New Mini - Yes or No ? - anyone out there tested, own one?
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Has anyone got an opinion on the new mini (particularly the Mini Cooper)? I have always been a Mini fan and now the sale of my scoob is on the cards I'm thinking of getting a Mini Cooper, I love the new shape and looks. But would like to hear from anyone who has one what they think.
Cheers
P
Cheers
P
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Hi,
Will try and respond in more detail later when I'm less busy, though it is a Steptronic
( Cooper I run for my mum to use, if that is of any interest.
In the meantime check out
http://www.mini2.com/
MINi equivalent of Scoobynet
Cheers
Robin
Will try and respond in more detail later when I'm less busy, though it is a Steptronic
( Cooper I run for my mum to use, if that is of any interest.In the meantime check out
http://www.mini2.com/
MINi equivalent of Scoobynet
Cheers
Robin
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My misus work at the Oxford plant as a HR Manager, so more often than not we get various Minis for the weekend... ( Used her company car option for my BMW ;p )
Fantastic cars, early models had a lot of issues with silly annoying problems, but these seem to have been worked out now...
Went to Wales last weekend in a Mini one ( Basic model ) with four people and it coped admirably, but only just enough room for a couple of bags so not ideal, but as a run around fantastic.
The 1.6 engine ( not cooper ) if fine for town driving and will happily sit on the m - way at 80 ish, but typically BMW, quite smooth but with now real oomph, compared to say the focus 1.6 lump !
To make the most of the chasis ( which is amazing - more in a tick ) got to be at least the cooper otherwise you end up feeling a little pissed off that you can't make the car dance, but in corners and at r - bouts it is the best FWD I have ever driven / been in,. Really quite amazing how much grip there is and the best bit is that it goes where you point it, the steering is good an feelsome but it changes direction soo quickly
!
Interior is cool, BUT - the seat mechanism is a real pain in the **** if you have people getting in and our the back - which if I was a mom with kids getting in and out would annoy the hell out of me ! Nich touches, fairly retro styling, but as with all BMs you pay quite steeply for all the bits inside, the stereo ( CD player ) is excellent mind, the speakers are in exactly the right place !
Any more just ask !
Rgds,
Paul
Fantastic cars, early models had a lot of issues with silly annoying problems, but these seem to have been worked out now...
Went to Wales last weekend in a Mini one ( Basic model ) with four people and it coped admirably, but only just enough room for a couple of bags so not ideal, but as a run around fantastic.
The 1.6 engine ( not cooper ) if fine for town driving and will happily sit on the m - way at 80 ish, but typically BMW, quite smooth but with now real oomph, compared to say the focus 1.6 lump !
To make the most of the chasis ( which is amazing - more in a tick ) got to be at least the cooper otherwise you end up feeling a little pissed off that you can't make the car dance, but in corners and at r - bouts it is the best FWD I have ever driven / been in,. Really quite amazing how much grip there is and the best bit is that it goes where you point it, the steering is good an feelsome but it changes direction soo quickly
! Interior is cool, BUT - the seat mechanism is a real pain in the **** if you have people getting in and our the back - which if I was a mom with kids getting in and out would annoy the hell out of me ! Nich touches, fairly retro styling, but as with all BMs you pay quite steeply for all the bits inside, the stereo ( CD player ) is excellent mind, the speakers are in exactly the right place !
Any more just ask !
Rgds,
Paul
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Paul
Suggest you send that to their advertising people - you've just sold it to me
I have owned three minis in the past - pre scooby days - and I did love them so, but they had their own little quirks - also I remember servicing was very expensive. But these are questions I could ask at the time.
Thanks and thanks to you both for your replies - will check out the mini net site.
Penni
Suggest you send that to their advertising people - you've just sold it to me
I have owned three minis in the past - pre scooby days - and I did love them so, but they had their own little quirks - also I remember servicing was very expensive. But these are questions I could ask at the time.
