I just traded in my 04 JCW for a new 08 STI. It has been a long time since my last post. I got into a complete remodel of my new house over the last two years and lost touch with the forum.

Let me start off by saying I have owned 37 cars over the last 18 years. The only car I kept longer than the MINI was my Vette. I had the MINI for 5yrs +2weeks and enjoyed the car more than any other I have owned.

I also want to say that Prestige MINI in NJ was hands down the best car buying experience I have ever had. I would recommend them to anyone in a heartbeat.

I will say that I truly loved the MINI and put up with A LOT of crap breaking while i owned the car.
I was involved in a settlement with MINI and took a JCW upgrade vs taking a new car in 04 due to a horrible idle issue that they could not fix after 8 trips in to the dealer and a whole bunch of calls. So here is the bad parts list up to 70K starting with the early warranty issues,

1. replacement of whole steering rack 04
2. windshield 04
3. ecu 04
4. 8 trips in for rough idle stalling issue 04
5. full 6 speed trans 05
6. idler pulley 05
7. two emissions valves 05
8. oil pan gasket 06
9. rear brake calipers 06
10. moon roof repair 06
11. rear hatch open indicator issue 5 trips 04
12. thermostat 07
13. another oil pan gasket 08
14. engine cooling fan 08 out of warranty
15. rear brake caliper (again) 08
16. super charger gasket 08 out of warranty
17. my last service bill out of warranty was $1600 so I am forgetting something
18. left window motor

So as you can see I had a few issues with my car.
The $1600 bill prompted me to look at new vehicles .

I wanted all wheel drive, room for the pups,power,power, and power.
So I went with the STI. The STI so far is what I wanted my MINI to be. But the interior of the STI has none of the charm and style of the MINI.

At one point I had 10k in mods in my JCW MINI not including JCW parts. Out of the box as a stocker the STI walks all over my JCW even during the STI break in period keeping under 4k rpms (trying hard anyway)

Here is the short list of mods my MINI had at one point starting in 06 .After most of my warranty issues happened I chose to mod the car since I didn't have the most reliable ride as it was. Most of the mods came of the car when I bought my house lol. Car was almost JCW stock when I traded it in.

1. Alta intake
2. Alta intercooler
3. short shift w Whellen
4. demon coil pack
5. hot wires
6. exhausts in order stock,Borla Race,JCW,Invidia, Webb POS , JCW
7. Milltech header
8. M7 front strut bar
9. rear strut bar
10. larger rear sway bar
11. Billstein coilovers
12. Lots of wheels , BBS , SSR gt1s , R90s
13. camber plates
14. adjustable end links
15. skid plate
16. full Aero kit
17. Full 04 JCW upgrade from MINI
18. and more stuff I can't remember lol

I will write up a line by line comparison over the next month or so. In order to keep it fair in full disclosure I am also going in to buy a new MCS in a month or two for my fiance. I will go back to the brand even with the problems I had.

I miss the MINI and hope to get another one soon. I also want to thank NAM and all the people I have met for all the help over the years. Until then I cant wait for S*N*O*W!!!! of course with a set of dunlop snows on the awd STI.

 

Enjoy your new ride!

 

I love the new STI. Can you post some pictures? I LOVE mini's but I could easily see an STI along side a Mini in a garage some day. The STI being the daily driver and the Mini the weekend autox/track car. Nice choice.

 

sad to see ya go but sti is good too

 

i almost got an STI it's a fun little car, but i went with mini for the look and not wanting a four door car. now i don't have to drive anyone aother than myself and one other person.

 

The nice thing about all of my rides is that I pull the back seats and build/cage out the back for my dogs(3 gsds) so for the most part it is mostly just me and the dogs

So far i am loving the STI and missing the MINI at the same time.

 

I as well was looking at the STi. My last ride was an '02 WRX. When I was looking for my next car gas was over $4/gal for premium and the fuel mileage for the STi stucks. I am very happy with my '09 MCS and although it doesn't have the power of my old WRX or the STi, it has that little something even the Sti doesn't have

 

subaru's trying to steer their wrx/sti sales away from the young racer-ish drivers with that new Look they have.. and it's working :P

 

Wow a new STI nice car. I love Subaru's & the STI is the best of the best. Best buy a set of snow tires for it. You'll have big problems trying to keep all of those horses in check on summer performance tires.

Please post some pictures of the new STI.

 

Hey K9, welcome to the STI club! I drive my MINI most days (better mileage!) but the STI gets some use...



It's slowly getting more and more modified. Drop me a note if you want to talk Subie stuff.

--Dan
Mach V
FastWRX.com

 

WOW , Dan that is a hot set up! What kind of wheels are you running on that set up?

 

I just wanted to say thanks to all of you who posted for being honest and not getting out the flame thrower. I was kinda expecting some negative feedback. Makes me miss the forum. Fiance and I just priced out 09 MCS so in two months we are going to go for a new black MCS........gonna keep this one stock....I think...lol

 

Those are 19x9.5" Rays G-Games. 21 pounds each. 275/30R19 tires.

--Dan
Mach V

 

I am back. Just closed the deal on a MC40 that is an absolutely beautiful low mileage example. The STI was an awesome car but I miss the sense of community that comes with the MINI. SO I am back! Now in my driveway we will have my wife's 2010 S convertible and my 2004 MC40.

 

lol! mega update

 

Welcome Back !!!!