Mini Cooper thoughts

[Hados]

Hey,
I'm doing a bit of research into Mini Coopers for a female friend of mine and would like to know people's thoughts/experiences with the newer breed. I wouldn't have a clue where to start on these things as I haven't even seen a Mini in the flesh before...
Is there any issues that they have that we should look out for? I'm assuming that the Supercharged engine is the way to go?

Any feedback would be great.

Cheers

[Holden Man]

nice looking little cars that handle like go-karts.

Expect a few problems though -

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/mini.html

[NRD80Y]

Funny coincidence, the missus on the weekend out of the blue says “I want a mini. Let’s go to the dealer”. :rolleyes:

I’d never really read much info on them before, apart from knowing there’s a standard one, supercharged with soon to be turbo (my choice), and both same in cabrio (her choice). I was quite shocked when talking with the dealer they had a double sided pricing sheet showing all options (and I mean ALL, id say close to 50 different options) and in drive away price. Bad thing though is if you build your own and what you want isn’t in stock or at another dealer they said delivery would be approx July :toetap: .

We haven’t come to a conclusion yet. Wayyyy to many options making my head hurt :banghead:

[blackbettyhsv]

hados here is a picture of my father inlaws mini got a cooper S motor, it's not a new one but they are bloody fun to drivehttp://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p98/blackbettyhsv/ronsbrick004.jpg

[csv rulz]

My step dad has a mini cooper s checkmate with the works kit, bloody awesome little car. it has everything you could want in a little car. Is pretty bloody fast would suprise a lot of V8 owners in a straight line and on twisty roads would leave even more for dead. (still nothing like a V8).

Not my choice of car but he loves it, hasnt had one niggle or problem.

http://images.google.com.au/images?hl=en&q=mini+cooper+s+checkmate&gbv=2

some pics of the checkmate

[Hados]

She's looking at going second hand up to approximately $30k. There's heaps of options around the '02/'03 out there with the supercharged or not, was just looking for peoples thoughts to narrow the field down a bit.
Anybody seen any dark silver ones for sale in SA or Vic?

[ausiemale]

I recently drove a new model cooper s chilli (turbo) and the older supercharged mini.

You can really notice the difference between the two cars. The 07 car has much better steering feel, better throttle response and the turbo kicks in at like 1300 rpm (or something, i just drove it for a mate who can't drive manual that was looking to buy one ;) ).

The 06 supercharger was pretty sluggish to get some mumbo up. The 07 suspension package was much better and more planted than the 06.

[Marcus_h]

My old lady has one - one of the best handling cars I have driven, sticks to the road like sh.t to a blanket.

The older ones (02-03) had a lower output motor than the later models - however I dont think by much.

She has the chilli which as leather, 17s etc - looks hot.

[Dug]

I'm on the committee of the Victorian Mini Club, and own a couple of classic mini's (A 1967 Panel Van, and a 1964 Cooper S Rally spec.), and drive a New Mini Cabrio for work.

Can tell you that as far as small cars go, the Mini drives and feels like a big car. It's good for low 2m15's around the Phillip Island circuit in standard form, with the roof down and the 200km wind in your hair.

It's a bloody nice car, although is not without it's share of new car problems - each of which have been very VERY minor and easily rectified at the first service, which was surprisingly affordable from the local BMW/Mini Dealership.

It's good for about 600km out of a tank around town, and quite a diference has been made by fitting a Remus exhaust, and having the chip done in it. The torque has been brought down to a good and very usable range, and it's a solid feeling car.

If you've got kid's, then the back seat may be a bit crampted, and a little bit frustrating to get in and out of, but the feel from the front is good.

It's the standard Cooper motor, and not the 'S', so it's missing the Eaton E45 Supercharger, however is not a slouch my any means. It regularly get's a thrashing competing in our club racing championship, both on bitumen, and dirt.

The new Mini range has now been released, and has a Pergeot motor in it, so i've got no feedback at all on the new model for you. Sorry.

Hope that's of some help. PM me if you have any further queries.

[12MRC]

My wife drives a new Black Mini Cooper S Convertible with the added cooper works kit...Like most have said, its fantastic on corners. :yahoo:

[Souljah]

If shes tall or wants to put people in the back, forget it. Other than that they are a little weapon.

[Hados]

She'd be 5' 8" or so... Anybody over that own/drive one? I'm 6 foot 4 so fair chance I won't be driving it!

[Souljah]

Well im 6ft and i found it hard to get my knees under the wheel even with the seat all the way back.

[OPPYLOCK]

No chance of talking her into the Clio 182 Cup????
That would be my first choice for a hot hatch but the Cooper Works would be a close second.
The new Pergeot turbo 1.6 is supposed to be a lot nicer than the ole supercharged mill but not as fast from the times I have read. The old motor was apparently quite harsh sounding.

[Dug]

Well im 6ft and i found it hard to get my knees under the wheel even with the seat all the way back.

That surprises me. I'm 6ft and a bit, and had no problems. Did you have the seat set in it's Low position, or was it set high up? (as the seat has adjustable height and rake as well as front/back adjustments.

I don't drive with the seat all the way back (although the back seats are still gone for all money where I do sit!)

[12MRC]

I agree...i'm 6ft 5 and have no issues...theres even room for the seat to go back a little more.