My wife has a 2010 R56 base, my stepdaughter has an R53 base, and now I have a 2010 R56 S. My wife and stepdaughter have had theirs for years and I have always kind of wanted one, but seemed too impractical for me, I’m not a small guy and have always driven trucks or suvs. My previous car was an suv and was rear ended, insurance totaled it. I needed something to drive and the 2010 MCS literally fell in my lap. Meticulously maintained, garage kept, all maintenance records, pristine condition at a price I absolutely could not say no to. Figured what the heck, at that price I can drive it 2 months and sell and actually make a few bucks on it. Nope…not happening, I fell in love. I will never sell this car. I’m 46, there is something about driving my mini that makes me feel 20 years younger, I think it reminds me of my first car, 1971 VW Beetle, when I was 16. Even with all of its pains, quirks, issues, and sensitivity’s I still love it. I do pretty much all the wrench turning and mechanicing myself so I’m joining here hoping to get some first person advice, tips, and info.

 

Welcome! Dont forget to post up pics of the MINIs.

 

Welcome to the forum

 

There's a real MINI bug that's for sure.

Wanted one since they reappeared in 2002. Finally arranged to buy a new 2018 JCW in Dec. 2017. Loved the car.

But I sold the JCW in mid-2020 when I decided to leave CA and my new home didn't have a MINI dealer closer than 187 miles. But recently found the local BMW dealer can service MINIs (well, except for warranty work) so I bought a new 2023 S Dec. 3. Have over 6K miles on it so far. When I need to drive a car it gets the call rather than my new 2022 BMW 230i.

Guess my first car -- a Datsun 510 2-door with a 4-speed manual -- kind of set me on the path of preferring smaller cars rather than big ones. Most of my cars have been small (relatively speaking) but pretty good performing cars nonetheless. The 3 Dodge Challengers were the outliers at least in the small car category.