Hey MINI enthusiasts!...I'm in the market for a new car and the MINI is on my list.

I've been lurking around this site and reading lots , but have some specific questions.

1. Do the rear seats fold flat? Or....I guess more specifically...fold FLUSH? I have a dog that wears a harness and he usually stays in the back (currently with seats up in my current car 2001 Jetta). Just trying to see if he could lay comfortably.
2. With the rear seats UP...any idea what the dimensions of the boot are? Again dog related, since I MAY try to leave the seats up, let him layout in the back seat and put his crate in the boot...just not sure there is enough room.
3. Is the MCS comfy for long drives/road trips? My Jetta is pretty good (it has a VW sport suspension pkg on it)....so not super stiff, but also not super soft, and I'm just not sure of the firmness of the MCS...and how tiring it might be.
4. Quiet cabin? With windows up and sunroof closed...how quiet is the interior? I'm not expecting Lexus quiet...just didn't want really noisy at speed. (probably a tough question to answer online, but...I thought I'd ask )
5. I commute ever day by bicycle (only part of the way). So currently, the bike goes on the trunk rack, and then I drive a little distance and then ride the rest of the way. From the searching I've done, it looks like the only way to fit a bicycle in a MINI is to take (at least) the front wheel off. With the amount I would be doing this (at least twice daily)...seems like a roof or hitch mount might be a better idea. Thoughts?
6. Lastly...reliability. I currently own a 2001 VW Jetta (like I had mentioned)...needless to say...I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with my car. I love how it drives....but GEESH! it has issues....How's the MINI....? I really would rather NOT get another car I love to drive, but is in the shop a decent amount (aka...a lot)

I know some of these questions will be answered when I go for a test drive (which I haven't done yet)...but I was hoping to get a head start and see what owners think! I'm also concerned, my love of the MINI (styling, good mpg and sporty, easy to park...) might cloud my judgment...and get me in a car that might not accommodate my lifestyle.

In case it's important info....my lifestyle is active, I'm single and have no kids (other than the previously mentioned dog ).

Thanks for any help!

 

Boot is about 35" x 16" at base and it is 20" up to lower edge of removable parcel tray.

Seat backs fold flat, Rover would love to lie on them.

When you test drive, be sure to check out the intermediate (very upright as opposed to a normal, slight recline) setting that increases the fore-aft dimension at parcel shelf level from 10" to 15".

You now sit up very straight in the back seat/s but greatly increase space in the 'boot', Rover would like this setting best of all.

 

1. Yes.
2. About 4'Wx2'Hx16"D.
3. Yes, if you don't get runflat tires, even better.
4. Yes.
5. There are a number of options here...a lot of MINI owners also bicycle. Search and you'll find the threads on racks.
6. There are people here with 200,000+ miles on their MINI's. They are excellent little cars, that will run a long, long time if you treat them right.

 

I can only answer these 2 questions:

Is the MCS comfy for long drives/road trips?
> After only 3 weeks of having my MINI I took a 750 mile (one way, all in one day) road trip that I had driven before 3 times in other cars and was delighted how my butt never got sore and my legs weren't tired at all. The other times my body ached when I got there. In the MINI it was a breeze. I have the highest end interior for an 06, and that might make a difference too.

Quiet cabin?
> If you don't mod the exhaust and all that it is fairly good, but keep in mind that it is a pretty vertical windshield so you will get some noise regardless. The tires on the car also make a difference as does the supercharger/turbo whine if you get the S. I would say that you won't come close to the Lexus, but once you drive it a little you won't mind.

Good luck with the rest of the questions!

 

Sorry for contributing nothing....but...pics of dog please . If you take the plunge http://www.poochstyle.com/store/pc/v...7&idproduct=26

 

The MINI is the car of choice for us for road trips. Lots of bike options, and I've now had our dog and our 6 month old in the back for a three hour trip (lots of luggage in a cargo box on the roof rack...) and I don't think we'll ever take the SUV again. Knowing the problems friends have had with VWs, I think you'll enjoy your MINI a lot more. Test drive and then be prepared to order that day!

 

Sounds like with the dog and the cycle you might be better off looking at a Clubman...the additional 10 inches might make a whole lot of difference in your case.

 

I've only had my MINI for a few days, but I can say this..

My aged 90 pound lab rides in the back of my MINI with the seats folded flat and he can lay down back there on top of the seats comfortably. He can also ride in the back seat with the seats up, but it's easier for him to get in and out of the car through the hatch. Since he's a 90 pound dog, there's no way both him and his crate will fit in my car. I use an airline grade crate and it is the largest one they make. The collapsible ones are bad for the dog's feet so I won't use them, even if it means that I have to sacrifice some space. It's a trade I'm willing to make.

