Discussion
Just joined this site, I don't know if you would consider that a Mini is a genuine BMW or not but here's the low down and just looking for opinions. I had a 320D touring as a company car and loved it, recently changed my job and opted out of the company car scheme. A good mate sold me his Passat TDI auto which i've just advertised as i dont travel long distances now and I dont need a big car. I drove a cooper S today advertised at a local main dealer and was very impressed by the handling etc. So who out there thinks it's a good move?
Well under the bonnet of my car it says "BMW built May 2007"... so that not make it a real BMW ? 
Also starnadrd equipment is not that great...but there is a really extensive option list...just like BMW's
The latest R56 model also has an interior closer to BMW's, whether that is a good thing is down to whether you like it or not.
Also starnadrd equipment is not that great...but there is a really extensive option list...just like BMW's
The latest R56 model also has an interior closer to BMW's, whether that is a good thing is down to whether you like it or not.
Edited by fergy on Tuesday 9th October 12:57
Well, yes they are made by BMW, but as to what they are, well they are a Mini. 
As to buying one, I have owned BMW's for a while, and bought a mini Cooper a year ago, not because its made by BMW, but just because I loved it after driving it.
Not sure about the new one, I test drove a R56 MCS over the weekend, and was underwelmed, it is the first S that I have drove (only ever drove my Cooper), but I expected a lot more oomph. So am very undecided whether to go for S or Cooper when I get a new one, propably later on this year. Plus considering the price of what i want specced up is coming out at £21k, it is expensive for a little car, plus say nearly £3k to put JCW tuning kit and nice wheels.
As to buying one, I have owned BMW's for a while, and bought a mini Cooper a year ago, not because its made by BMW, but just because I loved it after driving it.
Not sure about the new one, I test drove a R56 MCS over the weekend, and was underwelmed, it is the first S that I have drove (only ever drove my Cooper), but I expected a lot more oomph. So am very undecided whether to go for S or Cooper when I get a new one, propably later on this year. Plus considering the price of what i want specced up is coming out at £21k, it is expensive for a little car, plus say nearly £3k to put JCW tuning kit and nice wheels.
Had a 120D whilst the Z4M and the MCS were in the garage (don't ask) and I thought it was vile, so on that basis I'd definitely opt for the MCS as its far more fun that your current wheels.
Unless the model driven by the prior poster was a duffer or very tight, I can't see how he got the impression that performance was lacklustre? Put it this way when I've been driving my car all week (circa 350bhp) I'm always happy to use the wife's MCS and give that a good caning and the performance doesn't disappoint.
Unless the model driven by the prior poster was a duffer or very tight, I can't see how he got the impression that performance was lacklustre? Put it this way when I've been driving my car all week (circa 350bhp) I'm always happy to use the wife's MCS and give that a good caning and the performance doesn't disappoint.
I opted out too and bought a Cooper s.
Reasons I bought it were- Unlimited Mileage warrantee. Good residual. cheap serviceing, Good fuel economy.
Unlimited mileage was main reason as I do approx 30,000 miles/yr so wanted a warrantee on a new car that would last me more than 2 years!
Having driven it for last 6 months I absolutely love the car, especially the auto gear box- it’s great.
However bad points- fuel economy on motorway at 80mph is not as good as expected- probably getting 34-35mpg at these speeds- even less when you do 90! I think this may be similar on a lot of smaller engined cars as they must have to rev higher. Having driven large company cars (Jag x types, Free landers) I do miss the space occasionally and also (strangely) the road presence- having to give way to fiestas bombing down your side of narrow roads and driving through London can be annoying- everyone assumes you are a little mini and you will stop and give way- never used to have that in my big old freelanders and jags!
Overall I am very happy with the Mini- there is nothing else I can really think of that would tick all my boxes and not cost me a fortune to purchase, run and in residuals.
Reasons I bought it were- Unlimited Mileage warrantee. Good residual. cheap serviceing, Good fuel economy.
Unlimited mileage was main reason as I do approx 30,000 miles/yr so wanted a warrantee on a new car that would last me more than 2 years!
Having driven it for last 6 months I absolutely love the car, especially the auto gear box- it’s great.
However bad points- fuel economy on motorway at 80mph is not as good as expected- probably getting 34-35mpg at these speeds- even less when you do 90! I think this may be similar on a lot of smaller engined cars as they must have to rev higher. Having driven large company cars (Jag x types, Free landers) I do miss the space occasionally and also (strangely) the road presence- having to give way to fiestas bombing down your side of narrow roads and driving through London can be annoying- everyone assumes you are a little mini and you will stop and give way- never used to have that in my big old freelanders and jags!
Overall I am very happy with the Mini- there is nothing else I can really think of that would tick all my boxes and not cost me a fortune to purchase, run and in residuals.
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