I bought a Mini GP
Discussion
Hi everyone, well, I finally did it. I decided to itch that scratch that has been building ever since I took delivery of our mini coupe SD (our first Bmw Mini)
Last friday I picked her up from Dick Lovett Hungerford and immediately drove to Amsterdam the following morning! Early thoughts? My god is it a different animal to the coupe, it was the 3rd I went to look at and the only one I was allowed to actually test drive! The clutch is nice and light, which is great for me, I've been driving nothing but automatics for the last 7 years due to some pretty serious hip issues which left me with a completely lame left leg, well I'm pleased to say that I'm managing alright with the clutch but sadly my right leg is now slowly becoming the bad side - so I may be in the future one of the few GP owners with hand controls fitted for the accelerator and brake, something I would love to get some advice on at some stage.
I was fortunate enough to have 4 brand new Kumho's all round fitted by the dealer, it felt like a brand new car the day I drove it home. The grip on offer is staggering.
The ride was always going to be the crunch factor for me and yes it is definitely firm as rides go, but I can live with it, it rides better than my e92 m sport did, that thing was very crashy.
You definitely need to get the tires up to temperature, otherwise the car can feel a little intimidating. Which I really like, its the only car I've owned that gives me sweaty palms every journey.
in short, I'm absolutely thrilled with it.
Last friday I picked her up from Dick Lovett Hungerford and immediately drove to Amsterdam the following morning! Early thoughts? My god is it a different animal to the coupe, it was the 3rd I went to look at and the only one I was allowed to actually test drive! The clutch is nice and light, which is great for me, I've been driving nothing but automatics for the last 7 years due to some pretty serious hip issues which left me with a completely lame left leg, well I'm pleased to say that I'm managing alright with the clutch but sadly my right leg is now slowly becoming the bad side - so I may be in the future one of the few GP owners with hand controls fitted for the accelerator and brake, something I would love to get some advice on at some stage.
I was fortunate enough to have 4 brand new Kumho's all round fitted by the dealer, it felt like a brand new car the day I drove it home. The grip on offer is staggering.
The ride was always going to be the crunch factor for me and yes it is definitely firm as rides go, but I can live with it, it rides better than my e92 m sport did, that thing was very crashy.
You definitely need to get the tires up to temperature, otherwise the car can feel a little intimidating. Which I really like, its the only car I've owned that gives me sweaty palms every journey.
in short, I'm absolutely thrilled with it.
Pig benis said:
I saw this on my facebook news feed when you collected the car (I follow Mini on FB). It is such a nice looking Mini.
Did Mini ever make any changes to the engine in this car? I had an R56 JCW Cooper S and it drunk oil at an alarming rate.
Funnily enough, the second I'm home from work I'm going to look at the oil. The engine is the N18, with an aluminium block, reinforced pistons, strengthened cylinder head and a lighter crankshaft. Thats pretty much as read from one of the many articles I read about it prior to. Did Mini ever make any changes to the engine in this car? I had an R56 JCW Cooper S and it drunk oil at an alarming rate.
Next payday I'm planning on getting some armour fend done, any recommendations for fitters that isn't going to break the bank, I want to get the front bonnet, bumper and front of the roof done.
Well, it will be coming up two years this July with the GP in our lives. I'm pleased to report the car still makes me grin from ear to ear after every drive and we have no plans on parting company in the near future. Its not all been straightforward, knocking suspension replaced under warranty 9 months in. No issues with that since, but will be keeping a close eye on it. I extended the warranty another year to find anymore niggles and its about to go in for its major service in the next few weeks. I think when the car is finally out of warranty, if the suspension goes I will just bite the bullet and get Ohlins.
Its been on track a few times, I have to be honest nowhere near enough. It's certainly better on the road with the Michelin Supersports - but I do miss the manic Kumhos from time to time, I've still yet to experience anything like the cornering G they gave in any other car. Just bonkers.
Castle Comb - Met Chris Harris that day!
