Today marks the 4th anniversary of owning this fantastic car Picked it up, brand new, from Lauderdale MINI on March 20th, 2005 with 7 miles on the odometer. Today it turned exactly 55K miles on my way to work at 8:16AM (EST)

Its been a great MINI overall. The clutch has been its achilles heel (So far replaced twice on MINI's dime) but other than that the car drives like a dream and feels as solid as the day I drove it home from the dealer.

Its been to the Dragon/Cherohala Skyway and around 10 states in between Been my tough daily driver and has double as sports car, highway cruiser, family truckster, etc.

I don't ever get tired of driving it or looking at it (Especially after I park it). Never before I have owned a car that I still feel excited about after years of ownership.

It did receive new Powerflex Urethane bushings back in January and the handling/feel improved to new levels of performance

The engine is still 100% stock and so does the pulley I am currently getting 26-28MPG in the city and the tank lasts me around 330 miles

No scratches, dents or dings. Not a garage queen or weekend toy either.

For its birthday, I plan to give it a bath and detail after work today...Clay bar, Meguiar's Mirror Glaze #105 and Meguiar's NXT wax

Pics to follow.....


"Happy B-Day RB"!!

 

Wow, You got great MPG's. My personal best was 28 mpg on a road trip. Of course, the first 2-3 years I owned mine I didn't even look (or care) what my MPG was.

Mine would have been 4 years on April 13th. Well, it still will be 4 but I don't know who has it now. I just remember how overjoyed I was the day I picked it up (May 17, 2005).

I credit my car with helping me to quit smoking. I could pretty much make the payment with what I was saving for not buying smokes.

So my MINI saved my life.

I'm happy you still have yours and that it still gives you so much joy. I'm sure it will enjoy the spa day you have planned.

 

Your new Cabrio looks awesome! How are you liking it?

PS: Great analogy about your MINI helping you kick the habit!

 

I love it! Yesterday was 38F here and I drove it around with the top down until I couldn't stand the cold anymore. We had fresh snow on the ground this AM so I'm all sad. But the weekend looks better - should be near 60!

 

Can you send me some of your cool weather down this way? It is 76F and sunny here right now and the mercury is climbing...

 

That is perfect!

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

 

Congrats on your 4th year! Where in South Florida do you live? I lived there in the mid 90s.

Btw, you mentioned you've had your clutch replaced twice in 55k miles. Is your situation atypical? I've had my '05 for 15 months and I really enjoy it, but I wonder if this is something that I should be anticipating anytime soon (car currently has 45k).

Anyway, congrats, on your last four years of MCS fun.

 

I am in the Banana Republic of Miami


Last year I sold my 2002 MC to another South Florida ex-pat in SoCal (He is a NAMer here too)

This place has changed quite a bit in the last 15 years or so. Not necessarily for the better. Traffic is worst (and it was already bad back then) and so everything else. We are stuck here for the time being but look forward to move elsewhere in the country (Towards the west) when the opportunity arises .

As for the clutch..... Unfortunately our OEM LuK sourced clutches and flywheels are hit or miss in terms of reliability. My clutch pressure plate springs failed twice in the car and the flywheel has been replaced twice under MINI's generous coin

The throw out bearing in these cars is made of plastic Beats me why a BMW engineered product has a critical clutch component made of plastic (manufacturing savings anyone? ).

My last clutch and flywheel were fitted in December and so far so good. But when this current set needs replacement I will go aftermarket (Here thinking of a Clutchmasters FX200 or FX300 setup). I would not pay a penny out of pocket for the OEM clutch and flywheel set

I also had the infamous "chewbacca" noise coming from the flywheel when the car was first driven cold in the mornings. It turns out the original factory flywheel was severely glazed and since it is dual mass it can not be turned. Supposedly, my new flywheel has a revised part number and it better resists the effects of glazing. Time will tell.

The Getrag 6 speed transmission, on the other hand, has been 100% rock solid. Is the OEM clutch and FW that are of iffy quality.

 

Thanks for the feedback, Clubman. I lived in Miami Lakes, but worked in Bal Harbour/Surfside. Miami has grown A LOT since I've left. I last visited in 2005 and couldn't believe all of the changes (and traffic).

Have you taken your MCS to the track? I used to autocross down there, too.

Anyway, thanks for the information on the clutch. I hope mine lasts a while!

Rich

 

 

Verry niiiice Clubman, looking good for a 4-year old!

 

Nice! Love the color and the roof.

 

Thanks guys! I just went out to lunch for a drive in this car and have a big grin in my face

 

So I have to ask you this; which car is your favorite to drive?

 

The answer is very obvious

 

Congrats! Mine is a few weeks younger than your baby but I have 87,700 miles on her now.
I ordered my '05 MCS on April 1st, 05... Received her on June 1st '05. She had 6 miles on the odometer when my MINI odyssey began. A long wait but well worth it. Led Zeppelin's "Good Times Bad Times" was the tune we cranked as my wife and I smiled away from the dealer.
I love my MINI and MINI/Minis in general.
Looking forward to another MINIs On Top in New Hampshire this June. :-)