Thanks and thanks to you both for your replies - will check out the mini net site.
Penni
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No it's not, aircon (the only real option on a Civic)is around £1000 (depending how the dealer feels) - it's £500 on the Mini.
Metallic paint costs the same on both at £250.
Civic R £16k + £1k = £17k
Mini S £14.5k + £500 = £15k
Civic's a lot quicker - Mini is more fun to drive. Gonna upgrade Mrs Jacks Cooper to an S fairly soon.
Metallic paint costs the same on both at £250.
Civic R £16k + £1k = £17k
Mini S £14.5k + £500 = £15k
Civic's a lot quicker - Mini is more fun to drive. Gonna upgrade Mrs Jacks Cooper to an S fairly soon.
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From: From Kent to Gloucestershire to Berkshire
My brother's cooper - registered Jan 02 now has 10k miles - has broken 1 gearbox & clutch, 1 complete steering system, 1 dashboard, 2 seats and numerous small things. The dealer he got it from are sufficiently bad that I would rather walk anywhere than give them custom. Still not fixed properly after 2 weeks with them. BMW (UK) don't care - actually said "If you want to take legal action or speak to the magazines, that's you problem".
I won't publish names here, but if you're considering one and are a bit West of London, mail me for the dealer you must avoid
To be balanced - on the odd occassions it's been working right I would agree with a lot of what Paul said, and not everyone has had problems. The normal cooper engine feels pretty gutless IMHO - and that's comparing to his previous AX GTi rather than a P1 or something.
Phil
I won't publish names here, but if you're considering one and are a bit West of London, mail me for the dealer you must avoid
To be balanced - on the odd occassions it's been working right I would agree with a lot of what Paul said, and not everyone has had problems. The normal cooper engine feels pretty gutless IMHO - and that's comparing to his previous AX GTi rather than a P1 or something.
Phil
A friend of mine works at BMW welding the roofs (sp) on these he brought one over to me to try out one night and it was a good crack 
the interior is really cool and it didn't go and handle badly apparently the cooper S is very quick but he hasn't had one yet I am waiting to try it though
he brought one over to me to try out one night and it was a good crack the interior is really cool and it didn't go and handle badly apparently the cooper S is very quick but he hasn't had one yet I am waiting to try it though
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I spotted a Cooper S for sale in the local paper today for £18k with minimal spec. I must phone him up to take the ****.
Mind you the demo one I tried cost 23k
They're still cracking cars tho, the power from the S is a bit tame, but they really handle. Good resale.
The ultimate second car. 3 years servicing for £100.
Mind you the demo one I tried cost 23k
They're still cracking cars tho, the power from the S is a bit tame, but they really handle. Good resale.
The ultimate second car. 3 years servicing for £100.
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Mrs Cs MINI cooper is the most fun chuckable car I have driven. Granted hers has 'sports suspension plus' and 17" wheels, but it is the dog's danglies. Handles better than my old impreza, and a-b down a twisty road puts a bigger grin on my face this side of a driving license ban.
It is crying out for more power (even the 'S' needs more) but IMO a fantastic package, and criminally good value, even in 's' guise.
It is crying out for more power (even the 'S' needs more) but IMO a fantastic package, and criminally good value, even in 's' guise.
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Well i work for BMW and own a CIvic typeR an i can say the civic is a better car.
As for the price ive never seen a cooper S leave our showrooms for less than 17k a couple have cost nearly 19k!!!!!!!!!!
Thee are just so many options and (packs) that the prce soon adds up.
I paid 14.5k for my spankin new civic and i think its ace.
Yes the cooper S is fairly quick and its the most FUN car ive ever driven but id rather have the typeR any day.
As for the price ive never seen a cooper S leave our showrooms for less than 17k a couple have cost nearly 19k!!!!!!!!!!
Thee are just so many options and (packs) that the prce soon adds up.
I paid 14.5k for my spankin new civic and i think its ace.
Yes the cooper S is fairly quick and its the most FUN car ive ever driven but id rather have the typeR any day.
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Save yourself a lot of Grief!!!! Buy a good used Scooby. I bought one for my wife (Mini Cooper) lovely car to look at but Sh-t to drive, a bit of Nostalga but that it BMW still have along way to go with this car, however I am told that the new Cooper S is an improvement. I would still spend my money on an Impreza more fun more rewarding and a nicer bunch of fellow drivers you will ever find, try finding a Mini site like Scoobynet!!!!!!!
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I own a Cooper S and have driven a friends STI type UK and I still think its the best 19K I could have spent. Alright compared with the STI performance lacks but when it comes to the handling it will stick with the STI all day long.
Need more power? then opt for the John Cooper S conversion due out Jan 2003 this will give 200bhp+
Need more power? then opt for the John Cooper S conversion due out Jan 2003 this will give 200bhp+
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DNG
Do you really think a Cooper S will stay with a UK STI ?. I had my old Cooper S and UK STI at the same time. IMHO the STI had so much more, it was two corners ahead. When I wanted to put a smile on my face I parked up the S and got into the STI - even on tight twisty B roads.
The S does need the 200bhp kit. Its hitting 100 in just over 20 secs. This months EVO times it at 21 secs vs 13 for the STI. With another 40bhp it will lower to about 17 secs.
BUT IMHO the cars will struggle with 200bhp. Gave mine a last good drive yesterday in the wet and the DSC was always flashing.
The Cooper S is great value at £14k, but as a serious car it has major limitations. I miss mine already and wish the wife had liked it. I know two other S owners, one has got rid as well, and the other is in the process. A guy at work has just cancelled his after a few test drives. EVO gives it too much praise IMHO and people believe it.
Jonathan
Do you really think a Cooper S will stay with a UK STI ?. I had my old Cooper S and UK STI at the same time. IMHO the STI had so much more, it was two corners ahead. When I wanted to put a smile on my face I parked up the S and got into the STI - even on tight twisty B roads.
The S does need the 200bhp kit. Its hitting 100 in just over 20 secs. This months EVO times it at 21 secs vs 13 for the STI. With another 40bhp it will lower to about 17 secs.
BUT IMHO the cars will struggle with 200bhp. Gave mine a last good drive yesterday in the wet and the DSC was always flashing.
The Cooper S is great value at £14k, but as a serious car it has major limitations. I miss mine already and wish the wife had liked it. I know two other S owners, one has got rid as well, and the other is in the process. A guy at work has just cancelled his after a few test drives. EVO gives it too much praise IMHO and people believe it.
Jonathan
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If you are looking at the Cooper and not the S I think the story is different. There are some serious contenders to the S but the standard Cooper is a really fun car, seriously cheap to run (£100 for 5 years servceing).
Quite a few faults on earlier ones but they seems to be getting ironed out now and the newer models should be pretty sorted.
fun per pound in the normal Cooper I think is very hard to beat. I tend to find my self leaveing the MY99 Scoob at home and taking the MINI more and more.
Quite a few faults on earlier ones but they seems to be getting ironed out now and the newer models should be pretty sorted.
fun per pound in the normal Cooper I think is very hard to beat. I tend to find my self leaveing the MY99 Scoob at home and taking the MINI more and more.
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IMHO the mini has a slightly special place in ones garage. It is not a Scoob and does not try to be a 4WD rally b - road muncher, but when pushed in any guise be it S or One, will raise a smile
The have that 'Q' car appeal, and at the moment are not THAT common, but are completley different to the other offerings around.
The internal quality and design ( aside from a few cheep plastics ) are comparable to the TT, and you do not get that in any hot hatch or indeed Subaru...
If you buy a Mini a second car that for town and some fun country driving, you will not be that dissappointed and will have to feeling of owning something a little special.