I drove my MINI back from the dealership, which is five hours away. I don't have an S, but my JustACooper was very comfy. I only had to stop once to stretch my legs, the rest of the time I was perfectly content to motor... and to be honest, I didn't really want to stop at the rest stop. I was having too much fun behind the wheel and really didn't want to give it up!

One more thing, before you decide for sure... test drive one. You won't be disappointed.

 

Just what I was looking for. I will have two little furry butts in the back of my car and don't want them getting my Mini dirty coming home from the dog park. My Bichon usually goes for a swim at the pool and i have to give him a bath before we leave so I really need something like this for the backseat! Thanks!
How do you keep the dogs secure if you put them in the back with the seats folded? I have a crate in the backseat of my Civic but I don't think it will fit in the back of the Mini but I do have 'seatbelts' for them but I don't want them running around loose if I put the seats down.

 

I had a 2001 Jetta. Own a 2007 Cooper S...

No, the seats do not lie flat. There is a deep well (7-8 inches deep) created when the back seats are folded forward.
Unless it's a really small dog, you will never fit a crate in the boot with the seats up. My cat carrier wouldn't even fit back there.

If you like harder suspensions, the Cooper S is great for long drives. If you find the Jetta a tad rough, then the Cooper will seem really harsh.

Lots of road, engine, exhaust and wind noise. I love it. My wife hates it. It almost reminds me of my e46 ZHP's purr.

Roof or trunk mount for the bike, for sure.

1 year of ownership and my CEL comes on often, had my ABS reflashed, AC's pretty wheezy once in awhile, engine rattles fiercely like a diesel on cold mornings, lots of creaks (much like my 2001 Jetta) from the interior body panels.

I've not been stranded like my 2001 Jetta did to me with bad coils. Overall it's a fun, efficient car. Given the dog thing you may want to consider the larger Clubman.

 

I believe the angle up slightly.
Small. I doubt you could fit a dog crate in there. You might want to look at the Clubman.
More comfortable than my 1990 Acura Integra. 350 mile trips to and from Los Angeles have been easier in the MCS than in the Integra.
Quite, no, but other than a Rolls Royce, what cars are quiet? There is tire noise, which will vary, depending on the model of tire used, and there is wind noise. Engine noise in not bad.
Have you looked at the factory bike rack on the back?
A little too early to know for sure, but generally it seems pretty good. Some people have had issues, but many have had a trouble-free experience with their 2007 MINIs.

 

wow....thanks for all the great replies!

I should probably clarify the "crate in the boot" thing. What I normally do is put my dog in the back seat. Take his plastic crate apart and slide the top of the crate into the bottom part of the crate, and then put the door flat inside. Now that it is only 1/2 the height, it will fit into the trunk of my Jetta. So I was trying to figure if I did the same....would it stand up in the boot.

Kona (my dog) doesn't RIDE in the crate...he just chills in the backseat harnessed in.

From the sounds of it....the rear seats do not fold "flush"...but...things might still work....that's sorta what I was asking looks like the only way to really know for sure is to head up to the dealership, bring the crate and see if they can make it fit


Also...since there are a few dog owners here, I thought I'd mention something that has worked really well for my Jetta. I got custom car seat covers...but then ended up liking them so much, I actually got a tarp to cover the entire seat of the back seat. Kona and I go out to play just about everyday....and we have taken trips (including one from NY to CA) and it has worked great!

Thanks again!

 

Sounds like this intermediate setup...might just work! it's that dimension that will probably be the most troublesome. Distance from the top of the rear seat to the back gate/window.

Thanks!

 

Thanks for the info...as for #5....yep....I've been reading many of those threads....just sorta wanted to confirm that for daily use (as in my case) a rack of some sort would probably work better. Sounds like my thoughts about this are right.

 

Well...THAT'S an easy request....

The site is a friend's domain, and it can be a little slow....but here is Kona!

http://www.timmarconi.com/moose/v/Kona/

 

That's my "worry"

 

I actually own TWO crates now.

One hard plastic one - Vari-Kennel 400. This used to be his all the time/everywhere crate.

Once the tax rebate stuff came through I decided to move him to larger accommodations. So I got a collapsible (with the idea that either the smaller hard crate, or the collapsible would fit in the MINI

Crate:
http://www.amazon.com/Firstrax-669-N...1986668&sr=8-1

Obviously not for a puppy, or untrained dog....but it works great! at least at home so far.

 

That is one awesome dog! He looks like the go anywhere, do anything sort.

