My unbiased report on the generation 1 BMW mini Cooper.
Discussion
Now, I've Done a U turn since 2001 when the MINI was introduced, as a previous owner of a number of minis. (Including 1974 1000, 1978 850 and 1977 Clubman 1098). The 850 was yellow with a black roof. This is important.
So in 2010 I decided I'd buy a 1988 Mayfair. It was s
te. My rose tints were well and truly on when I decided to relive my youth.
So a couple of weeks ago the wife's daily driver, a 1992 cavalier pretty much came to the end of it's life. Could have bodged it for another year, but on Wednesday we took delivered of a 2001 Cooper.
Yellow with a black roof, with leather interior. £3000 from a dealer. Bought because of the colour scheme. (No. Really!!!!)
So as I was off work last week, I decided I'd polish it. It's not my car, I'm not going to be driving it much.
Being second hand I noted a few minor stone chips, so used this as an excuse to go on a drive to the local Halfords for a paint stick. Er No. So off to the local MINI dealer, where I note they seemed disappointed in the show room that I only wanted the parts dept. Ordered a kit. Felt like I was being mugged.
Next day, went back, but this time, let rip in 3rd gear down the by pass.
Came back via the country twisties where again I let rip.
so I've driven it 50 miles. Now my unbiased report.
Yes, it's fast enough, could be faster. No power or torque below 3,500 Rpm, a bit like a metro turbo above 5,500.
Handling, turn in, road holding ? Well better than the Accord I drive. A bit like a metro turbo.
Comfort? Better than the mx5, not as good an accord. A bit like a metro turbo.
Build quality? A bit like a metro turbo. I spotted a few things in the engine bay, like wires, that were starting to chaff, and rusty or loose clips, where attention to design detail, was more Rover than BMW.
Worries ? Well it has a Rover Gearbox. A bit like the worry I had when I owned a metro turbo, back in the early 90's.
My conclusion.
The MINI is the spiritually successor not of the mini, but of the Metro.
Oh and it's a 'nice' warm, hatch. Wife is right to be happy.
So in 2010 I decided I'd buy a 1988 Mayfair. It was s
te. My rose tints were well and truly on when I decided to relive my youth. So a couple of weeks ago the wife's daily driver, a 1992 cavalier pretty much came to the end of it's life. Could have bodged it for another year, but on Wednesday we took delivered of a 2001 Cooper.
Yellow with a black roof, with leather interior. £3000 from a dealer. Bought because of the colour scheme. (No. Really!!!!)
So as I was off work last week, I decided I'd polish it. It's not my car, I'm not going to be driving it much.
Being second hand I noted a few minor stone chips, so used this as an excuse to go on a drive to the local Halfords for a paint stick. Er No. So off to the local MINI dealer, where I note they seemed disappointed in the show room that I only wanted the parts dept. Ordered a kit. Felt like I was being mugged.
Next day, went back, but this time, let rip in 3rd gear down the by pass.
Came back via the country twisties where again I let rip.
so I've driven it 50 miles. Now my unbiased report.
Yes, it's fast enough, could be faster. No power or torque below 3,500 Rpm, a bit like a metro turbo above 5,500.
Handling, turn in, road holding ? Well better than the Accord I drive. A bit like a metro turbo.
Comfort? Better than the mx5, not as good an accord. A bit like a metro turbo.
Build quality? A bit like a metro turbo. I spotted a few things in the engine bay, like wires, that were starting to chaff, and rusty or loose clips, where attention to design detail, was more Rover than BMW.
Worries ? Well it has a Rover Gearbox. A bit like the worry I had when I owned a metro turbo, back in the early 90's.
My conclusion.
The MINI is the spiritually successor not of the mini, but of the Metro.
Oh and it's a 'nice' warm, hatch. Wife is right to be happy.
Chevy305 said:
You should forward this on to BMW - they're probably scratching their heads with what to do for the next MINI having run out of body styles. Answer: BMW Metro Turbo 
I note that MINI are advertising for a product manager. https://secure.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/digital/third_party...
Product Manager- MINI
Job Category:
Sales/Marketing
Job Overview
Operationally responsible for product management of MINI car products for the UK & IE Market.
Involved and responsible for key tasks / market requests supporting the development of the worldwide MINI product strategy to maximise the appeal for UK & IE customers.
