Help me make a terrible decision: 2005 330ci ZHP vs Mini Cooper S

[Insomniator]

Mostly confirms my suspicions.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2014-mini-cooper-s-hardtop-long-term-update-review

The only Mini I would consider is an R53 S/JCW (up to 05). The 2 newer generations are bigger, quieter, have crap like 'mood lighting' and generally miss what I thought the point of Mini's were.

I haven't driven the newest gen yet, but the bigger and more tame they get (despite being faster) the more I feel like you should just get a 3 Series.

 

[MagickMan]

The newer ones really aren't faster, while the power goes up, so does the weight.

From that article:

The initial test-track numbers, starting with the 2839-pound curb weight and the 6.6-second zero-to-60 run, do not show progress over a 2622-pound Cooper S we tested in 2007, which hit 60 in 6.2 seconds. But it is still the early days of this new engine. As things loosen up, the times should come down, although perhaps not by enough to make the 2014 model any quicker than its predecessor.

 

[Denly]

Had a R55, DO NOT BUY A MINI COOPER.

 

[Ns1]

Had a R55, DO NOT BUY A MINI COOPER.

The internet says I want an R53 and only an R53.

 

[Denly]

The internet says I want an R53 and only an R53.

You will still be getting timing chain tensioner, cracked valve cover, leaky AC, cracked leather seat and other random issues.

 

[michal1980]

The only Mini I would consider is an R53 S/JCW (up to 05). The 2 newer generations are bigger, quieter, have crap like 'mood lighting' and generally miss what I thought the point of Mini's were.

I haven't driven the newest gen yet, but the bigger and more tame they get (despite being faster) the more I feel like you should just get a 3 Series.

The newest one is HUGE.

the the 2nd gen got bigger, then the R53. But the latest one is like vw gti size. nuts.

 

[Ns1]

You will still be getting timing chain tensioner, cracked valve cover, leaky AC, cracked leather seat and other random issues.

Sounds about right for a 13 year old car?

I have zero interest in the new minis - I love the small go-kart minis.

 

[Insomniator]

You will still be getting timing chain tensioner, cracked valve cover, leaky AC, cracked leather seat and other random issues.

lol

 

[ballmode]

zhp

 

[Ns1]

Why the fuck do so many ZHP owners buy automatic? Are they fucking retarded?

I'm still in the market - eyeballing 05/06 Mini S + JCW, 2004 ZHP's, 2004 330ci's, 2003 530's, 2003 540i's.

Started eyeballing S2K's and Miatas but they just seem so goddamn expensive.

 

[thesmokingman]

Omg, you would knowingly emasculate yourself with a Mini??? I def would rather have a lightly used STI or R32.

 

[Phanuel]

Everyone says they're fun to drive and stuff though!

 

[Ns1]

Omg, you would knowingly emasculate yourself with a Mini??? I def would rather have a lightly used STI or R32.

STI too big; I eyeball an R32 every once in a while too, but it would not be my preference

Look at this bad ass mother fucker; so, so clean.

 

[Phanuel]

404 - BAMF not found.

 

[thesmokingman]

404 - BAMF not found.

2nd this. My thingy just shriveled up, sorry. D:

 

[Ns1]

404 - BAMF not found.

2nd this. My thingy just shriveled up, sorry. D:

i hate you both.

 

[Ns1]

I normally hate wings, but somehow I am attracted to this.

 

[yh125d]

Whichever is manual. If they both, or neither are, go for the ZHP.

 

[Ns1]

Whichever is manual. If they both, or neither are, go for the ZHP.

yep, only looking at manual cars this time around.

 

[yh125d]

Omg, you would knowingly emasculate yourself with a Mini??? I def would rather have a lightly used STI or R32.

Buzz off. If you won't consider buying a car because it would make you less of a man, then you were never a man to begin with.

 

[thesmokingman]

Buzz off. If you won't consider buying a car because it would make you less of a man, then you were never a man to begin with.

lol, don't take it personally. :'(

 

[Fenixgoon]

I normally hate wings, but somehow I am attracted to this.

no wing. please, no wing!!

how goes the search?

 

[Ns1]

no wing. please, no wing!!

how goes the search?

Cooper S:
so hard to find the right color scheme + option packages w/ a manual. I feel like I'm looking for the holy grail here - I basically want a fully optioned 2006 mini 5spd < 100k miles with a color scheme that doesn't involve white UNLESS white is the primary color.

ZHP:
So hard to find a manual under 150k miles unless I want to spend some ridiculous amount. AUTOMATICS ALL OVER THOUGH.

Miata:
So hard to find something that isn't 20 years old and $10k.

S2K:
LOLWTFRESALE VALUE. Looks like I should've bought one of these guys after college

 

[Ns1]

Evidently RX8's are dirt cheap now too

2007 - 7k
2004 - 4500

 

[yh125d]

I haven't driven one very much (probably only 10 miles), but it didn't pass the butt dyno for me. It's harder to have a reasonable amount of fun on normal roads if you have to stay over 4k. Not my style personally. I'd more likely go for a miata (to tune), or maybe speed3?