MINI2

Bill Sz. · Apr 13th, 2002, 05:50 PM

PREFACE: During the initial 1,200 mile break-in period, Mini specifies that the car should be operated at different speeds, as long as the engine RPM’s never exceed 4,500 and the vehicle speed does not exceed 95 mph. Therefore, we have been “babying” the car during our initial drive today, and we will continue to do so until the break-in period has passed. Our speeds today were kept under 70 mph and RPM’s never exceeded 3,500. We haven’t tried the Sport or Steptronic CVT modes. When we had our delivery check-out yesterday, the delivery person strongly suggested that we refrain (if possible) from using the Sport or Steptronic mode during the initial 1,200 mile break-in period. (I think the logic is that it is too easy to over-rev the engine or exceed the suggested 95 mph limit?)

FIT & FINISH: As you might expect from a BMW product, the fit and finish are impeccable! The doors close with that satisfying “Kathump” that expensive German cars are famous for. The interior trim is first rate, as is the leather wrapped steering wheel. We have sport seats with leatherette. Trust me. Get the sport seats if you can. I have driven the Coopers with both the sport and standard seats, and the sport seats are well worth the extra money. They have excellent lateral and lumbar support. I am 6’8” and I just sink into the seats with ease. The leatherette has a hide pattern, but is seems to be an entirely different grade of vinyl! It almost has a waxy-leather like feel to it. It is certainly not like the cheap or slick vinyl you normally expect to see in a car in this price range. Although the real leather has that great smell and feel, (I’m getting leather on my S), I wouldn’t necessarily hold out or wait for leather if a leatherette car was available. It is that good.

This morning we had the car professionally detailed and waxed with carnuba wax, (yes, even though we just picked it up last night from the dealer … the delivery detail jobs that most dealers do … leaves something to be desired). The fellow who detailed the car for us normally does big $$ cars like Ferraris, and he remarked that the paint was very thick and the paint finish was one of the best he had ever seen on a stock car.

ROAD HANDLING: Again, we are in the break-in period, so we have not done anything too radical. You have probably read the reviews saying the car handles like “a go-kart on rails.” It is all true. Suspension is tight, even though it is not the sport suspension on the S. There is a good feel for the road, while at the same time the ride is sufficiently soft and smooth to satisfy those of you who normally drive bigger and heavier sport sedans or imports, (i.e. my wife). We noticed no body rattles or squeaks. My wife wanted to turn the stereo radio on, but I quickly turned it off, just so I could “listen to the car” as it went over dips, bumps and pavement irregularities. Very smooth, indeed.

I drove the car at about 65 mph on a flat, even roadway and I noticed no pull or drift in either direction. In fact, I deliberately took my hands off the wheel and the car tracked straight as an arrow.

PERFORMANCE: Again, because of the limitations of the break-in period, it is really impossible to fully judge or comment on performance. However, the car is quick. Make no mistake about it. I have a 5 speed Porsche 911T, and although the Porsche is marginally quicker off the line, its not by much! (I do know that the top end on the Porsche is quite a bit more.) I have driven a 5 speed Cooper and the 6 speed S and while the S seemed significantly quicker, the 5 speed Cooper did not seem to me that it was that much quicker than our CVT. (It could be that the 5 speed Cooper had a sunroof and is little bit heavier … our car doesn’t have a sunroof.) Without jumping on the throttle, there was enough low-end torque to satisfy me. The engine just purrs. It is almost “sewing machine” quiet. (I’m sure some after-market exhaust can easily fix that!) Undoubtedly, the car will be a great in-town driver. The electronic throttle is quite a marvel in and of itself! All I can say is: instantaneous response!

CVT: Remember, we have kept the CVT is just plain old auto mode and have done nothing fancy with it yet. What is unique about the CVT is just how smooth the transmission shifts. If you have ever driven an electric car (Saturn) you know what I mean. Its just pure acceleration without the jerk or jump you normally have with an automatic transmission as the gears shift. And, the reverse is also true. As you take your foot off the accelerator to slow down, you can’t feel the transmission down-shift, but there is a general sense that the car is slowing down. It is weird at first, but you soon get used to it. Our initial impression is that the car is far from “gutless” with the CVT. There may always be a raging debate about the 5 speed vs. the CVT, but in the end, it probably depends on what kind of driver you are and just how and where you drive the car. I think that it is safe to say that if you do buy a CVT and are passed by another car on some twisty back road, chances are that it will only be by another Cooper or Cooper S with a manual transmission, (and then … not by much). Hell, that is good enough for me!

STARE FACTOR: All I can say is, “Just get used to it.” This morning we took the car for breakfast here in Long Beach, (the Long Beach Grand Prix is tomorrow, so there are a lot of car fanatics in the city). When we went back to the car, there was a crowd of about 15 people milling around the car … including several Ferrari owners who had their cars parked several spaces away. Needless to say, it took about 10 minutes to leave the parking lot, since we were obliged to give everyone, the Ferrari owners included, a “Mini Tour” of our new car. (You should have seen the Ferrari owners’ faces when I told them that Mini Cooper was faster in “Road & Track’s” slalom tests than all of their Ferraris, even the F-50!) The general question was, “How can BMW build a car that offers so much for so little?” And that my friends is a very good question.

We will keep you posted. Here is another pic.

Liquid Yellow Cooper CVT -w- white roof & mirrors and sport package, leatherette and 16" 5-Star alloys (in our hot little hands); and,
Dark Silver Cooper S -w- white roof & mirrors, premium & sport packages and lapis blue/leather due in mid June.

Bill

eltel · Apr 13th, 2002, 06:13 PM

Bill, thanks for that review of your happy experiences. I'm in line for an 'S', but if it doesn't work out, then I will consider a CVT so that my wife can enjoy driving it as well.

THanks for the details and impressions, you seem very happy.

Love the Liquid Yellow, my 'S' is also to be in that colour.

Regards, ElTel

BruceK · Apr 13th, 2002, 06:20 PM

Bill Sz.,

What complete and detailed report!

Thanks so much for sharing your MINI thoughts and experiences. I haven't driven a CVT MINI yet but I was thinking they weren't really true MINI material. Nice to learn otherwise.

And it's good to hear that a guy 6'8" fits easily in a MINI as a bunch of 6'7" guys (is that really a popular height?) have asked if they'll fit in a MINI (even the miniusa.com site specifically has a 6'7" FAQ - go figure)

So, you're going to be a 2 MINI family? Wonderful!

Cooper i Do · Apr 13th, 2002, 07:13 PM

Hey Bill,

Thks for this very, very long report of youre first impressions.
These are the story's i like to read.

Hope you have a nice racing sunday

Catch Ya Later,
Cooper I Do

Still Counting! (only 11 days left)

hachomini · Apr 13th, 2002, 07:17 PM

Thanks alot for the review. Very thorough and clear. After reading it, I am even more excited and eager to get my car!

Keep enjoying the car and remember to update the mini family about your experiences...especially after you have reached 1,200 miles!
Thanks!!!

Xrayman · Apr 13th, 2002, 11:13 PM

Thanks for the complete information and pictures. That car is the same exact one that I am scheduled to pick up next month.

Question:
The Mini site yellow is very neon but the pictures look more pastel (like a 70s VW). What is the color like?

Bill Sz. · Apr 14th, 2002, 12:45 AM

Xrayman: The actual color is not quite as "neon" or "egg-yolk" as the Mini site. On the other hand it is not a "pastel" color either. (Don't forget, you can do a lot with lighting and photoshop.) The pictures we posted were not taken under optimal lighting conditions. We saw a "new" VW beetle today while we were cruising around in the Mini. The VW was in that custard creme yellow. The Mini looked waaayyy better! Also, if you put a good, thick coat of wax on the car, I think that it darkens the color a bit. Just my impression.

Sejanus · Apr 14th, 2002, 02:56 AM

Let me add my thanks for your detailed account of your "motoring" experience. You guys sound like your having a lot of fun with that car!

daver · Apr 14th, 2002, 04:24 AM

Bill, another thanks for your detailed report.

Enjoy the ride and keep the Ferrari-owners informed

Daver

spanky2k · Apr 14th, 2002, 08:03 AM

Sounds like a very nice car! I like the sound of the CRTs, I didn't expect them to be as nice as they sound. I'm a (very) new driver so I thought it would be a far wiser idea to go for a manual. I like changing gears anyway! I live in the country at the mo, so don't have to use it much, although when I move into the city in the summer things might change. Hope not tho!

Thanks for the review!

lhasa · Apr 14th, 2002, 01:16 PM

Yet another VERY big thanks for your detailed report! Along with everyone else, it only makes me more excited to get my car (as if that were possible).

I do have a question for you about the Liquid Yellow (my own color choice). You mentioned how it looked much better than the VW Yellow. I, too, have noticed, that the Beetle's hue is somewhat milky. How would you say the Liquid Yellow differs from it?

Bill Sz. · Apr 14th, 2002, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lhasa
Yet another VERY big thanks for your detailed report! Along with everyone else, it only makes me more excited to get my car (as if that were possible).

I do have a question for you about the Liquid Yellow (my own color choice). You mentioned how it looked much better than the VW Yellow. I, too, have noticed, that the Beetle's hue is somewhat milky. How would you say the Liquid Yellow differs from it?

If you are into food, the VW's yellow color is closer to the yellow in a lemon custard pie, while Mini's yellow is closer to the type of yellow in a lemon merangue pie. Does that make you hungry or what? In other words, the Mini's yellow is a deeper yellow, without having the neon yellow quality of a taxi cab or the washed out or pastel quality of the VW. That's the best I can do. Trust me, it does look good!

MiniMoke · Apr 14th, 2002, 08:19 PM

Terrific observations about the color... keep the posts coming.

KarmanS · Apr 14th, 2002, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bill Sz.

If you are into food, the VW's yellow color is closer to the yellow in a lemon custard pie, while Mini's yellow is closer to the type of yellow in a lemon merangue pie. Does that make you hungry or what? In other words, the Mini's yellow is a deeper yellow, without having the neon yellow quality of a taxi cab or the washed out or pastel quality of the VW. That's the best I can do. Trust me, it does look good!

hmm... got to get me some of those pies now!

what a visual description. I've seen Liquid Yellow in person and I also agree it looks better in person than on paper.

Bill Sz. · Apr 18th, 2002, 08:37 PM

CVT: Initial Impression: Update

The car now has just a tick over 300 miles on it. And, as the miles increase we are getting more of a feel for the car. According to my wife, the car is pretty quick. She claims that she has a difficult time keeping it under 60-65 mph on city streets. As I mentioned earlier, we snuck on the LB Grand Prix course on Monday and did 2 quick laps. The car effortlessly accelerated to 90-95 mph on the straight-aways (oops) and took the corners much better than my 911T.

The only complaint so far (from her ... not me) are that the run-flat tires seem a little rough between 65-75 mph? Frankly, when I drove the car on Monday on the race course, they felt fine to me. Maybe its a girl thing??

We are eager to get through the break-in period, in order to fully explore the CVT Sport/Steptronic modes.

Combined city/freeway mileage so averages to about 29 mpg.

We will keep you posted.

Liquid Yellow Cooper CVT -w- white roof & mirrors and sport package, leatherette and 16" 5-Star alloys (in our hot little hands); and,
Dark Silver Cooper S -w- white roof & mirrors, premium & sport packages and lapis blue/leather due in mid June.

Bill Sz.

