LOH's mini (2013 JCW-GP) adventure
Discussion
Well I hope all other owners are enjoying their cars 
Ours is tucked up safely in the garage while we're enjoying a rare break away from work in the sun. I'd forgotten how therapeutic these holidays are and the wife has enjoyed it greatly, natch!
However, it has left us hankering for an adventure of some sorts again, and last night during dinner she suggested getting in another road trip before too long, Easter specifically.
That leaves a few interesting options with her being off school for two weeks-obviously mad Friday is a must at the ring if for nothing else than blasting through the BBQ smoke at brunchen while dodging the increasingly poor driving!
Followed by a ski resort somewhere high up-opinions welcome as it's not something we regularly do?
Then perhaps a blast into Northern Italy before the long slog home and a Belgian beer run to stock up for the summer
I'll leave you with an image of today's reading material, a simply superb collection of stories about blasting super cars through Europe in the 70s & 80s, suitable inspiration for what lies ahead & possibly the last big adventure in the little mini.
Adios from Los Islas de Canarias
Ours is tucked up safely in the garage while we're enjoying a rare break away from work in the sun. I'd forgotten how therapeutic these holidays are and the wife has enjoyed it greatly, natch!
However, it has left us hankering for an adventure of some sorts again, and last night during dinner she suggested getting in another road trip before too long, Easter specifically.
That leaves a few interesting options with her being off school for two weeks-obviously mad Friday is a must at the ring if for nothing else than blasting through the BBQ smoke at brunchen while dodging the increasingly poor driving!
Followed by a ski resort somewhere high up-opinions welcome as it's not something we regularly do?
Then perhaps a blast into Northern Italy before the long slog home and a Belgian beer run to stock up for the summer
I'll leave you with an image of today's reading material, a simply superb collection of stories about blasting super cars through Europe in the 70s & 80s, suitable inspiration for what lies ahead & possibly the last big adventure in the little mini.
Adios from Los Islas de Canarias
It's service time!
With the expiration of the current 50:50 finance deal on the mini our local dealers have been keeping in touch to see what we want to do with the little car and to let us know it needs a service.
So booked in last week for its first official service (I changed the oil last year out of the dealer network as I wasn't too keen on the 2 year official servicing that mini suggest), all free of charge courtesy of the mini TLC package that was thrown in with the purchase of the car.
Booked in for 8:30am with a courtesy car waiting and a word with the service manager not to do anything that wasn't covered! The JCW have a more intensive service schedule than standard cooper s' in that as well as oil and filters they change the plugs on every service too, which was the main reason mini advise GP buyers to option the TLC package when you get the car- I didn't think to ask what the price would have been, probably around the £250 mark I'd have thought.
As a courtesy car we got a very nice new style cooper s so I could see the differences between the two and see what I thought (though I don't think they thought I would end up buying one!).
Immediately setting off in the car you notice what a more premium feel the car has, the difference is really quite remarkable. The R56 mini that I have is by no means a poor product, in fact if you compare it to its contemporaries such as a Clio 200 it's miles ahead in build quality, both real and perceived but the new car really does take it on a huge step.
The operating system on the new car is the biggest obvious change, getting rid of the old clunky system that mine runs and exchanging it for the BMW iDrive system that we have in the wife's X1. It's a very simple system to use and mini have been cute enough to jazz it up with funky graphics and different colours to make it appeal more to the youthful market they chase, it's all very successful and they've done a tremendous job.
Although the car is noticeably bigger on the outside, it's not by much so sitting inside the car it's such a difference that it feels like a class of car above. Although the old car is small, it never felt claustrophobic but after getting out of the new it certainly feels "mini", the new car just having so much more space and with it comfort.
I know not everyone agrees with the direction mini have and are heading with bigger products but I simply cannot fathom any typical mini customer getting out of the new car and not wanting one. For the 95% of drivers it's plain and simple a much better and more comfortable car.
But the other 5% of proper "drivers".......
There's a lot of internet chat about the old 1.6 engine the GP has, but the occasional faults that reared their head with timing chains etc are all sorted in the later cars. I know I've complained about it sounding like a diesel when stood by it idling, but it is a truely characterful little lump, especially with the obligatory sport mode enabled. To clarify, the GP enters GP Mode when you put it in sports mode and knock the TC button off-so I do this every time I start the engine. The beauty of this is you get used to the heavier steering, as when I fist bought the car I found sport mode made the steering rack feel like it was churning treacle-now I'm used to it it's fine of course.
The other reason is rather more childish-it makes the most fantastic noise on the overrun with lots of pops and bangs from the twin exit exhaust!
Which thankfully the new CooperS does too-in fact I made a point of mentioning to the service manager how I thought it even sounded louder than mine when it backfired-he laughed and explained that mine backfired in the real world but the new on only did it through the speakers!
Obviously I've seen a lot about this on PH but I didn't know the mini did it too, in fact had they not have told me I wouldn't have been able to tell-still feels like being cheated a little though for some reason
The main difference between my engine and the new one is most obviously the torque of the 2.0 new engine. In fact if you didn't know, you could almost mistake it for a diesel lump-loads of low down torque that rather strangely seems to encourage you to change up at only 4k revs or there abouts. Pottering around town now feels comfortable in the 1-1,5k rev zone which can't be good for the car.
The old engine, though not a screamer in the traditional sense (it's a 1.6 turbo after all) still begs to be rev'd out to the limiter-the exhaust making a distinctly old school parp like an old 4 pot ford with a fruity exhaust.
This car as an example wasn't a JCW (not even sure they are out yet?), but for a CooperS it didn't feel all that fast, whilst actually being quite deceptively quick, obviously a result of the new more grown up feeling car.
Is it as much fun as the old car? Depends on your idea of fun I guess. It's more composed certainly and has lost a little bit of that essential mini go kart feel. Personally, I feel people like us will be a little underwhelmed.
But those who buy the majority of mini's products will love it. More room, more tech, more composure and more comfort, it's a definite winner for mini and bmw. That's not to say we should be sad at the passing of another hot hatch great, the longer wheelbase of the new car will undoubtably give the engineers a chance to tweak the suspension settings further on later versions whilst not leaving the car with the knife edge handling you get on the limit with the GP (as fun as that may be for us!), plus, without a doubt the new 2.0 engine will be tuned even further with even more power-I think the future is pretty bright for the cars and I can only imagine how quick the next generation GP will be in 5 years time or whenever it comes out.
As for my car, well, they always seem to feel better after a service don't they? The mechanics picked up on a couple of areas that need attention, the diff side seal is leaking oil as is the oil control valve. I've never noticed anything but then the engine is covered in underneath for aerodynamics so I'm not sure I ever would have. They said both were very minor weeps but said they might as well get done under the warranty-who am I to argue?
One other the interesting point to note before signing off-break pad wear is counted out of 10 and they measured my fronts at 7 and the rears at 8!
If you've followed this thread, you'll know that although I haven't done as many track days as I'd have liked to its still seen some action-especially through the alps last year.
Those huge brakes can obviously stand up to some action
With the expiration of the current 50:50 finance deal on the mini our local dealers have been keeping in touch to see what we want to do with the little car and to let us know it needs a service.
So booked in last week for its first official service (I changed the oil last year out of the dealer network as I wasn't too keen on the 2 year official servicing that mini suggest), all free of charge courtesy of the mini TLC package that was thrown in with the purchase of the car.
Booked in for 8:30am with a courtesy car waiting and a word with the service manager not to do anything that wasn't covered! The JCW have a more intensive service schedule than standard cooper s' in that as well as oil and filters they change the plugs on every service too, which was the main reason mini advise GP buyers to option the TLC package when you get the car- I didn't think to ask what the price would have been, probably around the £250 mark I'd have thought.
As a courtesy car we got a very nice new style cooper s so I could see the differences between the two and see what I thought (though I don't think they thought I would end up buying one!).
Immediately setting off in the car you notice what a more premium feel the car has, the difference is really quite remarkable. The R56 mini that I have is by no means a poor product, in fact if you compare it to its contemporaries such as a Clio 200 it's miles ahead in build quality, both real and perceived but the new car really does take it on a huge step.
The operating system on the new car is the biggest obvious change, getting rid of the old clunky system that mine runs and exchanging it for the BMW iDrive system that we have in the wife's X1. It's a very simple system to use and mini have been cute enough to jazz it up with funky graphics and different colours to make it appeal more to the youthful market they chase, it's all very successful and they've done a tremendous job.
Although the car is noticeably bigger on the outside, it's not by much so sitting inside the car it's such a difference that it feels like a class of car above. Although the old car is small, it never felt claustrophobic but after getting out of the new it certainly feels "mini", the new car just having so much more space and with it comfort.
I know not everyone agrees with the direction mini have and are heading with bigger products but I simply cannot fathom any typical mini customer getting out of the new car and not wanting one. For the 95% of drivers it's plain and simple a much better and more comfortable car.
But the other 5% of proper "drivers".......
There's a lot of internet chat about the old 1.6 engine the GP has, but the occasional faults that reared their head with timing chains etc are all sorted in the later cars. I know I've complained about it sounding like a diesel when stood by it idling, but it is a truely characterful little lump, especially with the obligatory sport mode enabled. To clarify, the GP enters GP Mode when you put it in sports mode and knock the TC button off-so I do this every time I start the engine. The beauty of this is you get used to the heavier steering, as when I fist bought the car I found sport mode made the steering rack feel like it was churning treacle-now I'm used to it it's fine of course.
The other reason is rather more childish-it makes the most fantastic noise on the overrun with lots of pops and bangs from the twin exit exhaust!
Which thankfully the new CooperS does too-in fact I made a point of mentioning to the service manager how I thought it even sounded louder than mine when it backfired-he laughed and explained that mine backfired in the real world but the new on only did it through the speakers!
Obviously I've seen a lot about this on PH but I didn't know the mini did it too, in fact had they not have told me I wouldn't have been able to tell-still feels like being cheated a little though for some reason
The main difference between my engine and the new one is most obviously the torque of the 2.0 new engine. In fact if you didn't know, you could almost mistake it for a diesel lump-loads of low down torque that rather strangely seems to encourage you to change up at only 4k revs or there abouts. Pottering around town now feels comfortable in the 1-1,5k rev zone which can't be good for the car.
The old engine, though not a screamer in the traditional sense (it's a 1.6 turbo after all) still begs to be rev'd out to the limiter-the exhaust making a distinctly old school parp like an old 4 pot ford with a fruity exhaust.
This car as an example wasn't a JCW (not even sure they are out yet?), but for a CooperS it didn't feel all that fast, whilst actually being quite deceptively quick, obviously a result of the new more grown up feeling car.
Is it as much fun as the old car? Depends on your idea of fun I guess. It's more composed certainly and has lost a little bit of that essential mini go kart feel. Personally, I feel people like us will be a little underwhelmed.
But those who buy the majority of mini's products will love it. More room, more tech, more composure and more comfort, it's a definite winner for mini and bmw. That's not to say we should be sad at the passing of another hot hatch great, the longer wheelbase of the new car will undoubtably give the engineers a chance to tweak the suspension settings further on later versions whilst not leaving the car with the knife edge handling you get on the limit with the GP (as fun as that may be for us!), plus, without a doubt the new 2.0 engine will be tuned even further with even more power-I think the future is pretty bright for the cars and I can only imagine how quick the next generation GP will be in 5 years time or whenever it comes out.
As for my car, well, they always seem to feel better after a service don't they? The mechanics picked up on a couple of areas that need attention, the diff side seal is leaking oil as is the oil control valve. I've never noticed anything but then the engine is covered in underneath for aerodynamics so I'm not sure I ever would have. They said both were very minor weeps but said they might as well get done under the warranty-who am I to argue?
One other the interesting point to note before signing off-break pad wear is counted out of 10 and they measured my fronts at 7 and the rears at 8!
If you've followed this thread, you'll know that although I haven't done as many track days as I'd have liked to its still seen some action-especially through the alps last year.
Those huge brakes can obviously stand up to some action
Apologies for the delay in replying slowstig, I've given your last question quite a lot of thought and if I'm honest I haven't really come up with a decent answer yet!
I keep trawling AT looking at 911s again but if I'm honest I don't have the time to short anything out new car-wise at the moment as work is so busy. The other issue being that altugh we've gone through a huge business expansion it's going really well and we've been thinking about expanding it further ahead of schedule which might take funds that were going towards a new car regardless- in which case the little mini will probably do for another couple of years.
The other thing is, for the kind of driving I do I simply don't need anything faster, I went for a blast in it last week and in all honesty on a typical British B road I can't see where I would use anymore performance.
With regards to The1Driver's question, a re-map is nothing I'm interested nor ever will be-for a couple of reasons. Most importantly for me is a hassle free motoring experience and a remap will void the warranty, I've already had a couple of claims against it.
Then as above, I simply don't think the car needs one-it is absolutely rapid, something the figures on the car just can't explain. What is it's official 0-60? 6 seconds or something and about 155mph to speed? The thing is, it will struggle to go any quicker due to the limitations of fwd traction and the barn door aerodynamics, but when you're up and running, bloody hell it's quick! Believe me the car will surprise many, many people if you plant the throttle in third and just floor it.
