I'm new to the world of Mini. I just bought a 2012 MCS (after waiting 5 or so weeks for it to come), and I like it, but I'm not so gung-ho over it like people on this website seem to be about theirs. I really want to be excited about my new car. Here's what I think so far:

It's fast
feels pretty solid so far (I've only had it for a week)
handles well
looks unique
some of the interior plastics don't feel very high quality
the regular (non-xenon) headlights are very weak
the navigation is not very user friendly and the voice commands barely work
the HK sound system isn't really as good as I'd hoped
was very expensive. the MSRP on mine was just over $30k

Can someone shed some light on why Mini's are all they're made out to be. Please help put me in the Mini-mindset!
Thanks

 

I'm a noobie too. I've had my car for a month now and I'm a speed freak. I used to drive a Subaru WRX STI, but now I drive a JCW Clubman. Getting used to the differences was actually pretty easy. I like my car because it feels stable at speeds over 110 mph, it has good handling for a FF car, it is comfy on long drives and I can stuff it full of stuff.

I don't bother with using voice commands on mine, so I can't comment there. My car doesn't get the claimed 30 MPG (I drive like a bat out of hell). It gets more like 22-24.5 MPG. There are some hard plastics, which aren't the greatest. A garmin nav works better, and I keep one with me, but for the most part, the standard nav unit is just fine. I have the xenon light and can't comment there.

A lot of people seem to complain that the ride in their mini's is too harsh and I don't think it's harsh enough. I'm going to put some different springs in mine to try and firm things up.

In complete honesty, the cooper line isn't the best thing since sliced bread and they cost too much. Mine clocked in at almost $40K. I got mine over a BMW 135i (they cost the same price) and I don't have any regrets. My car is fun, it drives well and it looks cool. Besides my stereo not being loud enough, I can't complain about it.

:::: People seem to be enthusiastic about Mini's on forums because its a common interest and gives people who wouldn't associate with each other outside of mini's, a place to come and share their experiences with one another. I'm not a Chevy Silverado fan, hence, I'm not on a Chevy truck forum. I can only be honest. Sometimes when a lot of people are honest it can persuade or disuade someone about a product. Welcome to the internet

 

itll come.... itll come....

 

I don't have any issues but I don't feel around too much maybe. I came from a 2008 Cooper which had a poorer interior.
True - xenons on the MINIs are quite good. I was never impressed with the halogen headlights in my previous MINI.
One reason why I saved $2000 and use my iPhone4 with Navigon navigation and a ProClip mount.
You should hear the stock system. I am pretty happy with the H/K.


I chose the MINI because it has a lot of character and is fun with a unique look. So many small cars with rear seats available right now are just so dull. They are expensive but sit in the MINI and then go to a cheap econo-box and see which you prefer. Give it some time.

 

If we have to explain it to you, you'll never get it! Being excited about a car is not intellectual , it's emotional and has to come from inside you. Sorry but we cannot tell you anything that you don't already know that will get you excited about your mini. Some people NEVER in their life get really excited about a car, that's perfectly OK, some get it, others don't. That's what makes the world go around and I'm sure there's things you get excited about that would bore me. I have NO problem with that.

 

Just dumped a ford flex,
Every option! Stereo rocked, voice control sucked (like almost every other voice control), gas sucked, build quality really sucked, nice ride smooth but boring, xenons were beyond bad, nav was not good....

Now I have this car that you don't see every mile on the road, it's fast, great mileage, sounds awesome, way over priced!! People look, kids love um, so you kind of pay for exclusivity and the bond that is MINI, turn down the radio, hit the sport button and listen to the car...then you'll get it .

Drive the car, if you want to cruise you should have bought a Benz, this is a drives car let it be driven, let it talk to you...that's why it's a sports car....like a baby 911

Their kinda like Apple products expensive and addicting....and cool!

Tech is most cars is really not up to par, so don't let that bother you, buy an iPhone it evolves much faster.

 

What's so good about MINIs!?

It's just that they are the best car ever!!!

Yeah, I'm a fan.

Dave

 

2 cents...

Cheers,

Charlie

 

First 70 degree day, sunroof full open, windows open, nice curvy road. You'll understand.....

 

May I ask why you bought a Mini if it was just a "meh" car to you? It seems a little odd to slap down $30k on a car that you weren't too sure about. I mean nothing rude, just asking. What did you expect to get out of it from the time of ordering it to now? Maybe you should have taken one out on a longer test drive to be sure?

My boyfriend and I always say Toyotas are for people who hate cars. For people who just want to get from A to B and don't care much about how they get there. Mini is more of a niche car...people know they want one and become consumed by them. I actually bought a 2009 Justa as a "meh" gas-efficient commuter car, and I ended up falling in love with it. Now I downsized from 2 cars (weekend car and commuter car) to just one '12 MCS. I got sucked right into the Mini world. lol

 

Great gas mileage and fun to drive are my too key points. I can fit me, my gf and both my pitbulls it in and go. Its like I was explaining to a coworker. The reason I love German built cars is due to the soul of the vehicle. I have driven makes and models from most manufacturers but nothing makes me want to just go out and drive like a German built car.

 

I think you're spot on. Besides the "it's fast" part.

Basically I think they're just all around entertaining cars to drive, that have a lot of character that most other cars lack these days. Being good on gas doesn't hurt either. The quality surely isn't there for the premium price, but somehow it still seems to be worth it just for the big smile on your face just after driving to work in the morning.

 

Well my MCS was a replacement from my Acura RSX and I gotta say it was a good upgrade. It'll never have the torque/HP/ sound of my Z, but I think the interior, sound, gas milage, and over all performance are good. As far as paying 30K for an MCS, youre crazy.

You paid over 30k for something your sounding unsure about,.... smart move, genius !

 

Well we all know he isn't the only one who has paid that price for an MCS. No need to call him crazy. He didn't say he hated his MCS, in fact he said "I like it, but I'm not so gung-ho over". Nobody is crazy for buying a car they like after all! My best advice to new2minicoop is to go motoring around on some windy roads that seem to have all those signs for curves. If you don't have a smile on your face after that I'd be shocked!

 

I wonder where you live? If you can, pack a bag and head for the Smoky mountains. Find and drive "The Dragon." then go a few miles down to Robbinsville and drive the Cherahala Skyway. Go back to Cherokee NC and pick up the Blue Ridge Parkway. At the end of the day you will have a better feeling of what the MINI is about.

 

I was looking for something to replace my '08 STI that was as fun, but much better on fuel. I also wanted a premium car. MCS is the perfect fit. I've only had it about a week and a half, but I'm loving it so far. I kept the option list down to what I consider essentials, so it stickered under $27K. Mine has:

• cold weather package
• bluetooth/usb
• autodim/compass/garage opener mirror
• xenon lights w/ headlight washers
• DTC
• cloth seats
• all-season tires

So far I'm averaging about 32mpg (keeping it under 4500 RPM), so we'll see how that changes after break-in. But even high 20's will be better than 21mpg I averaged in the STI. I certainly "get" the MINI now

 

Hey now, let's not go lumping all those together. Like most manufacturers, they have had some models out there for those that love cars.

Just as much fun as an MC, less back seat.



The Mini Cooper is the first car to soften the longing to have my old "Fun" car back. What a hoot that car was. I can't say which is more fun to drive as they are very different in feel despite both being small fun cars.

I'd have to ask the OP if it's just the Mini that's got him all "Meh" or if it's just small cars in general. They aren't for everyone and not everyone appreciates or enjoys what they have to offer. I have a friend who much prefers a nice comfortable refined ride as opposed to all out power or handling. There's folks who are into straight line power in cars as well that wouldn't be happy in an MC. Perhaps this kind of car isn't suited for the OP at all.

And heck, sometimes you don't know that till you are in the middle of ownership. I've had a purchase or two that I realized shortly afterwards was a mistake and I was either not in love with the car or hated it. A car payment sucks when you hate the car it's paying for.

 

Supras are the exception, not the rule. lol

 

throwability, fun factor is high. Styling is unique!

 

MINIS can be reasonably priced or extremely expensive small cars. It all depends on how option crazy you get. I must agree that there are parts of the MINI interior that could use some more premium materials, but overall I love the interior look and feel. At $30k I still dont think that there is another car that has the look and feel of the MINI. A lot of my love for the car is the sum of all of the little things that make it what it is. The solid doors, the comfortable seats, the great way it holds the road, the ambient lighting etc.
This is the only car I have ever owned that I seem to like more and more each day.

My wife has a Bmw 335i- its a great car, and very fast. After she drove my MINI for the first time she said "I think I should have bought a MINI instead"
She was very impressed and my car cost $17k less than hers. The MINI also is a great car, but in a different sort of way.

 

Sorry, incorrect. Think smaller.

Supras are big HP and stupid easy/cheap comparatively to get more HP. This little car is all about corners. Kind of the same thinking as the Mini Cooper.

 

Nice clean MR you have there. Sadly Toyota is going the way of the purely old and utilitarian. We shall see how the Subiyota/Toyobaru that is coming out does to bring them back to the younger market.

 

It also depends on your perspective. Having owned mostly "utility" cars in the past (with the exeption of my 1985 Honda CRX, which I loved!) I'm not seeing what you're seeing about the fit-and-finish of the MINI. I think it's great. Worth every penny I paid.

 

I mean, come on....?!

You saying that for over 30K$$, and I'm not gonna insult your intellegence,.. but assuming you test drove several MCS and older models, you didnt see what you were getting in the begining.
I know for 21K$ I did and I'm 95% satisfied with my MCS.

 

And to think I almost bought a Prius instead of my spice orange cabrio!