so... i still remember waiting for my 2013 Coupe to arrive after putting in the order and how i just wanted all of the coupe info i could get, all of the video reviews (whether i agreed or not) i could watch... but most of all.. i loved reading the thoughts of present coupe owners.

so, i bring you tonights post for any soon to be coupe owner that wanted to know all of those questions: is it that rough of a ride? are there rattles? how's it as a daily driver? don't worry my friends, i'll give you my thoughts on this..

Background:

I'm a single bachelor. I don't plan to get married soon or to worry about having more than one other person in my car. I've gone from a 4dr sedan to a 2 door coupe (room for 4) to my now 2 door coupe / 2 seater. My previous car history is:
age 16 = 1984 Chrysler Lebaron (total crap but man it did well in the winter)
age 17 = 1983 Pontiac Firebird (V8, 5.0 liter, auto tranny; yea a 17 year old's wet dream of a car; was cherry read w/t-tops)
age 20 = 1992 Eagle Talon TSi (turbo, AWD; OMG fun!! but timing belt went out and bent valves, lost about $4k on it)
age 20 = Back to the Firebird
age 22 = 2003 Honda Accord SE (4door, thought i'd be hauling around pals bu then realized.. they now all have real jobs and in turn cars.. doh! but introduced to VTech.. fun!)
age 25 = 2006 Honda Civic Si (first gen of the new redesign coupe; OMG, even more fun!! pocket rocket, redline at 8500RPM, 6speed manual w/LSD.. seriously fun cornering.. but..)
age 33 = 2013 Mini Cooper S Coupe

so that leads us to now...

I ordered my coupe in early Feb 2013 and received it around March 30th 2013. Those few months were the longest and most obsessive months of my life. I followed my build every step of the way and consoled w/fellow owners awaiting their custom mini's too. Finally, i received her just as i had ordered and got to finally stop posting and start driving.

Post 4,000 Mile Thoughts:

After owning a Honda Civic Si, I had VERY high expectations of build quality and performance/reliability. My 2006 Civic Si had a BB value of around $12,000 after 6 years and looked and felt like it had the day i drove off w/ .6 miles on it. I had zero rattles or mechanical issues; the only issue i had was ECU related and was resolved by an ECU update (rev hangs). Total extra maintence costs after 6 years of spirited (aka fun!) driving = $500 for a new battery and a transmission flush and replacement w/amsoil (my request, not needed). The bar was set very high for Mini, mainly due to the price of my build after all of the add-ons. let's say around $35000 w/the JCW spoiler.

Build Quality:

So far, pretty solid. I say pretty due to just a slight whistle from the drivers side door/window seal area. Mainly due to the design of the windows and body; doesn't bother me but i could see some people having issues. I haven't had any rattles but also do not have the active spoiler; I had the JCW Fixed Spoiler put on from day one and in turn do not have any of those pieces in the car.

The interior still is a great conversation starting at gas stations or rest stops. most love the middle speedometer and are even more intrigued by the mini connected once i put a movie or music video on it (i also coded my mini w/VIM). The HK sound system is one of the best i've heard in a car in this price range. Solid bass and good mids, highs are not as clear but still good. i'm def no audiophile; i used to be that kid that had subs so...

Ride Quality/Fun:

HOLY CRAP!! that is all i can say with a big cheesy grin. Fun factor can't be explained. Once you realize this is your daily driver; every drive is fun.. Even the stop and go commute; you put it into sport mode and just make her burple and pop.. cornering is unlike any car i've driven; it seriously puts my 06 Si to shame on cloverleaf onramps or even 90 degree turns. it just sticks. however if you turn off DSC complete and only have E-LSD enabled; you can nearly feel like your in a RWD car on a turn and kick out the back end. DSC will pull back on the gas when you slip and in turn limits fast acceleration on a bumpy surface.

torque in this thing is amazing at pretty much any RPM. there is a bit turbo lag if its not spooled up but still.. it packs a punch for its size, i've made a few BMW 3xx series and M3s a bit shocked. compared to my Si; it would whoop it.

Ride quality is about the same as my Civic Si was with its sports suspension. Sporty cars = rougher rides; nature of the beast. I did not opt for the sports suspension add-on but instead went w/the JCW Strut brace. I still think it def helps my entries into turns and keeping a straight line while braking.

