Hello to everyone,

My name is Valerio and i’m From Italy, but for working reason 3 years a go i been transferred to south Florida.

I own 3 MINIs, Cooper Paceman in Italy, JCW ALL4 Paceman in Florida and my wife just got a 2019 Countryman.

I discovered this forum while i’m looking to do my own maintenance, and i was very surprised about the fact that in USA there is a lot of MINI’s fan, usually I see big huge ugly cars driving around.

Mostly of my question will be about DIY maintenance, at the moment waiting for few parts that I ordered online, but with Dorian visit us I will have to wait a bit longer.

I’m not big fan of modifications, i strongly believe about keeping the car as original (specially with engine parts and hate the not proper done tuning), unless is made for racing porpoises.

Hopefully i can share my suggestions as well about MINIs in general.

Thanks in advance for all your answers.
Valerio

 

You see “big huge ugly cars” driven in the US. That captures my thoughts and I suspect that of the majority of the forum members, if not MINI drivers in general.

My question is: why the Paceman and not Cooper? Don’t get me wrong, I love the Paceman, however it is too big for my preference.

Welcome to the forum. If you have some spare time, drive north out of Florida and find some hills to enjoy your MINi in the twisting roads, the natural habitat of any MINI.

 

Welcome and a great collection of MINIs you have.

Stay safe with the weather and hope we can help with any future mods you have.

 

Hi miniCPA.
answering your question why Paceman? Because I love not common car, to many Cooper around Miami and all with automatic gear, this means 90% of people that buy Cooper they don’t really buy because of driving style or enjoying driving, they simply buy to look fashion on Instagram.
So for this reason I wanted differentiate my self and buy a not common, very unusual I will say.

Thanks for suggesting me to drive outside north Florida. I will keep in mind, for a nice escape week-end.

 

Hi miniCPA,

answering your question, why Paceman? Because I like not common cars, and in Miami there to many Cooper all with automatic gear, this means people who drive Coopers they don’t buy because of the driving and sensation, the buy because they have to look good on Instagram. That is the reason why I wanted the Paceman.

Thanks for suggesting to drive north out of Florida, i will try to escape one week-end and push a bit on her.

 

It's funny how people equate "big" with value. I was asked several times why I'd want a small car. And there's the "for that price, you could have gotten a much bigger car".

I'm always the one who asks "why would you want such a big car?" or "don't you want something fun to drive?".

 

So few people understand! I was watching a classic motorweek video on a dodge colt turbo and I found myself wishing they still made them.

I wish i could find something 2/3 the size of my MINI. Heck, my wife doesn’t like driving in the MINI so perhaps 1/2 size would be better.

 

Yes correct, "for that price, you could have gotten a much bigger car", copy - paste

And when they by something "big" they don't realize that they just carry heavy empty trunk for 80% of times.

And when they realize that the Paceman is 3 doors car the say "oh every time you have to go out of the car to let anyone in or out from back seat?...and I reply " How many people entering your car daily", and the say "well you know sometimes" trying to escape from reality.

 

My brother just bought at huge SUV (third row seating and their only expecting their first child!). He was complaining about how it was so expensive due to having to get so many options. This was because he really wanted a "higher end option", the 360° camera. Only models with lots of features had that feature apparently. But the reason that he needs the 360° camera: the parking spots for his condo are really small... I was like

 

My child grown in a Fiat Punto 2002 Sporting, 3 doors

I had to play Tetris every time, but in the end he has grown without problem and daddy enjoyed the car.

 

Hi and welcome to NAM, Valerio!
I hope you enjoy your time in Florida, with your Mini!