BMW 2002 FAQ - Any good (new)MINI car clubs or on line forums out there?

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Thread Topic: Any good (new)MINI car clubs or on line forums out there?

Date: 4-7-08 12:54
From: SteveJ in Dublin, CA

Subject: Any good (new)MINI car clubs or on line forums out there?

So, last week we drive the 2002 over to the BMW dealer to check out the new 1 series as my wife was kicking around the idea of a new car. While checking out the 1 series, I notice that my head touches the roof while sitting in the back seat. I'm only 5' 10". Not an issue on my 02, not an issue on my M3, not an issue on our E46. Our son is 6' tall now and still growing. I could just see him hunched over for a nice 4 hour drive to grandma's house on Thanksgiving. The 1 was out.

We then go by the MINI dealer next door. They have the new Clubman out. Never even gave the Clubman a second look at the autoshow. Anyway, we look around a bit, take a brochure and head home. She spends a little time on the website and "builds" a car. Saturday comes and she says we should go test drive a Cooper Clubman and a S to see what we think. We drive each of the Coooper Clubman and the Cooper Clubman S in manual and auto tranny. We agree that the auto tranny Cooper just didn't have the pull of the S (50 horses more, duh!), but in the S trim, the auto tranny was plenty livable. If it were MY car, it would be manual, but she wants auto.

We drop the last car off at the dealer and talk to them about specifics. That was as far as I thought we were gonna go, but I come back from retrieving my cup of coffee and she is pulling out the credit card to put down the deposit for her order! (Too bad I didn't suggest the Porsche dealer instead.)

A little surprised? Yes.
Pretty happy? Yes.
Another FUN car in the stable? YES!
_________________
Steve J
72 tii / 88 M3 / 99 328 / 08 MCS R55
& too many bikes

Date: 4-7-08 05:47 From: TonyHavana in Toronto Subject: Re: Any good (new)MINI car clubs or on line forums out there
Sounds like your wife made a good choice. (except for automatic, but like you said, it's her car) My classic Mini friends swear by minimania.com, and there is a big section for the new mini as well. However when I tried their separate appearing forum, it took me to the classic forum. May have been a glitch, but I think it's worth checking out.

Date: 4-7-08 08:20 From: jmon0261 in Chico California Subject: Re: Any good (new)MINI car clubs or on line forums out there
Mr Jackson-" What will it take to get you to drive out of here in a new mini?" My Wife-- It is not who you know, but who you owe. Congrats Steve- Post a picture of what color, trim etc that you will be getting. _________________ Joseph O'Neil 73 02 - Polaris - driver 67 2000 TiLux- Chamonix

Date: 4-7-08 10:31
From: jakeb in Bay City, MI

Subject: Re: Any good (new)MINI car clubs or on line forums out there

They are fun cars... My wife has an 06 cooper S...auto. Just took it in for an oil change and brake fluid flush(all free from the dealer). Always had great service and nice people at mini.

While we were there we also looked at the 1 series and they had a few 08 v8 M3s as well. I like the 1 series but I wish they came with a 4 cylinder and were not 30k....

I am happy with my 02 and e30....
_________________
70 2002 w/m42
91 318is w/m42
email for 02 and 02tii parts

Date: 4-7-08 12:19 From: Mike87 in San Jose, CA Subject: Re: Any good (new)MINI car clubs or on line forums out there
Steve, This is one of the best http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/ Here is another one http://www.mini2.com/ Both have tons of info on the first generation 2002-2006 and the new one 2007- _________________ Good Luck, Mike (#87)

Date: 4-7-08 01:25 From: 70roundtail02 in Pullman/Olympia Subject: Re: Any good (new)MINI car clubs or on line forums out there
Sweet, helped my girlfriend pick up an S. Northamericanmotoring has helped to answer any questions i've had with it _________________ 1970-resto/mod =money drain 1973 Charmonix, mhh clean GO COUGS

Date: 4-7-08 04:04
From: SteveJ in Dublin, CA

Subject: Re: Any good (new)MINI car clubs or on line forums out there?

NAM seems to be a pretty decent site. I just signed up.

I guess the biggest issue I have with ANY new car forum is that it seems to me that a large percentage of the posters come across as having very little technical or mechanical ability. The most common reply seems to be "It's under warranty, take it to the dealer."

The FAQ has spoiled me. When one of us run into an issue, there is usually a FAQer with a solution and still another FAQer offering to machine some gizmo out of aluminum to resolve the issue.
_________________
Steve J
72 tii / 88 M3 / 99 328 / 08 MCS R55
& too many bikes

Date: 4-8-08 06:59
From: Mike87 in San Jose, CA

Subject: Re: Any good (new)MINI car clubs or on line forums out there?

Steve,

What you will find is that NAM has a some people who do not know anything about their cars and ask questions that really have no place on a forum. Some of these people should not even own cars! I use the search function frequently before asking any questions as it works very well and can usually answer your questions without having to post at all.

Aside from that, there are quite a few individuals there who have a ton of knowledge about MINIs and are willing to help. It is just not as small and frienly as the FAQ.

I have a '03 MCS and am pleased with it. If you have any questions, feel free to email me and I will try to help. I have done a ton with my suspension and some with the motor, brakes and interior.

Regards,
Mike

Date: 4-8-08 03:10
From: SteveJ in Dublin, CA

Subject: Re: Any good (new)MINI car clubs or on line forums out there?

Thanks Mike.
Out of all the cars we have owned, the only non-BMWs have been my Alfa Berlina and her Audi A4. At least the MINI will be a BMW. I already found one of the answers regarding the roof rack on the 08 MINI's. Several of the posters on NAM said they had the dealer install it for them to the tune of $200 plus on labor! I downloaded the factory instruction sheet- it's no more complicated than most Thule or Yakima set-ups. You just gotta be able to spin a wrench.

We should get our build date confirmed this week. Probably not get it until late June.
_________________
Steve J
72 tii / 88 M3 / 99 328 / 08 MCS R55
& too many bikes

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