Buzzark
Mar 12th, 2011, 09:06 PM
Hello, I've been lurking around here a bit recently before taking the plunge and buying on one, collecting about 10 days ago.
I actually looked at getting one 5.5 years ago (must have been an early one) but didn't really like the interior/dash at the time.
Instead I bought a late Golf VR6 highline with a Schick and some minor tweaks which has been my pride and joy ever since. However it's reached the point where it's time to spend a chunk of money on it I'll never get back if somebody prangs it or move on.
Looked at pretty much everything (having previously ruled out the mini...) on the market but was struggling to replace a 209bhp/210lbft solidly built car with full leather with anything currently available. Too many "warm" hatches!
Saw a 53 plate S on a grass verge outside a local dealer, drove past it a couple of times and then decided it had to be worth re-looking at a mini.
I have to say I was pretty much hooked after a few hundred yards, it actually reminded me of driving my old "classic" mini's and while falling a bit short of the VR, had more response than the Clio 197, Yaris SR, Polo GTi, Fabia VRS and many others seemed to have.
Couldn't do a deal on that one but once I had decided find a few to look at was easy. Next weekend I found 3 within 2 miles in Dark Silver (my chosen colour) a 52, 53 and 54 at different price ranges - the others were decent cars but the 54 was a much better example so I ended up with;
54 plate facelifted MCS in DS/DS (probably the combo I'd choose new if my pockets were deep enough).
Full leather, DS interior and mirror colours, no aircon but heated screen, MFSW, 17" S spokes (would have been happy with 16's or 17's) and the panoramic roof (again, was fine with or without).
Full mini history, except it seems to have had 2 inspection1's instead of an inspection2 at the 4 year mark. It's low mileage though, 37k and the dealer has just done an oil service on it which was almost due.
Not too worried about the insp2 as I will most likely pop a 15% pulley on it along with new iridium plugs (NGK) and a shortened belt.
Drives really well, good fun at least - quite sharp and "skittish" after the VR but all the ones I drove were the same when crossing the centre camber point on the road. Will check the bushes when I get chance but I'd hope they weren't at fault after 37k.
Otherwise, planning to keep it pretty standard looking, might get rid of the runflat Pirelli's when they're ready either another brand or a non RFT like the Toyo T1-R's as the ride quality isn't great and I think it's the tyres causing it.
The dealer "refurbed" both front wheels as each one had a single kerb scuff, I wish I'd just done them myself as they weren't painted too well and hadn't been lacquered - rectified that yesterday with a couple of coats but if if starts to go I'll get them powder coated.
Have also cleaned and conditioned the leather and today built an AUX in adapter for the Boost stereo, need to finish fitting tomorrow as I haven't decided exactly where to fit my little iPod shuffle yet. Chopped a BMW aux cable in half and fitted a couple of capacitors and a resistor to get the AUX function recognised as mentioned on a post or two here - jamesk in fact, thanks!
So, that rather long introduction :D is me and how I arrived here with my new pride and joy!
I actually looked at getting one 5.5 years ago (must have been an early one) but didn't really like the interior/dash at the time.
Instead I bought a late Golf VR6 highline with a Schick and some minor tweaks which has been my pride and joy ever since. However it's reached the point where it's time to spend a chunk of money on it I'll never get back if somebody prangs it or move on.
Looked at pretty much everything (having previously ruled out the mini...) on the market but was struggling to replace a 209bhp/210lbft solidly built car with full leather with anything currently available. Too many "warm" hatches!
Saw a 53 plate S on a grass verge outside a local dealer, drove past it a couple of times and then decided it had to be worth re-looking at a mini.
I have to say I was pretty much hooked after a few hundred yards, it actually reminded me of driving my old "classic" mini's and while falling a bit short of the VR, had more response than the Clio 197, Yaris SR, Polo GTi, Fabia VRS and many others seemed to have.
Couldn't do a deal on that one but once I had decided find a few to look at was easy. Next weekend I found 3 within 2 miles in Dark Silver (my chosen colour) a 52, 53 and 54 at different price ranges - the others were decent cars but the 54 was a much better example so I ended up with;
54 plate facelifted MCS in DS/DS (probably the combo I'd choose new if my pockets were deep enough).
Full leather, DS interior and mirror colours, no aircon but heated screen, MFSW, 17" S spokes (would have been happy with 16's or 17's) and the panoramic roof (again, was fine with or without).
Full mini history, except it seems to have had 2 inspection1's instead of an inspection2 at the 4 year mark. It's low mileage though, 37k and the dealer has just done an oil service on it which was almost due.
Not too worried about the insp2 as I will most likely pop a 15% pulley on it along with new iridium plugs (NGK) and a shortened belt.
Drives really well, good fun at least - quite sharp and "skittish" after the VR but all the ones I drove were the same when crossing the centre camber point on the road. Will check the bushes when I get chance but I'd hope they weren't at fault after 37k.
Otherwise, planning to keep it pretty standard looking, might get rid of the runflat Pirelli's when they're ready either another brand or a non RFT like the Toyo T1-R's as the ride quality isn't great and I think it's the tyres causing it.
The dealer "refurbed" both front wheels as each one had a single kerb scuff, I wish I'd just done them myself as they weren't painted too well and hadn't been lacquered - rectified that yesterday with a couple of coats but if if starts to go I'll get them powder coated.
Have also cleaned and conditioned the leather and today built an AUX in adapter for the Boost stereo, need to finish fitting tomorrow as I haven't decided exactly where to fit my little iPod shuffle yet. Chopped a BMW aux cable in half and fitted a couple of capacitors and a resistor to get the AUX function recognised as mentioned on a post or two here - jamesk in fact, thanks!
So, that rather long introduction :D is me and how I arrived here with my new pride and joy!