R55 MINI Cooper D with JCW trimmings
Discussion
Oh dear, I seem to have added car number 4 to my fleet.
I started a new job recently which, as per my last job, comes with a car allowance. At the old place I ran my MK3 MX5. The new place has no issue with the MX5 however I'm averaging 2.5K business miles a month which is considerably higher than my old role. While I get 18p per mile back, its still hurting my wallet due to the frequent visits to the pumps.
This got me thinking. We don't own a practicle and sensible car between myself and MrsHorneyMX5. Therefore something cheap to run and diesel with 5 seats and a boot might be a good idea.
After looking at what was available on the used market, with my past experience of buying sensible cars and then selling them because they're boring, I figured a Cooper D Clubman ticked all the boxes.
I set a budget and got looking. I'm not very good at this. Found plenty that fitted the bill but while browsing AUtotrader came across the one I have bought below. Twice the original budget. But look at that colour! And it was registered on my birthday so clearly it was meant to be. Went to view it this morning and drove it home from the dealer.
It's a Jan 2014 1.6 Cooper D with the JCW Chili pack and a few other options with 34,000 miles on the clock. It's pretty much like new with only a few tiny marks. The only bit that's really bad is the stripes have started to split so I'm going to try and source some replacements. Oh, and it needs the iPhone cable.
Really chuffed with it. It drives lovely for a diesel, corners like I would expect and, despite the run flats, is very comfy on a motorway cruise.
Did I mention I like the colour?
Anyway, I'll let the pics do the talking:
I started a new job recently which, as per my last job, comes with a car allowance. At the old place I ran my MK3 MX5. The new place has no issue with the MX5 however I'm averaging 2.5K business miles a month which is considerably higher than my old role. While I get 18p per mile back, its still hurting my wallet due to the frequent visits to the pumps.
This got me thinking. We don't own a practicle and sensible car between myself and MrsHorneyMX5. Therefore something cheap to run and diesel with 5 seats and a boot might be a good idea.
After looking at what was available on the used market, with my past experience of buying sensible cars and then selling them because they're boring, I figured a Cooper D Clubman ticked all the boxes.
I set a budget and got looking. I'm not very good at this. Found plenty that fitted the bill but while browsing AUtotrader came across the one I have bought below. Twice the original budget. But look at that colour! And it was registered on my birthday so clearly it was meant to be. Went to view it this morning and drove it home from the dealer.
It's a Jan 2014 1.6 Cooper D with the JCW Chili pack and a few other options with 34,000 miles on the clock. It's pretty much like new with only a few tiny marks. The only bit that's really bad is the stripes have started to split so I'm going to try and source some replacements. Oh, and it needs the iPhone cable.
Really chuffed with it. It drives lovely for a diesel, corners like I would expect and, despite the run flats, is very comfy on a motorway cruise.
Did I mention I like the colour?
Anyway, I'll let the pics do the talking:
vikingaero said:
Very nice. Looks like you need a set of carpet/rubber mats.
What's the sticker on the windscreen? (Drivers side by wiper arm)
There's some matts in the boot. I need to pop them in. The sticker is barcode from the dealer. These pics were taken on the way back from buying it so I hadn't had time to do anything with it yet. What's the sticker on the windscreen? (Drivers side by wiper arm)
jimmyt1202 said:
vikingaero said:
Very nice. Looks like you need a set of carpet/rubber mats.
What's the sticker on the windscreen? (Drivers side by wiper arm)
Must've come from BCAWhat's the sticker on the windscreen? (Drivers side by wiper arm)
Not normally a fan of new Minis, but that one looks good. Nice colour combo!
HorneyMX5 said:
Just been to a MINI dealer and got sexually abused for a cable for my iPhone. I can now play all my music. Yay!
Cable is bloody short though so going to have to shell out more money so I can actually have the phone in a holder to use Nav. Grrrrrr.
Thought I see the car/you at work today but wasn't sure, MINI Hungerford? Looks great btw Cable is bloody short though so going to have to shell out more money so I can actually have the phone in a holder to use Nav. Grrrrrr.
Greendubber said:
Great colour!
Get the phone cable from ebay, thats what we did for the other halfs mini at the advice of the Mini salesman. His words were 'get it off ebay for a few quid, what we charge is daylight robbery'
Cost about a tenner, result!
I've got an iPhone 7 Plus and read loads of horror stories about eBay cables not working. Figured it was easier to go to a dealer, test it works and then part with my money. Get the phone cable from ebay, thats what we did for the other halfs mini at the advice of the Mini salesman. His words were 'get it off ebay for a few quid, what we charge is daylight robbery'
Cost about a tenner, result!
HorneyMX5 said:
Cable is bloody short though so going to have to shell out more money so I can actually have the phone in a holder to use Nav. Grrrrrr.
If you haven't got your mount sorted yet, I have recently got a mount from this website and after months of use, I would definitely recommend. https://megamount.co.uk
Just over a week in and racked up over 1000 miles. This car just keeps surprising me.
I've done a nice mix of some long cruises and some B road blasts. Now I've got used to the way the engine delivers power you can actually hustle it along pretty well, the really nice box meaning flipping through the gears is a pleasure. I'd actually rate the box as one of the best ive used in a FWD transverse layout. Only pipped by the box in my old FN2 type R for feel and accuracy.
Today I've done a work trip that was mostly motorway with a few a roads. Nice and comfy, loving the DAB radio and returned 61.1 MPG. Pretty astonishing really.
I've done a nice mix of some long cruises and some B road blasts. Now I've got used to the way the engine delivers power you can actually hustle it along pretty well, the really nice box meaning flipping through the gears is a pleasure. I'd actually rate the box as one of the best ive used in a FWD transverse layout. Only pipped by the box in my old FN2 type R for feel and accuracy.
Today I've done a work trip that was mostly motorway with a few a roads. Nice and comfy, loving the DAB radio and returned 61.1 MPG. Pretty astonishing really.
Ordered some bits.
JCW Centre Caps for the alloys. They're genuine JCW wheels so I feel should have the JCW logos and not standard mini ones.
Also ordered some JCW logo puddle lights, suspect I might get ridiculed for those but they'll match the JCW logos on the sill covers. I did think of buying the mini logo ones, but to hell with it.
JCW Centre Caps for the alloys. They're genuine JCW wheels so I feel should have the JCW logos and not standard mini ones.
Also ordered some JCW logo puddle lights, suspect I might get ridiculed for those but they'll match the JCW logos on the sill covers. I did think of buying the mini logo ones, but to hell with it.
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff