Hello there,

new to the forum and not yet a mini owner. I'm a harley guy and an active member on http://hdforums.com and http://v-twinforum.com. So I love the thought of having a speedster. Over the years the mini has been cold, warm, and now a little hotter. My wife was more hip to the mini than I have been. She has an 04' 325 bemmer. But I got to tell you, we took an Automatic Cooper S out last Sunday for a test drive and was pretty impressive. Loved the tiptronic with paddle shifters!

Anyways, a few questions though:

1. Should I go with 17" wheels and will I have a harder ride over bumps and things with them?
2. Guess I would go with all premium, sport, and cold weather packages, since cost break out what you really need or want is more $$$ than the package deal ?
3. Limited Slip Differential ?
4. Any other real gotcha's I missed????

Had always been thinking about the VW - GTI. Cost about the same, but with 2Litre-200hp. Haven't test driven yet. Not necessarily enthusiastic about Audi parts and reliability. Any thoughts on this??

 

I also have a Bimmer and my wife and I both have Harleys. Mine is a 2007 Fatboy and my wife has a 2007 Softail Deluxe. In my opinion the 6 speed is the way to go with the mini, that is what the Mini so fun to drive. Mine is somewhere between here and England as we speak and can not wait until it arrives. My B.M.W. is a 6 Series 645 convertible and the Mini is much more FUN to drive!

 

got an 07' Deluxe in which I've been doing a bunch of winter mods for my winter project. It's been a blast and saved $$$ doing it myself.

I'm kindof out of the manual / clutch shifting phase. I really liked the auto with paddles. That's a blast for me.

If you have any inputs on my questions I'd appreciate it...

 

Welcome! I've owned Harleys for 37 years. 71, 76, & 81 Sportsters .... and my current keeper 1983 FXDG ***** G replica twin belt wide glide.

I'd add that the LSD and 6 speed make re-sale much easier as they are desireable features. I personally would not even consider an automatic MINI as a choice for me and the wife. Shifting is part of the fun!!

 

I sold my last Harley and bought an 03S with the 6 speed to replace the Harley. I have really enjoyed the MINI especially the fun of shifting that little clutch no problems.

good luck on your choice

I test drove mustang gt, vw r 32, pt turbo, the MINI was the winner

 

Personally I think whether you have run flats or not have a larger impact on ride quality than the size of the wheel. I have only had 17' wheels so I have nothing to compare it too, but going from run flats to normal tires the difference was night and day... So much better!!

I came to the same conclusion and added in all the packages and a bunch of other crap, life is too short to forgo comforts...

 

ronyd,

I test drove the 6sp stick w/LSD and w/o LSD, and I test drove the automatic w/o LSD. With the auto you do not get the same harsh torque over on the wheel when you gas it from a stop -- the pick up is still great/good but not violent. My thoughts on it are the automatic doesn't need the LSD as much as the 6sp stick.

As for the tires I'm as much at a loss as you are on that one..

Question for you -- are you getting the Areo kit and do you forsee any clearance problems with speed bumps or driveway entrances etc... Would the 18" wheels raise the platform enough to ease that issue *I wonder*...

Haven't ordered mine yet, still seeking out info, but it's getting close to the right time to move on it....