BMW Mini, what do you think?

[Semka]

Just curious to find out what people think about New Minis!!??

Went in with a relative to drop a Mini in for a service.........saw a poster.......sat down to get a quote......took one for a drive and now considering buying one!

Its a brand new Cooper D with all the toys........ thinking in black with black wheels.

Currently drive a Fabia Vrs Tdi which i love but due to clocking up 45K miles in last two years due to work i'm thinking may be its time to get a brand new more economical car.

The car itself RRP is £19700 but due to a good discount and low rate finance it works out cheaper monthly than a Fabia Monte Carlo Tdi that is cheaper and NO Vat :S .

In theory I should be sold but hesitating a little so was wandering what you lot think.

[skinnyman]

Why are you hesitating? There must be a reason you're not 100% sold on the idea, could it be the old 'It's a girl's car' thought at the back of you mind?

I've been in a few Minis over the years since they came out from a Mini One to a JCW. To be honest, I've never rated them as they leave me a bit cold - lack of personality. They are too much of a design exercise in my opinion, trying too hard to be individual and in the end being just like everyone else who's desperate to be different.

Having said that they all seemed well put together and haven't let their owners down in any way. Also, all the rave reviews in the motoring press can't be wrong. It comes down to the fact that if you can see yourself driving it every day and are happy to be seen in it, then go for it. I'd have it over the Fabia anyway as each time I see one of those they look too damn tall and narrow.

[Semka]

Why are you hesitating? There must be a reason you're not 100% sold on the idea, could it be the old 'It's a girl's car' thought at the back of you mind?

Not sure why, the "girl" thing did cross my mind lol, than again I don't really care what other people think I have been mocked many times for driving a Skoda and with regards to size of the car itself I specifically want a little go cart as I spend 12hours a day behind a wheel of an Artic Lorry.

[BossFox]

Good cars, but not really a mini as it's just a brand name now.

Very popular with estate agents and girls. If that doesn't put you off can't see any reason not get one.

I personally found it very gokart like. Responsive, but uncomfortable and lacking decent spec without adding £££ of options.

[Semka]

Good cars, but not really a mini as it's just a brand name now.

Very popular with estate agents and girls. If that doesn't put you off can't see any reason not get one.

I personally found it very gokart like. Responsive, but uncomfortable and lacking decent spec without adding £££ of options.

Estate agent.........hmmmmm, didnt think of that one. The one I specced has £3500 wort of options lol, the one thing I found very attractive is there are lots and lots of options available so you can have exactly what you want.

PS:Have you sold your Fabia??? Been reding the citigo project.......simply awesome

[BossFox]

Yes, sold it on, now waiting on the Citigo...

£3500 of options should give you a great spec.

Does make the car expensive, but if the discount is good and figures add up then it's just down to you liking the drive and ownership experience.

[ScoobyChris]

Had a 60-plate red Cooper D for a year and a bit and keep meaning to put together a review but never seem to find the time...

I went a bit crazy with the options list on mine - from what I remember, Chili pack, 16" alloys, "steering" bi-xenons, auto lights and wipers, heated screen, heated seats, folding mirrors, auto-dimming mirrors, USB and bluetooth handsfree, black roof and mirrors, sport button, spare wheel, first aid kit and warning triangle, white indicators and non-run flat tyres. Imho, the sport button is essential to spec as the steering is a bit light in cars without it. Annoyingly, unlike the Panda, the Sport button didn't stay enabled after the engine was switched off.

Mine was one of the early ones with the BMW 1.6 engine rather than the PSA engine and so I was able to try them back to back. The BMW engine is silky smooth and no matter how it was driven (mostly briskly ) it would never return less than 50mpg. The PSA engine was much more old-school but I believe returns slightly better economy at the cost of performance and refinement. Handling is rather grown up for the size of car with a good balance of firm but soaking up bumps/imperfections and as such cross country progress was great. With a wheel at each corner, it had go-kart like handling too and a chassis that could easily handle a lot more power. I was also impressed a car this fun to drive had no VED. My experience with BMW service was a revelation too compared to my previous experiences with other manufacturer dealerships, with nothing being too much trouble, despite me only driving the cheapest car they sold.

I racked up around 25k miles in mine and had no problems. In fact, I really enjoyed it. My only real complaint was that the boot wasn't as big as other cars of a similar size, although considering I was the only person in the car for most of the time, it wasn't something which really caused any problems.

If I was in the market for one again, I'd also be looking at the Cooper SD...

Chris

[Semka]

Had a 60-plate red Cooper D for a year and a bit and keep meaning to put together a review but never seem to find the time...

