MINI2

Paul · May 27th, 2001, 01:17 PM

Fantastic news, and a very big thank you to MINI in the UK!

MINI2 will be attending the international press launch of the MINI Cooper in Gubbio, Italy, next week.

So, we will be able to offer our visitors a full review of the MINI Cooper, from the view of an enthusiast of the new MINI, who has driven Classic Mini's of various guises all my life, along with several other 'modern' vehicles, most of which were hot or warm hatches.

If there is anything specific you would like taken note of, please say so on here, so I can make notes, and try and answer all your queries when I return next weekend.

Also, as ever, a special thanks to you all for your early enthusiasm and support for the site.

danpeppett · May 27th, 2001, 02:40 PM

Paul,

Could you ask whether the optional spare wheel which can be bought for around £40 has a space to sit in the boot.

I would not cosider it unless their is a dedicated compartment to keep it in.
#
Cheers
Dan

digidelia · May 27th, 2001, 08:05 PM

sweet.... congratulations (sp?) Paul. it will be great like you said to get a review from an enthusiast rather than a critic.

BruceK · May 27th, 2001, 09:23 PM

Congratulations Paul. Your hard work is paying off! I can't wait to see what YOU think of the car. The information you gain, plus your review and photos of the MINI will be a tremendous asset to this site.

Any general news on availability of MINIs in America would be appreciated. Oh, and twist a few arms so we don't have any delays for the COOPER S release date.

Have a good and safe trip.

spindoc · May 28th, 2001, 03:09 AM

Great news, Paul!! I'm certainly interested in your detailed impressions, including as complete a road test as possible. One specific interest is the Union Jack roof: will it be available for the US launch, and how much will it cost. I'm also interested in the Cooper Garages Works kit for the S: will it be available for the US launch, what will it consist of, what kind of performance gains will it bring, cost, etc. Thanks and enjoy yourself!

jcuthell · May 28th, 2001, 01:56 PM

Paul,

I am glad that Mini are allowing you to drive the MINI in Italy. You really deserve it for all your hardwork on the site and free publicity for BMW. Its very good of BMW to arrange it.

Whilst you are out there I wonder if you could find out a couple of things.

I don't know if you guys know but from September the steering wheel will adjust for reach as well as rake and the rev counter will be adjustable on the steering column. This is because for many people they can't see the full view of the counter. COuld you find out whether this will be on all of the cars that we order to our specs from SEptember and beyond. I think the next production run for the UK is in August and so will these cars have this new feature?

Also it would be good to hear your opinion on the wheel and suspension choice. Some people preferred 15" others 16". I think the skinnier the rubber the more fun it will be?

As I am getting steptronic I would also like to hear what you think of it if you drive it. Particularly mpg, 0-60 figures and your view of the steering wheel change if possible.

Insurance figures would also be very useful!

Hope you really enjoy it, even if we are all really jealous!

James

jfunkhouse · May 28th, 2001, 02:41 PM

Congrats Paul. Could you check if there is a glove box? I have seen the little shelves under the dash but i can't remember if there was anywhere in the car where you can store little things. Also if you could see how much room under the seats there is. Wheel options would be great. I hope you get to drive it at night so that you can see what the interior looks like lit up. Oh yeah. could you also perhaps see what the xenon light setup is? Do the headlights look like they are with the regular lights? or is it some really special setup with the projector beams arranged all different. Just like on the WRX. ( the hid setup on the wrx is different than the regular lights ).

Thanks Paul. I am sure everybody here is jealous! Have fun and yell at those bmw people for them to get their act together!

Jay

baggins_mini · May 28th, 2001, 04:18 PM

Congrats Paul, thats great. I have read all the other test and articales that I could find, but seems there is something missing. Will be wicked good to hear what you think of the MINI. I really want to know how the MINI will perform. How it feels to drive.
Good luck, and above all, have fun.

Tim · May 28th, 2001, 08:34 PM

Four questions:

(1) What are the interior dimensions (width, depth, height - not the volume which is already known) of the rear load space with both rear seats down?
(2) Will the rear roof wing be able to be delisted from the Cooper S?
(3) Will the front grill and other brightwork on the Cooper S be available in chrome as on the Cooper, or will they only be available in body colour as in the BMW marketing documentation currently available?
(4) What are the final specifications likely to be for the Cooper S, and which of the options currently know will be included?

You may not be able to get straight answers to the Cooper S questions, but worth a shot.

