* * 1 Year with the MINI Cooper S (Long Term Report) * *

[jimskater]

Quote: Originally Posted by visionary

Ok jimskater,

Straightaway I'll say that I love my MINI. Wish MINI/BMW/JCW had the b*lls to put out a real tuneing kit for the car. Guess I'll wait for some other tuner.

However while the MINI maybe brilliant for a car, Suzuki's GSX-R1000K3 motorbike is UNFREAKIN' BELIEVABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Been riding rather than driving this summer.

There's something 'bout riding a 180mph motorcycle
Peace

200+ HP in a car the size of a MINI is probably rich enough for me, but I thought I'd heard rumors of 240 HP or so out of the next gen JCW kit. We'll see, I guess.

Now, a 180 mph on bike? That's way out of my league, but I guess I can admire it from a distance.

When I get up above 150 mph or so, I like to be in something really solid. Like an ICE from Stuttgart to Munich or the TGV.

[visionary]

Quote: Originally Posted by jimskater

200+ HP in a car the size of a MINI is probably rich enough for me, but I thought I'd heard rumors of 240 HP or so out of the next gen JCW kit. We'll see, I guess.

Now, a 180 mph on bike? That's way out of my league, but I guess I can admire it from a distance.

When I get up above 150 mph or so, I like to be in something really solid. Like an ICE from Stuttgart to Munich or the TGV.

Recently did a impromptu speed run.

Accelerated the MINI as hard as could then checked the speed.

In the same space it took the MINI accelerated to 70 mph, I want able to do greater than 150 on the bike

The bike handles soooooo well. From the first day I brought it home, I was faster going 'round corners than the MINI

Thanks for the news 'bout JCW. Hope it's true

Peace

[Aqualung]

Dave, appreciate the comprehensive review. I was wondering:

1) you don't think the OBC is worth it, I can't seem to confirm that the outside temp is "standard"

2) I didn't see a response to someone's question in reference to your note that you'd probably get rid of the run flats -- what do (did) you do for a spare? One of those "fix a flat in a can" or something?

I'm seeing a lot of sentiment for the MCS that says ditch the 17" wheels in favor of the 16" wheels, and get rid of the run flats.

[jimskater]

Quote: Originally Posted by visionary

In the same space it took the MINI accelerated to 70 mph, I want able to do greater than 150 on the bike

The bike handles soooooo well. From the first day I brought it home, I was faster going 'round corners than the MINI

Thanks for the news 'bout JCW. Hope it's true

OK. High speed test - check!

Jim

(Here's hoping you were on a closed road or circuit when you did your impromptu run.)

[jimskater]

Quote: Originally Posted by Aqualung

Dave, appreciate the comprehensive review. I was wondering:

1) you don't think the OBC is worth it, I can't seem to confirm that the outside temp is "standard"

Outside Temp comes standard on the Cooper.

[Ibb]

Man! I still want a MCS!!! Just gotta wait on my insurance to finish.

Nice thread, you got a few wheels for your MCS haven't ya, cool.

I really like those rims in pics 2 and 3, they cos a bomb tho!

Man you done some mileage! I've got around 28'500 miles on the clock
and thats just from commuting to University, and I've had my around the time you got yours.
Sorry to hear about the problems.

I really hope those problems have been fixed, cos I'm gonna order and MCS around December time.

[scooperman_uk]

great report, a real joy to read... inspired me to keep one for my S when i arrives in NOV...

[Bilbo Baggins]

Dave, Great read! Thanks for the taking the effort to keep us informed. Hope they take care of you until they get it right.

Compared to your problems mine seem trivial. Annoying, but trivial.

[jaybrams]

That was a fun report. Now I can't wait til morning to jump back in my 'S' and go to work!

[morrisminiminor]

Very interesting read Dave especially on the worth of the options. Thanks for that.
Notice you've been practically everywhere in yor car but missed Bonnie Scotland.

morrisminiminor

[Eric-RPS13-]

after reading here I'm glad not all experiences are bad with Mini's. Been reading a lot of bad reviews.
it seems to me that at about 40-50k miles people get rid of them, I was wondering why.
I was real excited to buy one. I'm not so sure now, almost all the ones I drove thus far have clutches going out it seems, shuddering horribly no matter what into first, and stinks to high heaven under normal driving.

someone tell me that it's not a bad thing to buy a used mini, I really do want one. I just don't want another project car, my S13 is already one of those.

The car fax on this one seems off to me
Cars For Sale: Car Details - AutoTrader.com
I was straight up with the sales guy and said if they replaced the clutch I would most likely purchase the car Saturday.

a bunch of dealers just have mini's sitting around in my area and they don't move for a long while.
here is the other I looked at, the dealer was the most unprofessional place I've ever been, and it's a shame the car was perfect, I talked to the only other owner that had it, they got rid of it and got a van, kids on the way. If I can't find any other mini in good condition in my area I'll consider this one.
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