Goodbye VW, Hello MINI
#1
Hello. I am a new Mini owner. Always loved them since their North American debut but never jumped into one. I am a transplant from the VAG scene having owned and driven exclusively VW's my entire driving life. I had a '91 GTI for 14 years that went through many phases of mods. I had been wanting a Mini since their introduction in the US and finally made the switch with the purchase of an '11 MCS a few months ago. Love the car, its a blast to drive. Just as much or maybe even more fun than my GTI was.
I am itching to start some suspension and wheel mods but holding off for now on account that this is my daily driver. My GTI was lowered with widened RM's and I'd like to do the same this time around with RS's (I know way overrated but I love the look) so we'll see how long before my bank account gives in.
First "mod" was an armrest. Today installed a new toggle and switchplate to enable rear fogs. Next maybe an autosport module.
Anyway, thanks for reading.
I am itching to start some suspension and wheel mods but holding off for now on account that this is my daily driver. My GTI was lowered with widened RM's and I'd like to do the same this time around with RS's (I know way overrated but I love the look) so we'll see how long before my bank account gives in.
First "mod" was an armrest. Today installed a new toggle and switchplate to enable rear fogs. Next maybe an autosport module.
Anyway, thanks for reading.
Last edited by thebutternutter; 01-12-2014 at 06:10 AM.
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Hey, thanks. My daily before the Mini was a plain old `01 Jetta 1.8T with some mods. The Mini isn't quite as quick but hopefully it will be in the near future. However the Mini is the first "newer" car I have driven since my GTI that has a solid connected feeling between the driver and the car. VW lost that feeling with the introduction of the A3 platform.
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Well my first 5 months of MINI ownership has been interesting. I know the service manager of my local MINI dealer well....not by choice either. The car has been back twice for malfunctioning passenger seat occupancy sensor, smoked (literally-smoke filled the car) rear wiper motor, high pressure fuel pump replacement and most recently no heat. Second guessing the decision getting away from VW's, especially considering I just turned 50K yesterday.
Last edited by thebutternutter; 02-28-2014 at 09:42 PM.
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Well my first 5 months of MINI ownership has been interesting. I know the service manager of my local MINI dealer well....not by choice either. The car has been back twice for malfunctioning passenger seat occupancy sensor, smoked (literally-smoke filled the car) rear wiper motor, high pressure fuel pump replacement and most recently no heat. Second guessing the decision getting away from VW's, especially considering I just turned 50K yesterday.
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Welcome to NAM, thebutternutter and congrats on your new MINI. I myself jumped the VW ship after 14 years for a MINI Roadster last year. I've never been happier with any other car I've owned.
Thanks for the pics right up front. Your MINI looks fantastic. Happy motoring and please don't forget to promote the MINI wave.
Thanks for the pics right up front. Your MINI looks fantastic. Happy motoring and please don't forget to promote the MINI wave.
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Getting set up with a second set of wheels for summer use. Chickened out on BBS's (for now) and went with some stock alloys but going to mix it up a bit with them for something a little different. It sure is easy to sink some money in wheels/tires when you throw run flats and TPMS into the mix.
#21
$$$dealership$$$
The wife bought it without me knowing. You can save $100 buying it off ebay...
Totally worth it. Every time I get into her Countryman I fall to the right because I am used to leaning on the armrest as I enter the car.
The wife bought it without me knowing. You can save $100 buying it off ebay...
Totally worth it. Every time I get into her Countryman I fall to the right because I am used to leaning on the armrest as I enter the car.
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Well my first 5 months of MINI ownership has been interesting. I know the service manager of my local MINI dealer well....not by choice either. The car has been back twice for malfunctioning passenger seat occupancy sensor, smoked (literally-smoke filled the car) rear wiper motor, high pressure fuel pump replacement and most recently no heat. Second guessing the decision getting away from VW's, especially considering I just turned 50K yesterday.
#23
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^ This.^ I bought a used '09 last year with 64k on it, and 2 weeks after buying was at the dealership with a slew of problems, all of which were covered by service bulletins, biggest of all was was the high pressure fuel pump. Once all of that was taken care of the experience has been great!
My two cents keep an eye on the oil level and keep an eye out for oil leaks, if you catch any early its much cheaper.
My two cents keep an eye on the oil level and keep an eye out for oil leaks, if you catch any early its much cheaper.
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