View Full Version : BMW mini - any drivers?
My clapped out Peugot has finally qualified for the crusher so am scouting for a used runabout...
Had a few 'proper' Minis and loved them to bits until they (inevitably) rusted to dust. Although I initially hated the bloated BMW hatchback I am now succumbing to curiousity (and her indoors quite fancies one....)
Anyone drive one daily and have some thoughts/advice about what to look for?
Went for a test drive in a 2005 Mini One today and was instantly cured - compared to the quirky and immense fun of the original this thing was pants to drive. The dash was the worst layout I've come across and seems to be made of the same rubbish plastic as the little toys you get in a Kinder egg.
Think I'll stick to a boring old 206 (at half the price on 'like for like' basis)
The Black Adder
19-03-2015, 06:05
Hi Mike.
I'm a bit of a Mini fan.
I've had in order:
2003 Cooper S
2005 ONE D
2006 Cooper S Works
2006 Cooper S Works GP
2007 Cooper
2008 Cooper D Clubman (Current)
Interleaved with the above list I've had 2 Audi's and 1 Honda. Previous to that list I had nothing but BMW really, Series 3's and a few Z3's including M.
I too love the 'Real' Mini but as you say, they are rust buckets. I've had a few of those too. The BMW Mini's (were) hated but the purists at first but I know a few now who won't look back. Now dry day drivers with their real mini's.
I love cars that make you feel like your driving them and the Mini has been the best IMO. They handle like they are on rails and are superb on fuel (except the cooper S).
If you get a Diesel MKII mini (2008) onwards (double check the year) the road tax fund is £20 per annum... Yup! :)
Very reliable but the older MKI S can be problematic. The GP is bonkers and I'd not recommend one of those except for track days. But the Works ones are lovely to drive,
Lovely cars. Which model/type are you looking at? Let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks for the good advice Jo :)
Had a look at a Mini One Seven this morning. 2006 with air con and sunroof, 60k miles. Very impressed with feature set and interior finish on this one but neither of us convinced that we'd get used to the weird drive position or limited visibility of panel instruments. Also the road view is bit like looking through a letter box - deal breaker though was when we realised the boot is way too small to take the car on holiday with the three of us + baggage. The 206 boot was already stretched on that score so this was a definite no go.
Thanks for the offer of further help but doubt we'll be considering the Mini as a realistic option unfortunately :(
The Black Adder
20-03-2015, 06:46
lol... ah well. Doesn't sound like your Mini people... lol
The Mini is something you have to get used to, it's different to other cars. You certainly don't buy a mini for the boot space that's for sure.
The driving position is fine, weird just means it's different... lol
Modern 'Minis'? Pah.... *This* is a Mini (check out the guy's video): http://www.pinkfishmedia.net/forum/showthread.php?t=170202
Today's (big, bulbous buses with ridiculous 'boy-racer' interiors), I'm afraid, don't deserve the name!
Marco.
Went for a test drive in a 2005 Mini One today and was instantly cured - compared to the quirky and immense fun of the original this thing was pants to drive. The dash was the worst layout I've come across and seems to be made of the same rubbish plastic as the little toys you get in a Kinder egg.
That is precisely why I won't ever (and didn't) buy a new C-Class Merc (and I don't like the 'posher' E or S-Class, as they look too much like chauffeur's cars). Have you seen how the latest C-Class designs look, inside and out? It's 'bling city'... :spew:
Plastic should NEVER feature in a major way on the interior of ANY proper Mercedes :nono:
Gone is the streamlined, stylish elegance and class they once had!
Marco.
Tinker Dill
23-03-2015, 11:22
I've just bought the missus a new Mini Cooper and she loves it. The speedo used to be in the middle of the car but its not anymore, its where it should be again. I don't know when they moved it back though and how new you'd have to go to get one.
walpurgis
23-03-2015, 11:38
I was a big fan of real Minis.
BMW don't make Minis. BL did.
BMW just make a pricey small hatchback they call the Mini after having nicked the name from us Brits.
The BMW has no common ancestry with the real thing.
So There! :p:lol:
+1 (with bells on)!
However, if Andy's wife loves it, then that's all that matters :)
Marco.
Modern 'Minis'? Pah.... *This* is a Mini (check out the guy's video): http://www.pinkfishmedia.net/forum/showthread.php?t=170202
Today's (big, bulbous buses with ridiculous 'boy-racer' interiors), I'm afraid, don't deserve the name!
