Preparing for the flack.... I've bought a MINI SD Coupe!
Discussion
So, after 6 months of selling MINI's I thought it'd be about time to put my money where my mouth is and bought a MINI Coupe. Mine is the SD model with the 2 litre BMW derived diesel. So far it's returning high 50's to the gallon and more than enough performance for my 130 mile a day commute. The car is finished in Eclipse Grey Metalic with a black roof and mirror caps, it has the Sport Chili pack which visually gives it a John Cooper works body kit and wheels. I think it looks great, but then I am biased 
Before this I've had several Mx5's, an LS400, RX7, E36, IS200, Mk2 Golf Gti etc etc so this is completely different to anything I've ever owned. I will be using this as a daily (will be doing 3-4k miles a month), while running a track car on the side.
Plans are to paint the wheels black, dechrome it, and maybe even fit a GP diffuser...
Before this I've had several Mx5's, an LS400, RX7, E36, IS200, Mk2 Golf Gti etc etc so this is completely different to anything I've ever owned. I will be using this as a daily (will be doing 3-4k miles a month), while running a track car on the side.
Plans are to paint the wheels black, dechrome it, and maybe even fit a GP diffuser...
Did you lose a bet?! 
Really struggling for something nice to say about it. It's the fact it shares 90% of its' appearance with a more practical, better-proportioned, more aesthetically pleasing and cheaper hatchback that juts make no sense to me! There's no arguing it would blow my shed into the weeds with its' performance and refinement, comfort, gadgets...etc, but I know which I'd rather be seen driving!
Really struggling for something nice to say about it. It's the fact it shares 90% of its' appearance with a more practical, better-proportioned, more aesthetically pleasing and cheaper hatchback that juts make no sense to me! There's no arguing it would blow my shed into the weeds with its' performance and refinement, comfort, gadgets...etc, but I know which I'd rather be seen driving!
Yep bunker down if i were you.
However, my OH has the roadster sd so very similar. It is a good car and goes very well but I see you'll know that. I like it without the usual stripes you see on Minis and that colour suits it, actually we almost got that same colour but went for the discontinued Reef blue, also without stripes.
Enjoy.
However, my OH has the roadster sd so very similar. It is a good car and goes very well but I see you'll know that. I like it without the usual stripes you see on Minis and that colour suits it, actually we almost got that same colour but went for the discontinued Reef blue, also without stripes.
Enjoy.
very much the sort of replies I was expecting Well you came on here expecting some flak and you got it.
All I'll say is having driven one for a day - yes an SD like yours - I found it to be great fun but not "special" or different enough for me to want to change from my Cooper D. Also, I found the angle of windscreen meant I got reflections from the dashtop in it, but otherwise its a cracking little car and the looks/practicality are a matter of personal taste.
Enjoy and post some photo's once you start modding it..
All I'll say is having driven one for a day - yes an SD like yours - I found it to be great fun but not "special" or different enough for me to want to change from my Cooper D. Also, I found the angle of windscreen meant I got reflections from the dashtop in it, but otherwise its a cracking little car and the looks/practicality are a matter of personal taste.
Enjoy and post some photo's once you start modding it..
That really does look like someone other than the designers finished the roof off or some idiot scaled it wrong.
Taking a second look it does look somewhat back to the BL roots of Mini, someone needed a coupe with minimal changes to the existing tooling
Taking a second look it does look somewhat back to the BL roots of Mini, someone needed a coupe with minimal changes to the existing tooling
Edited by Engineer1 on Wednesday 27th November 16:12
C.A.R. said:
Did you lose a bet?!
Really struggling for something nice to say about it. It's the fact it shares 90% of its' appearance with a more practical, better-proportioned, more aesthetically pleasing and cheaper hatchback that juts make no sense to me! There's no arguing it would blow my shed into the weeds with its' performance and refinement, comfort, gadgets...etc, but I know which I'd rather be seen driving!
this sums it up nicely.... not to mention your paying for the privilege of looking like a complete dick. shocking car and i think these will be worth very little, very soon, bmw are REALLY starting to devalue the mini name, i saw a countryman?? sp?? or whatever today and actually laughed someone would PAY 25k plus for that......Really struggling for something nice to say about it. It's the fact it shares 90% of its' appearance with a more practical, better-proportioned, more aesthetically pleasing and cheaper hatchback that juts make no sense to me! There's no arguing it would blow my shed into the weeds with its' performance and refinement, comfort, gadgets...etc, but I know which I'd rather be seen driving!
deltashad said:
There's somebody out there for everyone. The same must apply for cars.
How long do you have to keep it?
I wanted something different, something a bit quirky. And obviously working for a MINI franchise means I got it a bit cheaper than it should be How long do you have to keep it?
Its going to be getting 30k plus miles on it a year so intrigued to see how it copes. I'm only 22 so I don't need 4 seats, and the big boot will come in handy for trips across Europe to LeMans, the 'Ring and such like.
Whenever I stop doing mega miles I will trade it for something more exciting!
Beedub said:
this sums it up nicely.... not to mention your paying for the privilege of looking like a complete dick. shocking car and i think these will be worth very little, very soon, bmw are REALLY starting to devalue the mini name, i saw a countryman?? sp?? or whatever today and actually laughed someone would PAY 25k plus for that......
Jees over reaction or what, if you don't like it fine but thats OTT, not sure i could feel so strongly in a negative way about any car.
My neighbour bought a white petrol coupe last year and must say I quite like it and really can't see the hostility towards the car...
Alright its not as practical as a standard mini but no coupe ever is.
I would say if your a single couple it would be an ideal car And one of the reasons mini do so well is that there's a model and spec for everyone. .
I hope it doesn't have a turbo otherwise it would be known as an STD
Alright its not as practical as a standard mini but no coupe ever is.
I would say if your a single couple it would be an ideal car And one of the reasons mini do so well is that there's a model and spec for everyone. .
I hope it doesn't have a turbo otherwise it would be known as an STD
Agree that its brave posting ip a car that gets such strong reactions on here.
It's not my cup of tea; I find the looks somewhat challenging. I used to be a massive fan of the R50/3 MINI's (I had three of them) but for me the brand has lost its way looking for bigger market share etc. however, if you like it and it suits your needs then great, especially if you got a big chunk of cash off it. It looks like a nice place to sit (dar better than my Fiesta from work).
It's not my cup of tea; I find the looks somewhat challenging. I used to be a massive fan of the R50/3 MINI's (I had three of them) but for me the brand has lost its way looking for bigger market share etc. however, if you like it and it suits your needs then great, especially if you got a big chunk of cash off it. It looks like a nice place to sit (dar better than my Fiesta from work).
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