Another point I touched on briefly in the thread-there's no concrete info as to whether MINI haven't already remapped it. A few forum owners have put their standard cars on rolling roads and yes I know that they aren't concrete evidence but I think the lowest figure reported was around 240bhp-in a MINI!
I did race against a tuned R26.R in my standard one at Le Mans back when I had it, and there was absolutely no difference between the two cars in a straight line-the other car was supposedly running around 40bhp more and it didn't make a blind bit of difference. I'm sure I can be arsed voiding my warranty on some bloke who reckons he can use a laptop better than BMW.
So all in all, I'm happy with the car just as it is, or at least I'm happy as I don't really have time to be doing track days in it-if I start doing them again next year I've always got the two recaro SPGs in the spare room wardrobe I can fit!
In other GP news, a slightly bizarre note is that apparently simon cowell is a MINI GP owner-I'm not sure PH has a smiley to convey the feeling this provokes! As most men who are married may note, Saturday nights are increasingly given over to whichever reality TV show the wife wants to watch and whilst this gives ample opportunity to look at autotrader on the iPad you do end up keeping one eye on events.
So low and behold, on last weeks episode a competition popped up in which you could win amongst other goodies-simon cowell's "apparently" own car-none other than his MINI GP (WORTH £28,000!!! according to the VoiceOver bloke).
I s
t you not;
I keep trawling AT looking at 911s again but if I'm honest I don't have the time to short anything out new car-wise at the moment as work is so busy. The other issue being that altugh we've gone through a huge business expansion it's going really well and we've been thinking about expanding it further ahead of schedule which might take funds that were going towards a new car regardless- in which case the little mini will probably do for another couple of years.
The other thing is, for the kind of driving I do I simply don't need anything faster, I went for a blast in it last week and in all honesty on a typical British B road I can't see where I would use anymore performance.
With regards to The1Driver's question, a re-map is nothing I'm interested nor ever will be-for a couple of reasons. Most importantly for me is a hassle free motoring experience and a remap will void the warranty, I've already had a couple of claims against it.
Then as above, I simply don't think the car needs one-it is absolutely rapid, something the figures on the car just can't explain. What is it's official 0-60? 6 seconds or something and about 155mph to speed? The thing is, it will struggle to go any quicker due to the limitations of fwd traction and the barn door aerodynamics, but when you're up and running, bloody hell it's quick! Believe me the car will surprise many, many people if you plant the throttle in third and just floor it.
Another point I touched on briefly in the thread-there's no concrete info as to whether MINI haven't already remapped it. A few forum owners have put their standard cars on rolling roads and yes I know that they aren't concrete evidence but I think the lowest figure reported was around 240bhp-in a MINI!
I did race against a tuned R26.R in my standard one at Le Mans back when I had it, and there was absolutely no difference between the two cars in a straight line-the other car was supposedly running around 40bhp more and it didn't make a blind bit of difference. I'm sure I can be arsed voiding my warranty on some bloke who reckons he can use a laptop better than BMW.
So all in all, I'm happy with the car just as it is, or at least I'm happy as I don't really have time to be doing track days in it-if I start doing them again next year I've always got the two recaro SPGs in the spare room wardrobe I can fit!
In other GP news, a slightly bizarre note is that apparently simon cowell is a MINI GP owner-I'm not sure PH has a smiley to convey the feeling this provokes! As most men who are married may note, Saturday nights are increasingly given over to whichever reality TV show the wife wants to watch and whilst this gives ample opportunity to look at autotrader on the iPad you do end up keeping one eye on events.
So low and behold, on last weeks episode a competition popped up in which you could win amongst other goodies-simon cowell's "apparently" own car-none other than his MINI GP (WORTH £28,000!!! according to the VoiceOver bloke).
I s
t you not;Edited by LaurasOtherHalf on Wednesday 10th December 13:14
Small update, I pulled the mini out of the garage on a rare sunny day yesterday, gave it a wash and took some photos which inevitably led to a free PH listing putting the car up for sale;
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...
Less than 24hrs and I've attracted my first scam email
For the avoidance of doubt, I did not wake up yesterday with any intentions to sell the car, plus with the awkwardness of the PH classifieds these days neither am I really expecting anyone to find it to purchase it, but I thought I'd give it a shout. It can't do any harm after all.
I'm spending more and more time looking at the classifieds (isn't the autotrader app a fantastic thing to while away the hours on your iPad?) and even though I'm still not 100% on what (if anything) I'll replace the little mini with I figured if anyone did want it, it would actually spur me on to buy something else. My options this week (& they tend to change daily) are as follows;
997 Carrera (gen2).
I've always had a soft spot for the boggo carrera and with the latest engine I get the feeling it's going to be the last of a special line of 911s (though isn't every iteration?!)
Aston V8 Vantage
The shape, the noise! Yes I know they're a heavy old thing but they do drive lovely, plus I love the fact that rather like the 911 used to be, they're practically identical to their race car cousins-minus a lot of weight! Plus now they're realistically sub £40k cars they do offer a Big Bang for your buck.
E30 M3
Keep the mini and have one of these as well. I know very little about them but part of that learning process appeals and they really are a true homologation special for the price of a dodgy old 911 with a crappy engine.
Air-Cooled Pork
Third time lucky, but in all honesty finding a good car seems to be the issue these days and I really struggle seeing the value in a £40k old 911 which, like it or lump it is where values are at if all those rotten old pigs are £25k+
Cayman GT4
I have my name down on the list with a good chance of (apparently) getting a first batch car. I honestly don't know what to think about this one, I have a feeling it won't turn out to be quite as special as I'd hoped it will be. It also feels a little like when I nearly ordered a boxster spyder in that as amazing as it might be-it's not a 911. Plus, like a 997 GT3 it's a hell of a lot of money to throw around a track
So basically I have no idea what to buy, if anything. I actually did get a part exchange price against an Aston over Xmas, which felt a bit weird if I'm honest. They were a grand out on what I'd set myself to change and being stubborn I backed out. The other problem with the Aston is I'm dead set on spec, it simply must have kestrel tan interior!
Until I wise up, the mini stays, it may still stay regardless I guess. Which basically means I've spent 15 mins typing on an iPad for no other reason than to convince myself I have no clue what to buy.
Wish me luck......
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...
Less than 24hrs and I've attracted my first scam email
For the avoidance of doubt, I did not wake up yesterday with any intentions to sell the car, plus with the awkwardness of the PH classifieds these days neither am I really expecting anyone to find it to purchase it, but I thought I'd give it a shout. It can't do any harm after all.