Marco.
You've not driven or owned one then obviously. You don't buy a Mini2 for its load carrying capacity! They are a hoot to drive and the S is insanely fast on the road. I don't like the pumped up versions though they look plain wrong like that pumped up Fiat 500. The Traveller is cute though.
The interior is a bit Marmite, I'm not sure about the huge speedo in the center but everything else is quite chic IMHO, it certainly is different and not the same as all the boring hatch backs on the market with the same "ergonomic" dash and control layout, yawn... The new Mk3 moves the speedo in front of the driver which will please some and the new engine range is really good apparently. Unfortunately that old word safety has crept in and BMW have been forced to change the size and height of the MK3 and it doesn't look as good as before.
People get all nostalgic and rose tinted over the old Mini, I had several and wouldn't mind another (just look at the prices of 1275GT clubman' now :eek:) but they dissolve just as fast as 1970's Alfas and Lancia's and god help you if you have a serious accident in one! Nice they are and desirable but designed in the 1950's
I was a big fan of real Minis.
BMW don't make Minis. BL did.
BMW just make a pricey small hatchback they call the Mini after having nicked the name from us Brits.
The BMW has no common ancestry with the real thing.
So There! :p:lol:
And exactly what is the real thing? Rover where designing a replacement before the BMW buyout, thankfully BMW went with their design concept of what the replacement Mini should look like and represent. If the then Rover design team had got their way we would have ended up with a 4 door jelly mould! So there! :D
http://www.aronline.co.uk/blogs/cars/mini-bmw/mini-2/the-cars-mini-development-history/
+1 (with bells on)!
However, if Andy's wife loves it, then that's all that matters :)
Marco.
My missus loves hers too! :D
You've not driven or owned one then obviously. You don't buy a Mini2 for its load carrying capacity!
Indeed, Neal. I didn't say you did. And no, I haven't driven one. I wouldn't want to, as I wouldn't be buying one, based on its looks alone, which I'm afraid would be an obstacle I couldn't get past, no matter how much it was a 'hoot' to drive!
I abhor (with a passion) the trend of modern cars getting bigger and bigger (and bulkier), so that it feels you're driving a bus, more than a car. Long live 'small and cute', such as the old mini was! :exactly:
Incidentally, the bigger and bulkier thing also applies to Mercs, and most other cars, not just Minis. Having driven some of the new Mercs, for example, jumping back inside mine feels like I've just climbed out of a ridiculously oversized American 'Sedan' into a normal car!!
Plus, I just don't 'do' bling, in any shape or form. The interior of the new 'Minis' is too 'boy-racer' for me, not to mention the 'lit up like a Christmas tree' look at night, when all the lights are on.. Yuk. What happened to subtlety, understatement and class??
Marco.
Yes indeed you can go OTT on the Mini interior and I must say standard is enough for me. The car really is small and corners exceptionally well….still at least we didn't end up with this:
http://www.aronline.co.uk/images/newmini_99.jpg
Sure, it's better than a true 'jelly-mould', such as above. I still prefer much the old Minis, although probably not to drive. It's all personal taste.
Certain important boxes have to be ticked before I buy a particular car, much of which relates to 'feel' and 'soul', more than the usual considerations :)
Marco.
The Black Adder
23-03-2015, 13:24
Although I've owned quite a few BMW Mini's I've never been a 'boy racer'... I can't stand the breed and hate them with a vengeance. Thanks.
It's not the drivers who buy the Minis, Jo - it's the styling that's 'boy-racer', as dictated by the manufacturer. Everything in cars is 'blinged up to the max' these days, and covered in plastic inside, unless you *really* spend big.
One of things I love most about quality vintage/classic cars is the beautiful leather interiors and walnut fascias, chrome bumpers, etc, you get as standard (and no horrible plastic trims in sight)! It's just looks much classier.
The fact is, unless you spend truly big bucks these days on a car, the quality materials just aren't there.
Marco.
I had considered a mini for our 2nd runabout but the ride quality was awful, costs high and the modern mini's aren't so mini on the outside, whilst not offering much space on the inside. I appreciate that they have their followers and can understand in terms of performance why some like especially the Cooper S.
However, a far more practical, cheaper and equally well performing car is the Mk1 Skoda Fabia vRS (diesel). Like a standard Fabia but with a lightly fettled 130BHP 1.9PD engine, slightly lowered suspension, uprated brakes and slicker styling.
