Hi everyone,

I'm seeking some advice. I used to have a 2007 Mini Cooper S and I had it a few years and I really liked it. Then I leased a 2011 328 after ther lease I bought a 2014 328, which has been excellent. The problem is this 328 is so boring to drive, feels like a Camry. Last week I test drove a 2015 cooper S and I just couldn't believe how nice the car rode and handled. The 2007 didnt feel this good. The quality and the fit and finish was amazing.

I'm going to go back and test drove another car. I drove a standard, but I noticed that I couldn't get a comfortable position and it seems my foot was stretched. I do a lot of city driving too so how is the automatic? I felt like a little kid driving the new Mini. Has anyone else traded their BMW for a Mini and do you miss your BMW? To me this car was a small BMW most of the controls are the same.

I'm so on the fence with this decision and it also comes down to what they give me for my car.

Any thoughts appreciated.

 

I traded my 2013 X1 for a JCW Hardtop, which is waiting to be built. The whole time I had the X1 all I could think was that I should have gotten another Mini. So no regrets.

 

I went from a 2014 X1 to a 2015 Cooper S. This is my 3rd MINI (2 Clubmans, an S and a JCW). I have a long commute with ~24 traffic lights, and my knees are starting to complain, so I picked an automatic. I'm pleased with my choice. The shifts are smooth, and it's easy to manually select gears when you want to go hands-on.

The X1 (x128, 8-speed auto) was a great car/small SUV, for what it was. I actually compared it back-to-back to a Countryman JCW, and was able to get a loaded X1 for much less than a loaded CM. But it's not a MINI. The handling, the quickness, it draws you back

There are a lot of folks that don't care for the 3rd Gen cars, as they feel they're too BMW-like. That's actually what I like about the F56.

Go test an automatic. Also, take a Cooper (3-cylinder) out for a drive. It may surprise you. It certainly did me, and if I had to do it over again I'm strongly consider the Cooper over the S. It's that good.

My .02, YMMV, past performance does not guarantee future growth, etc.

 

That is exactly how I felt driving my X1. It just wasn't a Mini.

 

Mine is an '06 R52 with the Getrag 6 sp. gear box and it remains too much fun. Recently my co-pilot bought a '15 CM with the selectronic gear box. I got to drive it to an event shortly after and really had fun putting the lever into the manual mode and flipping the 'sport' switch. I think you'd like that feature and still have the auto function for city stop and go.

 

There are transportation cars and then there are driver's cars. MINI is a "Driver's" car.

When we added a second car, the practical side of me said get a MINI. Small car, BIG fun factor (and my wife would have no difficulty driving it). Wound up buying a 2015 C7 coupe instead (wife actually convinced me to buy it). I had a few in the past but really fell in love with the new design . Seven months later decided to dump our 2014 Santa Fe and added a MCS.

I can honestly say, I enjoy the MINI as much as my C7. Both are HUGE fun factor cars, but at 1/2 the price, the MINI provides great "bang for the buck" enjoyment. Already anticipating our next MINI as a JCW.

 

After the test drive I thought that it really felt more BMW and I think that's why I really loved it.

 

I have a manual in mine but will be going sport automatic next time as I just spend to much time in rush hour stop and go but these new manuals are buttery smooth but they do have a long clutch throw. Non issue for me as I am a leggy 6'4.

 

I'm 5'7" so finding a comfortable position with my short legs isn't easy. I drove the manual last week and I loved it. So much better than the stick I had in the 2007. I'll try it again and see if I can adjust it better.

 

Regarding seating position and clutch operation, it's not entirely obvious that the steering wheel adjusts both up/down and in/out, and the seat adjusts up/down in addition to back angle and distance to steering wheel. Jumping into a car for a test drive might not give time to truly dial in your best position.

My present and previous MINIs both had manual, and so will my next one (although I understand AT is fine for commuting, which I don't do).

 

New here, and another 2014 x135i to 2015 JCW defector! The selling dealer now has three x1's sitting on their used lot.

That tells me we made the right choice, so much fun to drive and very efficient too..

 

The sport automatic I have in mine is a blast. If you go that way, get the JCW steering wheel as well. Adds a ton of fun.

 

Yep. Test drive the 3 cylinder with the automatic. I was very impressed. I Actually got the manual because my wife preferred that. With long commutes I drive the manual and while the clutch is easy to use my left knee "clicks" when I use the stairs from all the manual transmissions I've ownef over the years.

 

Just reading this made me twitch

 

I know it's a little disturbing.


This may come as heresy to some of you but I think the Mini automatic is more fun than the manual. This is a sweet fast shift auto that tears through the gears very fast. Faster than I can shift. I've been driving manuals for over 20 years.

 

Good to hear, I will definitely try an automatic.

 

[QUOTE=jamesdean;4096654]I have a manual in mine but will be going sport automatic next time as I just spend to much time in rush hour stop and go but these new manuals are buttery smooth but they do have a long clutch throw. Non issue for me as I am a leggy 6'4.

[/QyUOTE]

Is that your car in the pic? That is really beautiful!!!!

 

My hopefully not useless input. I started in a Gen1 that I loved but was murdered by an impaired driver. I then got an '11 R56S. I just got (literally yesterday) my new F56S. Hate to admit it but I bought the F56s without even test driving! Finally last week I had to go by the dealership to drop off some paperwork and my husband convinced me to take 10 minutes and test drive the F56S. Imagine my surprise when I couldn't really get a good grip on the clutch. But since the car was ordered and on the way I decided I would just have to live with it.
I picked up my car yesterday in somewhat of a rush so didn't really get to play with it. The drive home was a bit tense as I couldn't get the clutch down without really stretching my foot ��. So last night when the car was parked and in the garage I had some time to play with the set up Nd got the seat in a perfect spot. It is actually better than my 2 previous MINIs, it just took me a bit to adjust to the new set up. Today while out driving I was so loving the new feel!

 

[QUOTE=steveng;4097058]Yes it is and ty

 

I used to sit slot closer but got used to the dead spot so now I sit a normal distance. Such a smooth clutch and tranny.

 

The problem is that the dealer is low ballin me. I have a pretty well equipped 2014 328 that is in mint condition. I know dealers make more money on used cars too. I was thinking of going to car max or selling it on my own, but then I'll get hit with having to pay tax because I didn't trade it in. So if I made any extra money it would just go to taxes.

They must really think I'm dumb, because they throw out this low number and act like there doing me a favor. I will get back in a Mini, don't know when but I will.

I'm so disappointed :(

 

What are they offering you ? Options have little effect on trade value BTW,also where do you live ?

 

They were offering 26k and looking on local lots a car like mine is going for 7k and up. I'm in Connecticut.

 

We recently just purchased two F56 S models. We used to have 2009 MCS and these cars are way different than the 2009 cars. More refined with better interior materials. Both my wife and I are very pleased with the cars thus far. We're only a week in but I see these as being long term cars. Wayyyyyyy more fun than the Toyota's that we traded in.

 

Which dealer in CT? I got both my minis from Fairfield and both from Fabrizio. Both times they gave me a good price on my trade.