Thank you.

Paul · May 29th, 2001, 01:17 AM

I'm taking notes don't worry!

I will do my best to get your questions answered. I am not sure how much opportunity there will be for a decent Q&A session, but I will drop as many in as I can when the time comes!

I should get more details closer to the time, apparently there are a range of Coopers there, with different options fitted, and with different trim levels etc. It will be nice to see what you get for your money now we at least know what we can expect to pay for these options in the UK.

Jakx · May 29th, 2001, 11:29 AM

I`m a bit late here for this one Paul.

Congratulations on getting the mighty MINI2 over to Italy! Very well deserved!

Surely proof that MINI2 has evolved into THE definitive home for the new MINI cognoscente!

Just a few questions for you:

1. When do you leave? 2. Any details of the itinerary? 3. Are you taking a digital camera and a laptop?

And some for BMW and your MINI2 `ferreting` moments:

1. Have the UK motor insurers given the MINI an official group rating – in particular for the Cooper – if not, what is it expected to be and, will it be dependant on the optional alarm system? Direct Line didn`t appear to know anything at all when asked last week! Autocar listed the Cooper as group 7 (sic) in their road test - no mention of an alarm.

2. Is there any truth in reports that some of the Cooper engines were a bit tight at the press launch last week, hence any possible slightly below par performance?

3. Run-flat tyres, are there penalties to be incurred regarding for example – durability/replacement costs?
Any truth in reports that the optional 16” wheels/tyres compromise ride and handling too much? If so, would this be partly due to the further increased tyre wall stiffness necessary to accommodate run-flat technology?

Have a great trip Paul. B)

Jakx · May 30th, 2001, 11:34 PM

Quote:

On 29-05-2001 11:29 Jakx wrote:

Congratulations on getting the mighty MINI2 over to Italy. . . .Surely proof that MINI2 has evolved into THE definitive home for the new MINI cognoscente!

Just a few questions for you:

1. When do you leave? 2. Any details of the itinerary? 3. Are you taking a digital camera and a laptop?

And some for BMW and your MINI2 `ferreting` moments . . . . ! B)

Do you have any more information about your Italian MINI2 Cooper launch invite Paul?

Sorry to be appearing to be chasing you on this, but I`m sure I`m not alone in wanting to get a bit more of an insight into the trip!

arty:

Paul · May 30th, 2001, 11:56 PM

Yes I do thanks. B)

OK, OK, I'm leaving Tomorow, stopping over in Munich, then on to Italy for much MINI'ing on Friday and Saturday. I will return late Saturday evening, so will hopefully get something on here Sunday (if I'm not sleeping all day).

Can't tell you much more really, but I am hoping to get to drive a Cooper with Sport Plus suspension, just need to ask nicely (ie pester) them when I get there to let me at it! Hopefully I will be able to drive Sport Suspension Plus and standard Cooper 'Sports' suspension, but not sure about that.

I have also been advised that there will be a Cooper in attendance with the Xenon headlights and built in wash system, so I will look at that too.

Jakx · May 31st, 2001, 01:12 AM

Thank you Paul . . . probably not wise to ask BMW why they renamed Cowley as Oxford. ("arrogantly" - Mike Rutherford, The Daily Telegraph) Of course it does sound rather more cultural!

Mind you, it could have been more contentious, what if the Plant had been in Lancaster?

Seriously, if we don`t hear from you on Sunday, I`m sure we can play at being TOLERANT . . . meanwhile, enjoy!
B)

BruceK · May 31st, 2001, 02:29 AM

Quote:

On 31-05-2001 1:12 Jakx wrote:
Thank you Paul . . . probably not wise to ask BMW why they renamed Cowley as Oxford. ("arrogantly" - Mike Rutherford, The Daily Telegraph)

One of my classic Minis was built at Cowley, so I have a certain sentimental affection for the name, but since BMW has spent millions of ££££'s of their own money rebuilding the factory, they can call it whatever they want!

Besides, the name Oxford has international recognition, not so with Cowley.

sweeny · May 31st, 2001, 12:34 PM

Congratulations Paul, The site is fantastic and its well deserved recognition from MINI. Now all they need to do is replace the mini.co.uk site with this MINI2 and they've cracked it.

Now I'm off to lie down in a darkened room - I am not jealous, I am not jealous, I am not jealous, I am not jealous.........

Jakx · May 31st, 2001, 02:51 PM

Quote:

On 31-05-2001 2:29 BruceK wrote:
[...]

