March 5, 2005:

GBMINI - the end or the beginning?

Back at MINI Peabody today, the certificate of origin for GBMINI#3 has still not arrived but thanks to some extra special treatment from the NUMBER ONE dealership, I get to drive my new MINI today anyway …



A couple of modifications to GBMINI#3 already - got rid of the cupholder, added the “supercharged” decal, and the John Cooper Works air filter:

Only six miles on the clock when I filled up GBMINI#3 with gas:

Only 20 or so miles driven so far so very little time to form any real impressions - strange to start the car without needing to depress the clutch …
There is some learning to do with the automatic transmission (it’s supposed to learn too!), but I noticed already that in normal drive mode the revs are way down - only 2400rpm at 70mph compared with 3000rpm on GBMINI#2. Interesting …

At the moment, the JCW air intake is acting as a warning to ease off; the second air intake valve opens at 4500 rpm, increasing the supercharger noise, but also warning me that I have hit the running-in rev limit :(

Posted by GBMINI at 03:25 pm | GBMINI#3
Comments: 13 (post new comment)

  1. Gavin (2005/03/05 @ 3:56 pm)

    Huh..? How..? I thought it was a legal thing, not a dealership thing..?
    No spotlights on GBMINI3, or are there more mods to come..?
    Stupid question! ;)

    Congrats..! Where are you taking it for it’s first run..?

  2. Gavin (2005/03/05 @ 3:58 pm)

    Is that the clock next to the miles..? Must be an ‘05 thing that I hadn’t noticed.

  3. Ian C. (2005/03/05 @ 4:38 pm)

    Yes, the ’05s lost the clock in the headliner so they added the choice of clock or trip odo in the speedometer. Not a great option - rumours that a clock will be added to the radio, but it has not happened yet apparently.

    Driving lights will be added in April, after the bonnet stripes; and I am on an extended test drive on dealer plates ;)

  4. Al on cape. (2005/03/05 @ 5:28 pm)

    Ian,
    This is a great saga. Keep it going as
    we are all enjoying it.
    Al.

  5. Ryan (2005/03/05 @ 8:20 pm)

    Congratulations on the “extended test drive” as they are calling it. It takes quite a bit of getting used to not hitting the clutch everytime you start up the automatics, I look for it in my wife’s Jeep all the time. What kind of bonnet stripes are you looking for? The standard OEM stripes or are you looking for something with a little chrome? Keep up the great work on the web site (Just noticed the different home page).

  6. Theo (2005/03/05 @ 8:57 pm)

    Ah Ha!

    Traded-up for the wheels too, eh what? Cheers, Ian!

    Theo

  7. Ian C. (2005/03/05 @ 9:55 pm)

    Hoping to get some chrome bonnet stripes sorted …

  8. Angie (2005/03/05 @ 10:18 pm)

    Congrats, Ian! How exciting for you!

  9. Angie (2005/03/05 @ 10:22 pm)

    Another thing…I was just thinking…I wonder how many people, besides you, are on their third MINI (or more)? I’ve heard of a lot being on their second, but third? You might just be one of MINI’s most repeat customer!

  10. Randolph Lee (2005/03/06 @ 1:49 am)

    It looks great Ian, any word on how long until the works kit will be available for the auto? Are you still planing on adding it?
    Cheers
    ~R~

  11. Ian C. (2005/03/06 @ 9:26 am)

    I have heard no more about the JCW for the auto; it is being tested by Aisin (makers of the transmission) and I was originally told an announcement would be made by now.

  12. Farm (2005/05/16 @ 11:49 am)

    Hi, does the works air intake work on the standard S? i mean do the extra valves open at 4500rpm or is that only on the complete s works?

    thanks

    greetings
    Farm

  13. Ian Cull (2005/05/17 @ 9:45 am)

    Yes - the JCW air intake does not require the rest of the works upgrade - it works perfectly well as an “elegant” air intake with two stages of operation, opening its second valve at 4500rpm.
    Claimed 5hp gain for $450+labor.

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