[juliantay]

I've been longing for a Mini for a while now, but here in NZ they are relatively quite expensive compared to the UK eg a Suzuki Swift Sport is NZD 25,000 whilst a Mini Cooper is NZD 37,000 and thats in base trim.

However we now have the 2nd generation Mini One available here (we never did get the first generation One - or only as imports). Still at NZD 30,000 its hard to justify given the new Mazda 2 is only NZD 20,000.

But I've spotted someone selling privately a 2007 Mini One with only 3000 km on the clock that was an unwanted prize. They are asking NZD 24,000 ono which is a good saving. Only drawback is it has the steel wheels and it may not have the TLC either - and is in base trim too although they do come with Aircon as standard here.

Whilst it would be nice to have a more powerful Cooper - $24,000 versus $37,000 is a big difference. I have looked at second hand Coopers, but a 4 year old model with around 50,000km goes for around NZD 25,000. I am too nervous about potential problems with clutch/gearbox on the 1st generation to risk it. With the One in question, I'll have 2 1/2 years of the new car warranty left.

One question I have, is the interior trim - quality of plastics etc identical on the One versus the Cooper in the base model? Just I saw a review at autoexpress UK and it said "Inside, the One doesn’t hide its identity so easily. The quality of the fit and finish is still first class but hard black plastics feature throughout the cabin" So is the interior of a lesser quality to the Cooper?

[Stiggy]

The basic interiors are the same on all models, but various options change the look. I have a Cooper D with the standard interior: black plastic dash with 'Fine White Silver' inserts. I think it looks OK! You can buy different inserts and fit them afterwards if you really want.

Obviously you could change the wheels too.

[juliantay]

Thanks for that - I thought they'd be the same so thats good to know.

Yeah alloys could be an option, although I think I'd prefer to get a spare tyre first - I gather they don't come with one but there is a place for one to fit under the car?

[Stiggy]

It might be different in NZ, but in the UK MINIs without the runflat tyres come with an aerosol tyre repair kit, or a 'skinny' spare wheel as an option.

[KenL]

Quote: Originally Posted by Stiggy (original)

It might be different in NZ, but in the UK MINIs without the runflat tyres come with an aerosol tyre repair kit, or a 'skinny' spare wheel as an option.

I know it is off-topic for this thread, but thought I should add that even if you order a MINI with runflat tyres, you can still order the spare as an option.

[rellik666]

I am fairly sure that it would be the same in NZ as here in Aus, the spare wheel is not even a option here and all cars come with runflats, an no we don't have the inflater thingy either. But as we don't get the ONE at all here, it might be slightly different in NZ

[juliantay]

Well I have just purchased a MINI One. It was another unwanted prize. This one is a 2008 model with only had 42km (Yes thats right 42km, not 4,200km) on the clock in Oxygen Blue and has 15inch alloys. Unfortunately it is in Auckland and I'm in Wellington so it will be 2 weeks before I will be able to get up there to get it. Its a bit rough that MINI only provide a 2 year warranty to the second owner - despite the fact its onyl travelled 42km - but still I saved $7000 off the sticker price so can't go wrong.
I dont think it has runflats and only an inflator kit. Do you think I could fit an aftermarket space saver tyre as I dont think the dealer even holds any spare space savers for the MINI in stock. Even if I can source a wheel that will fit, I guess it wont have fittings to hold it under the car ie it must need some sort of clamp/bolt arrangement - anyone retrofitted a space saver under their MINI's?

[ben1]

Congrats on your purchase.

You don't need a spare as the inflator kit comes with a sealing foam [to repair punctures, temporaily] and an air pump [to inflate the wheel so that you can drive to the nearest tyre shop] in case you get a flat.So, you don't really need a spare tyre.

Lastly, I have yet to see someone retrofit a spare to the mini.

[juliantay]

Actually I found this thread so someone has done it

http://www.mini2.com/forum/testing/6...are-wheel.html

But considering I havent had a flat tyre in many years, I dont think its worth the hassle, although I can imagine if I have to use the inflator kit it wont be easy first time round. Maybe I will look to get a suitable space saver and just take it with me in the boot, if I am going on a long trip. Still just over a week before I go to Auckland to get the car....

[juliantay]

Well I have now had my One for 4 days. My very first drive was a 500km drive from Auckland to Gisborne. I probably wasnt as gentle on it as I should have been -getting up to 5000 rpm on a couple of ocassions - but went well.
Feels peppy enough on the open road provided you use the gears - I find in slow round town running that it is easy to bog down in slow corners when you want to accelerate off in 2nd gear but are doing only 2000 rpm - you dont really want to have to drop it into first gear in these situations, so have to live with poor take-off until the revs climb a bit.
Still learning some of the control settings - couldnt figure out the intermittant wiper until I read the manual - having to push the stalk in was not exactly intuitive.
One question - I put air in the tyres and it says to reset the tyre pressure monitor - but this does not seem to come up as an option when you press the indicator stalk in. Is it standard in a standard one - mine has 15 inch alloys but they are not runflat tyres -is it only an option with runflat tyres. The manual does not indicate it is an option.
Another few days then I have a 600km drive back to Wellington - should be well aquainted with the MINI by then.

[juliantay]

OK answered my own question - ignition needs to be on to bring up the other options such as the tyre pressure monitor - sorted.

[Stiggy]

Quote: Originally Posted by juliantay (original)

One question - I put air in the tyres and it says to reset the tyre pressure monitor - but this does not seem to come up as an option when you press the indicator stalk in. Is it standard in a standard one - mine has 15 inch alloys but they are not runflat tyres -is it only an option with runflat tyres. The manual does not indicate it is an option.

The tyre pressure monitor only applies to runflat tyres anyway.

[MINIAC]

Quote: Originally Posted by Stiggy (original)

The tyre pressure monitor only applies to runflat tyres anyway.

NOT TRUE ... it works for both run flat and conventional tires.

[juliantay]

Thanks I did wonder whether that was correct about it being only for run flats