One of my classic Minis was built at Cowley, so I have a certain sentimental affection for the name, but since BMW has spent millions of ££££'s of their own money rebuilding the factory, they can call it whatever they want!

Besides, the name Oxford has international recognition, not so with Cowley.

I can understand your view Bruce.

They bought the Mini name, so obviously they weren`t going to change that. What they did do was to call it MINI. (Suppose one could call that CAPITALization, CAPITALism even?)

Call it whatever you want but I agree (this time!) with Mike Rutherford - "arrogantly" is the word that fits well with BMW.

You don`t find Ford renaming its Halewood Plant "Liverpool" just because they`re starting building the X-Type Jag there!
(Mind you, they might well have been tempted had those place-names been the other way around!)

panto · May 31st, 2001, 02:54 PM

Paul:
I just want to say you good luck.
Last month i have the opotunity to be inside a mini cooper but I was so excited that I miss many things, so you will have to be a little cool. Please if you take your camera take some pictures of details, such as (if they let you) rear suspension, disk brakes, a detail picture of engine and transmission, etc.

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May 27th, 2001, 01:17 PM	#1
Paul Trained Monkey My Classifieds Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Bedfordshire Local Time: 01:16 AM Posts: 40,356 Offline	Fantastic news, and a very big thank you to MINI in the UK! MINI2 will be attending the international press launch of the MINI Cooper in Gubbio, Italy, next week. So, we will be able to offer our visitors a full review of the MINI Cooper, from the view of an enthusiast of the new MINI, who has driven Classic Mini's of various guises all my life, along with several other 'modern' vehicles, most of which were hot or warm hatches. If there is anything specific you would like taken note of, please say so on here, so I can make notes, and try and answer all your queries when I return next weekend. Also, as ever, a special thanks to you all for your early enthusiasm and support for the site.

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May 27th, 2001, 02:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
danpeppett MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: uk Local Time: 01:16 AM Posts: 12 Offline	Paul, Could you ask whether the optional spare wheel which can be bought for around £40 has a space to sit in the boot. I would not cosider it unless their is a dedicated compartment to keep it in. # Cheers Dan

May 27th, 2001, 08:05 PM	#3 (permalink)
digidelia MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Las Vegas NV USA Local Time: 01:16 AM Posts: 72 Offline	sweet.... congratulations (sp?) Paul. it will be great like you said to get a review from an enthusiast rather than a critic.

May 27th, 2001, 09:23 PM	#4 (permalink)
BruceK Moderator & Sponsor Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: San Antonio, Texas Local Time: 07:16 PM Posts: 3,758 Offline	Congratulations Paul. Your hard work is paying off! I can't wait to see what YOU think of the car. The information you gain, plus your review and photos of the MINI will be a tremendous asset to this site. Any general news on availability of MINIs in America would be appreciated. Oh, and twist a few arms so we don't have any delays for the COOPER S release date. Have a good and safe trip.

May 28th, 2001, 03:09 AM	#5 (permalink)
spindoc MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: us Local Time: 01:16 AM Posts: 120 Offline	Great news, Paul!! I'm certainly interested in your detailed impressions, including as complete a road test as possible. One specific interest is the Union Jack roof: will it be available for the US launch, and how much will it cost. I'm also interested in the Cooper Garages Works kit for the S: will it be available for the US launch, what will it consist of, what kind of performance gains will it bring, cost, etc. Thanks and enjoy yourself!

May 28th, 2001, 01:56 PM	#6 (permalink)
jcuthell MINI2 Regular Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Essex Local Time: 01:16 AM Posts: 279 Offline	Paul, I am glad that Mini are allowing you to drive the MINI in Italy. You really deserve it for all your hardwork on the site and free publicity for BMW. Its very good of BMW to arrange it. Whilst you are out there I wonder if you could find out a couple of things. I don't know if you guys know but from September the steering wheel will adjust for reach as well as rake and the rev counter will be adjustable on the steering column. This is because for many people they can't see the full view of the counter. COuld you find out whether this will be on all of the cars that we order to our specs from SEptember and beyond. I think the next production run for the UK is in August and so will these cars have this new feature? Also it would be good to hear your opinion on the wheel and suspension choice. Some people preferred 15" others 16". I think the skinnier the rubber the more fun it will be? As I am getting steptronic I would also like to hear what you think of it if you drive it. Particularly mpg, 0-60 figures and your view of the steering wheel change if possible. Insurance figures would also be very useful! Hope you really enjoy it, even if we are all really jealous! James