Apr 13th, 2002, 05:50 PM	#1
Bill Sz. MINI2 Regular Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Southern California Local Time: 10:02 AM Posts: 164 Offline	CVT: Inital Impression PREFACE: During the initial 1,200 mile break-in period, Mini specifies that the car should be operated at different speeds, as long as the engine RPM’s never exceed 4,500 and the vehicle speed does not exceed 95 mph. Therefore, we have been “babying” the car during our initial drive today, and we will continue to do so until the break-in period has passed. Our speeds today were kept under 70 mph and RPM’s never exceeded 3,500. We haven’t tried the Sport or Steptronic CVT modes. When we had our delivery check-out yesterday, the delivery person strongly suggested that we refrain (if possible) from using the Sport or Steptronic mode during the initial 1,200 mile break-in period. (I think the logic is that it is too easy to over-rev the engine or exceed the suggested 95 mph limit?) FIT & FINISH: As you might expect from a BMW product, the fit and finish are impeccable! The doors close with that satisfying “Kathump” that expensive German cars are famous for. The interior trim is first rate, as is the leather wrapped steering wheel. We have sport seats with leatherette. Trust me. Get the sport seats if you can. I have driven the Coopers with both the sport and standard seats, and the sport seats are well worth the extra money. They have excellent lateral and lumbar support. I am 6’8” and I just sink into the seats with ease. The leatherette has a hide pattern, but is seems to be an entirely different grade of vinyl! It almost has a waxy-leather like feel to it. It is certainly not like the cheap or slick vinyl you normally expect to see in a car in this price range. Although the real leather has that great smell and feel, (I’m getting leather on my S), I wouldn’t necessarily hold out or wait for leather if a leatherette car was available. It is that good. This morning we had the car professionally detailed and waxed with carnuba wax, (yes, even though we just picked it up last night from the dealer … the delivery detail jobs that most dealers do … leaves something to be desired). The fellow who detailed the car for us normally does big $$ cars like Ferraris, and he remarked that the paint was very thick and the paint finish was one of the best he had ever seen on a stock car. ROAD HANDLING: Again, we are in the break-in period, so we have not done anything too radical. You have probably read the reviews saying the car handles like “a go-kart on rails.” It is all true. Suspension is tight, even though it is not the sport suspension on the S. There is a good feel for the road, while at the same time the ride is sufficiently soft and smooth to satisfy those of you who normally drive bigger and heavier sport sedans or imports, (i.e. my wife). We noticed no body rattles or squeaks. My wife wanted to turn the stereo radio on, but I quickly turned it off, just so I could “listen to the car” as it went over dips, bumps and pavement irregularities. Very smooth, indeed. I drove the car at about 65 mph on a flat, even roadway and I noticed no pull or drift in either direction. In fact, I deliberately took my hands off the wheel and the car tracked straight as an arrow. PERFORMANCE: Again, because of the limitations of the break-in period, it is really impossible to fully judge or comment on performance. However, the car is quick. Make no mistake about it. I have a 5 speed Porsche 911T, and although the Porsche is marginally quicker off the line, its not by much! (I do know that the top end on the Porsche is quite a bit more.) I have driven a 5 speed Cooper and the 6 speed S and while the S seemed significantly quicker, the 5 speed Cooper did not seem to me that it was that much quicker than our CVT. (It could be that the 5 speed Cooper had a sunroof and is little bit heavier … our car doesn’t have a sunroof.) Without jumping on the throttle, there was enough low-end torque to satisfy me. The engine just purrs. It is almost “sewing machine” quiet. (I’m sure some after-market exhaust can easily fix that!) Undoubtedly, the car will be a great in-town driver. The electronic throttle is quite a marvel in and of itself! All I can say is: instantaneous response! CVT: Remember, we have kept the CVT is just plain old auto mode and have done nothing fancy with it yet. What is unique about the CVT is just how smooth the transmission shifts. If you have ever driven an electric car (Saturn) you know what I mean. Its just pure acceleration without the jerk or jump you normally have with an automatic transmission as the gears shift. And, the reverse is also true. As you take your foot off the accelerator to slow down, you can’t feel the transmission down-shift, but there is a general sense that the car is slowing down. It is weird at first, but you soon get used to it. Our initial impression is that the car is far from “gutless” with the CVT. There may always be a raging debate about the 5 speed vs. the CVT, but in the end, it probably depends on what kind of driver you are and just how and where you drive the car. I think that it is safe to say that if you do buy a CVT and are passed by another car on some twisty back road, chances are that it will only be by another Cooper or Cooper S with a manual transmission, (and then … not by much). Hell, that is good enough for me! STARE FACTOR: All I can say is, “Just get used to it.” This morning we took the car for breakfast here in Long Beach, (the Long Beach Grand Prix is tomorrow, so there are a lot of car fanatics in the city). When we went back to the car, there was a crowd of about 15 people milling around the car … including several Ferrari owners who had their cars parked several spaces away. Needless to say, it took about 10 minutes to leave the parking lot, since we were obliged to give everyone, the Ferrari owners included, a “Mini Tour” of our new car. (You should have seen the Ferrari owners’ faces when I told them that Mini Cooper was faster in “Road & Track’s” slalom tests than all of their Ferraris, even the F-50!) The general question was, “How can BMW build a car that offers so much for so little?” And that my friends is a very good question. We will keep you posted. Here is another pic. Liquid Yellow Cooper CVT -w- white roof & mirrors and sport package, leatherette and 16" 5-Star alloys (in our hot little hands); and, Dark Silver Cooper S -w- white roof & mirrors, premium & sport packages and lapis blue/leather due in mid June. Bill Attached Thumbnails Bill Sz.

