MINI2

Blakeyjp · Apr 13th, 2008, 02:04 PM

Hello all,

About 2 weeks ago i sold my BMW E36 M3 Evo Convertible and have been looking round for something smaller and more rollerskate-like !! You can see where this is heading can't you !!

So this morning i've bought an R53 2005 Cooper S from the local dealer for £11,495.

It's Dark Silver, has done 10,500 miles and has the following option :

Leather Gravity Black
TLC Pack through till 2010
Mulit function steering wheel
Electric folding exterior mirror
Heated mirrors / washerjets
Chromeline interior
Visibility pack
Roof & mirror caps in black
Darkened glass
Interior trim anthracite
Air conditioning auto
Cockpit chrono pack
Radio boost
Chili pack
12 months warranty

I'd originially wanted the sunroof option but thought the spec was high enough on this to warrant living without it.

What you guys think of that spec and whether i've got good value for money ?

I've kept myself about £1000 for mods, thinking about some sensible lowering and colour coding, thoughts ?

I'll get some pics up as soon as i can, collecting in about a week and can't wait !

Look forward to irritating you all with embarrasing standard newbie questions !!

Cheers,

JP

yellow bee · Apr 13th, 2008, 02:18 PM

Thats a good price ive just bought an 05 mini one in yellow 19500 miles panoramic sunroof chrome pack and i paid £10795!!!!! so it sounds to me like you got a good deal!! hope you enjoy it.

Blakeyjp · Apr 15th, 2008, 06:36 PM

Thanks for the reply Yellow bee.

Anyone else got an opinion ?

I'd be interested to know any views or tips on modding, not fussed about engine work just now, want to get the look sorted first.

Silent1 · Apr 15th, 2008, 07:56 PM

IMHO i wouldn't lower it yet, what wheels are on it?
Colour coding is ok, but remember the plastic is textured so it wont look OEM.
If you want to improve the handling, get a front and rear strut brace.

You'll be amazed at the grip they've got though and body roll isn't that bad on them

It's not in the same league as my VX220 but it's bloody good for a hatchback

Blakeyjp · Apr 15th, 2008, 08:12 PM

Not sure what the name of the wheels are, haven't collected the car yet but they're standard either 5 or 6 spoke wheels with kinda wide flat spokes, possibly not the best description ever !!!

Was thinking of lowering for how the car would look tbh, the improvement in handling would just be an added bonus !

Silent1 · Apr 15th, 2008, 08:53 PM

Sounds like the S-spokes

Give the car a go with standard suspension, if you want to improve the looks, try a set of 18" wheels before you change the suspension.

I don't know what your opinion is on road comfort but the standard sport suspension is ideal for the road, if you want to track it it's not great.
The problem is with the suspension on the MINI is that the lowered springs + dampers tend to be track focused meaning they bounce a bit and tend to get tiresome after a while.

That's why i've kept the suspension on mine standard, but then i do have a VX220 for when i want something silly

Blakeyjp · Apr 15th, 2008, 08:59 PM

Nope not those alloys, they're only 5 or 6 spoke with a flat face going slightly wider towards the rim of the wheel. Will help when i can get some pics up.

Will wait and see how i like the standard suspension and then decide whether i want to compromise on ride quality for the look of a slightly lower car !

I love MINI, Laura · Apr 15th, 2008, 09:12 PM

I think you've got an amazing price there! Congrats and welcome!

super c00per · Apr 15th, 2008, 09:27 PM

Welcome to the forum!!!

MINI-Morgan · Apr 15th, 2008, 10:14 PM

Welcome to the site

How are you finding the drop in HP? a 17% pulley will make a big difference.

Lowering 20-30mm seems to be the norm but really depends what wheels you want.

Silent1 · Apr 15th, 2008, 10:39 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Blakeyjp (original)

Nope not those alloys, they're only 5 or 6 spoke with a flat face going slightly wider towards the rim of the wheel. Will help when i can get some pics up.

Will wait and see how i like the standard suspension and then decide whether i want to compromise on ride quality for the look of a slightly lower car !

Cool

How about those?

Failing that, look here and you should be able to find your wheels.

Blakeyjp · Apr 16th, 2008, 07:20 AM

Mini-Morgan : Not collected the car yet so not sure about the drop in power from the M3 but i'm hoping the 'fun factor' of the mini should more than make up for the difference, if i find it's lacking a little then i'll start heading down the engine mods route.