May 28th, 2001, 02:41 PM	#7 (permalink)
jfunkhouse MINI2 Regular Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: ca Local Time: 01:16 AM Posts: 64 Offline	Congrats Paul. Could you check if there is a glove box? I have seen the little shelves under the dash but i can't remember if there was anywhere in the car where you can store little things. Also if you could see how much room under the seats there is. Wheel options would be great. I hope you get to drive it at night so that you can see what the interior looks like lit up. Oh yeah. could you also perhaps see what the xenon light setup is? Do the headlights look like they are with the regular lights? or is it some really special setup with the projector beams arranged all different. Just like on the WRX. ( the hid setup on the wrx is different than the regular lights ). Thanks Paul. I am sure everybody here is jealous! Have fun and yell at those bmw people for them to get their act together! Jay

May 28th, 2001, 04:18 PM	#8 (permalink)
baggins_mini MINI2 Regular Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Hartwood, Va.(Mainer in exhile) Local Time: 08:16 PM Posts: 65 Offline	Congrats Paul, thats great. I have read all the other test and articales that I could find, but seems there is something missing. Will be wicked good to hear what you think of the MINI. I really want to know how the MINI will perform. How it feels to drive. Good luck, and above all, have fun.

May 28th, 2001, 08:34 PM	#9 (permalink)
Tim MINI2 Regular Join Date: May 2001 Location: au Local Time: 01:16 AM Posts: 51 Offline	Four questions: (1) What are the interior dimensions (width, depth, height - not the volume which is already known) of the rear load space with both rear seats down? (2) Will the rear roof wing be able to be delisted from the Cooper S? (3) Will the front grill and other brightwork on the Cooper S be available in chrome as on the Cooper, or will they only be available in body colour as in the BMW marketing documentation currently available? (4) What are the final specifications likely to be for the Cooper S, and which of the options currently know will be included? You may not be able to get straight answers to the Cooper S questions, but worth a shot. Thank you.

May 29th, 2001, 01:17 AM	#10 (permalink)
Paul Trained Monkey My Classifieds Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Bedfordshire Local Time: 01:16 AM Posts: 40,356 Offline	I'm taking notes don't worry! I will do my best to get your questions answered. I am not sure how much opportunity there will be for a decent Q&A session, but I will drop as many in as I can when the time comes! I should get more details closer to the time, apparently there are a range of Coopers there, with different options fitted, and with different trim levels etc. It will be nice to see what you get for your money now we at least know what we can expect to pay for these options in the UK.

May 29th, 2001, 11:29 AM	#11 (permalink)
Jakx MINI2 Senior Join Date: May 2001 Location: Bedfordshire ENGLAND Local Time: 02:16 AM Posts: 632 Offline	I`m a bit late here for this one Paul. Congratulations on getting the mighty MINI2 over to Italy! Very well deserved! Surely proof that MINI2 has evolved into THE definitive home for the new MINI cognoscente! Just a few questions for you: 1. When do you leave? 2. Any details of the itinerary? 3. Are you taking a digital camera and a laptop? And some for BMW and your MINI2 `ferreting` moments: 1. Have the UK motor insurers given the MINI an official group rating – in particular for the Cooper – if not, what is it expected to be and, will it be dependant on the optional alarm system? Direct Line didn`t appear to know anything at all when asked last week! Autocar listed the Cooper as group 7 (sic) in their road test - no mention of an alarm. 2. Is there any truth in reports that some of the Cooper engines were a bit tight at the press launch last week, hence any possible slightly below par performance? 3. Run-flat tyres, are there penalties to be incurred regarding for example – durability/replacement costs? Any truth in reports that the optional 16” wheels/tyres compromise ride and handling too much? If so, would this be partly due to the further increased tyre wall stiffness necessary to accommodate run-flat technology? Have a great trip Paul. B)

May 30th, 2001, 11:34 PM	#12 (permalink)
Jakx MINI2 Senior Join Date: May 2001 Location: Bedfordshire ENGLAND Local Time: 02:16 AM Posts: 632 Offline	Quote: On 29-05-2001 11:29 Jakx wrote: Congratulations on getting the mighty MINI2 over to Italy. . . .Surely proof that MINI2 has evolved into THE definitive home for the new MINI cognoscente! Just a few questions for you: 1. When do you leave? 2. Any details of the itinerary? 3. Are you taking a digital camera and a laptop? And some for BMW and your MINI2 `ferreting` moments . . . . ! B) Do you have any more information about your Italian MINI2 Cooper launch invite Paul? Sorry to be appearing to be chasing you on this, but I`m sure I`m not alone in wanting to get a bit more of an insight into the trip! arty:

May 30th, 2001, 11:56 PM	#13 (permalink)
Paul Trained Monkey My Classifieds Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Bedfordshire Local Time: 01:16 AM Posts: 40,356 Offline	Yes I do thanks. B) OK, OK, I'm leaving Tomorow, stopping over in Munich, then on to Italy for much MINI'ing on Friday and Saturday. I will return late Saturday evening, so will hopefully get something on here Sunday (if I'm not sleeping all day). Can't tell you much more really, but I am hoping to get to drive a Cooper with Sport Plus suspension, just need to ask nicely (ie pester) them when I get there to let me at it! Hopefully I will be able to drive Sport Suspension Plus and standard Cooper 'Sports' suspension, but not sure about that. I have also been advised that there will be a Cooper in attendance with the Xenon headlights and built in wash system, so I will look at that too.

May 31st, 2001, 01:12 AM	#14 (permalink)
Jakx MINI2 Senior Join Date: May 2001 Location: Bedfordshire ENGLAND Local Time: 02:16 AM Posts: 632 Offline	Thank you Paul . . . probably not wise to ask BMW why they renamed Cowley as Oxford. ("arrogantly" - Mike Rutherford, The Daily Telegraph) Of course it does sound rather more cultural! Mind you, it could have been more contentious, what if the Plant had been in Lancaster? Seriously, if we don`t hear from you on Sunday, I`m sure we can play at being TOLERANT . . . meanwhile, enjoy! B)

May 31st, 2001, 02:29 AM	#15 (permalink)
BruceK Moderator & Sponsor Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: San Antonio, Texas Local Time: 07:16 PM Posts: 3,758 Offline	Quote: On 31-05-2001 1:12 Jakx wrote: Thank you Paul . . . probably not wise to ask BMW why they renamed Cowley as Oxford. ("arrogantly" - Mike Rutherford, The Daily Telegraph) One of my classic Minis was built at Cowley, so I have a certain sentimental affection for the name, but since BMW has spent millions of ££££'s of their own money rebuilding the factory, they can call it whatever they want! Besides, the name Oxford has international recognition, not so with Cowley.

May 31st, 2001, 12:34 PM	#16 (permalink)
sweeny MINI2 Regular Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: uk Local Time: 01:16 AM Posts: 53 Offline	Congratulations Paul, The site is fantastic and its well deserved recognition from MINI. Now all they need to do is replace the mini.co.uk site with this MINI2 and they've cracked it. Now I'm off to lie down in a darkened room - I am not jealous, I am not jealous, I am not jealous, I am not jealous.........

May 31st, 2001, 02:51 PM	#17 (permalink)
Jakx MINI2 Senior Join Date: May 2001 Location: Bedfordshire ENGLAND Local Time: 02:16 AM Posts: 632 Offline	Quote: On 31-05-2001 2:29 BruceK wrote: [...] One of my classic Minis was built at Cowley, so I have a certain sentimental affection for the name, but since BMW has spent millions of ££££'s of their own money rebuilding the factory, they can call it whatever they want! Besides, the name Oxford has international recognition, not so with Cowley. I can understand your view Bruce. They bought the Mini name, so obviously they weren`t going to change that. What they did do was to call it MINI. (Suppose one could call that CAPITALization, CAPITALism even?) Call it whatever you want but I agree (this time!) with Mike Rutherford - "arrogantly" is the word that fits well with BMW. You don`t find Ford renaming its Halewood Plant "Liverpool" just because they`re starting building the X-Type Jag there! (Mind you, they might well have been tempted had those place-names been the other way around!)

May 31st, 2001, 02:54 PM	#18 (permalink)
panto MINI2 Newbie Join Date: May 2001 Location: Mexico city, Mexico Local Time: 01:16 AM Posts: 13 Offline	Paul: I just want to say you good luck. Last month i have the opotunity to be inside a mini cooper but I was so excited that I miss many things, so you will have to be a little cool. Please if you take your camera take some pictures of details, such as (if they let you) rear suspension, disk brakes, a detail picture of engine and transmission, etc.

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