Picked up my brand new one a few days ago, thought I would give some info on it after about 400 miles of driving!
---- Just came back from RAF Fairford, stil gutted that they cancelled the airshow
Anyhoo, the baby One made up for the dissapointment.
Coming from a 120i BMW, and a Mini One R53 previously, I am so happy to be behind what I will now call the best cars available in the UK for £14000.
Compared to the BMW, sharper response, better built, smoother ride
Mini have done something really special here I must admit, creating a car that drives better than BMW's entry level posh rear wheel driver. The R56 one has a way of trancing you while driving, usually I get very tired driving, but the One kept me awake, with its slick, no quibble steering and throttle systems. It drives itself, you just need to move it slightly !
From a Mini to a Mini, the R56 is much better built, the plastics are no longer super flimsy and nailed together, but solid and hard to move. Yes there is a small dash rattle, but honestly this time, this does not bother me one bit.
The 1.4 Engine is pokey, ok its a little slow if you are in 6th gear going up a hill, but changing down is not a problem. The clutch operates alot better and smoother and the gearstick is like a switch, not like a bag of rocks!
Interior is lovely, I have the basic interior with the Pepper pack, but its all soooo cooool!! - colour changing lights, cool bits and bobs, storage everywhere! - I love how Mini have finished everything off, its almost child proofed if you know what I mean. No sharp edges or unfinished trim, its all been covered. - Rear seat legroom has also improved, along with the amazing ride quality, give a good ride to the rear passengers!
Anyway, to wrap up this little review !
After 5 minis, 3 BMW's, this mini One is gonna be with me for a long long time, its the best car I have ever owned and driven. And I will continue to recommend the Mini brand to everyone I can do, as it is a great little car, for a not too bad price. Go for it Mini - Your on the right track!
PS, gonna get loads of pics up soon. There needs to be more on here ! !
It is defo alot better than the 54 plate I had, and also better than the 3 demonstrators I borrowed (120d's and 118s)
Reporting after a couple of days , the rattles are starting to mature, but really I dont care (this may not be the situation in the near future mine for those who know what im like) -
One thing I will say, the warranty will sort them out, and I have 3 years of that so im sitting back and taking it all in my stride. . . . .
I think I have got lucky by the sounds of it, no rattles, so far! My Cooper S fuel filler cap however wasn't fitted properly! Aparently it was warped to begin with!!
It's a Mini Adventure.
Last edited by Troy; Jul 15th, 2008 at 11:47 AM.
Reason: spelling
Lol, - I think some people are a little more picky than others.
My first Mini (2001) - Was awful, anything you did to it rattled. Especially the massive rockford fosgate sub in the boot !
But as I got newer minis, I noticed that they put felt in places that rattle. Biggest problem is, Mini diddnt fix the rattles in the older shape, instead, they just made a new car, with its own !!
Im ok with mine at the moment, still loving it, cant wait to go out for a spin !
I picked up my Mini Cooper nearly a month ago. I love it. OK, so there are a few rattles from the dashboard. They can be sorted no problem. It really is a lovely car to drive, more refined and I don't mind the Stop/Start function.
I think I'm one of those picky people to be honest, I booked my car in for the filler cap plus random gaps that are fractionally larger then they should be on the trims around the car! But I don't mind these so much, would absolutely hate rattles.
My car is 4 weeks old and I picked it up new from the dealers.
Agree with every word about it being a fantastic car. I was looking at a used 1st gen model but the dealer talked me into their new model in the showroom and I dont regret a minute of it so far. Such an improvement on the original I think even though the original was/is still a great car.
I have a small rattle on the dash as well coming from the main central vent on the top but it only does it now and then on rougher roads. Otherwise its as solid as a rock. I doubt the rattle can be sorted though because its just plastics.
I picked up my new S, 4 weeks ago, and as MINI number 4 she is absolutly perfect I too had a rattle in the centre of the dash when I first got the car, but that has now gone
Troy - when ever ive had a loan car its either been a new Cooper or more recently they are using Clubmans But after 4 in the space of a few weeks when I had the Dooper I dont plan to have anymore for a while, so hey they might have upgraded to JCWs by the first service
God, I hope I don't get a Clubman, I've only been driving a few months, it'll feel like a hearse to me! As for an X5, I wouldn't mind it but only with parking sensors . Can't park my Mini as it is so anything bigger could prove to be difficult!!
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Mini One R56 
. I HATED it!