Silent1 : Just had a look and i think the alloys i've got are these ones

R91 5-spoke Bullet ET48 20.6lb (9.4kg) [silver, white]

It won't let me post the pic yet as i've made less than 5 posts !!

Blakeyjp · Apr 16th, 2008, 07:22 AM

Ah now i can !!

It's these ones :

Weird In Wiltshire · Apr 16th, 2008, 07:29 AM

Oohh it sounds very cute! Can we see photos of it please? I also love that colour myself. Seems like a good deal to me.

Blakeyjp · Apr 16th, 2008, 09:49 AM

Hhhhhhhmmmmmmm not really sure 'cute' is the look i'm going for !! lol

Will post some pics up as soon as i get the car, hopefully this weekend once service and valet done !

Weird In Wiltshire · Apr 16th, 2008, 10:17 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Blakeyjp (original)

Hhhhhhhmmmmmmm not really sure 'cute' is the look i'm going for !! lol

Will post some pics up as soon as i get the car, hopefully this weekend once service and valet done !

Look forward to the photos! Slightly off topic but which CI are you in? I personally ADORE Jersey and may take a little trip over there sometime.

Blakeyjp · Apr 16th, 2008, 10:26 AM

Yeh i live on Jersey....................and before anyone asks................yes we do have roads..................and electricity !!!!! lol

Apr 13th, 2008, 02:04 PM	#1
Blakeyjp MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Jersey, Channel Isla Local Time: 10:55 PM Posts: 37 Offline	Newbie Hello all, About 2 weeks ago i sold my BMW E36 M3 Evo Convertible and have been looking round for something smaller and more rollerskate-like !! You can see where this is heading can't you !! So this morning i've bought an R53 2005 Cooper S from the local dealer for £11,495. It's Dark Silver, has done 10,500 miles and has the following option : Leather Gravity Black TLC Pack through till 2010 Mulit function steering wheel Electric folding exterior mirror Heated mirrors / washerjets Chromeline interior Visibility pack Roof & mirror caps in black Darkened glass Interior trim anthracite Air conditioning auto Cockpit chrono pack Radio boost Chili pack 12 months warranty I'd originially wanted the sunroof option but thought the spec was high enough on this to warrant living without it. What you guys think of that spec and whether i've got good value for money ? I've kept myself about £1000 for mods, thinking about some sensible lowering and colour coding, thoughts ? I'll get some pics up as soon as i can, collecting in about a week and can't wait ! Look forward to irritating you all with embarrasing standard newbie questions !! Cheers, JP

Apr 15th, 2008, 09:27 PM	#9 (permalink)
super c00per MiNi2 dEmOn My Classifieds Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: The Shire Local Time: 10:55 PM Posts: 575 Offline	Welcome to the forum!!! Electrifing Blue

Apr 15th, 2008, 10:14 PM	#10 (permalink)
MINI-Morgan MINI Obsessed... My Classifieds Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Southampton, Hants Local Time: 10:55 PM Posts: 4,610 Offline	Welcome to the site How are you finding the drop in HP? a 17% pulley will make a big difference. Lowering 20-30mm seems to be the norm but really depends what wheels you want. One Man, One Project......find out what happens next at MINIProject.co.uk For MINIs in the south it can only be South Coast New MINI Club

Apr 16th, 2008, 07:29 AM	#14 (permalink)
Weird In Wiltshire I will let you know ;) Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Marl/Pewsey, Wilts. Local Time: 10:55 PM Posts: 882 Offline	Oohh it sounds very cute! Can we see photos of it please? I also love that colour myself. Seems like a good deal to me. Be Positive And Shine

Apr 16th, 2008, 10:17 AM	#16 (permalink)
Weird In Wiltshire I will let you know ;) Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Marl/Pewsey, Wilts. Local Time: 10:55 PM Posts: 882 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Blakeyjp (original) Hhhhhhhmmmmmmm not really sure 'cute' is the look i'm going for !! lol Will post some pics up as soon as i get the car, hopefully this weekend once service and valet done ! Look forward to the photos! Slightly off topic but which CI are you in? I personally ADORE Jersey and may take a little trip over there sometime. Be Positive And Shine

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Apr 13th, 2008, 02:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
yellow bee MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: newcastle Local Time: 10:55 PM Posts: 13 Offline	Thats a good price ive just bought an 05 mini one in yellow 19500 miles panoramic sunroof chrome pack and i paid £10795!!!!! so it sounds to me like you got a good deal!! hope you enjoy it.