Significant say and influence over development the UK & IE Market Product strategy for MINI, delivering a product offer that maximises the volume and profit opportunities and supports the achievement of segment share targets.
Optimisation of profit potential and contribution margins for MINI product and optional equipment programs.
New POD said:
Now, I've Done a U turn since 2001 when the MINI was introduced, as a previous owner of a number of minis. (Including 1974 1000, 1978 850 and 1977 Clubman 1098). The 850 was yellow with a black roof. This is important.
So in 2010 I decided I'd buy a 1988 Mayfair. It was ste. My rose tints were well and truly on when I decided to relive my youth.
So a couple of weeks ago the wife's daily driver, a 1992 cavalier pretty much came to the end of it's life. Could have bodged it for another year, but on Wednesday we took delivered of a 2001 Cooper.
Yellow with a black roof, with leather interior. £3000 from a dealer. Bought because of the colour scheme. (No. Really!!!!)
So as I was off work last week, I decided I'd polish it. It's not my car, I'm not going to be driving it much.
Being second hand I noted a few minor stone chips, so used this as an excuse to go on a drive to the local Halfords for a paint stick. Er No. So off to the local MINI dealer, where I note they seemed disappointed in the show room that I only wanted the parts dept. Ordered a kit. Felt like I was being mugged.
Next day, went back, but this time, let rip in 3rd gear down the by pass.
Came back via the country twisties where again I let rip.
so I've driven it 50 miles. Now my unbiased report.
Yes, it's fast enough, could be faster. No power or torque below 3,500 Rpm, a bit like a metro turbo above 5,500.
Handling, turn in, road holding ? Well better than the Accord I drive. A bit like a metro turbo.
Comfort? Better than the mx5, not as good an accord. A bit like a metro turbo.
Build quality? A bit like a metro turbo. I spotted a few things in the engine bay, like wires, that were starting to chaff, and rusty or loose clips, where attention to design detail, was more Rover than BMW.
Worries ? Well it has a Rover Gearbox. A bit like the worry I had when I owned a metro turbo, back in the early 90's.
My conclusion.
The MINI is the spiritually successor not of the mini, but of the Metro.
Oh and it's a 'nice' warm, hatch. Wife is right to be happy.
????????????????So in 2010 I decided I'd buy a 1988 Mayfair. It was s
te. My rose tints were well and truly on when I decided to relive my youth. So a couple of weeks ago the wife's daily driver, a 1992 cavalier pretty much came to the end of it's life. Could have bodged it for another year, but on Wednesday we took delivered of a 2001 Cooper.
Yellow with a black roof, with leather interior. £3000 from a dealer. Bought because of the colour scheme. (No. Really!!!!)
So as I was off work last week, I decided I'd polish it. It's not my car, I'm not going to be driving it much.
Being second hand I noted a few minor stone chips, so used this as an excuse to go on a drive to the local Halfords for a paint stick. Er No. So off to the local MINI dealer, where I note they seemed disappointed in the show room that I only wanted the parts dept. Ordered a kit. Felt like I was being mugged.
Next day, went back, but this time, let rip in 3rd gear down the by pass.
Came back via the country twisties where again I let rip.
so I've driven it 50 miles. Now my unbiased report.
Yes, it's fast enough, could be faster. No power or torque below 3,500 Rpm, a bit like a metro turbo above 5,500.
Handling, turn in, road holding ? Well better than the Accord I drive. A bit like a metro turbo.
Comfort? Better than the mx5, not as good an accord. A bit like a metro turbo.
Build quality? A bit like a metro turbo. I spotted a few things in the engine bay, like wires, that were starting to chaff, and rusty or loose clips, where attention to design detail, was more Rover than BMW.
Worries ? Well it has a Rover Gearbox. A bit like the worry I had when I owned a metro turbo, back in the early 90's.
My conclusion.
The MINI is the spiritually successor not of the mini, but of the Metro.
Oh and it's a 'nice' warm, hatch. Wife is right to be happy.
In what context are you writing this? If its a 'review' then theres a thousand reviews done over the last 12 years of the MINI.
If its of running a MINI then its telling us nothing
If its unbiased, then how come your only point of reference is a Metro Turbo?
If its relative to its peers, why are you comparing it to a Metro Turbo?
Oh and personally, i'd avoid them like the plague. Known for major failures such as head gasket, gearbox and steering racks, and not that special.
Actually, your review reminds me of a Metro Turbo - serves no purpose, years out of date, and very disappointing.
daemon said:
????????????????