I'm spending more and more time looking at the classifieds (isn't the autotrader app a fantastic thing to while away the hours on your iPad?) and even though I'm still not 100% on what (if anything) I'll replace the little mini with I figured if anyone did want it, it would actually spur me on to buy something else. My options this week (& they tend to change daily) are as follows;
997 Carrera (gen2).
I've always had a soft spot for the boggo carrera and with the latest engine I get the feeling it's going to be the last of a special line of 911s (though isn't every iteration?!)
Aston V8 Vantage
The shape, the noise! Yes I know they're a heavy old thing but they do drive lovely, plus I love the fact that rather like the 911 used to be, they're practically identical to their race car cousins-minus a lot of weight! Plus now they're realistically sub £40k cars they do offer a Big Bang for your buck.
E30 M3
Keep the mini and have one of these as well. I know very little about them but part of that learning process appeals and they really are a true homologation special for the price of a dodgy old 911 with a crappy engine.
Air-Cooled Pork
Third time lucky, but in all honesty finding a good car seems to be the issue these days and I really struggle seeing the value in a £40k old 911 which, like it or lump it is where values are at if all those rotten old pigs are £25k+
Cayman GT4
I have my name down on the list with a good chance of (apparently) getting a first batch car. I honestly don't know what to think about this one, I have a feeling it won't turn out to be quite as special as I'd hoped it will be. It also feels a little like when I nearly ordered a boxster spyder in that as amazing as it might be-it's not a 911. Plus, like a 997 GT3 it's a hell of a lot of money to throw around a track
So basically I have no idea what to buy, if anything. I actually did get a part exchange price against an Aston over Xmas, which felt a bit weird if I'm honest. They were a grand out on what I'd set myself to change and being stubborn I backed out. The other problem with the Aston is I'm dead set on spec, it simply must have kestrel tan interior!
Until I wise up, the mini stays, it may still stay regardless I guess. Which basically means I've spent 15 mins typing on an iPad for no other reason than to convince myself I have no clue what to buy.
Wish me luck......
So it looks like the E30 M3 is the clear favourite!
My only concern would be finding any point to keep both cars, it's not like I'd use the M3 as a daily, but then if I was simply using it for track days & high days it would seem a bit daft to have the GP simply to drive to work in.
I'm still not sure I guess
Re the tyres by the way, I fitted some toyo proxes. They've made a huge difference to the ride comfort but I suspect they won't be quite as good on track! Overall very happy with them though.
likesachange-pm or Facebook me over the details of that trader, might be interested to see what they offer
My only concern would be finding any point to keep both cars, it's not like I'd use the M3 as a daily, but then if I was simply using it for track days & high days it would seem a bit daft to have the GP simply to drive to work in.
I'm still not sure I guess
Re the tyres by the way, I fitted some toyo proxes. They've made a huge difference to the ride comfort but I suspect they won't be quite as good on track! Overall very happy with them though.
likesachange-pm or Facebook me over the details of that trader, might be interested to see what they offer
I need to update this thread! I've got someone coming to view the car in the next couple of days with an agreed purchase price. As always with these things there's a chance they could cock on the deal but we'll wait and see-I'll update the thread with all the details if that goes ahead.....
If not, well the little MINI's replacement has been ordered and a part exchange price agreed so one way or another it'll be gone next week
Stay tuned for the final instalment and the final write up.....
If not, well the little MINI's replacement has been ordered and a part exchange price agreed so one way or another it'll be gone next week
Stay tuned for the final instalment and the final write up.....
Cheers Schmeeky, I was actually at your place buying some bits for work-a couple of my girls study up the road from there so I was on my way to pop in and see their tutors. Car sounds good doesn't it?!
Anyway, if I get the chance tomorrow I might do the same & take the car for a run-updates to follow soon
Anyway, if I get the chance tomorrow I might do the same & take the car for a run-updates to follow soon
Take it for one last blast they said, it'll be fun they said.........
I'd love to explain that the above image is completely all of my own making but I just don't think it was. Not for the first time the mini had failed, but this was the first time it had ever left me stranded-in fact, I think this is the only time I've ever been left stranded in any car-be had issues and brake downs but have always managed to get the car moving or limp the thing home.
Tell a lie actually, I've had one cam belt and one cam chain go in over 20 years of motoring. They were in old spotters though....
So as I've explained over PH I've been preparing to sell the car. There have been many test drives, journeys to different garages and even an early hand in the GT4 debacle, but forget about all that and just be aware I had the adverts up for the car.
After the usual time wasters (I tend to string them along just for the craic) I had a couple of interested parties but a few weeks ago a buyer for the sytner group rang up. To cut a long story short they offered a very (very!) good price at not much below what I was asking for he car (there's a reason they were so keen on it but I'll leave that for now).
In fact, it was all very civil they agreed in principle to buy the car pending inspection and a date was set for the next week to go I've the car. The car did have a few marks on it, but seeing as a mate does bodywork I always say I'll get the car mint rather than let them chip me down so the car was booked in on a Tuesday night for the wing mirror and rear bumper to be touched up (wing mirror my fault, rear bumper scraped in a car park presumably). The day before the tyre warning sensor went off but I reset it and it didn't go off again.
The next morning (the day after the post I did above) dawned bright and just begged for a last run out in the car
I walked the dog to the paint shop, picked it up and on the way to drop the dog off the tyre sensor went off again. Typical!
So straight to my local tyre place to whip the wheel off to find a nice fat screw through it
Still, it's in the centre and should be able to be fixed and indeed was for a tenner.
Was this a sign? The buyer from sytner was arriving first thing the next morning and I could quite easily just wash it, stick it in the garage and wait for the sale. Still, it was a lovely day and I hadn't had breakfast yet...
I'd love to explain that the above image is completely all of my own making but I just don't think it was. Not for the first time the mini had failed, but this was the first time it had ever left me stranded-in fact, I think this is the only time I've ever been left stranded in any car-be had issues and brake downs but have always managed to get the car moving or limp the thing home.
Tell a lie actually, I've had one cam belt and one cam chain go in over 20 years of motoring. They were in old spotters though....
So as I've explained over PH I've been preparing to sell the car. There have been many test drives, journeys to different garages and even an early hand in the GT4 debacle, but forget about all that and just be aware I had the adverts up for the car.
After the usual time wasters (I tend to string them along just for the craic) I had a couple of interested parties but a few weeks ago a buyer for the sytner group rang up. To cut a long story short they offered a very (very!) good price at not much below what I was asking for he car (there's a reason they were so keen on it but I'll leave that for now).
