UKPylot’s MINI Blog

Last week I took my MINI to MINI of San Diego for her first service, a little bit overdue thanks to a business trip that got in the way. As well as getting the oil change done I wanted them to rotate the tyres (at a $14.95 expense) and check out the operation of the passenger seat.

It is rare that I have anyone sitting in the back because, well, I don’t know many pygmies or small children. But the one time someone wanted in the back it was very hard to make the passenger seat back fold forwards, unlike my past MINIs (and the driver’s side on this one) where that just happened when you pulled on the side tab.

About twenty minutes into the appointment, a technician came out and told me that the cable was over stretched and this being 2013 that means a whole new seat base. They had one in stock but it was a 90+ minute job on top of the one I already had going so I said I’d come back another time for that.

Time passed in the lounge and eventually I was called to get my key. While doing the tyre rotation they had found wheel locks but no key, the place in the tyre change toolkit moulding was empty. So they used their universal key to remove the locks and do the rotation but since they couldn’t in good conscience lock my wheels back on with no way for me to get them off, they put new locks on and made sure to give me the key. And, as a consequence of this “fault” by MINI, they waived my $14.95.

Very impressed with my first service visit, a mile ahead of my experiences with Brecht. Only complaint I have is that the TV in the lounge is always showing some Bourdain documentary where he is eating disgusting things, last week he was cooking with pig blood. Everyone waiting was grossed out.

I’m tracking fillup data with the Mileage app on my phone, and after 5000 miles here are some stats

Still loving the car, still hating the lack of automatic door unlocking.

One of the “essential” ones, surely worth an extra couple of mph on the freeway.

So much for my plans of a “full review”, have not put finger to keyboard once to write about my new baby. The short review is easy: she’s an awesome ride and a great car. A few random observations though…..

• It seems that having the speed in big numbers right in front of me all the time has made me drive more slowly when cruising on the freeways. I set the cruise control to 74 yet in the past I’d be right foot down doing 76/77 most of the way. Although cruise control isn’t motoring, it sure is nice on my 2hr freeway commute.
• I originally thought the accent lighting was a gimmick, waste of time and money giving me a button with which to toggle through the colours. But now that I’m doing a lot of driving at night I find myself changing the colour often. Guess those MINI guys know more than me about what I like
• The car is very fast to respond when asked, I don’t notice any difference from my old super-charged variety. If anything it is snappier, though I am still aware that I didn’t hear the whine. Miss that noise.
• The colour is fantastic, looks great everywhere in every lighting situation. I get compliments on it all the time. I am so glad I didn’t go with the ice blue.
• How can there be no gauges on the dashboard to give me any hints as to how things are going ?
• The HK sound is totally kicking and I am very thankful to DB for making sure I ponied up the extra money to buy it. It would have been a big mistake not to have done so.
• There seems to be even less access to the door storage than before, no way to get a hand in there

But I do have one complaint. I thought I would get over it but a few weeks and 2500 miles later I am still not happy…. I do not like that the doors no longer unlock when the engine stops. So I have to remember to unlock the doors with the toggle switch or do the awkward double door handle thing.

And the double door thing is ok except a typical scenario (just this morning), I get out the car walk round the passenger side to get my stuff of the seat and the door is locked. So I have to get the key and double unlock the locks with it to get at my things. This is really annoying, and I’m sad that MINI chose to take away the option that made so much sense on my old cabrio.

Anyway, one complaint isn’t bad, don’t you think? And I do love love love the car.

Was driving my new MINI away from work this week and was aware of the driver of a green (earlier year) MINI checking me out in another lane. Eventually he pulls over to the lane next to me and at a traffic light we are side by side and he puts his window down.

Him: Hey, what model year is that ?
Me: It’s brand new, 2013! (smiling)
Him: Aw man, too bad, my mechanic tells me the engines in those are rubbish

Light changes, he floors it, conversation over.

I remember when MINI owners loved to see other MINIs and admire them, guess we don’t do that any more.

My MINI finally arrived at the CA VDC last Saturday and made it to my dealer in record time. I’m already forming some opinions but will leave a comparison of this to the last one for a bit, but they are definitely very different in feel.

Anyway, here’s my new baby parked outside the dealer waiting for me to pick it up

A few random shots….. I really like the black headlight casing and white turn lights

My MA says that very few people order the Infinite Stream wheels but I think they look good in this combination. I was disappointed with my wheels last car, hoped not to repeat the same mistake this time.

Finally, here’s a shot of the digital compass in the rear view mirror. When I saw this was now an option I had to have it, used to love being able to see what direction we were going.

I only had the phone to take pictures with and the light was no good for any interior shots, I’ll maybe get some of those at the weekend.

No, I’m not calling my new car Waldo but you might, like I, be wondering where it is. Well, 10 weeks to the day I ordered it, is on the Fidelio right around Acapulco (and no doubt going loco).

You might notice Hurricane Paul up there near Baja, a category 2 hurricane that is about to wind its way up the Baja coast. Wouldn’t it be ironic if my car got further delayed by a storm that shared my name!