[jamesbeaumont]

So that’s me just hit 10,000 miles in my April 07 build cooper. Just thought I’d update everyone on how it’s going. I have to say it’s been almost completely trouble free! So far the only problems I’ve had are a few looses trim panels around the wheel arch and side skirts. The car is still mostly standard; I’ve just added the aero kit side repeaters which look much better! An ITG panel filter has increased the torque and helps the car run smoother on cold mornings, finally a new set of Goodyear eagle f1’s have replaced the horrible run flats and I cannot praise them enough! The Mini is now so much more fun to drive, smoother, far grippier and composed.

As for driving, it dislikes being cold, the gearbox and engine run much more smoothly when hot but when it’s warmed up its beautiful. It needs a temp gauge! The engine struggles for torque in higher gears and really hates being loaded up but if it’s just the one passenger it’s quite a quick car. The handling is phenomenal, there’s very little that can keep with it on a twisty b-road. It’s averaged about 35 mpg around town and can go up to 40 on a longer journey. On A roads at 50mph I can get near 50 mpg but travelling at motorway speeds economy drips to the low 30’s.
My spec choice has worked well for me; the only thing I miss is heated mirrors. The cruise is fantastic as are the xenons, once Id adjusted them, and the sports suspension is just right. The auto wipers can be a pain in spray though and have a mind of their own.

The positives:
Great handling
Quick over 4,000 rpm
Cruise control
Economical
Feels special
Interior design
Has a great bottom...
Supportive seats
White wheels are still stunning

The negatives:
Crap exterior trim
No temperature guage
Rubbish windscreen wipers
Auto wipers have a mind of their own
Lack of torque makes the car slow when loaded and ruins fuel economy
Tiny tank means tiny range

To sum up I’ve had a great experience and plan to keep the car for another few years before hopefully moving on to an S! Or if fuel prices rise much more – a cooper d... Im always glad to get back in my Mini after driving other cars!

[jamesbeaumont]

I appologise for the text - i did it on word then copied it and its come out odd

[MartinH32]

Mine has also just hit 10,000 miles. Although it's converted to LPG when I run it on unleaded I get around 45mpg on the motorway and 40ish local driving.

Only critism I have is that outside smells seem to find a way into the car quicker than any other car I have owned.
Wipers have been fine for me but I am on my second windscreen due to a crack from a stone chip. My new screen also has a stone chip (only been in three weeks)
I think the standard audio system is very poor especially is it costs a fortune to upgrade to a decentt aftermarket solution.

For some reason I also struggle to get the temperature just right, almost as though the heater needs a couple of extra settings.

I need to get rid of the run flats as the ride is somewhat bumpy!

[jordangpboy]

Funny how you say you get poor mpg on the motorway. My Cooper gets around 44 - 48 MPG on the motorway.

[jamesbeaumont]

Thats odd, I spose it is quite hilly around these parts This is at about 75 mph usually. I will conduct an experiment and see what I can achieve on a straight motorway run soon

[MartinH32]

I normall hit around 67 - 68mph which makes a difference

[jamesbeaumont]

Yeah, there does seem to be a certain speed above 70 where economy seems to fall quite rapidly

[mister.t]

Only 500 miles to go till our Jan '07 car hits 10k miles I have to agree with everything you say there bar the ill-fitting trim and poor wipers. The MPG figure isn't astonishing, but hey didn't buy it to be economical I agree 4 up makes for 'sedate' progress - Certainly not quick, but once its coaxed up to a speed, the cruise keeps it there OK, although again the mpg takes a hit Hope you have many more happy Mini miles

[KenL]

Quote: Originally Posted by jamesbeaumont (original)

Thats odd, I spose it is quite hilly around these parts This is at about 75 mph usually. I will conduct an experiment and see what I can achieve on a straight motorway run soon

Interesting James. I can get 45mpg ish on a motorway run, keeping up with the traffic. 50mpg if I am taking it very easy.

I wonder if your panel filter is to blame?

I am also surprised you think it increases the torque of the engine?

[rochie]

I see you have specked Cruise control and that can also affect mpg (down) not that much but can affect it non the less.

[jamesbeaumont]

Quote: Originally Posted by KenL (original)

Interesting James. I can get 45mpg ish on a motorway run, keeping up with the traffic. 50mpg if I am taking it very easy.

I wonder if your panel filter is to blame?

I am also surprised you think it increases the torque of the engine?

The poor economy on motorways has always been a factor for me. Maybe i just need to remove some lead from my right shoe Im off up to the highlands tomorrow so I'll see what can be achieved. As for the panel filter I was sceptical about it but the ITG has been manufactured to a very high quality, the car feels much happier in 5th and 6th at low engine speeds. I also used to get a very uneven idle on cold morning with a horrible occurence whereby the engine revs would drop away when I accelerated after id changed up a gear for the first few minutes in the morning, it felt like the car was braking. That went as soon as the filter was installed. Although I also blocked the holes in the resonator which increased air flow to the engine Rochie thats interesting what you say about the cruise, I was under the inpression that it increased economy?

[jamesbeaumont]

Well I acheved 42 mpg between Edinburgh and Perth sat at on the motorway and then 39 mpg between Perth and Aviemore on single carriageway (overtaking took its toll on economy) On the way down i got a lovely northerly wind blowing me back to Edinburgh so I got 44mpg, my best long run average I didnt use the cruise control but noticed while experimenting that if I activated the cruise the current mpg figure would drop instantly by 3mpg ish Its a shame, I wont be using that nearly so often now!

[KenL]

What speed were you doing on this journey?

[jamesbeaumont]

Oops sorry I meant to put that in, I sat at bang on 70 on the motorways and just below that the rest of the time

[KenL]

Quote: Originally Posted by jamesbeaumont (original)

Oops sorry I meant to put that in, I sat at bang on 70 on the motorways and just below that the rest of the time

How easy is it to remove your filter and put the original back in?

Just to satisfy my curiosity

[jamesbeaumont]

Ummmm..fairly easy...

Ok ok I'll try it for a bit and see if theres any difference ok?