In fact, it was all very civil
they agreed in principle to buy the car pending inspection and a date was set for the next week to go I've the car. The car did have a few marks on it, but seeing as a mate does bodywork I always say I'll get the car mint rather than let them chip me down so the car was booked in on a Tuesday night for the wing mirror and rear bumper to be touched up (wing mirror my fault, rear bumper scraped in a car park presumably). The day before the tyre warning sensor went off but I reset it and it didn't go off again.The next morning (the day after the post I did above) dawned bright and just begged for a last run out in the car
I walked the dog to the paint shop, picked it up and on the way to drop the dog off the tyre sensor went off again. Typical!So straight to my local tyre place to whip the wheel off to find a nice fat screw through it
Still, it's in the centre and should be able to be fixed and indeed was for a tenner.Was this a sign? The buyer from sytner was arriving first thing the next morning and I could quite easily just wash it, stick it in the garage and wait for the sale. Still, it was a lovely day and I hadn't had breakfast yet...
ScoJak said:
hadenough! said:
So...
He's holding out on us!
So, I picked a favourite loop from the abundance of great local driving roads-a loop that takes me north into Scotland via a friends house, through the forestry commission roads west and north of kielder forrest and back home again. There's a nice little town in the middle of it called langholme with a great local cafe serves up an all day breakfast as a nice little stop off point;
The car was going extremely well as usual and after filling up both myself and the car I headed north west out of town on my favourite stretch. The road from langholme to eskdalemuir follows a river up one valley and into the next, the type of road where there's a couple of farmhouses and a wether station for company. The forestry commission lorries use it so you can a expect a few pot holes but the road is well sighted with fast open sweeping bends and regardless of wether it's midweek or weekend there never seems to be much traffic-bikes included. Follow it through the village of eskdalemuir where some hippies and Buddhist Monks live and you eventually reach st. Mary's loch, a picturesque little stop before you can head back into the small town of Moffat on yet more great roads and stop off for a drink or a nice cream. Well, that was the plan anyway.....
About a third of the way between villages I came across a mondeo and the corner before I overtook (a left hander) I heard a sound not unlike a wheel catching an arch. A bit puzzled as this had never happened before (I've never adjusted the suspension on the car) I overtook the car making a mental note to listen and feel for anything that didn't seem right.
No sooner had I thought this there was the unmistakeable sound of something catastrophically failing on the car! When I say catastrophic, I mean LOUD NOISES and black acrid smoke filling the cabin through the air vents and poring out of the left hand front of the car.
s
t.Moving at what we'll call "quite a pace" I immediately thought of the rear tyre that had been repaired, especially as amongst the smoke that was poring out behind me there were black chunks of something bouncing down the road plainly on fire :gulp: but all the noise, smoke and tearing at the wheel plainly made clear this was something to do with the front end. Hazards on, slow down to the side of the road and stop then although I let the car drive on a bit further than necessary as I didn't want the car I'd just overtaken to fly round the corner and rear end me.
Speaking of which she was white as a sheet when she stopped! She explained she'd seen the huge cloud of smoke around the bend and fully expected to see my car down the bank in the river thinking I'd lost it. We both looked over the car and her professional opinion was that I'd "blown it to f
k" 
still fair play to her for stopping, we're a friendly bunch up here Now, I was totally perplexed. The engine was still running when I stopped although I'd immediately switched it off fearing the worst, the rear tyre was fully inflated but even more strangely so was the front left where the cloud of thick black smoke was still posting out of
not really thinking straight I wondered if a cv boot or something rubber had come adrift and got caught in the brake as surely if it was a tyre failure the tyre would have deflated.Anyway, my new found companion laid a bet I'd blown up the engine so against her wishes I opened the bonnet, she fully expected the car to go up in flames if I did (to be honest, I thought it might do the same but hey, that's what insurance is for). Bonnet opened and the engine bay looked surprisingly pristine. Now the smoke was beginning to die down I figured I'd start the engine and see what happened-it started and idled fine. With the car sitting so low we just couldn't see any problems and as whatever was burning had seemed to burn itself out I had a couple of choices...
Although these roads are great, there's absolutely no mobile signal out here in the wilds so I thanked the lady for stopping and asked (she was taking her mother for a picnic) if on her way back the car was still there to stop and look for me. I'd try and limp the car back the 8-9 miles to langholme to get to a garage as without a jack I couldn't realistically find out any more than something had gone tits. About 18 hours before someone was coming to buy the car.
As they say, I made my excuses and left (albeit at a very slow and noisy pace)
Bad luck huh?
I was kind of cursing the bloody thing. Anyway, a mile or so down the road something finally gave at the front end and it was pretty obvious I was doing more harm than good carrying on. By chance this happened next to where some blokes were carrying out some repairs to overhead pylons so I stopped to ask to borrow a jack. The vans only had a huge bottle jack that I couldn't get under the car (even with parking the offending side up on the verge) so I had to admit defeat. I was stuck.
With no mobile signal I looked for the nearest farmhouse and as luck would have ain't a farmer was just heading out of it "to look after some beast", having explained my predicament he left me his cordless house phone to ring mini assist.
After getting through they were adamant as I couldn't confirm the car needed recovery they had to send a mechanic to see if he could get it going before ordering a recovery truck, even after I explained the copious amounts of smoke and burning. They also needed to call me back with updates, not ideal as I had no signal and the farmers phone didn't reach to the car that I needed to wait with. I resounded to sit on a dry stone wall for the afternoon and contemplate life.
Contemplating life is pretty boring so I started contemplating the stupidity of not fitting modern cars with tool kits. It was around this point I started contemplating what was under the rear boot floor that I had just been in that morning to get the locking wheel nut to remove the tyre when getting it repaired. It didn't take much contemplation upon looking to notice the unused scissor jack next to the other bits and bobs under there. ste.
I had the wheel off in a couple of minutes and was met with the following;
Yes that is the ARB drop link and yes it did shear off and jam itself between the rim and the tyre. Amazingly the tyre doesn't even look that bad but the amount of smoke and burning rubber that came off it was astounding and it didn't take a fully trained mechanic to realise it was unsafe to drive on with it I that star so another phone call to mini to explain a recovery was definitely needed meant another couple of hours wait by the side of the road. Happy days.
I was kind of cursing the bloody thing. Anyway, a mile or so down the road something finally gave at the front end and it was pretty obvious I was doing more harm than good carrying on. By chance this happened next to where some blokes were carrying out some repairs to overhead pylons so I stopped to ask to borrow a jack. The vans only had a huge bottle jack that I couldn't get under the car (even with parking the offending side up on the verge) so I had to admit defeat. I was stuck.