Apr 13th, 2002, 06:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
BruceK Moderator & Sponsor Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: San Antonio, Texas Local Time: 12:02 PM Posts: 3,759 Offline	Bill Sz., What complete and detailed report! Thanks so much for sharing your MINI thoughts and experiences. I haven't driven a CVT MINI yet but I was thinking they weren't really true MINI material. Nice to learn otherwise. And it's good to hear that a guy 6'8" fits easily in a MINI as a bunch of 6'7" guys (is that really a popular height?) have asked if they'll fit in a MINI (even the miniusa.com site specifically has a 6'7" FAQ - go figure) So, you're going to be a 2 MINI family? Wonderful! + 2002 MINI Cooper S - Dark Silver / White roof, Sport, Premium, Lapis blue leather + 1965 Mini Traveller - Tartan Red / White roof, 1275, Cooper S discs, fully restored/renewed

Apr 13th, 2002, 07:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
hachomini MINI2 Regular Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Boston, MA Local Time: 01:02 PM Posts: 66 Offline	Thanks alot for the review. Very thorough and clear. After reading it, I am even more excited and eager to get my car! Keep enjoying the car and remember to update the mini family about your experiences...especially after you have reached 1,200 miles! Thanks!!! 2002 Liquid Yellow Mini Cooper, White roof, 16" white wheels.

Apr 14th, 2002, 12:45 AM	#7 (permalink)
Bill Sz. MINI2 Regular Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Southern California Local Time: 10:02 AM Posts: 164 Offline	Xrayman: The actual color is not quite as "neon" or "egg-yolk" as the Mini site. On the other hand it is not a "pastel" color either. (Don't forget, you can do a lot with lighting and photoshop.) The pictures we posted were not taken under optimal lighting conditions. We saw a "new" VW beetle today while we were cruising around in the Mini. The VW was in that custard creme yellow. The Mini looked waaayyy better! Also, if you put a good, thick coat of wax on the car, I think that it darkens the color a bit. Just my impression. Bill Sz.

Apr 14th, 2002, 04:24 AM	#9 (permalink)
daver MINI2 Senior Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Bree,BELGIUM Local Time: 08:02 PM Posts: 361 Offline	Bill, another thanks for your detailed report. Enjoy the ride and keep the Ferrari-owners informed Daver Daver ======================================= ---There can be only ONE--- ---Trust no ONE---

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Apr 13th, 2002, 06:13 PM	#2 (permalink)
eltel MINIstry of Fun Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Eastern Suburbs, Mel Local Time: 04:02 AM Posts: 1,593 Offline	Bill, thanks for that review of your happy experiences. I'm in line for an 'S', but if it doesn't work out, then I will consider a CVT so that my wife can enjoy driving it as well. THanks for the details and impressions, you seem very happy. Love the Liquid Yellow, my 'S' is also to be in that colour. Regards, ElTel

Apr 13th, 2002, 07:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
Cooper i Do MINI2 Senior Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: In a lighthouse Local Time: 07:02 PM Posts: 530 Offline	Hey Bill, Thks for this very, very long report of youre first impressions. These are the story's i like to read. Hope you have a nice racing sunday Catch Ya Later, Cooper I Do Still Counting! (only 11 days left)

Apr 13th, 2002, 11:13 PM	#6 (permalink)
Xrayman MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Mercer Island, WA Local Time: 06:02 PM Posts: 5 Offline	Thanks for the complete information and pictures. That car is the same exact one that I am scheduled to pick up next month. Question: The Mini site yellow is very neon but the pictures look more pastel (like a 70s VW). What is the color like?

Apr 14th, 2002, 02:56 AM	#8 (permalink)
Sejanus Moderator Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: West Sacramento Local Time: 11:02 AM Posts: 4,222 Offline	Let me add my thanks for your detailed account of your "motoring" experience. You guys sound like your having a lot of fun with that car!