Apr 15th, 2008, 06:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
Blakeyjp MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Jersey, Channel Isla Local Time: 10:55 PM Posts: 37 Offline	Thanks for the reply Yellow bee. Anyone else got an opinion ? I'd be interested to know any views or tips on modding, not fussed about engine work just now, want to get the look sorted first.

Apr 15th, 2008, 07:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
Silent1 Supercharger Noiseaholic Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: East Anglia Local Time: 10:55 PM Posts: 177 Offline	IMHO i wouldn't lower it yet, what wheels are on it? Colour coding is ok, but remember the plastic is textured so it wont look OEM. If you want to improve the handling, get a front and rear strut brace. You'll be amazed at the grip they've got though and body roll isn't that bad on them It's not in the same league as my VX220 but it's bloody good for a hatchback

Apr 15th, 2008, 08:12 PM	#5 (permalink)
Blakeyjp MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Jersey, Channel Isla Local Time: 10:55 PM Posts: 37 Offline	Not sure what the name of the wheels are, haven't collected the car yet but they're standard either 5 or 6 spoke wheels with kinda wide flat spokes, possibly not the best description ever !!! Was thinking of lowering for how the car would look tbh, the improvement in handling would just be an added bonus !

Apr 15th, 2008, 08:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
Silent1 Supercharger Noiseaholic Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: East Anglia Local Time: 10:55 PM Posts: 177 Offline	Sounds like the S-spokes Give the car a go with standard suspension, if you want to improve the looks, try a set of 18" wheels before you change the suspension. I don't know what your opinion is on road comfort but the standard sport suspension is ideal for the road, if you want to track it it's not great. The problem is with the suspension on the MINI is that the lowered springs + dampers tend to be track focused meaning they bounce a bit and tend to get tiresome after a while. That's why i've kept the suspension on mine standard, but then i do have a VX220 for when i want something silly

Apr 15th, 2008, 08:59 PM	#7 (permalink)
Blakeyjp MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Jersey, Channel Isla Local Time: 10:55 PM Posts: 37 Offline	Nope not those alloys, they're only 5 or 6 spoke with a flat face going slightly wider towards the rim of the wheel. Will help when i can get some pics up. Will wait and see how i like the standard suspension and then decide whether i want to compromise on ride quality for the look of a slightly lower car !

Apr 15th, 2008, 09:12 PM	#8 (permalink)
I love MINI, Laura MINI2 Master Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Portsmouth,Hampshire Local Time: 10:55 PM Posts: 3,198 Offline	I think you've got an amazing price there! Congrats and welcome!

Apr 15th, 2008, 10:39 PM	#11 (permalink)
Silent1 Supercharger Noiseaholic Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: East Anglia Local Time: 10:55 PM Posts: 177 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Blakeyjp (original) Nope not those alloys, they're only 5 or 6 spoke with a flat face going slightly wider towards the rim of the wheel. Will help when i can get some pics up. Will wait and see how i like the standard suspension and then decide whether i want to compromise on ride quality for the look of a slightly lower car ! Cool How about those? Failing that, look here and you should be able to find your wheels.

Apr 16th, 2008, 07:20 AM	#12 (permalink)
Blakeyjp MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Jersey, Channel Isla Local Time: 10:55 PM Posts: 37 Offline	Mini-Morgan : Not collected the car yet so not sure about the drop in power from the M3 but i'm hoping the 'fun factor' of the mini should more than make up for the difference, if i find it's lacking a little then i'll start heading down the engine mods route. Silent1 : Just had a look and i think the alloys i've got are these ones R91 5-spoke Bullet ET48 20.6lb (9.4kg) [silver, white] It won't let me post the pic yet as i've made less than 5 posts !!

Apr 16th, 2008, 07:22 AM	#13 (permalink)
Blakeyjp MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Jersey, Channel Isla Local Time: 10:55 PM Posts: 37 Offline	Ah now i can !! It's these ones :

Apr 16th, 2008, 09:49 AM	#15 (permalink)
Blakeyjp MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Jersey, Channel Isla Local Time: 10:55 PM Posts: 37 Offline	Hhhhhhhmmmmmmm not really sure 'cute' is the look i'm going for !! lol Will post some pics up as soon as i get the car, hopefully this weekend once service and valet done !

Apr 16th, 2008, 10:26 AM	#17 (permalink)
Blakeyjp MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Jersey, Channel Isla Local Time: 10:55 PM Posts: 37 Offline	Yeh i live on Jersey....................and before anyone asks................yes we do have roads..................and electricity !!!!! lol

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