Comments on: Ask a MINI Motoring Advisor! http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/06/28/ask_a_mini_motoring_advisor/ MotoringFile | MINI news, reviews and opinion. MINI Cooper, Cooper S, Clubman, Countryman Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:48:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Gabe http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/06/28/ask_a_mini_motoring_advisor/comment-page-1/#comment-7570 Gabe Thu, 01 Jul 2004 03:18:53 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/06/28/#comment-7570 <p>About those sport seats. i just posted this comment to another story: </p> <p>'In other news it seems that MINIUSA was working on putting side airbags into the JCW seats for sale in the US. The person I spoke with wasn't sure how that was going but he seemed to think if it didn't work they would still offer the seats but label them for "off-road use only"'</p> <p>BTW Pete - when do you get pics of that car - sounds incredible!</p> About those sport seats. i just posted this comment to another story:

'In other news it seems that MINIUSA was working on putting side airbags into the JCW seats for sale in the US. The person I spoke with wasn't sure how that was going but he seemed to think if it didn't work they would still offer the seats but label them for “off-road use only”'

BTW Pete – when do you get pics of that car – sounds incredible!

]]> By: pete http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/06/28/ask_a_mini_motoring_advisor/comment-page-1/#comment-7569 pete Thu, 01 Jul 2004 02:49:45 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/06/28/#comment-7569 <p>hey, sb, i do have the jcw sport seats installed in my of s, but they are basically just sparco seats wtih different apolstery. if u go to the sparco website, you will find the exact same seats, with the jcw logo on them, i suggest you buy these, and call john cooper works for the leather, and have them apolstered how you want them. beleive me, this is a way easier thing to do than having the whole seat imported from england</p> hey, sb, i do have the jcw sport seats installed in my of s, but they are basically just sparco seats wtih different apolstery. if u go to the sparco website, you will find the exact same seats, with the jcw logo on them, i suggest you buy these, and call john cooper works for the leather, and have them apolstered how you want them. beleive me, this is a way easier thing to do than having the whole seat imported from england

]]> By: CK http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/06/28/ask_a_mini_motoring_advisor/comment-page-1/#comment-7568 CK Thu, 01 Jul 2004 02:37:53 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/06/28/#comment-7568 <p>Is there anyways for me to improve the fuel consumption of my thirsty little Mini One CVT. It is drinking some 1 litre for 8.5 km. And I am definitely not a driver with a heavy right foot. I also avoid jams and do not idle the engine. I have a K&N filter dropped in. Thanks.</p> Is there anyways for me to improve the fuel consumption of my thirsty little Mini One CVT. It is drinking some 1 litre for 8.5 km. And I am definitely not a driver with a heavy right foot. I also avoid jams and do not idle the engine. I have a K&N filter dropped in. Thanks.

]]> By: Gabe http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/06/28/ask_a_mini_motoring_advisor/comment-page-1/#comment-7567 Gabe Wed, 30 Jun 2004 19:13:18 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/06/28/#comment-7567 <p>Pete - I can answer that real quick. No - they just have range control. That means they self level like the current ones do.</p> Pete – I can answer that real quick. No – they just have range control. That means they self level like the current ones do.

]]> By: Peter http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/06/28/ask_a_mini_motoring_advisor/comment-page-1/#comment-7566 Peter Wed, 30 Jun 2004 19:05:55 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/06/28/#comment-7566 <p>Are the 2005 Xenons 'adaptive' (i.e. do they swivel in response to steering input)?</p> Are the 2005 Xenons 'adaptive' (i.e. do they swivel in response to steering input)?

]]> By: Gabe http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/06/28/ask_a_mini_motoring_advisor/comment-page-1/#comment-7565 Gabe Wed, 30 Jun 2004 16:58:21 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/06/28/#comment-7565 <p>Yeah Peter that's a point I was going to bring up. </p> <p><strong>While our MA may try to answer some of the service related questions he/she would in no way, be an authority on the those topics.</strong> </p> <p>Your best bet is the local service department or a MINI forum like North American Motoring or MINI2.</p> <p>Questions that a Motoring Advisor can easily answer would be things such as spec questions, release dates, and pricing to name just a few.</p> Yeah Peter that's a point I was going to bring up.

While our MA may try to answer some of the service related questions he/she would in no way, be an authority on the those topics.

Your best bet is the local service department or a MINI forum like North American Motoring or MINI2.

Questions that a Motoring Advisor can easily answer would be things such as spec questions, release dates, and pricing to name just a few.

]]> By: peter http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/06/28/ask_a_mini_motoring_advisor/comment-page-1/#comment-7564 peter Wed, 30 Jun 2004 16:52:56 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/06/28/#comment-7564 <p>Seems to me there are a bunch of "service" related questions here that are not the domain of a MA. I think folks should be directed to pose questions that a MA has ability to properly answer. Nice feature. Interested to see the answers.</p> Seems to me there are a bunch of “service” related questions here that are not the domain of a MA. I think folks should be directed to pose questions that a MA has ability to properly answer. Nice feature. Interested to see the answers.

]]> By: dino http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/06/28/ask_a_mini_motoring_advisor/comment-page-1/#comment-7563 dino Wed, 30 Jun 2004 07:29:40 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/06/28/#comment-7563 <p>just ordered an 05 MCS and paid sticker. i called 9 dealerships and got a variety of answers to the quesiotn of price negotiation. </p> <p>some dealers were charging over sticker while others claimed to be espousing saturn's model (no negotiation) for dealer and customer ease. </p> <p>is there a MINI policy on this? should i have kept looking to find a way to get a better deal or does the demand make this impossible?</p> <p>thanks d</p> just ordered an 05 MCS and paid sticker. i called 9 dealerships and got a variety of answers to the quesiotn of price negotiation.

some dealers were charging over sticker while others claimed to be espousing saturn's model (no negotiation) for dealer and customer ease.

is there a MINI policy on this? should i have kept looking to find a way to get a better deal or does the demand make this impossible?

thanks d

]]> By: dave http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/06/28/ask_a_mini_motoring_advisor/comment-page-1/#comment-7562 dave Wed, 30 Jun 2004 05:10:28 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/06/28/#comment-7562 <p>I would like more details on the 1-05 MCS Automatice transmission. How much? 5 or 6 speed. Paddle shifters? Is it a clean sheet of paper design? Thanks</p> I would like more details on the 1-05 MCS Automatice transmission. How much? 5 or 6 speed. Paddle shifters? Is it a clean sheet of paper design? Thanks

]]> By: John http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/06/28/ask_a_mini_motoring_advisor/comment-page-1/#comment-7561 John Wed, 30 Jun 2004 03:04:04 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/06/28/#comment-7561 <p>Question #1/#2: What's the real reason a british accent isn't available on US MINIs? Is MINIUSA considering adding it, again (it used to be available on older models)?</p> <p>Question #3: Why isn't Apple's iPod BMW/MINI hook up available for cars with Nav when Dennison's (sp?) Ice-link works? Apple's kit seems very limited.</p> <p>Thank you for your time, and consideration. And, thank you, Gabe, for organizing this.</p> Question #1/#2: What's the real reason a british accent isn't available on US MINIs? Is MINIUSA considering adding it, again (it used to be available on older models)?

Question #3: Why isn't Apple's iPod BMW/MINI hook up available for cars with Nav when Dennison's (sp?) Ice-link works? Apple's kit seems very limited.

Thank you for your time, and consideration. And, thank you, Gabe, for organizing this.

]]> By: pete http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/06/28/ask_a_mini_motoring_advisor/comment-page-1/#comment-7560 pete Wed, 30 Jun 2004 02:26:18 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/06/28/#comment-7560 <p>i was wondering the correct torqe setting for the lug nuts on the S-lite wheels, and if you know the torqe settings for the jcw 18" rims, and how much they wheigh, thanks</p> i was wondering the correct torqe setting for the lug nuts on the S-lite wheels, and if you know the torqe settings for the jcw 18″ rims, and how much they wheigh, thanks

]]> By: Dave http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/06/28/ask_a_mini_motoring_advisor/comment-page-1/#comment-7559 Dave Tue, 29 Jun 2004 21:53:30 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/06/28/#comment-7559 <p>I was wondering if any of the '05 options could be added to an '04. Such as the Universal Garage Door opener?</p> <p>Thanks!</p> I was wondering if any of the '05 options could be added to an '04. Such as the Universal Garage Door opener?

Thanks!

]]> By: Rex http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/06/28/ask_a_mini_motoring_advisor/comment-page-1/#comment-7558 Rex Tue, 29 Jun 2004 21:47:29 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/06/28/#comment-7558 <p>hi..we have a production number and are "on order" for a 2005 jet black mcs to be here mid - september or so. :) when ordering we chose the 17" s-lite wheels...we picked the all season tires thinking they might help with the ride comfort and last longer. are we right?? pros and cons of the all season and the performance tires, please?</p> hi..we have a production number and are “on order” for a 2005 jet black mcs to be here mid – september or so. :) when ordering we chose the 17″ s-lite wheels…we picked the all season tires thinking they might help with the ride comfort and last longer. are we right?? pros and cons of the all season and the performance tires, please?

