Comments on: Top 5 First Mods For New Owners http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/03/01/top_5_first_mods_for_new_owners/ MotoringFile | MINI news, reviews and opinion. MINI Cooper, Cooper S, Clubman, Countryman Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:14:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Alan http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/03/01/top_5_first_mods_for_new_owners/comment-page-1/#comment-2285 Alan Tue, 18 May 2004 13:45:19 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/03/01/#comment-2285 <p>Where has the Aux Port installation moved?</p> Where has the Aux Port installation moved?

]]> By: Jason http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/03/01/top_5_first_mods_for_new_owners/comment-page-1/#comment-2284 Jason Tue, 16 Mar 2004 05:59:28 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/03/01/#comment-2284 <p>OMG!! I just installed my parcel shelf. Amazing. Except for a brief run to home depot and then pep boys for a torx screw driver, it took me all of 10 minutes, half of which was gathering the courage to yank off the old panel, the other half hanging upside down in my driver's seat trying to get those *#@! clips to snap into place. Yoga pays off. Best of all, it's much harder than I expected to see what's placed on it from outside the car, which had deterred me from getting it until now.</p> <p>Thanks Gabe for my #1, one-stop MINI site and all of the easy-to-find How To Guides.</p> OMG!! I just installed my parcel shelf. Amazing. Except for a brief run to home depot and then pep boys for a torx screw driver, it took me all of 10 minutes, half of which was gathering the courage to yank off the old panel, the other half hanging upside down in my driver's seat trying to get those *#@! clips to snap into place. Yoga pays off. Best of all, it's much harder than I expected to see what's placed on it from outside the car, which had deterred me from getting it until now.

Thanks Gabe for my #1, one-stop MINI site and all of the easy-to-find How To Guides.

]]> By: MiniCooperJD http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/03/01/top_5_first_mods_for_new_owners/comment-page-1/#comment-2283 MiniCooperJD Fri, 12 Mar 2004 23:30:09 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/03/01/#comment-2283 <p>I am planning on ditching the runflat tires as well... here in Chicago the tires are totally dismal. For the record, I have a 2004 Cooper, with the 16" runflats and sport package.</p> I am planning on ditching the runflat tires as well… here in Chicago the tires are totally dismal. For the record, I have a 2004 Cooper, with the 16″ runflats and sport package.

]]> By: ZAKdog http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/03/01/top_5_first_mods_for_new_owners/comment-page-1/#comment-2282 ZAKdog Tue, 09 Mar 2004 01:59:20 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/03/01/#comment-2282 <p>Have to agree to with the glove box organizer as a complement to my parcel shelf. Did the S2000 antenna, black with blue dot cocomats, 20% window tint, and tail light tint for that "black is beautiful" look. Going to do that sun shade mod posted on NAM. Would love to have the option of changing the color of the LEDs of the interior as is offered on the new Toyota Scion. Yeah, I know they ripped off a lot of the MINI aesthetic, but they also added some cool interior customization.</p> Have to agree to with the glove box organizer as a complement to my parcel shelf. Did the S2000 antenna, black with blue dot cocomats, 20% window tint, and tail light tint for that “black is beautiful” look. Going to do that sun shade mod posted on NAM. Would love to have the option of changing the color of the LEDs of the interior as is offered on the new Toyota Scion. Yeah, I know they ripped off a lot of the MINI aesthetic, but they also added some cool interior customization.

]]> By: Gabriel Bridger http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/03/01/top_5_first_mods_for_new_owners/comment-page-1/#comment-2281 Gabriel Bridger Thu, 04 Mar 2004 20:21:31 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/03/01/#comment-2281 <p>I went from runflats with 16" wheels to non-runflats with 17" wheels and my ride actually improved a bit!</p> I went from runflats with 16″ wheels to non-runflats with 17″ wheels and my ride actually improved a bit!

]]> By: Richard http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/03/01/top_5_first_mods_for_new_owners/comment-page-1/#comment-2280 Richard Thu, 04 Mar 2004 19:53:29 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/03/01/#comment-2280 <p>I'm wondering if the people who hated the ride enough to change the tires had the 17 inch or the 16 inch wheels. I ordered my car with 16's after test driving cars equipped with both and finding that the all season 16'' tires delivered a much smoother ride. Will I get an even bigger improvement over the 16's by going with traditional tires?</p> I'm wondering if the people who hated the ride enough to change the tires had the 17 inch or the 16 inch wheels. I ordered my car with 16's after test driving cars equipped with both and finding that the all season 16'' tires delivered a much smoother ride. Will I get an even bigger improvement over the 16's by going with traditional tires?

]]> By: Jason Livingood http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/03/01/top_5_first_mods_for_new_owners/comment-page-1/#comment-2279 Jason Livingood Thu, 04 Mar 2004 19:09:05 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/03/01/#comment-2279 <p>You can find directions and step-by-step pictures here: http://www.thelivingoods.com/mini/ParcelShelf/</p> You can find directions and step-by-step pictures here: http://www.thelivingoods.com/mini/ParcelShelf/

]]> By: kazu http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/03/01/top_5_first_mods_for_new_owners/comment-page-1/#comment-2278 kazu Thu, 04 Mar 2004 05:17:44 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/03/01/#comment-2278 <p>Bear has a good point. I totally forgot about a couple of coats of Zaino wax. Check it out at zainostore.com . It's by far the best wax there is. </p> <p>I love my sirius satellite radio, too. I didn't go thru the dealer though. DIY $150 receiver + $50 car kit with Best buy.</p> Bear has a good point. I totally forgot about a couple of coats of Zaino wax. Check it out at zainostore.com . It's by far the best wax there is.

I love my sirius satellite radio, too. I didn't go thru the dealer though. DIY $150 receiver + $50 car kit with Best buy.

]]> By: Lawrence O'Toole http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/03/01/top_5_first_mods_for_new_owners/comment-page-1/#comment-2277 Lawrence O'Toole Wed, 03 Mar 2004 22:39:08 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/03/01/#comment-2277 <p>Elmor Fudwell :</p> <p>Yes, it is possible to do the extra brakelight mod on a car with factory installed and programmed rear fogs.</p> <p>It's the same as using the jumper, except you use a diode that you can buy at Radio Shack instead of regular wire to restrict flow to one direction. Instructions on the link below. </p> <p>http://www.3forces.com/mini/technical/brakemod/index.asp</p> <p>Hope that helps!</p> Elmor Fudwell :

Yes, it is possible to do the extra brakelight mod on a car with factory installed and programmed rear fogs.

It's the same as using the jumper, except you use a diode that you can buy at Radio Shack instead of regular wire to restrict flow to one direction. Instructions on the link below.

http://www.3forces.com/mini/technical/brakemod/index.asp

Hope that helps!

]]> By: Shawnster http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/03/01/top_5_first_mods_for_new_owners/comment-page-1/#comment-2276 Shawnster Wed, 03 Mar 2004 21:48:30 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/03/01/#comment-2276 <p>Ditching the runflats is the SMARTEST thing I have done to my JCW MCS so far. The ride is 1000% smoother. The radar detector does not leap off the windshield anymore everytime the pavement gets rough, yes there is a performance advantage too. But the comfort benefit outweighs any performance gains for me. :) The parcel shelf is a must also.</p> Ditching the runflats is the SMARTEST thing I have done to my JCW MCS so far. The ride is 1000% smoother. The radar detector does not leap off the windshield anymore everytime the pavement gets rough, yes there is a performance advantage too. But the comfort benefit outweighs any performance gains for me. :) The parcel shelf is a must also.

]]> By: Scott http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/03/01/top_5_first_mods_for_new_owners/comment-page-1/#comment-2275 Scott Wed, 03 Mar 2004 16:52:15 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/03/01/#comment-2275 <p>Gabe, big response to this article! Interesting theory about the seals disrupting the natural airflow. I'm not buying it, though. The area around the seals wasn't big enough to allow much air. There really is no good vent for the under-bonnet air, except underneath. That can't be good. One would expect the side-vents to exhaust some air, but I believe they're fakes. It would be interesting to put some real ducting in (at least, according to my friend who holds Bonneville records). That would really improve the top end. Steve, thanks for the link .</p> Gabe, big response to this article! Interesting theory about the seals disrupting the natural airflow. I'm not buying it, though. The area around the seals wasn't big enough to allow much air. There really is no good vent for the under-bonnet air, except underneath. That can't be good. One would expect the side-vents to exhaust some air, but I believe they're fakes. It would be interesting to put some real ducting in (at least, according to my friend who holds Bonneville records). That would really improve the top end. Steve, thanks for the link .