With no mobile signal I looked for the nearest farmhouse and as luck would have ain't a farmer was just heading out of it "to look after some beast", having explained my predicament he left me his cordless house phone to ring mini assist.
After getting through they were adamant as I couldn't confirm the car needed recovery they had to send a mechanic to see if he could get it going before ordering a recovery truck, even after I explained the copious amounts of smoke and burning. They also needed to call me back with updates, not ideal as I had no signal and the farmers phone didn't reach to the car that I needed to wait with. I resounded to sit on a dry stone wall for the afternoon and contemplate life.
Contemplating life is pretty boring so I started contemplating the stupidity of not fitting modern cars with tool kits. It was around this point I started contemplating what was under the rear boot floor that I had just been in that morning to get the locking wheel nut to remove the tyre when getting it repaired. It didn't take much contemplation upon looking to notice the unused scissor jack next to the other bits and bobs under there. s
te.I had the wheel off in a couple of minutes and was met with the following;
Yes that is the ARB drop link and yes it did shear off and jam itself between the rim and the tyre. Amazingly the tyre doesn't even look that bad but the amount of smoke and burning rubber that came off it was astounding and it didn't take a fully trained mechanic to realise it was unsafe to drive on with it I that star so another phone call to mini to explain a recovery was definitely needed meant another couple of hours wait by the side of the road. Happy days.
ScoJak said:
LaurasOtherHalf said:
I'm currently on a sunbed in lanzarote for Easter
Could be worse eh? 
Shame about the car though, can't believe it just sheared off like that though, could have been worse if it had caused more serious damage to the tyre.
Clearly it doesn't want to be sold!
If I'm honest, I was feeling pretty pissed off about the whole thing until the mechanic pointed out just what a massive accident it could have caused had things have happened differently.
So that, PH'rs, is just about all that.
The guy from sytners did arrive the next day and did view the car and indeed buy it on condition of course of it being fixed. Which obviously we all knew it would be, I'm not sure he gets to view and purchase many cars whilst they're on a four post lift but fair play to the guy he really checked it over and left me with a cheque.
The reason for them being very keen on buying it was obviously a plain and simple business decision. The new john cooper works is almost ready to come out and deliveries will be limited for the first six months until initial orders are completed. That, along with all the press about the new cars will mean that mini dealerships are buying up all older models for the healthy second hand market they will predict will ride the wave of the new car. Joe Bloggs will read about the new JCW, go to the dealers to order a car and discover that even after a 6 month waiting list they'll be paying £25k+ for the car they want. Having been put off by that the sales team will then show them the pampered low mileage one careful owner GP on the lot and explain it can be had for a healthy amount less
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
Personally I'd want the inside of the rim repaired but that's just me. Speaking of which, MINI did try to cock on the warranty repair work only wanting to replace the failed drop link. With a tyre that had done less than a thousand miles that pissed me off and not for the first time.
I've got to hand it to the dealership however, they were and always have been fantastic throughout the whole process and pushed for MINI to cover it via goodwill which they eventually did. Their indecision however meant I lost my courtesy car (not a problem as I already had the minis replacement) and left a sour final experience about the car.
MINI get a great rep around these parts for their customer service but I'm not sure it's well deserved. As I said, the dealership were exemplary and always have been but their have been a coupe of issues along the way.
First major point, and personally one I won't forget them for was their increasing the UK allocation of GPs from 200 to 300. First world problems and all that but it really fked me off that one. I sign up to buy their best car on a limited edition basis and they then decide to move the goalposts. I'm not just wining on the internet about it either, I did get in touch to let them know my thoughts and they basically couldn't have given a toss.
Nice touch.
The other thing has been the build quality. Perceived quality on MINIs is by far and away head and shoulders above most other brands, but this car certainly wasn't without its faults. Two oil leaks picked up at service time, the drop link failing and a complete replacement gearbox in just over two years, the replacement gearbox still didn't completely solve the intermittent crunching into second gear so I guess it's just a "live with it" thing.
Fundamentally the car was good at what I'd did however and it's probably prudent to focus on that. On track it was incredible fun and had astounding performance for what it was-keeping up with and eventually passing a gingerly driven GT3rs at the nürburgring was a memory I'll cherish! Not as much as some others detailed on this thread however
Will I miss the car? Sadly not. I've enjoyed every car I've owned but some more than others I guess. Yes the car was faster in our hands than the R26.R but I won't miss this one like I did my old one of those.
As good as it was, it just missed that "something special", a charge you could simply never level at the Megane.
It was also, without sounding like a wimp plainly too fast! Of course I've had much faster cars but they have also been more exotic cars and I'm not sure if this is going to sound like a great explanation- it's speed to tastiness ratio was all wrong! It was a humdrum car that went like a scalded cat. I know some people love that but after two years I found it a bit unnecessary, if I'm going to be doing license losing speeds on the road why would I want it to be in a MINI? And it very easily could lose you your license!
The car came alive when being driven like a hooligan but to put it bluntly 10 seconds of that and you doing 120mph+. Don't get me wrong, that was great fun but it all just felt a little bit unnecessary on the road when you weren't on track. Doing those speeds in an Aston, Porsche or Ferrari has all the other benefits that come with them, the exotic engine and noise, the low slung driving position and if I'm completely honest the feeling of driving something truly special and not a 3 door hatch with an overblown 1.6 PSA engine and some stickers. Quite how Renault can accomplish this and MINI not, I've no idea but it's just the way I feel.
All of that said, this is obviously a very personal thing and just my own opinion on the car-I just don't think it's what I want at this particular time in life. The MINIs replacement is in the garage at home and waiting to be played with but there will definitely be something else more exotic joining it in the future, what I haven't really figured out just yet but then I've always enjoyed the hunt
For what it's worth, I'm glad I started this thread, really glad.
For me personally it's been about way more than the car for obvious reasons and I've lost count of the times I've re-read it and enjoyed the memories of everything Laura and I have enjoyed with it. Being the type of car it is as well, I hope that at some point it will be bought by a true MINI enthusiast and they'll enjoy being able to read all the car's first couple of years of history. I get updates if anyone posts on the thread so hopefully if they ever do stumble across this thread I'll find out about it. Hopefully PH doesn't go bust and I'll lose all the great memories!
The guy from sytners did arrive the next day and did view the car and indeed buy it on condition of course of it being fixed. Which obviously we all knew it would be, I'm not sure he gets to view and purchase many cars whilst they're on a four post lift but fair play to the guy he really checked it over and left me with a cheque.
