Any non-S owners care to give some feedback?

[einhander]

Sort of deciding on a car for a daily driver and I don't know if I want a new non-S Mini or a 95 M3. I know all I need to know about the M3, but the only thing holding me up is the fact that it will be a 10 year old car and the Mini will be brand new.

The reason I'm looking at the non-S is price, especially here out west, where they're nudging the $30k mark.


Any thoughts?

[dandp]

I had a Cooper for almost 2 years before trading it in for my Z3 Coupe. I found it to be an incredibly handling car, and I did a fair amount of modding to it. BUT - getting more power of it is very difficult as opposed to the MCS. Suspension mods are incredible, and it's hard to believe you could improve the handling from the factory. For around town driving, it was fine, but I started hitting the rev limiter coming out of toll-booths and merging onto highways....it is 115 HP afterall. I had an '02 and was concerned with overall quality issues as a first year car, and I wanted some more power. I would imagine (and hope) MINI has improved the build, as I had a number of warranty issues. Very fun car...but the Z3 Coupe destroys it from a power standpoint. I would almost be tempted to say get the M3.....

[Doctor Wha]

I have an '04 Cooper, and have used it for daily driving on a 45-mile (one way) commute. It does fine, gets lots of favorable attention and comments, and makes parking a helluva lot easier, especially in urban areas. I've never felt it to be a disadvantage of any kind, even on the freeway. In fact, the safety work BMW put into this little gadget is both mind-blowing, and very reassuring.

Bottom line, I have never had a regret about getting the MINI. They're tremendous fun, and loaded with outstanding engineering for the money.

Good luck!
DW

[einhander]

Thanks for the comments guys. This car will probably be used just for driving around LA and I thought it would be a great fuel saver and its small stature would make shotting through the city and its traffic a breeze.

[Doctor Wha]

If it helps any, I've got a buddy who lives & works in LA, and a family member in the Chicago area. When they heard I was getting a MINI, they asked all sorts of questions about it, for just the same kinds of reasons you are. They're looking really hard at MINIs as one of their options.

It's no slouch on the freeway, either, especially with the CVT. With no gears to shift through, you get up to speed alarmingly fast.

Good luck!
DW

[fla_esp]

I have had both a Cooper and Cooper S, and they were both used mainly for commuting. I again need a commuting car and am going to get another Cooper S.

The Cooper was perfect for what it sounds like you will be doing. After you get a little bored, upgrade the suspension and it is like a new car again :)

If they are nearing 30K definately consider buying out of state, I managed to get my friend one that he took to the NE with no premium and much less wait then up there.

[Doctor Wha]

If they are nearing 30K definately consider buying out of state, I managed to get my friend one that he took to the NE with no premium and much less wait then up there.

I've heard of lots of people who are doing this. Reports and scuttlebutt are that West Coast dealers seem to really enjoy jacking up prices on MINIs, while back East, they're usually sold for MSRP plus whatever goodies you put on (and those ever-irritating taxes, of course).

I've heard of quite a good number of folks who order a car with a dealer on this side of the country, get a one-way ticket to fly over and come pick it up, then make a Westward road trip out of driving it back home.

DW

[kvboggs]

I don't know if it legal for me to offer this on this forum, so please let me know if I shouldn't... But I am selling my 04 Cooper SportPackage HK Sound...

Let me know if you are interested and I'll pass more info on to you.