are hooked up. No... check electrical connection or fuse.

Engine Light - get an OBDII code reader and find out what codes it is throwing. Could be as simple as a loose gas cap.

Stereo - don't feel too bad. The premium sound isn't THAT much better I hear. The MINI is noisy at speed anyway. Doing the front/rear channel swap helps.

Bluetooth - probably too expensive to retrofit OEM stuff. There are units you can add I believe. Check out / search the Audio/Nav section.

 

Well the window washer must have been testing me...or it was a case of new-user error. It works just fine as I found out in last nights down pour.

I took the Blue Laser to the local MINI dealer. Had all the service issues rectified; incorrectly installed directional tires removed, turned around, and of course re-balanced, and OMG! had to buy a new battery.

I had an idea that there was going to be a catch-up maintenance bogie in this little jewel, and that is why I bargained hard for the low ball price.

I am still a very happy new-2-me 09 MINI owner!!

 

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