In for 18,500 service, needs new windshield

#140 currently at the dealer for a windshield replacement. They spotted a chip during the scheduled service visit. A piece of trim needed to be ordered and hopefully we'll get the car back on Thursday. Was given a Cooper S as a loaner and it's quite zippy. Have put 250 miles on it so far. In looking at the differences between the E and the S, the noise is one thing that never use to bother me before in driving a gas powered car but now after getting spoiled by silence in the E, after a day or so it was really noticeable. Also the jerking around of the gears shifting was something I'd forgotten about since the E is a single speed. The smoothness and quietness of the E are two great qualities that I'm currently missing with the loaner.

A 100 Mile Day in the MINI E

Today I was all over the place in our MINI E. The more I drive it, the more I just take it for granted. It'll get me where I want to go and back. The early days of worrying about whether or not I'll run out of juice are long gone. Here are all the places we went today in the MINI E:

The watch store up the street to get a battery replaced.
Back to our house to pick up something we forgot.
To the Long Beach VA Hospital to drop off my wife for her volunteer work.
To Costco to pick up a bunch of stuff including a super large shredder that I squeezed into the front seat.
Back to the house to unload.
Then to Trader Joes for three bags of groceries and back to house again to unload.
Finally to Burbank for work and then back home.

Another 100 mile day in the MINI E. I was able to charge at work for approx 6 hours on 110. Will roll into the garage tonight with about 10 miles left and charge back up to 100% for about $3.00. In the morning, I'll roll out with a full tank.

18,250 miles and climbing. Loving the KNOW GAS MINI E. :)

Modified Race-spec MINI E Tackles the Nurburgring

Click link for story and video:

MINI E tackles Nurburgring

Second year is a go

BMW Financial called and confirmed that we wanted to continue for year two. They then asked a few financial questions and said I'd be getting an e-mail within one day with their decision. A few hours later we got the e-mail that all is well and that year two is a go.

Just passed 17k miles and can't imagine going back to a regular gas vehicle for my 85 - 90 mile commute. The time saved at the gas station along with the fuel savings is fabulous. Using a power source that is created here in the USA is a big plus. Understand some folks point about the MINI E not being truly zero emission (unless you're powering it with the sun like a few folks are) since coal is used to create some of the electricity.

NY Times Video about the MINI E

Check out this video featuring two East Coast Mini E drivers, Tom Moloughney and Adam Moore:

MINI E Video - NY Times

Why we've chosen to extend for a second year

As you may have read in the Facebook MINI E group and other sites, we were offered a second year lease extension at $600.00 a month with all terms of our current lease remaining the same.

We and others had hoped for a payment closer to $400.00. There's been speculation that BMW wants to move some of the MINI E cars around perhaps to other countries and that a higher price helps assure they get a fair number of cars back. Whatever the reasons are I understand this is business and for some folks the number can work and for others, it makes no sense.

Like a few others in the Field Trial, we drive a lot of miles. The more miles you drive, the easier it is to justify the $600.00 payment. While we'll by no means break even, the savings generated by not purchasing fuel, oil changes, tires and other things that arise in driving 20k or so miles (along with less depreciation on our other vehicle) makes it a little easier to swallow.

The major thing that you can't put a price on is the fun factor. I love driving the MINI E. The smiles I see on the numerous test drivers faces and the joy I get from punching that pedal and zipping away is priceless.

This program has given me the opportunity to take part in something that's hopefully going to lead to more choices for future drivers like our four year old girl. EVs may not be right for everyone but having them in the market for those who want them is something I'm really excited about.

Lastly, I was really happy to see the quote below from today's MINI E Plugged In newsletter that each Pioneer receives:

Those choosing to lease their MINI E for a second year will get a priority spot in line for the new BMW ActiveE scheduled to come in summer 2011, assuming all other program requirements are met.

Being able to go places as a family in a gas free vehicle will be awesome. Having that vehicle be a BMW is an added bonus that'll be hard to beat!

Lease extension info coming next week!

Looks like we'll be finding out the details of the MINI E lease extension sometime next week. Can't wait! Would be great if there was a bridge to the BMW Active E concept. Having the backseat of the Active E will make a world of difference. We'll use that car for probably 99% of everywhere we go. Not to say we aren't loving the MINI E. It's been a great car. However, being able to go everywhere as a family emission free...that would be hard to beat. :)