Well, picked her up yesterday & so far really pleased.....
Both MINIs that I have had I wasn't that excited about & had worries & low expectations of but last time I loved the car & think I will again this time. I thought I would miss the M3 alot & very early days but not that sad at present.
I'll start with the car, it was a cancelled pre-specced car, that was in the dealership. Not my ideal spec being chili red with 'only' Chili pack, HFS, single CD/Boost radio & wind-deflector. I have also been having doubts about the convertible from noise & practicality point of view & I have contemplated changing my march order to a tin-top...shall have to see...
To drive so far the car is great. The Chili red is growing on me & IMHO the cab looks great & better than when I first saw it. The hood works really well & seems a great conversion. The engine/gearbox modifications are really noticible-smoother at higher revs, not a notchy change now & more mid-range torque. I think with the
JCW pack it will be fantastic (gets a good review in autocar!)
Handles really well as MINIs do, perhaps understeers a bit sooner than my ofd tin-top but still contolable on the throtle & great fun. No scuttle shake so far! Heated seats much hotter than M3s as well-great. Fit & finish of the car is excellent & no rattles (unlike the M3!)
Rear visibility is not that great but in reality not a problem. The new boot layout is a bit restrictive but again I doubt will be a big issue & boot size about the same.
So far really pleased & is better than I thought it would be, although very early days at present & none of the build quality issues that have been mentioned here so hopefully Oxford have sorted themselves out?
