My lease of my current car (Saab) was just about up so I looked into the MINI. Never EVER thought about it, but the lease for 24 months looked attractive so if I did not like the car in the long run then that's that. I didn't qualify for the best rate because my credit isn't about 700 on Transunion. Still wonder if MINI Select would have been a better way to go, but the balloon payment and feeling of ownership scares me. I rather not be so attached to something.

It's a Pepper White Cooper Hatchback (non-S) with heated seats and Auto. The thing that truly sold me to the mini and made me overlook the interior's boldness was the solid drive and accurate steering. Absolutely the best that I have ever driven. I can't stand big cars that lumber all over the road and the MINI is anything but that it seems!

I live in New England so I'm kinda scared too about what winter driving is going to be like with the car. Anyhow, I have a few questions that I'd appreciate some feedback on if you don't mind

1) Should I keep it in the garage on snowy days? Will the front bumper get trashed if I drive in snow? How does it handle in slick conditions?

2) Will the occasional pothole be ok? I can't seem to avoid them!

3) Is bumper scrape common (ie going into a shopping plaza with a sharply inclined ramp)?

4) Are door dings common with the MINI?

Thanks!

 

This post caught my eye. Your comment about ownership... expressing concern about not getting attached. I'll just say "Yeah, good luck with that!".

Our first MINI... '05 MCS Cabrio was MINI Select. Lease terms on the '08 MCS Cabrio did not seem too great and we ended up purchasing (with 50% down). Sure wish MINI had the great financing options that are offered on BMW. We got excellent terms on the 530I.

Anyway, long story short... the plan was to sell the '05 since the '08 was her replacement. We wanted a new one before they changed everything that we loved about ours. (That was in September '08.) We still have the '05...we can't seem to part with her.

As for the rest of your questions, well... it's clear to see that it's already too late for you... the bonding has started. Although I lived in Maine for 27 years, I did not own a MINI there. I drove the '05 to ME and NH in Sept. '07 and really had forgotten how rough the roads are up there. Anytime I hit a bump... I felt her pain. I can't answer any of your questions... but just wanted to say "hey" and welcome. Good luck finding the answers you are looking for!

 

I just bought a cooper here in Nova Scotia Canada, so our winters are superbly crappy. I must say that the cooper is one of the best cars i've ever driven in the snow/ice/gravel/etc. My previous car was a 2004 Corolla S and the cooper is much better than the corolla was in the snow. I have Pirelli Snow Control 190s on it and it's been excellent in the ice also. We had a nasty ice storm a little while ago, and i was one of the only ones able to get into the parking lot at work. All of the guys in trucks just spun their tires but i actually drove on top of the frozen snow haha.

As for the bumper thing, it's actually not bad. I've scraped it twice since i've had it, and the feeling is terrible, but it seems to be holding up very well.

As for the potholes, just think of the road as an obstacle course haha. There are more potholes here than most can possibly imagine, so, as long as it's dry, i don't mind tossing the car around to avoid them, it can actually be entertaining. Until you hit them. You'll really feel that, but it's not as bad as you'd think. I'm finding after putting 2500kms on it, the suspension has softened up a bit and the bumps in the road aren't as bad as when i had first gotten the car. Hope that helps a bit, and enjoy the mini!

 

I can take a crack at 3/4 of your questions.

1) Can't answer this one, never driven the Mini in snow

2) Every time you go over a pothole, you will swear you broke something expensive (it nearly always sounds really bad), but it should be ok. San Diego is full of potholes (I guess road repair isn't really a big priority for the city) but I haven't broken anything yet.

3) Depends, if you got sport suspension or JCW, I'd be careful not to go over parking burms. It's easy getting over, but backing up to leave the bumper can get caught and do damage. I've done it. :(

4) Unfortunately, yes. Just two weeks ago had some girl smack her passenger door right into my driver's door. She just couldn't comprehend why I would be upset. Luckily, the door had a "bumper" and it just left a rubber smudge. But, the first week I got the car someone opened their door into me and dented it. Of course, they did the responsible thing of leaving no note and taking off. IMO, that's more a problem with people than with the car.

Also, the door on the Mini actually opens pretty wide, so you'll have to watch for other people's cars when you get out.

Otherwise, congrats on the new Mini!

 

Thanks for the responses! I pick up the car tomorrow and will try to post pictures soon.