 

My condolences re: 2001 Jetta. It's odd that some say they fold flat and others say they don't...I'm thinking they don't...but that is why I asked....can't seem to get a definite answer. A trip to the dealership will certainly remedy that!

I do not find the Jetta to be harsh at all...in fact, at least in corners...too soft. I THINK I'll really love the firmer ride of the MCS....I just wanted to get the opinion of some owners who have taken longer drives, since I don't think they'll let me take a 5hr test drive....but....maybe I should ask

I guess that is one of those "hard to answer over the internet" questions, and very personal....I'll have to see if it's too much/little for my own tastes. Good to hear that opinions DO vary...even in the same car.

Yeah....I'm kinda thinking the same.

I'm not gonna lie....this makes me a little sad....

But this makes up for it a bit....especially since right now I have the oil temp thing flashing at me, and the CEL on....and then sometimes flashing and acceleration having "issues"....and I've already replaced the coils once!


Thanks again for the info!

 

Thanks! he very much is....I try to bring him anywhere I travel to. The downside is...he's not always great with other dogs ....but....loves people, is very active (like me) and is always up for adventure!

 

For me; I just wanted to see the colors and sit in the interiors. I was looking forward to a few more months with my beloved LeBaron and watching progress from Oxford. Would'nt you know, huge delivery just arrived, one speck'ed exactly and 'end-of-(record)-month' ---drove it home.
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Intermediate rear seat back setting photos:

My 'MA' (Oliver Morris of Furman MINI of Tampa Bay) had given me an excellent long and very thorough pre-drive briefing, but I must have missed that 'intermediate' seat setting. It was mentioned several times on the ...what you don't know... thread, but I could never make it happen until the secret was revealed in a 'summary'.

look in front of that white paper to see the 'secret' swivel of the latching lock;

Here is a view (from my gallery) of the boot showing left seat at intermediate (headrest is extended, for seating comfort) and right seat 'flat'.
Ok it is a couple degrees up at front (lots flatter than her Camry), but after that photo was taken, found that just removing tha headrest had it sloping down a few degrees towards the front

Guess I was not sure what you meant by "Flush" but the aft well (15" X 36") is a 7.5" drop down behind the folded seat back. (see headrests) and I placed that 'XM DELPHI Carton (23"x9"x7") on the floor behind front passenger seat (now slid forward) for perspective.

 

m00se, you are a veritable fount of info on finding neat stuff for dogs to use in your car. You should write an article about all the stuff you have found and post it online somewhere.

I do hope you end up purchasing a MINI, because I could learn a lot from you about all the stuff you end up picking up to use with your dog and the car!

Forgot to add, that the collapsible crates I was referring to are the wire "cages" that people sometimes call crates. The one you're looking at on Amazon would be my ideal choice for something collapsible for my dog. Excellent call.

 

Thanks so much for all the pics!! It's that 7.5" drop I was talking about as "not flush." Not a deal breaker by any means, since I'll probably keep the seats up (dog in rear seat) and crate in boot with intermediate position (assuming it fits)

Thanks again for the time and pics....they were a big help!

 

Thanks for the kind words. I LOVE functional, fun stuff for the dog, and trying to take him as many places as we can go. I've never thought of writing an article...guess I've never really thought of myself as an expert, but now that I've put some time in....maybe I am. If I get a MINI...you can be sure as I find stuff, I will post about it

Yep....kinda thought you meant the wire ones....I've never been a big fan of those (just a personal opinion) but when one of my "dog friends" showed me her noz2noz one that she takes to shows...I thought...."now THAT'S a collapsible crate!"

 

Just a word of warning with these crates.... I have two for my dog (bichon frise) and my moms dog (caton de tulear) in the back. My dog weighs almost 15 and moms is only 10 pounds. Both of them have been using this crate for short trips around town in the back of our Civic with little problems. Mom's dog gets excited and claws on the mesh and in her first crate she made a hole. Now my dog is perfect and rode so very nicely in that crate for years until one day the weather was super nice and cool outside so on the way to the dogpark we stopped at this BBQ restaurant where we could sit oustide by the car parked with the windows down and my dog decided he wanted some BBQ. The smell was just to much for him and he chewed his way out of that crate in nothing flat. Didn't even chew through the mesh, he chewed under the front zipper area into the mesh, ruined the zipper!! I was shocked! He's not a chewer at all and has never shown any inclination of even wanting to get out of the crate. He loves his crates at home, the smaller the better, but he is a food hound and the smell of that amazing BBQ was just to much for him. So now he's in a seatbelt in the backseat. I prefer putting them in a crate, it's just safer but in the mini I don't even think that will be possible.