Apr 14th, 2002, 08:03 AM	#10 (permalink)
spanky2k MINI2 Crash Test Driver Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Brighton Local Time: 07:02 PM Posts: 1,384 Offline	Sounds like a very nice car! I like the sound of the CRTs, I didn't expect them to be as nice as they sound. I'm a (very) new driver so I thought it would be a far wiser idea to go for a manual. I like changing gears anyway! I live in the country at the mo, so don't have to use it much, although when I move into the city in the summer things might change. Hope not tho! Thanks for the review! Spanky2k Officially the worst MINI driver in the Universe!!!

Apr 14th, 2002, 01:16 PM	#11 (permalink)
lhasa MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Chicago USA Local Time: 12:02 PM Posts: 36 Offline	Yet another VERY big thanks for your detailed report! Along with everyone else, it only makes me more excited to get my car (as if that were possible). I do have a question for you about the Liquid Yellow (my own color choice). You mentioned how it looked much better than the VW Yellow. I, too, have noticed, that the Beetle's hue is somewhat milky. How would you say the Liquid Yellow differs from it? Cooper, CVT Pepper White, black roof & mirrors, chrome trim, Xenon headlamps, foglamps US Premium & Sport packages, 16" 5-Star wheels, DSC, black profile leather, heated seats "I'll drive."

Apr 14th, 2002, 08:06 PM	#12 (permalink)
Bill Sz. MINI2 Regular Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Southern California Local Time: 10:02 AM Posts: 164 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by lhasa Yet another VERY big thanks for your detailed report! Along with everyone else, it only makes me more excited to get my car (as if that were possible). I do have a question for you about the Liquid Yellow (my own color choice). You mentioned how it looked much better than the VW Yellow. I, too, have noticed, that the Beetle's hue is somewhat milky. How would you say the Liquid Yellow differs from it? If you are into food, the VW's yellow color is closer to the yellow in a lemon custard pie, while Mini's yellow is closer to the type of yellow in a lemon merangue pie. Does that make you hungry or what? In other words, the Mini's yellow is a deeper yellow, without having the neon yellow quality of a taxi cab or the washed out or pastel quality of the VW. That's the best I can do. Trust me, it does look good! Bill Sz.

Apr 14th, 2002, 08:19 PM	#13 (permalink)
MiniMoke MINI2 Sponsor & Moderator Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Toledo Ohio, USA Local Time: 01:02 PM Posts: 231 Offline	Terrific observations about the color... keep the posts coming. 2003 S, Electric blue white/roof, Premium, Cold Weather and Sport packs. Sept 15 Build/ Delivered Oct 20, 2002

Apr 14th, 2002, 11:33 PM	#14 (permalink)
KarmanS MINI2 Master Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: HKG Local Time: 02:02 AM Posts: 1,366 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by Bill Sz. If you are into food, the VW's yellow color is closer to the yellow in a lemon custard pie, while Mini's yellow is closer to the type of yellow in a lemon merangue pie. Does that make you hungry or what? In other words, the Mini's yellow is a deeper yellow, without having the neon yellow quality of a taxi cab or the washed out or pastel quality of the VW. That's the best I can do. Trust me, it does look good! hmm... got to get me some of those pies now! what a visual description. I've seen Liquid Yellow in person and I also agree it looks better in person than on paper.

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Apr 18th, 2002, 08:37 PM	#15 (permalink)
Bill Sz. MINI2 Regular Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Southern California Local Time: 10:02 AM Posts: 164 Offline	CVT: Initial Impression: Update The car now has just a tick over 300 miles on it. And, as the miles increase we are getting more of a feel for the car. According to my wife, the car is pretty quick. She claims that she has a difficult time keeping it under 60-65 mph on city streets. As I mentioned earlier, we snuck on the LB Grand Prix course on Monday and did 2 quick laps. The car effortlessly accelerated to 90-95 mph on the straight-aways (oops) and took the corners much better than my 911T. The only complaint so far (from her ... not me) are that the run-flat tires seem a little rough between 65-75 mph? Frankly, when I drove the car on Monday on the race course, they felt fine to me. Maybe its a girl thing?? We are eager to get through the break-in period, in order to fully explore the CVT Sport/Steptronic modes. Combined city/freeway mileage so averages to about 29 mpg. We will keep you posted. Liquid Yellow Cooper CVT -w- white roof & mirrors and sport package, leatherette and 16" 5-Star alloys (in our hot little hands); and, Dark Silver Cooper S -w- white roof & mirrors, premium & sport packages and lapis blue/leather due in mid June. Bill Sz. Bill Sz.

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