]]> By: Victor http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/03/01/top_5_first_mods_for_new_owners/comment-page-1/#comment-2274 Victor Wed, 03 Mar 2004 15:52:19 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/03/01/#comment-2274 <p>My MCS-JCW isn't ready yet (still waiting for the new '04 JCW kit to come in)(you'd think that JCW could get their defecatory material together sooner, given that the kit was ordered in November along with the car) so my comments must, perforce, be wistful, but on the subject of mats -- Virginia winters are hardly fierce, so I ordered coco-mats from AutoSport of Charlottesville, VA, for the darker season and the dealer will supply the summer rug-mats. The coco-mats are classy, will wear well, will protect against all the winter crud and (best of all) aren't rubber.</p> My MCS-JCW isn't ready yet (still waiting for the new '04 JCW kit to come in)(you'd think that JCW could get their defecatory material together sooner, given that the kit was ordered in November along with the car) so my comments must, perforce, be wistful, but on the subject of mats — Virginia winters are hardly fierce, so I ordered coco-mats from AutoSport of Charlottesville, VA, for the darker season and the dealer will supply the summer rug-mats. The coco-mats are classy, will wear well, will protect against all the winter crud and (best of all) aren't rubber.

]]> By: Rocketboy http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/03/01/top_5_first_mods_for_new_owners/comment-page-1/#comment-2273 Rocketboy Wed, 03 Mar 2004 06:42:09 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/03/01/#comment-2273 <p>I like the runflats. I know the ride is quite rough, but i'd rather have the stifness of the runflats that the squishness of non-runflats. It may just be me, but I could tell the difference bettwen my runflats, and my MINI-buddy's regular tires.</p> <p>And I would give a thumbs up to a skidplate. I'm sure that I get more use out of mine, as I drive my MINI all year round, but it does make me feel a little better when I'm stuck going over a chuck of ice and snow in the road.</p> I like the runflats. I know the ride is quite rough, but i'd rather have the stifness of the runflats that the squishness of non-runflats. It may just be me, but I could tell the difference bettwen my runflats, and my MINI-buddy's regular tires.

And I would give a thumbs up to a skidplate. I'm sure that I get more use out of mine, as I drive my MINI all year round, but it does make me feel a little better when I'm stuck going over a chuck of ice and snow in the road.

]]> By: Gabriel Bridger http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/03/01/top_5_first_mods_for_new_owners/comment-page-1/#comment-2272 Gabriel Bridger Wed, 03 Mar 2004 02:34:27 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/03/01/#comment-2272 <p>There is a theory out there that this disrupts the natural airflow that was designed into the engine compartment. Whether or not this is true I have no idea.</p> <p>It certainly does keep the engine bay cleaner.</p> There is a theory out there that this disrupts the natural airflow that was designed into the engine compartment. Whether or not this is true I have no idea.

It certainly does keep the engine bay cleaner.

]]> By: Steve http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/03/01/top_5_first_mods_for_new_owners/comment-page-1/#comment-2271 Steve Wed, 03 Mar 2004 02:05:25 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/03/01/#comment-2271 <p>Here is the info for Scott's weatherstripping from the <a href="http://revorg.org/cleanengine.html"> Madison MINI Group</a> It is cheap, easy and does a great job keeping the engine compartment cleaner.</p> Here is the info for Scott's weatherstripping from the Madison MINI Group It is cheap, easy and does a great job keeping the engine compartment cleaner.

