Back Story...

The MINI-E is our 4th MINI! My wife got her first in 2004, it was a regular MINI (Chili Red). We loved it, and got into the whole culture of MINI, tracking the car through the assemble line, and across the Atlantic.

In 2006, to celebrate my wife's new job, I traded in her '04 MINI for an '06 MINI-S Convertible! She really liked that! I won lots of point. One of the few times I was actually able to surprise her.

Shortly thereafter I bought a used 2005 MINI S (electric blue). Another great car, but had some issues with the run-flat tires (sport suspension/"S"/17 rims... almost no rubber).

So, we got rid of the '05 about a year and a half ago and replaced with a Jetta... about a month ago, that went bye bye to make room for the "E".

We also have an '05 Land Rover that is offsetting our MINI-E carbon footprint. Net-net I think we are doing ok.

DAY 1

Well, it finally happened. I was getting tired of waiting, so on Thursday, I called Morristown MINI to find out if they had any news. Turns out I got lucky. Dean at Morristown, said he was going to call the very next day to tell me my car would be in the following week.

Luckily, this morning (Monday, June 8th) he called and my car had arrived! I gave him a few hours to prep, but came rushing in around 2:00pm. They weren't quite ready for me, but I waited patiently, and thanks to Magdelena and Dean, drove my car home at around 3:30p.

First impressions... Wow it's quick! But what a surprise when you take your foot of the gas... oh, strike that... accelerator. Takes a few minutes to get used the regenerative braking, and just as described by other drivers, you rarely use the brakes. Also, quite a lot of torque steer, more than expected, maybe a result of the added weight too? Either way, an awesome, fun car to drive, I can't wait to put some real miles on her... if I can get it away from my wife.