]]> By: Dave http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/06/28/ask_a_mini_motoring_advisor/comment-page-1/#comment-7557 Dave Tue, 29 Jun 2004 21:27:57 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/06/28/#comment-7557 <p>I wanted to reiterate this question:</p> <p>Jeff / June 29, 2004 1:16 PM</p> <p>When will the Bluetooth hands free phone option be available for cars with the HK stereo system? Will it make use of the buttons on the steering wheel, or be a dash mount button?</p> I wanted to reiterate this question:

Jeff / June 29, 2004 1:16 PM

When will the Bluetooth hands free phone option be available for cars with the HK stereo system? Will it make use of the buttons on the steering wheel, or be a dash mount button?

]]> By: Chris http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/06/28/ask_a_mini_motoring_advisor/comment-page-1/#comment-7556 Chris Tue, 29 Jun 2004 21:12:43 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/06/28/#comment-7556 <p>Will the standard non-MFSW 3 spoke steering wheel be leather for 2005?</p> Will the standard non-MFSW 3 spoke steering wheel be leather for 2005?

]]> By: Tom http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/06/28/ask_a_mini_motoring_advisor/comment-page-1/#comment-7555 Tom Tue, 29 Jun 2004 21:05:57 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/06/28/#comment-7555 <p>How can I find out what updates/service bulletins have been issued that cover a specific VIN#? If MINI has identified specific problems with my car I would like to be able to have them fixed before the warranty expires. An example would be the powersteering/cooling fan problem on the early cars. Is there a service bulletin that can be performed even if I have not had a malfunction (yet)?</p> <p>Thanks,</p> <p>Tom</p> How can I find out what updates/service bulletins have been issued that cover a specific VIN#? If MINI has identified specific problems with my car I would like to be able to have them fixed before the warranty expires. An example would be the powersteering/cooling fan problem on the early cars. Is there a service bulletin that can be performed even if I have not had a malfunction (yet)?

Thanks,

Tom

]]> By: Joey http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/06/28/ask_a_mini_motoring_advisor/comment-page-1/#comment-7554 Joey Tue, 29 Jun 2004 20:48:05 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/06/28/#comment-7554 <p>I am torn between buying out the lease on my 2001 BMW 330xi or purchasing a 2005 MCS w/ automatic. What do you recommend? Keep in mind in live in snowy Ohio. Problem is my lease can only be extended until Feb. and not even sure if the 2005 MCS w/ automatic would be available.</p> <p>Thanks</p> I am torn between buying out the lease on my 2001 BMW 330xi or purchasing a 2005 MCS w/ automatic. What do you recommend? Keep in mind in live in snowy Ohio. Problem is my lease can only be extended until Feb. and not even sure if the 2005 MCS w/ automatic would be available.

Thanks

]]> By: Gianni http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/06/28/ask_a_mini_motoring_advisor/comment-page-1/#comment-7553 Gianni Tue, 29 Jun 2004 20:45:15 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/06/28/#comment-7553 <p>When is MINI USA going to revisit the dealer allocation policy so it is more in line with demand? Here in the NW US, the WA dealer has an 18 month wait for an MCS and isn't taking new orders at all and the OR dealer has a wait of 11 months. I see on the other boards the wait on the East Coast is a month or two at most.</p> When is MINI USA going to revisit the dealer allocation policy so it is more in line with demand? Here in the NW US, the WA dealer has an 18 month wait for an MCS and isn't taking new orders at all and the OR dealer has a wait of 11 months. I see on the other boards the wait on the East Coast is a month or two at most.

]]> By: Jeff http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/06/28/ask_a_mini_motoring_advisor/comment-page-1/#comment-7552 Jeff Tue, 29 Jun 2004 20:16:45 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/06/28/#comment-7552 <p>When will the Bluetooth hands free phone option be available for cars with the HK stereo system? Will it make use of the buttons on the steering wheel, or be a dash mount button?</p> When will the Bluetooth hands free phone option be available for cars with the HK stereo system? Will it make use of the buttons on the steering wheel, or be a dash mount button?

]]> By: SB http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/06/28/ask_a_mini_motoring_advisor/comment-page-1/#comment-7551 SB Tue, 29 Jun 2004 19:15:13 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/06/28/#comment-7551 <p>The JCW website shows the JCW Sport Seats as an option. My dealer has little information on these seats ... although they do seem to have stock numbers. Can you shed any light on price and availability in the US? Is this a dealer added option or factory installed option? Thanks</p> The JCW website shows the JCW Sport Seats as an option. My dealer has little information on these seats … although they do seem to have stock numbers. Can you shed any light on price and availability in the US? Is this a dealer added option or factory installed option? Thanks

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