I went a bit crazy with the options list on mine - from what I remember, Chili pack, 16" alloys, "steering" bi-xenons, auto lights and wipers, heated screen, heated seats, folding mirrors, auto-dimming mirrors, USB and bluetooth handsfree, black roof and mirrors, sport button, spare wheel, first aid kit and warning triangle, white indicators and non-run flat tyres. Imho, the sport button is essential to spec as the steering is a bit light in cars without it. Annoyingly, unlike the Panda, the Sport button didn't stay enabled after the engine was switched off.

Mine was one of the early ones with the BMW 1.6 engine rather than the PSA engine and so I was able to try them back to back. The BMW engine is silky smooth and no matter how it was driven (mostly briskly ) it would never return less than 50mpg. The PSA engine was much more old-school but I believe returns slightly better economy at the cost of performance and refinement. Handling is rather grown up for the size of car with a good balance of firm but soaking up bumps/imperfections and as such cross country progress was great. With a wheel at each corner, it had go-kart like handling too and a chassis that could easily handle a lot more power. I was also impressed a car this fun to drive had no VED. My experience with BMW service was a revelation too compared to my previous experiences with other manufacturer dealerships, with nothing being too much trouble, despite me only driving the cheapest car they sold.

I racked up around 25k miles in mine and had no problems. In fact, I really enjoyed it. My only real complaint was that the boot wasn't as big as other cars of a similar size, although considering I was the only person in the car for most of the time, it wasn't something which really caused any problems.

If I was in the market for one again, I'd also be looking at the Cooper SD...

Chris

Thanks Chris, thats a good review there. The SD was what i originally looked at but as they are not doing the same offer on those (3.9APR vs 12.9APR) works out hell of a lot more expensive. Bmw specialists Evolve do a remap for a D 149bhp which makes it almost an SD!!!!!!

What do you drive now if you don't mind me asking?

[io1901]

I had a Cooper for 4 years. It was a fun car to drive but it was too small for any thing else than my commute. The dealer was good.

[DMilsey]

3.9% apr compared with skoda 7.9% will be why it's cheaper per month. Not sure if that applies to all dealers but sure thats what my local rates are.

As you'd expect you need a squeeky clean credit rating for lower apr.

New mini' are brill imho if you can get the lower apr go for it! i would.

[Semka]

Yes, sold it on, now waiting on the Citigo...

£3500 of options should give you a great spec.

Does make the car expensive, but if the discount is good and figures add up then it's just down to you liking the drive and ownership experience.

Hope the Furby went to a good home!

I'm getting over 2K off the list price due to a couple of generic discounts, shopping around and putting 2 dealers agains one another, haven't been easy (as far as dealers are concerned the cars sell themselves therefore they don't need to give discounts) so now in theory I should be placing the order yet I'm hesitating and not sure why hence the thread!!!

[Semka]

3.9% apr compared with skoda 7.9% will be why it's cheaper per month. Not sure if that applies to all dealers but sure thats what my local rates are.

As you'd expect you need a squeeky clean credit rating for lower apr.

New mini' are brill imho if you can get the lower apr go for it! i would.

It is the 3.9% APR but only on certain models, hence the 112bhp D and not the 143bhp SD.

I am lucky at the moment to be able to get the lower APR hence the whole package seems so good!

[grr666]

http://www.autotrade.../1500?logcode=p

I saw this one yesterday which caught my eye.

Don't like the mini in the hatchback shape (or the coupe)

but have always had a soft spot for the clubman.

This one would be fun I reckon. The price is very attractive to me.

(And yes... I know it's a BMW)

[ScoobyChris]

Thanks Chris, thats a good review there. The SD was what i originally looked at but as they are not doing the same offer on those (3.9APR vs 12.9APR) works out hell of a lot more expensive. Bmw specialists Evolve do a remap for a D 149bhp which makes it almost an SD!!!!!!

What do you drive now if you don't mind me asking?

Ah when I had mine there were no remaps available as they hadn't cracked the encryption on the BMW engine, and they would only do the PSA ones. I'd heard from people who'd had their PSA Cooper D's remapped and then driven the SD that the SD was still noticeably quicker, but it's all subjective and probably not worth paying significantly more for!

I bought myself a 1-series to replace it

Chris

[Semka]

http://www.autotrade.../1500?logcode=p

I saw this one yesterday which caught my eye.

Don't like the mini in the hatchback shape (or the coupe)

but have always had a soft spot for the clubman.

This one would be fun I reckon. The price is very attractive to me.

The price is very attractive, I do like the Clubman too a lot, a colleague of mine just sold a Cooper Works Hatch to get a bigger family car, I have been in it as a passenger and that thing was awesome!

(And yes... I know it's a BMW)

The price is very good!! Love Clubmans! A colleague of mine just sold a Cooper Works Hatch to get a family car "boring" haha, I have had a pleasure being in that car as a passenger and it was totally awesome, very very quick!

I bought myself a 1-series to replace it

Chris

Good choice, I have a very soft spot for a 1 series M sport Coupe or Convertables myself, wish I could justify spending the money!

[grr666]

Yeah I know... If I buy it I'll have enough change from my new car budget

to buy a new van as well... I just think it's quirky looking with unexpected poke.

I'd debadge it of course. I always have debadged any performance car variants

I've had in the past. And if I can't debadge, then I try and source or mod black badges

I like it, with the tints it's kind of like a sports micro hearse

[Semka]

Yeah I know... If I buy it I'll have enough change from my new car budget

to buy a new van as well... I just think it's quirky looking with unexpected poke.

I'd debadge it of course. I always have debadged any performance car variants

I've had in the past. And if I can't debadge, then I try and source or mod black badges

I like it, with the tints it's kind of like a sports micro hearse

"Sports micro hearse" hahahahahahahahaha!!! Brilliant!!! I saw you sold the MX5, are you getting rid of the Furby too?

[grr666]

If all goes to plan then yes that should be next to go.

Then I'm in the vangoo full time until I find something new

that I love enough to part with money for. Been saving up for a while

and have the money from the Mazda to add to it plus the proceeds

from the sale of the Fabia. Gonna be gutted to see it drive away though.

It's been a great car and pastime all at once. :'( It's introduced me to

new friends with the help of Briskoda as well. A first for me.

Never did the forum thing until I bought our first Skoda, which was swiftly

joined by my vRS. It really has changed my life. And for the better.

I really have to get over this modding thing now and settle down

with a standard car. It's too much hassle with insurance and a

big money pit. Me and the wife want an extension building next year

so we're going to have to tighten the belts a little bit.

[AndyBohen]

If you drive anything like me, then you'll break it.

I dont think there very well built personally.

[VWD]

My 2d- IT'S NOT A MINI

[Jockdooshbag]

Havent read the other replies as i havent had my coffee yet and i cant be bothered.

Dont confuse the mini as being like the rest of BMW's range. It is no where near as close in terms of build quality.

My ex had one and it rattled inside like a box of bolts. From what ive heard they still suffer from this.

They get good reviews generally apart form rife quality but a real BMW it is not.

[KenONeill]

MIDI - Fashion victim special that is unaccountably still "in".

[cheezemonkhai]

The BMW Mini R56 is an awesome car, but that in one or cooper formats.

Running costs are low in the first 3/5 years due to the TLC packages and after that they're no more than a skoda, in fact probably less due to the less frequent nature of issues.

The R56 is up for replacement in 2013, so if you ask, you can get a good (for BMW) discount or extras such as winter wheels etc thrown in at the point of sale.

FWIW, you can get a mini one for £14k, so I'm guessing you lit up the option list at some point.

MIDI - Fashion victim special that is unaccountably still "in".

Sorry Ken, used to agree with you, but living with one in the household and driving it on a regular basis that's just not the case.

Sure there are plenty of people in that group, however the way the thing handles and drives is nothing short of stellar.

It doesn't roll, you can flick it around corners and will have a grin on your face every time you drive it.

Havent read the other replies as i havent had my coffee yet and i cant be bothered.

Dont confuse the mini as being like the rest of BMW's range. It is no where near as close in terms of build quality.

My ex had one and it rattled inside like a box of bolts. From what ive heard they still suffer from this.

They get good reviews generally apart form rife quality but a real BMW it is not.

Possibly the case with the previous generation, but there are no rattles in the 5 year old R56.

It's far better bolted together than a fabia (IMHO) and the quality of materials is on the whole excellent.

The biggest down to it is it's a 2 + 2 (kids) seater with a small boot. If you're after a load lugger this isn't it.

If you're after a fun car that can be used for three adults or parents and 2 kids, from time to time, it's excellent.

If you're after a load lugger, the octy is cheaper and better.

If you're after fun, nothing I've driven at that price point combines practicality, ease and driving fun for the average person on the street as well as the R56.

Edited 26 October, 2012 by cheezemonkhai

[Aspman]

IMHO I like the Mini, not the rest of the range.

The engines are very economical.

They hold their money well

They are too expensive for the size of the car.

I would consider a used one as a commuter car especially the mini D but we need one biggish car and the boot on the mini is pretty small.

There are some decent deals on them with cheap finance and 5yr servicing but the cars themselves are expensive.

[ScoobyChris]

My 2d- IT'S NOT A MINI

I think this is the biggest positive for the BMW version

Chris