Long time lurker, first post

Hello all...I've been a member here for a few years but this is my first post. Not even really a lurker so much. Our R53 was pretty problem free for a long time so never spent a lot of time on the forums.

Just picked up a new R52 so been spending more time here so wanted to say hello.

Had a 2005 R53 with Stage I DINAN, Stage 4 software (so basically everything except the smaller pulley...DINAN didn't have the software out yet when it was installed by previous owner and we were so happy with it as it was we never finished it).



We thought we would keep it forever, but as soon as we paid it off last year we found ourselves replacing a lot of things --which wasn't a major issue and expected (had 99K miles), but then I made the mistake of opening an email from our local Mini dealer and seeing a 2008 R52 Sidewalk/JCW, Last of the Supercharged special edition at a really good price with only 52K miles-- plus I sorta always regretted not getting the convertible :biggrin5:. We really wanted to have both but not financially possible, so here is the new one:

 

Thanks! I have to say I do miss a few things from the R53, the rain sensing windshield wipers, and the burble plus the throaty DINAN exhaust. We did the "flapectomy" over the weekend it it's slightly better but still getting used to the quiet.

I am a bit dismayed that the gas mileage on the JCW is less than the DINAN. We were averaging 25/26 MPG mixed in the DINAN. When the software was accidentally removed by the dealer at one time the gas mileage was increased by 1.5 MPG (of course we preferred the power so had the DINAN software put back in) so I assumed the JCW would be at least the same or better, but we are only averaging 22MPG in the JCW.