Anyone own a Mini Cooper?

[freebee]

edited.

 

[Rent]

Originally posted by: Trinitron
Cool man. I have yet to test drive either model. I know I need to get one with navigation just so I can have the speedo in the right place!

All "S"'s are supercharged. There is a Works edition or some tuner edition they they offer from the factory that has 200hp.

They are small, nimble cars that are fun to drive. Mechanically, they haven't been around long enough to see if they have any major faults, but they seem pretty solid from what I've read/seen.

That said, I think they are horribly overpriced and are too much of a trend car. But thats just me.

 

[Siddhartha]

Originally posted by: Fritzo

Originally posted by: Siddhartha

Originally posted by: Trinitron
I am seriously considering getting of these little cars. My motives have nothing to do with current price of gas in the states (which I don't consider to be outrageous).

Read the long term test reviews on it by Road and Track and Car and Driver magazines.

IIRC, quick and nimble car but relatively low mileage because no one wanted to take it on long trips because of its uncomfortably harsh ride.

It's got sport suspension...same thing with driving any sports car. Seems like a silly complaint. Like driving a Lincoln Town Car and complaining the steering is too soft

I think it was in C&D long term test they mention the harshness of the ride. I thought that was strange because they like sport cars.

Car and Driver's long term test

and

Autoweek's long term test

 

[essasin]

I have been able to drive the standard mini around a couple times and i had a blast because it has a slight punch and it corners pretty well. It felt like a big toy that you could tinker around with. I personally like the looks of the mini, but i would look into reliablity and maintance issues from cunsumers that had their cars for more than one or two years.

 

[Wadded Beef]

2, count em, TWO sun visors for the driver! engine release is on the passanger side, spedometer the size of a large wall clock, you have to get em serviced at a bmw dealership (expensive...) clutch pedal is suprisingly stiff (but wasn't too bad, my old crx had a really stiff mechanical racing clutch, never again! lol) doors lock automatically when you get in (annoying! and seems like it could cause you to lock your keys in the car more often than you'd like...) and putting the car in reverse on the 6 speed is quite a chore, theres no button or ring to release into reverse, you just have to pull really, really hard. shifting is kind of a chore, you have to fight the stick to change gears...and its not a wrist flick kinda shifter it's a "row row row your boat" shifter. once you're outta the parking lot its ok i suppose, but for the price the rsx-s is a much better buy. but if you're into the looks go for it i guess... /test drove a mini cooper s

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: Wadded Beef
2, count em, TWO sun visors for the driver! engine release is on the passanger side, spedometer the size of a large wall clock, you have to get em serviced at a bmw dealership (expensive...) clutch pedal is suprisingly stiff (but wasn't too bad, my old crx had a really stiff mechanical racing clutch, never again! lol) doors lock automatically when you get in (annoying! and seems like it could cause you to lock your keys in the car more often than you'd like...) and putting the car in reverse on the 6 speed is quite a chore, theres no button or ring to release into reverse, you just have to pull really, really hard. shifting is kind of a chore, you have to fight the stick to change gears...and its not a wrist flick kinda shifter it's a "row row row your boat" shifter. once you're outta the parking lot its ok i suppose, but for the price the rsx-s is a much better buy. but if you're into the looks go for it i guess... /test drove a mini cooper s

you have to get em serviced at a bmw dealership (expensive...) - waranty = no $$$

clutch pedal is suprisingly stiff - Not my experience. In fact, their pedal play is pretty darn light. This was the S version though. They might have the standard version set up differently.

and putting the car in reverse on the 6 speed is quite a chore - As with any six speed, put the car in 6th first, then reverse. It lines up the linkage.

and its not a wrist flick kinda shifter it's a "row row row your boat" shifter - x 2 MINI uses short throw shifters

 

[Wadded Beef]

Originally posted by: Fritzo

and its not a wrist flick kinda shifter it's a "row row row your boat" shifter - x 2 MINI uses short throw shifters

not really...
mini shifter
http://www.cars.com/features/mvp/mini/cooper/images/dash.jpg
350z shifter
http://www.steveparker.com/images/ROADTESTIMAGES/2003_zcar_interior.jpg

 

[EGGO]

I drove in a Mini Cooper S with the additional 200+ Horsepower. I'm thinking of either buying this, a 350Z, or a G35 coupe. I'm a sporty driver, and man did I LOVE how that thing took turns.

 

[CombatChuk]

Originally posted by: Fmr12B

Originally posted by: aphex
i fergot, do they take premium fuel only?

Yes Premium Fuel Only for S-model, not sure about the base!

S-comes standard with the Supercharger and sportier wheels. Problem is the option list ads up quick! Not hard to get a semi Loaded S up to $26K.

John Cooper Works package add HP and other gooodies, over $4K though on top of the S model price!

Mine came in a couple of weeks ago. Here's my thread on it. Text It's such a blast to drive. I've been getting about 35mpg. The base does indeed require premium (It has a fairly high compression ratio). The car itself can do everything great (Acceleration, Handling, Braking, etc). The steering is really quick and there's almost no body roll so it's like a go-kart. The only downside I've found is the Wiper fluid tank, it's only half a gallon.

I whole heartly recommend it! Also, it has the highest resale value in it's class. Here in Denver the used ones sell for more than the new ones, since you have to order (I waited 3 months for mine)