After a month and two road trips with our new Mini, I offer a few opinions and some observations.

Positive Stuff: This car is a road trip dream. I'm an old man, but my wife and I did 700 miles in a long day and were disappointed the trip wasn't longer. 19" run-flats rode well, the car is quiet and docile till you call upon it . I live in TN, our roads are in very good shape so the 19's didn't scare me, but I did buy the tire and wheel insurance. Driving the TN backroads is just fun. We also have a 2011, 6 speed, Clubman S. We weren't sure about the 8 speed auto, but that's what belongs in the car, IMO. It is fast, smooth, and controllable in several different ways. A real high note for me is the exhaust. Not pops and gurgles, but a real throaty sound as you ask more from the engine (I don't know how much of this is artificially generated, but I like it). It's not an American V-8 sound, but probably as close as you'll get with a 2 litre engine; you will also get the bark in all the driving modes if driving moderately aggressive. The brakes are unbelievable! The electronics are some useful, some entertaining, some novel, and some just leave you wondering.

Negative Stuff: Upon returning from our first trip I found a sidewall bubble in the right front tire. Bought the insurance so the tire was free, but the downside is we don't remember hitting a bump or pothole that should have caused this. I'll try to update problems with tires and wheels in the future. This car really needs blind spot warning! I think most auto's are near the saturation point with the connected materials available, I ordered it, I use it, but looking for it while driving down the road can be distracting. I feel some of the software/hardware modules could interface a little better. Example is I set a destination in the GPS and then have to set it again in Mini-Assist if I want to notify someone of my ETA. Launch control, as we used it in the sixties, wasn't good for the drivetrain, probably still isn't.

This Mini can be driven as a grocery getter and your neighbors will comment on how cute it is. Drive it through the twisty's and water your eyes. Take it to the Drag's and water someone else's eyes. Pass someone on the track and watch them yell WTF was that.

Gary

 

Thats awesome. The brakes seem to be a real plus in this car. Motoringfile has made multiple references to them in articles and videos. Love your color scheme. Hope it gives you many miles and smiles.

 

Nice color combination!

This is why people hate Run Flat tires. I owned a BMW 135i for 7 years and in the first 2 I destroyed 4 front RFT tires. I then switched to normal ones and never had another failure.

I ordered 18" tires and adaptive suspension on my Clubman JCW and it luckily arrived with Pilot Super Sports which I always loved. I only wish I hadn't chosen Enigmatic Black, it's a nightmare to keep clean(ish).

 

Black is always the best looking color...when it's clean. But dirty or clean I'll bet it's fun to drive!

Gary