My MINI adventure only lasted just under 24 hours (a one day rental), but I got a chance to do quite a bit of mixed driving: motorway, narrow country lanes, day and night. Although I drove a bit in South Africa, driving on the left (from the right seat) only added to the experience.
In no particular order, the following aspects of the car made the biggest impression:
- chicks dig them
, even in the southwest London suburbs where there seem to be lots of MINIs on the roads. (I saw a pair of Coopers in full racing colours, for example. They had round numbers on the sides, multicolored "X" striping, the works. I also saw a handsome Indy Blue MINI One, at the opposite end of the spectrum.)
- this car is "tight" -- there just aren't any rattles.
- the ride is plenty firm (but comfortable), so I wouldn't recommend the optional "plus" suspension.
- it's very easy (and great fun) to spin the wheels with a fast takeoff (absent traction control, I assume).
- I thought the manual shifting was just lovely, and I especially liked the fact that there was some motorway passing power still left in 5th gear.
- LOVE that 2.5 turns of the steering wheel lock-to-lock (even if the power assist seems on full time), so consequently...
- the standard seats have above average side support... and they need more
(I think I'm going to get the sport seats.)
- the engine has a wonderful (but polite) growl to it.
- the standard headlamps do a great job.
- the plastic door handles felt flimsy and cheap, out of character with the rest of the car.
- like other BMWs, two handle pulls are needed to open the door if the door is locked.
- what does the button to the left of the front center ventilation console do?
- how do you get the dome light to activate when the door is opened?
- I have to admit that the toggle switches are much more stylish than intuitive. Recommend spending some time learning them well, because it's not a good idea looking away from the road. (I still like them.)
- I ran out of washer fluid, so the reservoir might be a bit on the small side (carry an extra jug).
- fuel capacity is excellent, and fuel economy (even with hard driving) seemed quite good.
- the rear wiper (with washer) is a hoot -- truly mini (and also effective, as it happens).
- aside from the driver-side A pillar, which seemed to get in the way on occasion, visibility is excellent (thanks also to the headroom).
- interior room is surprisingly good, and I thought the rear seating was also quite good for a sports car.
- trunk (boot) space is tiny with the seats up.
- it's a little awkward to get the rear seats back into place if you drop them down for more cargo -- I didn't find any pull handles, so you have to go to the side door and push them backward (minor nit).
- the seat adjuster handle is (ahem) "funky," but, knowing the warnings ahead of time, I didn't have any trouble... except when someone else who wasn't briefed gave it a go
- I was able to fill the petrol tank from the wrong side of the pump! The hose reaches!
- Thanks to that big center speedometer, my passengers got to see me hit 80 mph on the motorway.
Road and wind noise were relatively low at that speed, and there was no feeling of being blown over when passing lorries (trucks). The car is much better handling than its weight would otherwise suggest.
- brakes are superb.
- the hatch (boot) is opened using a soft switch on the exterior (near the registration), which electrically actuates the actual (hidden) latch. (Cool!)
Summary: WHERE'S MY COOPER?
