do you like your mini?

[kwlaznkid]

my friend this girl wants to get a mini cooper not a S just a regular one
i looked it up on the mini site and all the specs they say are in stick .. just making sure.. but minis do come in auto right? sorry if this is a stupid question also
do you like your cars, anyone regret buying it? is it reliable? etc.. just give me a buncha input plz thanks all =) :redspot

[mace]

I know for a fact that effective Jan 2005 (duh, this month), automatic MINI Cooper S will be available. I'm not sure if the MSRP changes though.

So far, I'm really happy with my MCS, no problems whatsoever. It now has 1300 miles and finally I can take it past 4k RPM. :D

[kwlaznkid]

Lol so for the regular NON-S mini it already comes in auto then?

lol congrats you passed in the break in limit im assuming? =)

ps:damn nice icon whoz that? haha

[n0zaaa]

I've had my mini cooper (non S) for about a year now, 5380 miles so far, no problems whatsoever, VERY happy about it and I love my car hahah. Mine is the CVT automatic too, and it runs very well.

[kwlaznkid]

great =) 2 very positive comments so far i'll let my friend know she should be safe buying the car thanks you guys
anymore input is still welcome though

[Doctor Wha]

Had an '04 MINI Cooper (non-S) with CVT since Oct. of '03. Among the 23,000 total miles thus far have been road trips from Atlanta all the way West out to the Grand Canyon, and all the way North to Toronto, and back. From the desert "out there," to the snow "up there," it's a great ride, outstanding road car, easy on both gas and wallet. No major problems, no complaints, no regrets whatsoever.

Tell your girl to get the HK sound system, though. The stock system just doesn't hold a candle to it.

Good luck,
DW

[kwlaznkid]

great thanks for the advice
yea i noticed the HK difference in bmws right away too when i tested them =)

[MikeHsu]

how about power wise? For the non S people, Are you guys satisfied with the power?

[n0zaaa]

for sure you look at the mini's 115 HP and think "wow, it's gotta be slow" but actually when you drive it, partially because of the weight, it's quite speedy, HP is not a big problem for the mini

[Doctor Wha]

for sure you look at the mini's 115 HP and think "wow, it's gotta be slow" but actually when you drive it, partially because of the weight, it's quite speedy, HP is not a big problem for the mini
Quite right. The pickup is surprising, almost to the point of being alrming. I've out-dragged a Mustang, and outrun a Ford Lightning, and man, did they look surprised. The "power" concern is also mitigated by the CVT, which doesn't have to shift through gears - because there are no gears. You accelerate smoothly and quickly. Push the pedal down to the "Kickdown" setting (yes, BMW put that little goody in the MINI too!), and you're in for yet another very pleasant shock. :buttrock

[Sami]

I thought the auto for the S would be available in 06, what ever. THere will be no change in the msrp, but msrp in 05 went up 550 for every mini. The cvt will be like a 1200 option. Now to your question i just got my mini non s on the 6th of this month and could not be happier. I have driven lots of fast and great cars, and this one is up there. Its not the fastest but for what it is it is still pretty quick. You could take e36 318's. And every body who i know who has one says the same.

[Nimble]

I thought the auto for the S would be available in 06, what ever. THere will be no change in the msrp, but msrp in 05 went up 550 for every mini. The cvt will be like a 1200 option. Now to your question i just got my mini non s on the 6th of this month and could not be happier. I have driven lots of fast and great cars, and this one is up there. Its not the fastest but for what it is it is still pretty quick. You could take e36 318's. And every body who i know who has one says the same.

Actually, no. I used to have a bolt on E36 318is that took my girlfriend's stock MINI from a roll. Not by a lot though, they're peppy, but certainly in no way, shape, or form fast.

[Doctor Wha]

Sounds like somebody in the MINI wasn't really trying very hard... ;)

"Fast" is a subjective definition anyway. The question is, how fast is fast to a given person? From your list of cars, I can see why that you might hold the opinion you do. But a sweeping statement like that is rather broad, and far from objectively definitive. Besides, pure speed is useless without the skill to apply it, and as I mentioned in oassing above, the drivers of a Mustang, a Lightning, and a PT Cruiser have underestimated my car, and its driver, on both counts.

Rather than let this thread deteriorate into an apples & oranges debate and/or liquid excretion match though, suffice to say this: Certainly, they're not going to go up against cars with ludicrous measures of mods, and HP boosts beyond reason. But then, only a fool would try to pit the two against each other. It's a senseless comparison. You want a gorilla-inspired muscle car? There are plenty of other choices for you.

Meanwhile, for what it is, and what it's designed to be - an economical, thoroughly fun car, with extremely intelligent design and engineering, and more than its share of zip - the MINI is perfectly fine, and does its job quite well.