The reason for them being very keen on buying it was obviously a plain and simple business decision. The new john cooper works is almost ready to come out and deliveries will be limited for the first six months until initial orders are completed. That, along with all the press about the new cars will mean that mini dealerships are buying up all older models for the healthy second hand market they will predict will ride the wave of the new car. Joe Bloggs will read about the new JCW, go to the dealers to order a car and discover that even after a 6 month waiting list they'll be paying £25k+ for the car they want. Having been put off by that the sales team will then show them the pampered low mileage one careful owner GP on the lot and explain it can be had for a healthy amount less
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
Personally I'd want the inside of the rim repaired but that's just me. Speaking of which, MINI did try to cock on the warranty repair work only wanting to replace the failed drop link. With a tyre that had done less than a thousand miles that pissed me off and not for the first time.
I've got to hand it to the dealership however, they were and always have been fantastic throughout the whole process and pushed for MINI to cover it via goodwill which they eventually did. Their indecision however meant I lost my courtesy car (not a problem as I already had the minis replacement) and left a sour final experience about the car.
MINI get a great rep around these parts for their customer service but I'm not sure it's well deserved. As I said, the dealership were exemplary and always have been but their have been a coupe of issues along the way.
First major point, and personally one I won't forget them for was their increasing the UK allocation of GPs from 200 to 300. First world problems and all that but it really f
ked me off that one. I sign up to buy their best car on a limited edition basis and they then decide to move the goalposts. I'm not just wining on the internet about it either, I did get in touch to let them know my thoughts and they basically couldn't have given a toss.Nice touch.
The other thing has been the build quality. Perceived quality on MINIs is by far and away head and shoulders above most other brands, but this car certainly wasn't without its faults. Two oil leaks picked up at service time, the drop link failing and a complete replacement gearbox in just over two years, the replacement gearbox still didn't completely solve the intermittent crunching into second gear so I guess it's just a "live with it" thing.
Fundamentally the car was good at what I'd did however and it's probably prudent to focus on that. On track it was incredible fun and had astounding performance for what it was-keeping up with and eventually passing a gingerly driven GT3rs at the nürburgring was a memory I'll cherish! Not as much as some others detailed on this thread however
Will I miss the car? Sadly not. I've enjoyed every car I've owned but some more than others I guess. Yes the car was faster in our hands than the R26.R but I won't miss this one like I did my old one of those.
As good as it was, it just missed that "something special", a charge you could simply never level at the Megane.
It was also, without sounding like a wimp plainly too fast! Of course I've had much faster cars but they have also been more exotic cars and I'm not sure if this is going to sound like a great explanation- it's speed to tastiness ratio was all wrong! It was a humdrum car that went like a scalded cat. I know some people love that but after two years I found it a bit unnecessary, if I'm going to be doing license losing speeds on the road why would I want it to be in a MINI? And it very easily could lose you your license!
The car came alive when being driven like a hooligan but to put it bluntly 10 seconds of that and you doing 120mph+. Don't get me wrong, that was great fun but it all just felt a little bit unnecessary on the road when you weren't on track. Doing those speeds in an Aston, Porsche or Ferrari has all the other benefits that come with them, the exotic engine and noise, the low slung driving position and if I'm completely honest the feeling of driving something truly special and not a 3 door hatch with an overblown 1.6 PSA engine and some stickers. Quite how Renault can accomplish this and MINI not, I've no idea but it's just the way I feel.
All of that said, this is obviously a very personal thing and just my own opinion on the car-I just don't think it's what I want at this particular time in life. The MINIs replacement is in the garage at home and waiting to be played with but there will definitely be something else more exotic joining it in the future, what I haven't really figured out just yet but then I've always enjoyed the hunt
For what it's worth, I'm glad I started this thread, really glad.
For me personally it's been about way more than the car for obvious reasons and I've lost count of the times I've re-read it and enjoyed the memories of everything Laura and I have enjoyed with it. Being the type of car it is as well, I hope that at some point it will be bought by a true MINI enthusiast and they'll enjoy being able to read all the car's first couple of years of history. I get updates if anyone posts on the thread so hopefully if they ever do stumble across this thread I'll find out about it. Hopefully PH doesn't go bust and I'll lose all the great memories!
I can't explain te lack or "specialness" melv, I've tried to put it into words but I can't if you know what I mean?
I'll be bluntly honest about it, the increase in supply of cars after I bought it started it and it royally pissed me off. In fact Laura was all set to buy a Countryman but this point alone made me refuse to give them any more business (much to the joy of our friends!) and bought an X1 instead. Yes I am aware of the irony in that!
But perhaps another part of it might be just the MINI brand to me-there just isn't any love there. Our mate who came to spa wih us asked me along to loads of mini shows but I never bothered-they just don't mean anything to me, minis when I were a lad were just little st boxes even though I knew my old man owned a cooper back in the day. A bit like the Astons I nearly bought-don't get me wrong, I really like them, they drive well, sound amazing and look stunning. But they just don't pull on my heart strings for whatever reason.
I may be strange!
The MINI GP is an amazing little car in many different respects and I'll certainly miss some parts of it a lot (bizarrely the 2 things that spring to mind are the exhaust note and the DAB radio), it just doesn't, or didn't as is now the case worm it's way into my heart like some of my others.....
Megane R26.R
993 rs-a-like Porsche
Toyota MR2 roadster
Each if the above I knew when selling of regret it. Each of the above I'd buy back in a heartbeat if I could. The MINI just doesn't make the list unfortunately.
I'll be bluntly honest about it, the increase in supply of cars after I bought it started it and it royally pissed me off. In fact Laura was all set to buy a Countryman but this point alone made me refuse to give them any more business (much to the joy of our friends!) and bought an X1 instead. Yes I am aware of the irony in that!
But perhaps another part of it might be just the MINI brand to me-there just isn't any love there. Our mate who came to spa wih us asked me along to loads of mini shows but I never bothered-they just don't mean anything to me, minis when I were a lad were just little s
t boxes even though I knew my old man owned a cooper back in the day. A bit like the Astons I nearly bought-don't get me wrong, I really like them, they drive well, sound amazing and look stunning. But they just don't pull on my heart strings for whatever reason.I may be strange!
The MINI GP is an amazing little car in many different respects and I'll certainly miss some parts of it a lot (bizarrely the 2 things that spring to mind are the exhaust note and the DAB radio), it just doesn't, or didn't as is now the case worm it's way into my heart like some of my others.....
Megane R26.R
993 rs-a-like Porsche
Toyota MR2 roadster
Each if the above I knew when selling of regret it. Each of the above I'd buy back in a heartbeat if I could. The MINI just doesn't make the list unfortunately.
In reality it's a bit too soon to say-I took the old man for a quick blast in the countryside in it and the wife out to a pub on a spring evening-both on the same day. Since then I've been driving the MINI and been out of the country so I won't see it until later this week.
First reactions are that it needs work! I've already ordered a whole raft of suspension and strengthening parts to be delivered for next week, it feels like a car that's been set up to drive over speed humps around town. But, you can just tell there is a great chassis to begin with.....
Good points
but I'm really liking it so far. I won't lie, it's a bit of a toy and an experiment to see how I can change the way it drives but I'm already looking forward to a summer of open top, cheap as chips fun
First reactions are that it needs work! I've already ordered a whole raft of suspension and strengthening parts to be delivered for next week, it feels like a car that's been set up to drive over speed humps around town. But, you can just tell there is a great chassis to begin with.....
Good points
- gearshift
- steering feel
- engine rips ups the revs
- brakes make the minis feel like an on/off switch!
- geometry is set to st
- scuttle shake over pot holes
- 4x4 ride height
- roll for each axle appears to be completely different
but I'm really liking it so far. I won't lie, it's a bit of a toy and an experiment to see how I can change the way it drives but I'm already looking forward to a summer of open top, cheap as chips fun 
Glad you're enjoying your GP
I think I mentioned in the thread somewhere I didn't ever adjust the suspension, personally I felt the settings straight out of the box were great though with such a stiff sidewall to the Khumos any lower and it's going to be a pretty hard ride I'd imagine!
Torque steer and chasing cambers is all part of the cars character I feel. It's a busy helm but it is what it is, the pseudo differential does work in some ways but as you'll find it's a reactive system rather than a traditional limited slip diff.
What I mean by that is that because it's just a computer program sensing when slip is happening you have to illicit some slip before it works, so it's never going to eradicate torque steer as it needs to happen first before the electronics can take over. It's better than nothing but it can't compare to a traditional lsd (IMHO).
There was much to love about the car as I'm sure you're about to find out, they really are little pocket rockets! In the end I probably can't expand however, much on what I've already written; It never really felt like a special car (although it was a very good one!) and MINI (the company not the dealership) pissed me off with their attitude and build quality. In two years the car had;
2 X oil leaks
3 X goes at solving a gearbox crunch
1 X replacement gearbox that never really solved the issue
1 X failure of ARB drop link
Plus, as described selling a limited edition of 200 uk cars is one thing but to increase that number by 50% some months after selling you the car put my nose out of joint. Petty maybe but it pissed me off all the same and took the edge off the experience.
Personally I feel that when you're buying a companies flagship and most exclusive product you should be looked after a bit. Don't think I'm getting on my high horse but people who do buy into the high end stuff tend to be unofficial brand ambassadors simply by association and other companies seem to recognise this. I'm not expecting much but MINI seemed to just sell you the car and that was that, no track days, no invitations to watch the MINI Challege Cup or anything, it's just different to how RenaultSport, Porsche etc go about things.
Maybe that's all a load of bks mind you but it's just some Sunday morning musings. Plus they tried to weasel out of replacing the tyre when the ARB drop link failed the rotters!
Funnily enough, MINI got in touch recently to see if I'd be interested in the new MINI Challenge & I must admit it does sound interesting but I don't think given the above I'll not have another MINI product. Shame really.
But despite MINI themselves, it was a great little car and I don't regret buying it for one second, especially considering all the happy times we had with it
The following car and it's adventures starts here;
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Link to the next one at the end of that thread!
I think I mentioned in the thread somewhere I didn't ever adjust the suspension, personally I felt the settings straight out of the box were great though with such a stiff sidewall to the Khumos any lower and it's going to be a pretty hard ride I'd imagine!
Torque steer and chasing cambers is all part of the cars character I feel. It's a busy helm but it is what it is, the pseudo differential does work in some ways but as you'll find it's a reactive system rather than a traditional limited slip diff.
What I mean by that is that because it's just a computer program sensing when slip is happening you have to illicit some slip before it works, so it's never going to eradicate torque steer as it needs to happen first before the electronics can take over. It's better than nothing but it can't compare to a traditional lsd (IMHO).
There was much to love about the car as I'm sure you're about to find out, they really are little pocket rockets! In the end I probably can't expand however, much on what I've already written; It never really felt like a special car (although it was a very good one!) and MINI (the company not the dealership) pissed me off with their attitude and build quality. In two years the car had;
2 X oil leaks
3 X goes at solving a gearbox crunch
1 X replacement gearbox that never really solved the issue
1 X failure of ARB drop link
Plus, as described selling a limited edition of 200 uk cars is one thing but to increase that number by 50% some months after selling you the car put my nose out of joint. Petty maybe but it pissed me off all the same and took the edge off the experience.
Personally I feel that when you're buying a companies flagship and most exclusive product you should be looked after a bit. Don't think I'm getting on my high horse but people who do buy into the high end stuff tend to be unofficial brand ambassadors simply by association and other companies seem to recognise this. I'm not expecting much but MINI seemed to just sell you the car and that was that, no track days, no invitations to watch the MINI Challege Cup or anything, it's just different to how RenaultSport, Porsche etc go about things.
Maybe that's all a load of b
ks mind you but it's just some Sunday morning musings. Plus they tried to weasel out of replacing the tyre when the ARB drop link failed the rotters!Funnily enough, MINI got in touch recently to see if I'd be interested in the new MINI Challenge & I must admit it does sound interesting but I don't think given the above I'll not have another MINI product. Shame really.
But despite MINI themselves, it was a great little car and I don't regret buying it for one second, especially considering all the happy times we had with it
The following car and it's adventures starts here;
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Link to the next one at the end of that thread!
Edited by LaurasOtherHalf on Sunday 26th June 06:52
LawRo86 said:
Hi LOH,
Great story about your GP. I've currently got an F56 JCW but have always had a GP2 'itch'.
What are your thoughts on going from an F56 JCW to a GP Apart from the obvious less torque, more refined etc.
Thanks!
As in the latest JCW? If I'm honest I can't really remember as I only had one for a short time as a courtesy car and probably only used it for getting to work and back. The only thing that stands out from memory was it felt like it had a much longer wheelbase and was thus less nimble, less chuckable.Great story about your GP. I've currently got an F56 JCW but have always had a GP2 'itch'.
What are your thoughts on going from an F56 JCW to a GP Apart from the obvious less torque, more refined etc.
Thanks!
I did think the interior a much nicer place to be mind you, the billy basic audio in the GP did wind me up a little.
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