In what context are you writing this? If its a 'review' then theres a thousand reviews done over the last 12 years of the MINI.
If its of running a MINI then its telling us nothing
If its unbiased, then how come your only point of reference is a Metro Turbo?
If its relative to its peers, why are you comparing it to a Metro Turbo?
Oh and personally, i'd avoid them like the plague. Known for major failures such as head gasket, gearbox and steering racks, and not that special.
Actually, your review reminds me of a Metro Turbo - serves no purpose, years out of date, and very disappointing.
Can I point you to this thread ......In what context are you writing this? If its a 'review' then theres a thousand reviews done over the last 12 years of the MINI.
If its of running a MINI then its telling us nothing
If its unbiased, then how come your only point of reference is a Metro Turbo?
If its relative to its peers, why are you comparing it to a Metro Turbo?
Oh and personally, i'd avoid them like the plague. Known for major failures such as head gasket, gearbox and steering racks, and not that special.
Actually, your review reminds me of a Metro Turbo - serves no purpose, years out of date, and very disappointing.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Oh dear 
I must say I couldn't see much relation between a metro turbo and the new mini, they are like chalk and cheese. The Metro was a fun car to drive if you managed to catch it before it broke down or rusted into thin air. I wouldn't even class the mini copper as a warm hatch personally.
I must say I couldn't see much relation between a metro turbo and the new mini, they are like chalk and cheese. The Metro was a fun car to drive if you managed to catch it before it broke down or rusted into thin air. I wouldn't even class the mini copper as a warm hatch personally.
daemon said:
????????????????
In what context are you writing this? If its a 'review' then theres a thousand reviews done over the last 12 years of the MINI.
If its of running a MINI then its telling us nothing
If its unbiased, then how come your only point of reference is a Metro Turbo?
If its relative to its peers, why are you comparing it to a Metro Turbo?
Oh and personally, i'd avoid them like the plague. Known for major failures such as head gasket, gearbox and steering racks, and not that special.
Actually, your review reminds me of a Metro Turbo - serves no purpose, years out of date, and very disappointing.
I want to say something witty and amusing, but something that is a put down, but we clearly inhabit different worlds and you wouldn't understand that it would be a joke if I told you to fIn what context are you writing this? If its a 'review' then theres a thousand reviews done over the last 12 years of the MINI.
If its of running a MINI then its telling us nothing
If its unbiased, then how come your only point of reference is a Metro Turbo?
If its relative to its peers, why are you comparing it to a Metro Turbo?
Oh and personally, i'd avoid them like the plague. Known for major failures such as head gasket, gearbox and steering racks, and not that special.
Actually, your review reminds me of a Metro Turbo - serves no purpose, years out of date, and very disappointing.
k off. Look. I spent 12 years, believing that the new Mini was not a real mini, and hating them, despite never actually going in one, or knowing anything about them. And then after telling the wife that she could have any car she wanted for £3500, it turns out she'd like a Gen 1 cooper.
So in 1 month, I've gone from believing them to be a travesty, to deciding that I've bought the replacement of the car I owned 21 years ago. A car that is probably the favourite car of the many I have owned.
Don't you see any irony in that? Don't you find it funny ? Is your motoring soul, many of stone ?
A lex said:
Have you had the gearbox replaced yet?
Oh, and the PAS pump?
I did a risk assessment and decided that I could afford recon versions of both, should the inevitable happen, and could probably fit them myself in a weekend. Oh, and the PAS pump?
I have some new gearbox oil which I intend to change next week.
Just like when I bought the Metro Turbo, I priced up a recon gearbox and new front wings (I needed the wings), but failed to price up the top engine mount (They all snap apparently - a weak point)
New POD said:
I did a risk assessment and decided that I could afford recon versions of both, should the inevitable happen, and could probably fit them myself in a weekend.
Might want to check the body control module has been fitted with it's raincoat, so that when water leaks over it you don't end up with possessed electrics and a large bill.Interesting read, thanks for that! I have to admit having the same bias towards the original model. New one never appealed to me. But now that they are getting seriously cheap *and* the number of well handling alternatives in hatch land is getting fewer and fewer... Can't live with the interior though. Too much cheap looking plastic bling. Cheap looking plastic -- no problem. Cheap looking plastic trying to look premium? No thanks. But for round shed money? Fun to drive I think they are...
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