Hi,

I'm currently leasing a BMW but I'm very seriously considering a Mini when my lease ends a year from now. Or maybe find a Mini owner who'd trade toward my highly modified Subaru STI. Anyway, I thought I'd start learning about the Mini and would look forward to folks input on grabbing the last of the current generation or waiting for the 'new' Mini.

 

Hi, I've driven Mercedes for nearly 20 years & 1 test drive in a Mini later...AHHH! Have you test driven one yet? You should. I talked the dealer into an hour long drive...making sure I went over every type of road around. Mini's are smooth when the road is smooth but your passengers will most certainly feel every jounce and bounce...I don't notice, 'cause I'm having too much fun driving! Plus...And can I repeat....they're FUN!!! Mini's are way different from the car you're driving now but I think you're on the right track about taking baby steps towards Minis. I researched for a year before the test drive.

 

Go to your dealer around 1 pm on a week day. They are more than likely to let you take the car out as long as you want by yourself on a test drive.

I did this in order to compare the MCSa and MCS.

 

I sold my 2003 M3 back in January and picked up my Mini about a week before the M3 was sadly driven off by it's new owner. I loved everything about the M3 and my MCS is like the M's youngest brother. It does have a firm ride and it's short wheelbase leaves a little to be desired when making uneven surface transitions. But, and this is a big but, the car is so damn much fun.

The first thing you'll notice when test driving one around some windy roads, and you must take it there on your test drive, is just how go-kart like it is.. It's such a hoot. It's nimble, doesn't have much body roll, and even less if you upgrade the rear sway bar (which is highly recommended). It can get great gas milage, has a pretty good stereo (Harmon Kardon a must), and has an insane amount of options for personalization.

The Mini community is huge and you'll usually get at least a wave a day from a fellow Mini owner... at least I do.

As far a the "New" Mini, I'd probably wait at least until the second year, 2008 before buying one. I'm not a big believer in first-year cars. There's always bugs to be worked out. As an STi owner, you're probably a big fan of Turbo's, which the new Mini has. Personally, I prefer a supercharger over a turbo because of it's linear-ity (is that a word?) in it's power delivery and it's got no lag, at least in the Mini's case. There can be a flat spot that some notice, but if you're into modding, as a lot of people here are, that can be easily, and fairly cheaply, fixed plus you'll find a little more power in doing so.

Anyway.. enough of my pennies.. Go Drive One!

 

Welcome to NAM!

I sold my 04 BMW X5 for my baby! I loved my X5 (handling was outstanding)...but my MINI is the coolest car on the planet! I can't
keep a smile off my face when I'm driving!

 

Funny you mention the X5... I had an '02 X5 before my M3.. I had the 4.6is 20" rims on it and I loved it! You're completely right about the handling.. For it's weight, it handled great. I absolutely rompted on my brothers Escalade.

Anyone else go from a beemer to a Mini??

 

I did. I had an E36 for ten years and 160,000 miles before I bought my MCS in '04. Although I miss my 'ol "Chunky", the Mini just rocks! The handling and the brakes are just what you'd expect from a BMW engineered car, but so is the less than stellar gas mileage on premium fuel (at least for the car's size). And I never got as many smiles driving around in my 3 as I do now.

 

What is a MCSa?

 

Mini Cooper S automatic.

 

I am going from a 330i to MCS. 6sp on both. I love driving the MCS, but I also love my bimmer! Just time to move to another car, and the MCS is the only car that makes me willing to get rid of my 330. I love it when someone pulls up beside me with the intention of leaving me in the dust... only to find themselves out shifted and inhaling my exhaust. Love it!

 

We just sold our 330i and replaced it with a MINI. We still do have an M3 which we LOVE and will keep along with the MINI, but yes, we agree, the MINI is incredible. My husband refers to it as a kart for the street. I will have a hard time deciding which car to drive to work each day. Don't want either of them to feel left out or unloved!

 

I'm replacing an '02 330i sedan w/steptronic with an '06 MCS manual which I should pick-up in a couple of weeks. The 330 has been great but some strange force has compelled me to get a MINI. I have no desire for the '07 from what I've seen so for me it was now or never. Hopefully I won't regret my decision.

 

I'm replacing my 2001 Z3 with the Mini.. and the Z3 is an awesome car to drive on the twisties! The Z was my dream car.... I have had fun.. but I NEEEEEEEEEEEED a MINi.. and the test drive just confirmed it. So, sadly SunnyZ3 is going... and with great joy Moe is coming!

 

Definitely a good choice on the MINI. If you do go to test drive a MINI for a long period of time, it would be a good idea to call ahead and schedule a test drive to make sure that you can get the car out for more than an hour (if you so wish!) And make sure to take it up some of the most winding roads you can find so you can witness it's "Whiptastic Handling!"

 

Diggin the carbon black M in the picture above

 

Mini to a Beemer

 

My other toys:



Wife also had a 4.4X5 and currently has 3.0X3.

Our observation - fun is inversely correlated with weight.

The Mini is actually fun enough to take on my favorite tight twisty motorcycling roads (not so for the S4, X3 or X5).... well at least until you come behind another car, then the ride is over (for the Mini, not the bike ).