]]> By: Victoria http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/03/01/top_5_first_mods_for_new_owners/comment-page-1/#comment-2270 Victoria Wed, 03 Mar 2004 00:23:01 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/03/01/#comment-2270 <p>Oh, skidplate, definitely. I think it's impossible to overstate the joy of having a skidplate when the only way to get from parked to 10 mph above the speed limit is by going over several hills of ice and snow heaped the night before by the plows.</p> <p>Additional favorite mod: Local Club Sticker.</p> Oh, skidplate, definitely. I think it's impossible to overstate the joy of having a skidplate when the only way to get from parked to 10 mph above the speed limit is by going over several hills of ice and snow heaped the night before by the plows.

Additional favorite mod: Local Club Sticker.

]]> By: Maxwell H. http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/03/01/top_5_first_mods_for_new_owners/comment-page-1/#comment-2269 Maxwell H. Wed, 03 Mar 2004 00:22:56 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/03/01/#comment-2269 <p>Wow. I think the "new" site has increased the traffic in here BIG TIME! I wholeheartedly agree with your five reasons. A couple more I would include would be a satellite radio (there are LOTS of options these days), a nice car washing/waxing kit (Zymol of Zaino, take your pick), and snow tires if you live up North.</p> Wow. I think the “new” site has increased the traffic in here BIG TIME! I wholeheartedly agree with your five reasons. A couple more I would include would be a satellite radio (there are LOTS of options these days), a nice car washing/waxing kit (Zymol of Zaino, take your pick), and snow tires if you live up North.

]]> By: Bear http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/03/01/top_5_first_mods_for_new_owners/comment-page-1/#comment-2268 Bear Tue, 02 Mar 2004 22:57:39 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/03/01/#comment-2268 <p>Can't believe the number 1 item isn't a thorough cleaning with a few coats of Zaino. Great bonding time with the newest addition and a shine that is the envy of all. Best money we ever spent...</p> <p>Bear</p> Can't believe the number 1 item isn't a thorough cleaning with a few coats of Zaino. Great bonding time with the newest addition and a shine that is the envy of all. Best money we ever spent…

Bear

]]> By: R http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/03/01/top_5_first_mods_for_new_owners/comment-page-1/#comment-2267 R Tue, 02 Mar 2004 22:38:43 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/03/01/#comment-2267 <p>Hey Elmor, Do likes Bugs and just hightail it away from those slow poke Wasskally Wabbits.</p> <p>Read my comment on RF's and yes those flat tire repair in a can do work.</p> <p>R.</p> Hey Elmor, Do likes Bugs and just hightail it away from those slow poke Wasskally Wabbits.

Read my comment on RF's and yes those flat tire repair in a can do work.

R.

]]> By: Elmor Fudwell http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/03/01/top_5_first_mods_for_new_owners/comment-page-1/#comment-2266 Elmor Fudwell Tue, 02 Mar 2004 21:58:24 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/03/01/#comment-2266 <p>All,</p> <p>I'm intrigued of the replacement of the runflats on the MCS.</p> <p>After reading the opinons of the runflats, I'm considering a change over once these need replacing.</p> <p>Just wondering how those canned tire repair kits have faired? Would they be good to get the tire repaired enough to continue a journey or get to a service station? It's been a while since I've owned a car, so I'm getting familiar to the car ownership thingy again.</p> <p>Secondly, I've seen mention of the brake light mod and the fog lamp mod. Can both of these be performed? Or is it an either/or? I'm perplexed as to which would prove more beneficial for an either/or. As stated above, it's been awhile on the car ownership thingy, and now I'm blown away on the tailgating that I'm encountering...kinda scary being in a smaller car and such.</p> All,

I'm intrigued of the replacement of the runflats on the MCS.

After reading the opinons of the runflats, I'm considering a change over once these need replacing.

Just wondering how those canned tire repair kits have faired? Would they be good to get the tire repaired enough to continue a journey or get to a service station? It's been a while since I've owned a car, so I'm getting familiar to the car ownership thingy again.

Secondly, I've seen mention of the brake light mod and the fog lamp mod. Can both of these be performed? Or is it an either/or? I'm perplexed as to which would prove more beneficial for an either/or. As stated above, it's been awhile on the car ownership thingy, and now I'm blown away on the tailgating that I'm encountering…kinda scary being in a smaller car and such.

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