[nat]

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?

[Washy]

Glad you are enjoying the car.
My MCSC due in March is to partner our M3, al;though with all of the current recalls and plummeting residuals I am beginnig to wonder if I should sell mine.

Nice to know thbuild quality on your car is good too.

[nat]

Quote: Originally Posted by washy

Glad you are enjoying the car.
My MCSC due in March is to partner our M3, al;though with all of the current recalls and plummeting residuals I am beginnig to wonder if I should sell mine.

Nice to know thbuild quality on your car is good too.

This was one of the reasons for getting rid of mine, coupled to the fact that now very comon & dont really get chance to utilise it fully as just drive around town. If we go further afield the kids dont like the M3 (too cramped in the back) so we take the big volvo-which is being swapped for the X5!!

Getting lots of attention in the MINI & is just as fun to drive in a different sort of way to the M3!