Hello all,

Like the title states I'm a new member here, and a prospective owner of a new mini. Started looking at them once a friend took me for a ride in his and I loved it.

I have gone through and played around on their website, and have configured one to the way I want it. A couple of questions tho:
1) Is there, anything that is a must have on the mini, besides the manual trans(plan to order it with the manual)
2) How well does the Hardtop Mini handle in snow (I'm from WI)
3) How hard is it to work on a Mini yourself if you choose to do your own maintenance?
4) How is the comfort on long road trips (10+ hours)
5) How is the car reliability wise, is it prone to maintenance other than scheduled?

Thank you

 

My own personal opinion of course. But I owned one of the original R53's had it for 9 years.

1.) unless you live in Florida, cold weather package is a must. It's like climbing into bed with a heated mattress pad. And the S is a must. Must get the S.
2.) My hardtop was a beast in the snow. The best car I ever had, drove it through Snowmageddon here in D.C. a few years back when no one else was out. Only hard thing though is that you have to make sure you can clear the snow (packed down or plowed) otherwise the front works like a snow plow and you can mess up your grill and what not.
3.) I never tried, when I heard my local mechanic bchin about how hard it was to get to the oil filter I just figured I would let him do all the work. But I know tons of people who are more mechanical than me who work on their own.
4.) Drove my R53 cross country from Philly to Camp Pendleton Cali oh I'd say a minimum of 5 times. Last time with a 70 pound dog, 2 cats, and my sister in it with the luggage on top.
5.) With the warranties on these babies you hardly have to worry. The only thing that went on my r53 was the starter about 5 years in. In and out in one day to fix.

I have been without my mini for over a year now, selling it was the worst mistake I have ever made. I'm not kidding. Will have a new one by this time next week :D

 

MY $0.02...

I'm on my second MINI, my first one was a 2006 'Justa (Not Supercharged or Turbo) and now I have a 2011 MCS and I wouldn't buy anything else

1) I agree. You will need the Cold Weather package. I got that on both of my MINIs and it came in handy when I lived in CT and even now in SW VA I find myself using it all the time.

2) My 'Justa was like a mountain goat in the snowy hills of Central CT. Now that I live in SW VA I don't see nearly as much snow, but when I do, I have all season Yokohamas on it and she gets me home. You being in WI the only thing I'd say is set some $$ aside and get your a set of winter rims and snowtires and you'll be good to go.

3) I don't do much work on mine, but I know lots of people who do. It can be challenging but don't let that deter you.

4) I take mine all over the Northeast (CT, MA, NH, VT, ME, NY, NJ) from where I am now and I wouldn't want to make the drive in anything else. Another reason to get the Cold Weather Pkg is for the heated seats; on those long hauls even in the summer, they come in handy

5) Both my MINI's all I've ever paid out of pocket for are tires. Everything else was covered 100% under warrenty, and MINI even picked up my 2011 MCS and flatbedded it 125 miles to my dealership: Twice, with not cost to me other than time to pickup the car itself.

Good luck with your purchase!