Look for a later (2006/7) model, especially the SE version (leather, custom paint, privacy glass etc) and with the BLT engine (as opposed to the earlier ASZ version) and you get as standard close to 150BHP, 240ft-lbs torque, 70mpg potential and a true 0-60 sprint under 8 seconds. Most published figures are miles out compared with actual tested data.
I have the SE version with a Quantum re-map, rear anti-roll bar (handles fabulously well) and which is otherwise standard. It is circa 165 BHP and does the 60 sprint in around 7 to 7.5 seconds, so no slouch. Its also supremely practical with both rear seats folded down you get close on estate car space for the local tip runs, moving larger items etc, and with the seats up it will seat 5 adults with ease and take a surprising amount of luggage. It's also tough as an old boot and the 1.9PD engine as reliable as anything made (the taxi trade loved these). Spares are plentiful and cheap.
Highly recommended and those that have tried them seem to love them. Way better ride quality than the Cooper too.
I had considered a mini for our 2nd runabout but the ride quality was awful, costs high and the modern mini's aren't so mini on the outside, whilst not offering much space on the inside.
Pretty much my conclusion after a test drive ... naively I thought that all that bloating would have increased interior space but It actually felt more cramped than the originals I'm used to. The centre speedo in the originals didn't bother me at all, in fact I modified a '78 Mini Clubman Estate to a centre clock because I preferred it ;) .... in the BMW model the centre console is annoying because the steering wheel bulk pretty much blocks any view of the speedo (unfortunately essential given our councils love of speed cams). The dinky row of plastic switches is also plain daft and doesn't invoke anything like the raw 'rally' feel of the toggles I used to have in my carb Cooper.
Interesting thoughts on the Skoda... I knew they had upped their game after the VW takeover but clearly much more than I thought .... maybe next time :)
Pretty much my conclusion after a test drive ... naively I thought that all that bloating would have increased interior space but It actually felt more cramped than the originals I'm used to. The centre speedo in the originals didn't bother me at all, in fact I modified a '78 Mini Clubman Estate to a centre clock because I preferred it ;) .... in the BMW model the centre console is annoying because the steering wheel bulk pretty much blocks any view of the speedo (unfortunately essential given our councils love of speed cams). The dinky row of plastic switches is also plain daft and doesn't invoke anything like the raw 'rally' feel of the toggles I used to have in my carb Cooper.
Interesting thoughts on the Skoda... I knew they had upped their game after the VW takeover but clearly much more than I thought .... maybe next time :)
It is called a Mini for a reason LOL! The speedo is not blocked in our Cooper by the steering wheel, it would have to be the size of a dustbin lid like the original to block it :D Or you'd have to drive it with your nose pressed up against the wheel center! In fact I can't see how the steering wheel could block the speedo at all... :scratch:
Also you can set the digital display in front of the driver to give a digital readout of the speed if you are that bothered about it. We find the ride OK, sure its firm but it's fine on our roads, maybe its because ours doesn't have run-flats.
The Skoda is a great car, they have come on a lot, plenty of go and good value too...
It is called a Mini for a reason LOL! The speedo is not blocked in our Cooper by the steering wheel, it would have to be the size of a dustbin lid like the original to block it :D Or you'd have to drive it with your nose pressed up against the wheel center! In fact I can't see how the steering wheel could block the speedo at all... :scratch:
Also you can set the digital display in front of the driver to give a digital readout of the speed if you are that bothered about it. We find the ride OK, sure its firm but it's fine on our roads, maybe its because ours doesn't have run-flats.
The Skoda is a great car, they have come on a lot, plenty of go and good value too...
I must admit Neal, I found the Mini more cramped than the Fabia, and the cooper S seemed slower, especially the mid range punch, than the fettled vRS (which has incredible torque on tap)as well as hard as hell on the suspension. Run flats are a nightmare so perhaps ordinary tyres would improve the ride. Having driven many smaller cars, nothing seems to come close to the all round toughness, practicality and smiles per miles offered by the vRS. The only downside is that they dont make one any more, and the best really were the diesel versions, not the later (unreliable) 1.4tfsi engined ones. The VW/Audi Group will never admit it, but their Euro V engines were (and some still are) plagued with reliability issues, notably, excessive oil consumption and the cam chain eating the blocks on the 1.4 engines. You need to be quick to get a decent 2006/7 vRS as lower miles un-molested examples are getting rarer, but once found, they hold their value incredibly well, are very long lived and amazingly cheap to run.
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