The runflats do make for a rougher ride and man, avoid those nasty potholes! however they do give you better cornering in by nature of their design (steel inside to allow to run on a flat, etc). I prob will swap out once i need new tires but for now i'm happy w/the stock runflats.

I also opted for the 6speed automatic transmission vs the manual. I know, most of the hardcore are just shaking their heads in disapproval. . however.. this auto feels just as good as my manual 6speed. plus i can do semi manual w/the paddles and bring it to the red but traffic sucks and i got sick of shifting. so far, no regrets.

Other Notes:

-the armrest DOES NOT come w/the iPhone charging dock. it costs about $250 from Mini/BMW. BOOO!! yea, you get nickeled and dimed on accessories is my only complaint..

-the new Mini's have the WORST oil dipstick. It nearly takes a rocket science degree to understand. Seriously, messed up! my 1983 lebaron had a basic metal dipstick that i could see how much oil i had w/o reading a manual and then just hoping i'm getting an accurate reading.. wtf????

-get your mini coded! its worth imo, i have VIM (video in motion) so i can put on movies while driving for the passenger, close windows w/fob, etc.


finally.. the first 1200 miles are the hardest miles ever.. breakin.. i went w/the variable RPM and lots of engine braking breakin. i took it to 5,000k and back down and up a again a few times in the begining and hope it works as good as it did on my Si. however once i hit 1200.. WOOOT!!!

keep it mini, here's a few quick vids i made w/my GoPro inside my coupe

 

Thanks for the play by play update. After a few weeks of deliberation and multiple trips to the dealer I finally settled on a new MCS and the many options that you can order. Now the hard part in waiting for the build, shipment and final arrival to occur. Hopefully, it will take about six weeks like yours did.

 

Good write-up, thanks for your post. Regarding the dipstick: get the Craven Speed R56 dipstick replacement and be done worrying about it. From my understanding, it's much easier to read and won't break off (I'll find out first-hand when my MINI arrives).

Have fun!

 

thanks for the feedback! good luck on the new builds and the wait. however it will be WELL WORTH IT.

thinking of getting the Craven dipstick but just feels wrong that i have to buy an aftermarket dipstick.. silly bmw.. hehe, i'll prob cave as the summer goes on.

 

Very nice ride... I see your in MN... Did you order your car from mini motorwerks in Bloomington?

 

i sure did! Gretchen was my MA; she was great!

Update: i'm now at 7,500 miles and thought i'd do another update.

Oil usage:
When i first started researching the mini coopers, i'd always read that they USE A TON of oil and to be sure to check your levels every few hundred. i've been checking my oil levels since day one and have noticed the following on my 2013 Coupe (N18 engine).

During the breakin period, my oil level dropped just a little, not enough to justify adding any oil though. After 1200 miles, i had a post breakin oil change done.

Last night, I went and again checked my oil level after a nice drive and let it sit for 5-7 mins. Still at the full marker!

So, either the N18 doesn't burn oil like the previous engine or i did a great job on my breakin period!

Rattles/Noises:

again, the only noises i have heard have been from the drivers side door and slight air leak and some rattling in the back if i have both the shelves removed. if i leave the shelf closes to the pass-through door on; there are zero rattles from the back.


Mini Connected/SnapIn Adapter:

Honestly, if i had to do it again i would not have gotten the snapin adapter. The last update to the iOS mini connected app either has a bug when using it w/the snap in or my less than 2 month old snapin went bad. I cannot play music or videos when in the snap in but can w/the Y adapter fine. i wish mini would just include the snapin when you order the armrest.


Finally, just thought i'd post my break-in process that i've used for my last two new cars (prev car was a 2006 Civic Si). both cars that i've done this breakin on have not used oil at all and perform like a champ.

First 100 miles.

Vary the RPM levels between 2000-5000RPMs. Mainly get car up to 5000RPMS and then downshift and engine break down to 2000RPM. Again, i did not go over 90mph when in break in mode and i also did not use sport mode until about 900 miles into my break in.

Post 200 miles.

Again, kept varying the rpms either by going into manual shift mode and go through the gears and again tons of engine braking to set the seals.

After break-in.

WOOT! drove her like i stole her (of course not all the time and after she was warmed up, 180F engine temps).

still in love her and may do an exhaust upgrade next!

 

Updated w/even more vids.. dang you gopro!! hehe.. oh yea, and i am doing the exhaust upgrade tomorrow (Alta JCW downpipe exhaust kit).