Lemons
feeling small..
bit of light painting (retouched in bright sunlight - never fixed it because lazy : S )
Today's adventure took us to the Tower of London to do a favour for the Yeoman Warders.
I hope the next 18 or so months are as fun
Its been on track a few times, I have to be honest nowhere near enough. It's certainly better on the road with the Michelin Supersports - but I do miss the manic Kumhos from time to time, I've still yet to experience anything like the cornering G they gave in any other car. Just bonkers.
Castle Comb - Met Chris Harris that day!
Lemons
feeling small..
bit of light painting (retouched in bright sunlight - never fixed it because lazy : S )
Today's adventure took us to the Tower of London to do a favour for the Yeoman Warders.
I hope the next 18 or so months are as fun
Thanks Beef,
sorry for the late response, I've been so busy at work recently.
I reckon I've got a few more years of enjoying this before it comes to that hopefully. I've completely stopped all pain meds now as its much easier to manage it when I can feel it completely (if that makes sense).
Also with the car being what it is, I don't think I'm brave enough to do hand controls ( i actually think it would be dangerous such is the tramlining)
I'm going to look into having the clutch pedal brought forward a bit, my left leg has shrunk even more in the last 5 years (multiple hip surgeries). I really noticed it when driving a loaner recently, I couldn't put any weight on my clutch leg after a drive to london and back. I can only attribute that to a different pedal box, the clutch felt just that bit further away.
In short, hip hasn't got any better, but I've got better at managing my symptoms. I do have to probably come to terms that coilovers, crap hips, knees and backs probably aren't a sensible long term proposition, thankfully I don't do that many miles in it.
Cool factoid I realised recently, Bruce Mclaren and I have very similar hips! Highly recommend watching Mclaren, very sad as you can imagine, but very entertaining.
Sorry for a wall of text with nothing about the car thus far.
I did the rear brakes about a month ago, they've bedded in nicely, front pads and discs to be done after LM. Best news of all was picking up a brand new set of the Kumho V70a for £360! Wished I'd bought two sets at that price.
Having gone back to the OEM tyre I'm reminded by what I've been missing out with the PSS, the playfulness in the chassis and my god the grip is just out of this world. so much fun.
All stickered up for another Le Mans, lets hope its another vintage year at TL.
Probably need a front respray, I had a go at cleaning up some of the stone chips, but its too far gone now, its my only gripe is how soft the paint is.
sorry for the late response, I've been so busy at work recently.
I reckon I've got a few more years of enjoying this before it comes to that hopefully. I've completely stopped all pain meds now as its much easier to manage it when I can feel it completely (if that makes sense).
Also with the car being what it is, I don't think I'm brave enough to do hand controls ( i actually think it would be dangerous such is the tramlining)
I'm going to look into having the clutch pedal brought forward a bit, my left leg has shrunk even more in the last 5 years (multiple hip surgeries). I really noticed it when driving a loaner recently, I couldn't put any weight on my clutch leg after a drive to london and back. I can only attribute that to a different pedal box, the clutch felt just that bit further away.
In short, hip hasn't got any better, but I've got better at managing my symptoms. I do have to probably come to terms that coilovers, crap hips, knees and backs probably aren't a sensible long term proposition, thankfully I don't do that many miles in it.
Cool factoid I realised recently, Bruce Mclaren and I have very similar hips! Highly recommend watching Mclaren, very sad as you can imagine, but very entertaining.
Sorry for a wall of text with nothing about the car thus far.
I did the rear brakes about a month ago, they've bedded in nicely, front pads and discs to be done after LM. Best news of all was picking up a brand new set of the Kumho V70a for £360! Wished I'd bought two sets at that price.
Having gone back to the OEM tyre I'm reminded by what I've been missing out with the PSS, the playfulness in the chassis and my god the grip is just out of this world. so much fun.
All stickered up for another Le Mans, lets hope its another vintage year at TL.
Probably need a front respray, I had a go at cleaning up some of the stone chips, but its too far gone now, its my only gripe is how soft the paint is.
Edited by lestiq on Sunday 11th June 01:30
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