DW

[Nimble]

Sounds like somebody in the MINI wasn't really trying very hard... ;)

"Fast" is a subjective definition anyway. The question is, how fast is fast to a given person? From your list of cars, I can see why that you might hold the opinion you do. But a sweeping statement like that is rather broad, and far from objectively definitive. Besides, pure speed is useless without the skill to apply it, and as I mentioned in oassing above, the drivers of a Mustang, a Lightning, and a PT Cruiser have underestimated my car, and its driver, on both counts.

Rather than let this thread deteriorate into an apples & oranges debate and/or liquid excretion match though, suffice to say this: Certainly, they're not going to go up against cars with ludicrous measures of mods, and HP boosts beyond reason. But then, only a fool would try to pit the two against each other. It's a senseless comparison. You want a gorilla-inspired muscle car? There are plenty of other choices for you.

Meanwhile, for what it is, and what it's designed to be - an economical, thoroughly fun car, with extremely intelligent design and engineering, and more than its share of zip - the MINI is perfectly fine, and does its job quite well.

DW

FYI: I'm in the process of deciding whether to buy a PW/B 05 S in place of my M3, so I'm in the 'know' about their abilities.

It's just that 115 hp with lacking torque is in no way shape or form quick, fast, whatever, fun to drive? Sure.

BTW, hitting the gas in 3rd gear from a roll takes very little 'skill' so that is out the window.

[mace]

u know what...after i wrecked my 95 m3, i decided to get the MCS cuz it's a little quick car plus it handles better than my modified e36 m3. On top of that, it has plenty of safety features to make it a safe, small car. I would highly suggest getting it!

[Doctor Wha]

FYI: I'm in the process of deciding whether to buy a PW/B 05 S in place of my M3, so I'm in the 'know' about their abilities.
Wait... So you don't even own one, and yet you're "in the know?" Well, you've said it all there, sport. You focus purely on hp & torque, and don't even address the lighter body weight and transmission types that make up for your imagined "shortcomings." Ah, but you drive an M3, so you must be quite the expert, eh? :confused

Talk to me again after driving one all over the continental US for a year and a half, in all sorts of weather and terrain. Until then, you're hardly one to make declarations and dispense advice on a car you don't even drive. :rolleyes

[ukbyoung]

im in the know of their capabilities. Not fast by any means but its the only car ive been able to do a 90 degree turn at 65.

[Doctor Wha]

Exactly my point. They're not dragsters, but nor are they intended to be. However, their speed is fine for what it is intended to do, and the handling is exceptional.

I don't know what you guys are thinking "fast" is, but when a drunk/incapacitated driver careened across several lanes of an interstate highway straight toward my wife's door, I jammed my pedal to the 'Kickdown" point, and my '04 non-S Cooper went from ~70 to 110 in mere seconds, and got us out of harm's way. So for all the whining about what it may or may not do from a standstill, when it had to move, it did so without hesitation, and my wife was spared because it did.

Sorry if that isn't "fast" enough for the hot-rodding adrenaline junkies out there, but it certainly did right by us. :shifty

[Nimble]

Exactly my point. They're not dragsters, but nor are they intended to be. However, their speed is fine for what it is intended to do, and the handling is exceptional.

I don't know what you guys are thinking "fast" is, but when a drunk/incapacitated driver careened across several lanes of an interstate highway straight toward my wife's door, I jammed my pedal to the 'Kickdown" point, and my '04 non-S Cooper went from ~70 to 110 in mere seconds, and got us out of harm's way. So for all the whining about what it may or may not do from a standstill, when it had to move, it did so without hesitation, and my wife was spared because it did.

Sorry if that isn't "fast" enough for the hot-rodding adrenaline junkies out there, but it certainly did right by us. :shifty

Why the attitide? To back up your 115hp dream machine? You sir, are clueless. I have driven 3 S's, have access to your car (well actually a REAL one, since it is stick), and have a FAMILY of sports cars to choose from. Have you driven a Z06? Doubt it. An NSX? haha, didn't think so, try again beginner. You know very little about me, how I owned a slow 318 for 3 years, saved up for my current M3, and paid cash for it. However, you are obviously far superior in knowledge to me, so I'll step down.

FYI, the cooper s, no matter how light it is, has NO chance of running with an M3.

You know, this wouldn't have turned into a pissing match had you shut your mouth about what an AUTOMATIC MINI can do. :rolleyes Shoot, your car runs SEVENTEENS in the 1/4 miles, SUV's will dust you. Saying you run with Mustangs, and BMW's? You gotta be kidding me.

[Nimble]

So...wait, you took that speed demon from 70-110 in a "matter of seconds"? I hope you had light years to do that, because a minimum time from 70-110 in an M3 would be 8-10 seconds, your 'matter of seconds' 115hp car must have fallen off of a cliff to do that so fast. Oh wait, maybe it's your driver skill...pushes pedal to the floor, waits for tranny to kick down.....rriigghhtt. ;)

[Nimble]

Quite right. The pickup is surprising, almost to the point of being alrming. I've out-dragged a Mustang, and outrun a Ford Lightning, and man, did they look surprised. :buttrock

Roflmao :rofl

You should write fiction, that is the funniest thing I've read in all my years on Bimmerforums. You do know that a Lighting puts more power to the ground while cranking the engine, than your cooper does at redline, right?

[Doctor Wha]

Roflmao :rofl
You should write fiction, that is the funniest thing I've read in all my years on Bimmerforums. You do know that a Lighting puts more power to the ground while cranking the engine, than your cooper does at redline, right?
You weren't there, junior. Funny or not, it happened. And you need to know a helluva lot more about me before you start accusing me of lying. But hey, at least you're consistent in making definitive pronouncements on things you know nothing about. :rolleyes

Way to ruin a thread with your pointless "contributions." You're a real gem. But then, you really only out to see yourself blather, apparently...

[The Beastmaster]

I would suggest that everyone behave here and refrain from the hating before this thread gets locked and sanctions made. Got it!

Btw, I do know what MINIs are capable of as I have owned three of them. A MCS with pulley, exhaust, software and intake will do the 1/4 in 14s, but will KILL a BMW in the twisties.

[Doctor Wha]

Btw, I do know what MINIs are capable of as I have owned three of them. A MCS with pulley, exhaust, software and intake will do the 1/4 in 14s, but will KILL a BMW in the twisties.
Ah, the voice of reason and actual knowledge...

Thank you, Beastie. Most refreshing.

[Nimble]

rah, rah. So saying that a cooper S with a pulley can run 14's is ACTUAL knowledge? I could've told you that, but we aren't talking about a Cooper S are we? Stop avoiding the truth, you're wrong, suck it up.

BTW, in all of this I know 2 things, Coopers rock, both S and non, and Mr. Wha is clueless on his.

[Nimble]

Way to ruin a thread with your pointless "contributions." You're a real gem. But then, you really only out to see yourself blather, apparently...

Thanks, I know I'm a gem. BTW, using words like "junior" and "sport" in no way, shape, or form make you seem moew knowledgeable than me. In fact, you are the "junior" in this thread. It's hard to beat the master in knowledge on MINI's(me), but I digress. :alright

How does it feel knowing you have to redline that puppy at every red light just to avoid being rammed by soccer Mom's in their SUV's? Can't be very fun, oh wait, but your car is light, so a lawnmower engine will make it fast...rriigghhtt. :confused :rolleyes

[umberto]

Holy Cow....I just signed on to this forum....this is my first posting.. and man this thread is hostile....let's see if you two can just be nice and wave to eachother as you drive by

[Kyle K.]

Holy Cow....I just signed on to this forum....this is my first posting.. and man this thread is hostile....let's see if you two can just be nice and wave to eachother as you drive by
They've just got a little bit of sand in their asses, they'll calm down eventually.

And BTW, I drive a 2002 MC with stock HP. To Nimble, the difference you seem absolutely positively sure of between the MCS speed and MC speed is not even a little bit as close as the 163hp v 115 hp would indicate. The MCS has a ludicrously tall 1st gear making its initial launch lacking compared to it's little bro. Combine that with the 17" S-"lites" that weigh 25 lbs per corner, plus stupid heavy runflats wrapped around each one, makes for a wheel tire combo of around 50 pounds per corner. The better geared and lighter Cooper, with the right buying decisions, can shed 80 pounds of unsprung weight from the worst possible place. Care to calculate how many HP thats worth? Sure you could put the same wheels and tires on a MCS but they're not offered stock, and then we wouldn't really be having a fair comparison would we?

Also, the "auto" that Dr. Wha drives that makes his car not a real mini :rolleyes is actually a CVT and out accelerates the 5 speed in a straight line.

The more you know. :rolleyes

[Lance325is]

Guys lets calm it down here some and remember the forum rules in reguards to respect. If this continues the thread will be closed. Thanks :)

[JedzE36/5]

i am in love with my girlfriends 05 MCS. most fun car i have driven. she didnt know how to drive a stick before she bought it, but she was so set upon getting a MCS. all in all we spent a few nights in my ti prepping her for her car and now she drives it pretty dang good.

[ukbyoung]

rah, rah. So saying that a cooper S with a pulley can run 14's is ACTUAL knowledge? I could've told you that, but we aren't talking about a Cooper S are we? Stop avoiding the truth, you're wrong, suck it up.

BTW, in all of this I know 2 things, Coopers rock, both S and non, and Mr. Wha is clueless on his.

yep

http://www.ross-tech.net/andy/mini/dragracing/quartermile.html