Drainage from the drive through the thunderstorm. Honestly, I almost felt compelled to explain the puddle when I first posted the picture. It looks like I pissed myself in all the excitement of bringing John Bull home.
No one would blame you if you did. I remember when I first drove my MINI home. I'm sorry I just couldn't resist
And I just drove it home from the Metro garage with the top down for the first time. Now I know why I got a Roadster!
Okay! Finally a few outside pictures of John Bull. I've quickly discovered that motoring in a MINI is far different than driving a car. This Roadster will be an adventure, my friends!
How many times did you get up last night and go check on JOHN BULL? Try and wipe that smile off your face.....
The Franconia-Springfield garage? If you're anything like me, you spent an inordinate amount of time seeking out the ideal spot -- on a sparsely populated upper level; preferably an end spot to create a door-ding buffer zone with no overhead pipes or wires to serve as a bird roost. I'm so anal about this at the airport that I've sometimes almost missed my departing flight. Those Clifton area roads on a sunny afternoon with the leaves turning and the top down must be absolute heaven. :wink:
Im jealous. When I bought mine I couldn't afford any of the roadsters that were on the lot. I really miss having a drop top. Not that I dislike my MCS, but nothing beats top down driving.
I fell in love with the Roadster immediately. The test drive reminded me of my old MGB and sold me on the spot. This was my first day driving with the top down. I couldn't believe how many looks John Bull got today. Save your money and buy a Roadster when you can. The JCW exterior package made all the difference in the world to me. I love the appearance.
My Roadster was worth every minute of anxiety, angst, and trepidation. How's that for dramatic flair?
Looks great with the driving lights! Might be roadster time after the kids move out in 10 or so years...:fingerscrossed:
Car looks great and as for wheel cleaner I only use Sonax. If you are really OCD like some of us :ihih: I have two sets of rims (Summer /Winter) and I only clean them with Sonax. I do coat my rims with Rain-X before and after I swap them each season. It helps to keep what brake dust does get on your rims from etching in before you clean your wheels again with Sonax. Oh and here is a great site for good auto detailing products . They have everything. Www.autogeek.net
Thanks for the wheel suggestions, Dave.O. How do you apply the Rain-X to your wheels? I've never uses Rain-X before. Others have recommend Sonax as well. I'm exceptionally anal and compulsive over the state of my wheels. I cannot stand brake dust. We recently put Wagner Thermo-Quiet brake pads on my wife's Jaguar XF and the difference is absolutely amazing. I will seriously give consideration to swapping out my pads if they're anything like BMW brake pads.
I have not used it myself but I did read about it before when someone else mentioned it. From a guy at a dealership: (not me) I used to apply xzilon at a dealership, it seems to be a great sealant. I would compare it to 4* UPP in protection, but the dealership price on it is more for the warranty than the actual product. By having xzilon installed by the dealership, the paint is warrantied against oxidation and fading for 5 years; but there are loopholes in the system that don't allow most people to cash in on the warranty if something goes wrong with their paint. The loopholes are that in the fine print, it says the warranty is void if you use a brush carwash or any not touchless carwash system...hand wash is ok. The way the dealership can tell if the car has been voided is by the pattern of scratches on the paint. Also no paintwork correction can be done outside the dealership. Overall, the interior xzilon protection is outstanding, the paint protection is equivalent to a good sealant, and the price is for the warranty not the product itself. Yet another user: I used to apply Xzilon as well, and found out that the people who bought it did not seem to be the type of people to maintain thier vehicle. If the customer saw how it was applied they would not believe that it is worth the money. To do an entire vehicle took about 20 minutes, once cleaned. How is one to prove how the vehicle was washed? The dealership I worked at did not have a set price for this application, they made it up as they went along.(Usually around $600) One could buy a LOT of good wax for $600. And one more: You are essentially paying for a warranty. The product itself IMO is alright but nothing to really write home about, but the warranty is ok. Keep in mind it does have a lot of loopholes so make sure you stick by them. Even though at my previous job we offered it, I would never sell it because I truly did not believe in the product. Tested it for myself, and it lasts no longer then a good $20 wax/sealant.
Your MINI pads are exactly like BMW pads. :mad2::incazzato: dust dust and more dust. :mad5: If you want no dust /non race Daily Driver street pads try Akebono Euro Ceramic pads. I have personally used them in the past with great results. I had them put on my wife's Lexus Rx 350 and dust issues are gone and the SUV still stops just fine. You can find them for a good price on Tire Rack. As for putting Rain- X on your rims before you put them on your car. I clean my rims with Sonax and dry them. Then I spray them down with rain-X and wipe it clear to remove any runs but not like I am putting it on my windshield buffing it to a high transparent shine. I only buy Rain-X in the spray bottle.
Dave.O. Thanks for the tip on Xzilon. I will not buy the product I will try the Sonax and Rain-X. I've heard a few people recommend Adams products, but the Sonax and Rain-X sounds good to me. I wonder how the Akebono pads compare to the Wagner pads. We've had tremendous luck with the Jag in terms of braking and dust.