OT-Waxing my new Mini Cooper S

Is the theory of waiting 3 months to wax a new car valid, or just a wive's tale ? I'm the proud owner of a new red Mini Coooper S, that was painted/ built on Sept. 30 th . I've been holding back on the Zaino treatment. Should I continue to wait..if so how long ? Perry

From what I have understood, the paint is baked at the factory and should be fully cured before it leaves the factory. I just had the wing blade repainted from my Aerokit, when I picked it up I asked how long I should wait before polishing/waxing. They told me that nothing leaves there w/o a coat of carnuba wax on it. I since applied my Zymol wax, but will wait a few months before going the Zaino route.

Hi Perry, People here are going crazy on how well that "little" car (Cooper S) handles. I haven't had the chance to try it so how about some first hand opinions? (supposing the specs are the same in the US than Europe)

Carlos, BMW did an absolutely wonderful job on the Cooper S. On the highway it has the stability and feel of a much, much larger car, and in the twisties it has no equal. My commute takes me on one of the great winding river drives and I find myself going a good 20 mph faster on the same ride as my 996, and I still haven't found the limits. I have no doubt that my first ever speeding ticket is waiting. I'm obeying the 1,200 mile break in, so I've yet to exceed 4,500 rpm and I've resisted full throttle . 200 more miles and watch out ! The build quality and finish is excellent, and for 22K loaded I don't think anything compares. It is just pure fun. The 996 has been getting a rest since I brought it home. My wife grabs it every chance she gets. The one thing I didn't count on is the attention it attracts. Every time I park it, I return to find a crowd. Young and old, people with and people obviously without car knowledge are engaging me with questions, and complements. I can literally watch pedestrians heads pivot to follow it down the street. It's a hoot. perry

[quote]Originally posted by PerryTishgart/996: <strong>Is the theory of waiting 3 months to wax a new car valid, or just a wive's tale ? Perry</strong><hr></blockquote> It's a wive's tale as far as current production cars go -- paint was cured when it left the factory -- Zaino away. Enjoy the new car! <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

Perry, Well, what you just said is what I heard around, kind of like a Lotus Elise with four seats! unbeatable in the twisties They call it here, BMW's Go-Kart due to its handling feeling and fun factor I bet a lot of big-engined sportcars cars are going to get a surprise from you when they meet you in your commute since its a wolf in sheeps skin I always liked light cars engineered for handling and driving pleasure instead of heavy engines with lots of horses. My wife wants a BMW 3-series Coupe shortly, but maybe I can convince her with a Cooper S and borrow it

Thinking about a Cooper S for my move to SF. How quiet is the car under normal driving conditions?

The Mini is as quiet as a 3 series BMW, and feels as solid. It appears to have more head, side and leg room. I went for the 17" wheels. There are reports that the 16's give a slightly more supple ride, but I have no problem with the 17's. You've got to test drive one ! Perry

I picked up my '02 Cooper S 3 months back. The ride is awesome & the Getrag tranny is smoother than my '02 Targa. Great, great vehicle - 70% of the P-car at 1/3 the price! '02 Targa Blk/Blk '02 Cooper S '01 BMW X5

I must be a novice....but what is ZAINO everyone talks about??

Zaino is a brand of wax. A lot of folks,myself included think it is the best around. <a href="http://www.zainobros.com" target="_blank">http://www.zainobros.com</a> Perry