My 2021 MINI SE .... the project has started....

[Tifosi]

Ah! lol. Got it. Yea, I think I mentioned, I dont like brightwork. EVER. None of my cars have any chrome. The only brightwork is the satin silver on the Audi. I like the subtlety of dark trim.

This is the first car that I have had with Black wheels though - most are some variant of gray. But these were cheap and you gotta take what you can get.

 

[insightman]

Ah! lol. Got it. Yea, I think I mentioned, I dont like brightwork. EVER. None of my cars have any chrome. The only brightwork is the satin silver on the Audi. I like the subtlety of dark trim.

This is the first car that I have had with Black wheels though - most are some variant of gray. But these were cheap and you gotta take what you can get.

Those wheels don't look cheap. What tires are they wearing?

 

[Tifosi]

Yea, I agree, they dont. But they were $660 delivered.

Tires are KUMHO ECSTA PS31 215/40R18 89 W

All in, it was less than $1250 USD for:
- XXR 527
- Kumho PS31
- Black Barrel TPMS
- Center caps + Black Union Jack Stickers
- Black Alum Valve Caps
- Hub Rings

 

[Newkirk]

Looks good! I especially appreciate the black beltline trim.

I wonder how the photo would look if you could afford more than black-and-white film? (Yeah, yeah, I know, "OK, Boomer").

As an amateur photographer, I found that very funny!

 

[Tifosi]

Almost there! New taillights are installed.

 

[hanyoung99]

Tifosi, based on your car Im' test driving an SE in Scottsdale next week! Keep up the good work. I've already made note of some of your upgrades (particularly springs and wheels). One thing that has been nice is the relative low cost of consumables compared to my S6! Tires are so cheap! I'm looking at Enkei RPF1s in 17" as well. Quick ?. Is there any recommended maintenance for these cars that would require a trip to the dealership? It's a challenge as my "dealer" would be 120 miles away since I'm coming from Tucson (Mini Tucson does not service SEs as they are not set up for electric vehicles... lame).

 

[Jim In Tucson]

Tifosi, based on your car Im' test driving an SE in Scottsdale next week! Keep up the good work. I've already made note of some of your upgrades (particularly springs and wheels). One thing that has been nice is the relative low cost of consumables compared to my S6! Tires are so cheap! I'm looking at Enkei RPF1s in 17" as well. Quick ?. Is there any recommended maintenance for these cars that would require a trip to the dealership? It's a challenge as my "dealer" would be 120 miles away since I'm coming from Tucson (Mini Tucson does not service SEs as they are not set up for electric vehicles... lame).

Han, I’m also in Tucson. I bought my SE at MINI of Tempe, since it is only 95 miles from home. I had 5 miles left on the GOM when I got home from picking up the car. OUCH! How’s that for a first drive.


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[Puppethead]

Is there any recommended maintenance for these cars that would require a trip to the dealership?

First maintenance the SE says it needs is two years after purchase, which is probably for brake pads and also the cabin filter. There are also wiper blades and washer fluid. Tires are considered consumables so no need for the dealer on those.

 

[insightman]

Tires are considered consumables so no need for the dealer on those.

You don't need the dealer unless you have Power Spoke rims and haven't purchased the special accessory required to rebalance the wheels after changing the tires, er, tyres.

 

[hanyoung99]

That's awesome! What a small world. I chose Scottsdale because they had more inventory but was thinking Tempe for that exact reason - being able to make it home without charging! I'm trading in an Audi S6 and have always been a car nut and love to modify cars so this will be very different. But at the same time I'm excited to have a smaller car that has instant torque. What did you guys drive before? Jim in Tucson - what spec and model did you end up getting? Will have to wave if I see you around town.

 

[GetOffYourGas]

First maintenance the SE says it needs is two years after purchase, which is probably for brake pads and also the cabin filter. There are also wiper blades and washer fluid. Tires are considered consumables so no need for the dealer on those.

Meanwhile, I just got my first auto-email from the dealer saying that my car is due for its first service. I bought it 5 months ago. If it was any other model of Mini, it probably would be due for an oil change or something. I'm happy not to have to deal with that.

 

[Lainey]

Meanwhile, I just got my first auto-email from the dealer saying that my car is due for its first service. I bought it 5 months ago. If it was any other model of Mini, it probably would be due for an oil change or something. I'm happy not to have to deal with that.

Nope, 1 year for ICE Minis. Likely was a glitch that it was sent. Personally I still find it odd to go 2 years between appointments. Just hard to get over

 

[Tifosi]

That's awesome! What a small world. I chose Scottsdale because they had more inventory but was thinking Tempe for that exact reason - being able to make it home without charging! I'm trading in an Audi S6 and have always been a car nut and love to modify cars so this will be very different. But at the same time I'm excited to have a smaller car that has instant torque. What did you guys drive before? Jim in Tucson - what spec and model did you end up getting? Will have to wave if I see you around town.

Let me know when you are coming to Scottsdale and I will try to swing over so you can see mine. Hope the time works out!

 

[Newkirk]

Nope, 1 year for ICE Minis. Likely was a glitch that it was sent. Personally I still find it odd to go 2 years between appointments. Just hard to get over

I'm really looking forward to the low maintenance of this car. On our ICE car, I try to do some of the services myself, partly because I like it, but also because I hate going to the dealer. With the SE, I (hopefully) won't have to do much of either! Plus, the closest MINI dealer is 180 miles away!

 

[Jim In Tucson]

My MINI SE is a level 1, known in the US as a Signature.

What part of Tucson? I’m near Foothills Mall.


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[insightman]

Meanwhile, I just got my first auto-email from the dealer saying that my car is due for its first service.

Please call your dealer, pretending you believe this auto-email and report back what they tell you this first service will entail.

 

[GetOffYourGas]

Nope, 1 year for ICE Minis. Likely was a glitch that it was sent. Personally I still find it odd to go 2 years between appointments. Just hard to get over

In that case, I'm even more disappointed in my dealer. I can forgive them being thrown off by the very-new EV schedule. But if none of their cars need service after 6 months, this is just trying to wring out money from their customers.

 

[GetOffYourGas]

Please call your dealer, pretending you believe this auto-email and report back what they tell you this first service will entail.

I will if I have time, this sounds like an interesting experiment.

 

[Puppethead]

In that case, I'm even more disappointed in my dealer. I can forgive them being thrown off by the very-new EV schedule. But if none of their cars need service after 6 months, this is just trying to wring out money from their customers.

Except as a new car everything is covered, even oil changes .

 

[hanyoung99]

JiminTucson! That is awesome - how are you liking the Sig trim of your SE? I'm also looking at that trim - has everything I would want (although I hear that parking sensors might not be available, which is a bummer).
Anything you like / disklike / or wish you had? Going to test drive an Iconic trim this weekend. Also, do you mind if I ask who and how much your 220 V install was if you had one? I'm about to get some quotes, and will likely purchase the Grizzl-E charger. If it's easier, happy to chat via private message as well.
Thanks so much everyone for all the info!