Rgds,
Paul
( Now where is my comission BMW )
The have that 'Q' car appeal, and at the moment are not THAT common, but are completley different to the other offerings around.
The internal quality and design ( aside from a few cheep plastics ) are comparable to the TT, and you do not get that in any hot hatch or indeed Subaru...
If you buy a Mini a second car that for town and some fun country driving, you will not be that dissappointed and will have to feeling of owning something a little special.
Rgds,
Paul
( Now where is my comission BMW )
Wife has a Cooper - 16k miles on the clock since September 01
Problems
Dodgy fuel guage - common prob on earlies & resolved under warranty (replaced)
Flat battery & opening doors/windows ( ) - again common problem on earlies - replaced ECU & CD Player.
Other than that, its been sweet as a nut
Getting sprog in & out of back is a bit of a skill, but doable. Luggage space is not good - just about a medium shop/trolley from Tescos - & I hate lose heavy things inside a cabin.
Driving - Its 50+ miles a day, cross-country with a bit of d/c & when I've driven it recently, there's been no rattles or knocking sounds. Agree with the handling accolades Brakes are v.good, but Cooper engine has to be wrung to get best performance. Wifey seems to cruise at 90mph on d/c & m/way 
& on the few times I've brought it into town, is perfectly acceptable for a long commute, though sometimes the steerings' directness is a pain, constant corrections.
She's very happy with it & if she had the money, would plump for a Cooper S She doesn't
Problems
Dodgy fuel guage - common prob on earlies & resolved under warranty (replaced)
Flat battery & opening doors/windows (
) - again common problem on earlies - replaced ECU & CD Player.Other than that, its been sweet as a nut
Getting sprog in & out of back is a bit of a skill, but doable. Luggage space is not good - just about a medium shop/trolley from Tescos - & I hate lose heavy things inside a cabin.
Driving - Its 50+ miles a day, cross-country with a bit of d/c & when I've driven it recently, there's been no rattles or knocking sounds. Agree with the handling accolades
Brakes are v.good, but Cooper engine has to be wrung to get best performance. Wifey seems to cruise at 90mph on d/c & m/way & on the few times I've brought it into town, is perfectly acceptable for a long commute, though sometimes the steerings' directness is a pain, constant corrections.She's very happy with it & if she had the money, would plump for a Cooper S
She doesn't
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Benview
As it happens I'm selling my WRX my second scoob - I'm bored with the beastie to be perfectly honest... mainly because I don't go anywhere to drive her and mainly because it doesn't provide that thrill factor any more - I know I know I can hear you all screaming ... WWWHHHHAAAAAATTTTTT!!!!!!!
At the moment I'm getting to know my MX5 better she's good fun particulary when the roads are wet - skid pan anyone!! however thought about an EVO but again - don't go anywhere to drive it. Just want something to nip round that will provide a bit of fun as well as a challenge.
Thanks everyone else for your comments - I certainly ain't gonna paid 17k for a Mini unless they gold plate the engine first.
An SLK would be good - still can't afford a Masarati!
P
As it happens I'm selling my WRX my second scoob - I'm bored with the beastie to be perfectly honest... mainly because I don't go anywhere to drive her and mainly because it doesn't provide that thrill factor any more - I know I know I can hear you all screaming ... WWWHHHHAAAAAATTTTTT!!!!!!!
At the moment I'm getting to know my MX5 better she's good fun particulary when the roads are wet - skid pan anyone!! however thought about an EVO but again - don't go anywhere to drive it. Just want something to nip round that will provide a bit of fun as well as a challenge.
Thanks everyone else for your comments - I certainly ain't gonna paid 17k for a Mini unless they gold plate the engine first.
An SLK would be good - still can't afford a Masarati!
P
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From: Surrey/London borders.
DNG, a mini with 200bhp? Won't that be far too much power for a car of that weight and size with FWD? You'd surely be struggling for traction on the dryest of days. Or will it have 4wd?
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