Most liked posts in thread: What happened at your local MINI dealer's Bloody Original F56 Launch Event?

We had a rally. Left Mini of Fort Myers with 43 cars, did drive through Ft Myers, went to a local amusement park and the dealership paid for 2 hours of go-kart, mini golf, etc..and then to the Tilted Kilt Restaurant for lunch.

 

Wow that was a little joke. A small little oil dipstick to remember when MINI's had oil dipsticks.

 

What event? Does MINI have a new car coming out ?

 

The STL event was nice. Had a free lunch, and took some rubber off the tires of a S. Got a coffee mug, and some T-shirts

I like the new buttons, but I was to busy driving to figure them out:devil:. Take me forever to remember the gas cap is on the other side:crazy:.

Waiting to see how the new Clubbie turns out...

 

Went to the "Bloody Awful" event in Raleigh this evening. Freshly detailed car driving through the thunderstorms accompanying a tornado warning. Dodged downed tree branches and assorted crap in/on the road. Disappointing event. Food was good, no swag, and no test drives. Now have to spend tomorrow cleaning the car again so I can drive in the rain to The Dragon.

 

MAG stepped up with some great food.

I really like the seats. I be on the look out for a scrapped one to get them. The inside isn't bad. But it has one of my biggest pet peeves, the steering wheel isn't centered with the seat. It's off to the left.

 

Did anyone go to the one at MAG on Sat? I was thinking about rolling out to it, and donuts of course, but the fiance distracted me, if you know what I mean.

 

MINI STL put on a nice event for their F56 launch on Saturday, 4/19, very well done.

Local classic rock station did an on-site broadcast, and they'd invited several local food vendors to bring in their mobile units to provide lunch/snacks for us.

Along with short drives of the new cars, of course!

I took out their lightly-optioned Cooper first, with an auto trans. I was really impressed, this car had remarkable zoom compared to a R56 with auto, nice growl. Interior is a major upgrade from the Gen2, I see what everyone has been talking about. Also, the 3-cyl soundtrack is appealing when hustling, I had a blast with it on just the short drive. I thought it had a good balance of bump compliance and handling sharpness, it still felt like a MINI but without the harshness (sport suspension on mine, along with NM springs, so it's a tad stiff).

Drove a Cooper S next, also fairly lightly equipped, also an auto. I'd have no complaints driving this car every day ( I commute 75 miles roundtrip, into / out of downtown traffic). Upshifts / manual shifts were pretty much bang-bang like you'd want, the new 4-cyl providing a lot of gusto. If it gives up anything to my JCW-tuned MCS I'd doubt it would be much. The route included a couple of traffic circles, and this car did lean more than mine, but it was standard suspension, not sport, not dynamic dampers. The auto does change behavior with sport/mid/green, I tried a few blocks in "green' and loathed it, like driving through quicksand since it was grabbing the highest gear it could stand as quickly as possible.

Both cars felt nimble, quick, "like a MINI" to me. Just a bit more resilient, and much quieter over bumps and irregularities.

I'd think they'll sell a lot of Coopers for sure, they're still very distinctive with a MINI feel but the ride is not such a departure from similar-sized choices.

Had nice chats with several club members, my Motoring Advisor and his buds, on a 68-degree sunny day. All-in-all, a nice way to spend a couple of hours!

 

Given the comments about "what event?" I see posted it's no wonder that Mini sales are off. There aren't enough dealerships selling them. Look at all the comments about a dealership being over an hour away. Where I currently live on Long Island I do have two dealerships within an hour's drive (traffic here is a pain!!) but where I plan on retiring in a few years the closest one will be over an hour away at turnpike speeds. Not exactly inspiring, especially since the nearest BMW dealer at that location is about 3 miles away.

Gotta wonder about the corporate mind.

 

You just have to get up and out before she wakes up.:biggrin5:

 

Hockey, beer and iPads don't mix.

 

Sure you come on down and we will put something together for you!

 

Nope, I was too busy cleaning and packing my MINI for the Dragon. :devil:

I leave today in 9 hours and 15 minutes. I will roll into Fontana around 7 AM or earlier. Maybe I will post a few pictures before everyone and the vendors show up.


DRAGON TIME !

 

No clue. Had to work. Plus the closest one is an 1:15 minute drive.

 

This one is going on this Saturday

https://www.facebook.com/pages/MINI-of-Allentown/451356001603296?id=451356001603296&sk=events

 

What MINI dealership!??

 

This is a good topic, I was curious what happens in those things. The one here happens this Saturday but I have other plans.

 

MINI of Allentown... in PA.