Ok, heres my deal. I've come out into the open, I want a mini :smile: I have a 2001 Oldmobile Intrigue (going to sell in the fall) and a 2002 Vette on lease (goes in the winter).

Anyways, I want to start the process early so that I can find a Cooper S. I've test driven a mini and the same smile when I got my drivers lisc.

Some questions
*How is the ownerships and dealer expierences (problems?),
*How are these cars in winter (I live in Michigan)? This would be my only car
*I know I want the following options- the leather seats, sunroof, DSC, fog lights

I am, however, debating about a few options. How does the Sport Package ride? I've heard the ride can be choppy on long distances (I drive to Chicago and Cleveland from Detroit on a fairly regular basis), winter issues?

I recall something floating around in Auto-week about rear-fog lights, will this be the same as the euro-spec cars (when will cars start to have them)?

Is the Harmon Kardon Stereo significantly better than the base stereo (ie. worth it?)

I know the answers are probably obvious, I just want to get the right mini for me :smile:

Thanks in advance,

-Matt

 

Hello zxfr! Welcome to the MCO!!

Your first stop should be is to check out the Dealer Rating System

_________________
Happy Motoring!

 

>>Ok, heres my deal. I've come out into the open, I want a mini :smile: I have a 2001 Oldmobile Intrigue (going to sell in the fall) and a 2002 Vette on lease (goes in the winter).
>>
>>Anyways, I want to start the process early so that I can find a Cooper S. I've test driven a mini and the same smile when I got my drivers lisc. :smile:
>>
>>Thanks in advance,
>>
>>-Matt



Dont forget the MFSW, I love it. The quality of the leather is extremely poor.




--
Cheese

 

>>How does the Sport Package ride? I've heard the ride can be choppy on long distances (I drive to Chicago and Cleveland from Detroit on a fairly regular basis), winter issues?


Matt, I've put 9800 miles on my MCS w/Sport Package since the end of February. Even took a nice long road trip (2500 miles). This is by far the stiffest ride I've ever had, but it was comfortable for all but my neck. I placed a lumbar support pillow behind my neck and that helped out. As far as winter issues, I have no clue since it's really NEVER winter here in Phoenix.

 

Welcome aboard! I will answer your questions to the best of my ability....

1)I have never had problems with the dealership....but then again I have never really needed service. They seem ok to me except that when I needed touch up paint originally it took FOREVER to get it. Experiences with dealers varies though.

2)We had more snow this past winter then I had ever seen in my life (I'm in Maryland). The MINI was great. It was better in the snow then my Honda was anyway. :smile:

3)I don't have leather seats or the DSC, but you will LOVE LOVE LOVE the sunroof I can promise you that.

4)Wouldn't know about the sport package.

5)No rear fogs in the US...we have been rewiring them to light up.

6)I have a stock stereo and I love it....I wouldn't have spent the extra $$ but then again a majorly kick *** stereo is not all that important to me.

Hope this helps.

 

the Harman Kardon has about the same boom as the stock radio. for $500 bucks you can get a better aftermarket head unit.