RE: Mini tweaking
Discussion
davidapress said:
I must say I am not a huge fan of the newest Mini compared to the previous shape, although I understand that they have seriously improved the cars overall driving dynamics etc.
One thing I have noticed on the latest Cooper S is that the car appears to be sitting very 'high' and when you drive behind one you can see the rear wishbones...does anyone else think that it totally ruins the look of the car?
I have to agree with you there. The new mini looks like it has been munching on steriods for a good few years and has got all beefy. The ride height on the new S is a bit odd - being able to see the rear wishbones just makes it look like they have forgot to lower it or slap some bodykit on. Ruins the back end of the car. One thing I have noticed on the latest Cooper S is that the car appears to be sitting very 'high' and when you drive behind one you can see the rear wishbones...does anyone else think that it totally ruins the look of the car?
...)You gotta love mini haters. The car is a fantastic car. As a second hand car they're a fantastic buy. I bought a 2.5 year old Cooper S Works for 12.5k (loads of extras) and that included FREE servicing for the next couple of years via the TLC package. Gotta say it's a fantastic drive, and well worth the money - and you gotta love free servicing.
s33gav said:
I bought a 2.5 year old Cooper S Works for 12.5k (loads of extras) and that included FREE servicing for the next couple of years via the TLC package. Gotta say it's a fantastic drive, and well worth the money - and you gotta love free servicing.
Hmmm...I bought my first 2-and-a-bit y.o. 'teg for £11,400. Better car, less money, and 2 years servicing is a lot less than £1,100.A freebie is NEVER free...it's always built into the price somewhere. Built into the MINI's price is the 'fashion-victim tax'.
Just a thought...
Ooh...thought two..£12,500 would get you a near new Clio 182 (std, Cup, or Trophy) a year ago. A 2 y.o. one would be well under £10k and that's a lot to save...
I wasn't trying to say what a bargain the mini was second hand compared to other cars - what I was trying to say was that it makes a lot more sense buying a mini second hand, rather than brand new.
Minis are VERY expensive, and mine brand new with JCW kit was 21k - 2.5 years later I got it for 12.5k which is a bargain.
(btw are you (havoc) on the 205 forum?)
Minis are VERY expensive, and mine brand new with JCW kit was 21k - 2.5 years later I got it for 12.5k which is a bargain.
(btw are you (havoc) on the 205 forum?)
S33,
OK, fair point...I'll now turn the stick around so I've got the right end of it.
And on reflection, that's a ****ing good price for a JCW kitted one! (I do like them...a neighbour had one before he chopped it in for a Z4 coupe...easily as quick straight-line as the 'teg and easier to get the pace out of!)
205 forum...unlikely...I did post once or twice on 205GTidrivers a couple of years back, but more because of a mate (who had an Mi16 conversion).
I'm on the Honda fora (ITR, S2k) as me, but don't really get elsewhere...
OK, fair point...I'll now turn the stick around so I've got the right end of it.
And on reflection, that's a ****ing good price for a JCW kitted one! (I do like them...a neighbour had one before he chopped it in for a Z4 coupe...easily as quick straight-line as the 'teg and easier to get the pace out of!)
205 forum...unlikely...I did post once or twice on 205GTidrivers a couple of years back, but more because of a mate (who had an Mi16 conversion).
I'm on the Honda fora (ITR, S2k) as me, but don't really get elsewhere...
thought I recognised the name - I'm on the 205gtidrivers site too as I've also got a 205 mi16.
I've had a few little bits done to my mini, but it's absolute hoot to drive, so much fun. handles really well, gives you so much confidence in corners, and straight line speed and in gear excelleration are very good too.
haven't had the pleasure of the r56 yet but i reckon it'll be a good drive too - not quite as unique or charasmatic as the supercharger but tuning options are far greater.
I've had a few little bits done to my mini, but it's absolute hoot to drive, so much fun. handles really well, gives you so much confidence in corners, and straight line speed and in gear excelleration are very good too.
haven't had the pleasure of the r56 yet but i reckon it'll be a good drive too - not quite as unique or charasmatic as the supercharger but tuning options are far greater.
havoc said:
Perhaps...but even a modestly-loaded (chilli pack, metallic paint etc.) MCS will cost >£19k...which is the same as the forthcoming Cupra with 237bhp and more praticality, or any of the other 'top-end' hot-hatches (Astra, Focus, MeganeSport RST321, Civic Type R, Golf GTi are all within £1k).
It almost certainly IS a good car (possibly a very good car)...but it's also very expensive for what you get (an impractical, over-styled 2+2).
And if you don't need the extra space and practicality of the bigger cars, well there's a whole host of 2-seaters out there for similar / not much more money (S2000 import for £22k-odd...and the S2000 has a similar boot-size to the Mk1 MINI, 237bhp and far better looks!)
Well you are quoting a spec'd up mini vs a base price Golf's etc ?....spec a golf nicely and it is even more silly money. It almost certainly IS a good car (possibly a very good car)...but it's also very expensive for what you get (an impractical, over-styled 2+2).
And if you don't need the extra space and practicality of the bigger cars, well there's a whole host of 2-seaters out there for similar / not much more money (S2000 import for £22k-odd...and the S2000 has a similar boot-size to the Mk1 MINI, 237bhp and far better looks!)
Though I have to agree mini prices are crazy. I looked at most of the other cars you mentions and plus/minus's with all... and it is nice that there are such a wide selection of car to pick from that are soo good.
2000..lovely, if only I did not have 2 kids.. mini just gets away with being "practical", well as a 2nd car it is good.
In end I got a R56 and it is great, few we bits to alter and it should be even better.
Seat Leon vs Mini... suppose it would be down to who is driving it. Thought the mini would have had the edge being lighter ?
... this could easy degrade into mine's better than yours... when in fact both are excellent cars. I considered a Leon, just preferred the mini. Though much preferred the Leon price and standard spec !
... this could easy degrade into mine's better than yours... when in fact both are excellent cars. I considered a Leon, just preferred the mini. Though much preferred the Leon price and standard spec !
fergy said:
Seat Leon vs Mini... suppose it would be down to who is driving it. Thought the mini would have had the edge being lighter ?
In pace, yes, but how many of us here care about ultimate x-country pace? All modern hot-hatches are plenty quick enough, IMHO, it's how involved you feel and what sort of fun you get that differentiates them...Gassing Station | New MINIs | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff