Not a chance I would trade the Mini in for a 3 series, or a 5 series or a 7 series.....we could talk about the new (I think, 6 series)....I was drooling over one over at Classic the other day, only 70 some K's....unfortunately, I had to make a deposit on my IRA this paycheck, otherwise I'd a bought it on the spot..... :smile:

 

Yeah, I liked the 6 a lot in person too.



_________________
:: David Bunting :: North American Motoring ::Send me a PM ::

 

mexminime,

I went from E46 to MCS. It was a 2001 M3 and my MCS is a 2003. We moved to Hawaii from California so it worked out better for me (no where to drive the M3 here). I also owned a 1999 E46 328i. I'd say if you like the MINI you won't like the 3 series - the fun factor is much higher with the MINI for sure!

 

>>Yeah, I liked the 6 a lot in person too.
>>
>>
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>>_________________
>>:: David Bunting :: North American Motoring ::Send me a PM ::

Almost wet my pants I did.....NICE mobile....next life or better yet, I guess I'll start buying lottery tickets......

 

Another "backwards" buyer here: went from an E36-//M to MCS and haven't been able to find anything better handling for a daily-driver since. The ride stiffness beats me up more than the 3-er, however the driving precision of the MINI is worth every bit. Sometimes I like the low-key-ness of the 3-er, but when people do see you, the superimposed snooty-yuppie stereotype is a negative.

 

No, but I'd trade my MINI for a 61 Impala SS bubbletop with a 409 and a 4-speed.

This is, of course, in spite of the fact that MINI handles better, stops quicker, has better build quality, etc. etc.

 

That 6 ain't bad, now that I see a production version. The new 4 looks decent. Just get rid of iDrive and we'll talk... and give me like $100k...

But for the Bimmer/Mini question... I'd still pick the Mini, if anything just for its uniqueness. Tons of people have Bimmers. The 320i may be a bit more civil, but the Mini will always get the attention.

 

I've owned two E46 3 Series cars, and two E36 models. I wouldn't trade my Cooper S for any of them. They're simply not as much fun, and I have more money in my pocket. And for those who think the BMWs are less problematic than the Minis, think again. I was at the dealership on what seemed like a weekly basis with each one of those cars.

 

>>I still look back at my MINI as I walk into work each day and enjoy the view. How many 3 series folks can honestly say that?

Actually, I have to admit that I do generally look back at my E36 M3 when I walk away from it. I may not like driving it as much as I used to, but that version of the M3, to me, has classic good looks that will never go out of style. It's just a great looking car. Can't really say the same for the E46 M3.

 

>>I would do it if it were an 2004 M3 with SMG

Me too!

 

Heck yeah in a minute. My mom has a 3 something and it is wonderful. If I could afford the payments I would tomarrow. I love the Mini but like everything else it gets old after the new wears off.

 

The current E46 BMW 3 series are very nice cars but they are getting a bit outdated and have become wayyyyy too common for my tastes. I have only driven the 325i sedan automatic and the 325ix all wheel drive sportwagon and the standard 2.5L 6 cyl in line engine is an absolute masterpiece of engineering. You feel driving a more powerful car than its 184hp rating suggests.

I have not driven the 330i and M3 variants.


And to answer the original question, no I will not trade my MCS or Cooper CVT for a 3 series.

 

>>Heck yeah in a minute. My mom has a 3 something and it is wonderful. If I could afford the payments I would tomarrow. I love the Mini but like everything else it gets old after the new wears off.

Heck, then why have MINI? You could get a used 3 series for about what a MINI costs. One other question: how can the new wear off of the acutal DRIVING experience, unless that's not what one cares about. For me, that IS the reason I love the MINI, plus, it just plain outcools any 3 series for looks, IMO. Re: drooling over a 6 series: I'd have to drive one first. It does look nice, but I'm guessing the driving experience would be a bit removed from the sharpness of the MC or the S. One other observation: the cost of either a new 3 series or a 6 series could be matched WAAAYYY easily w/ cars that are serious road machines- cars like the Elise.

 

A "Basic" 325i BMW sedan costs about $8K-$9K than a base MCS and around $10K-$12K more than a base Cooper.


So let's compare Ap[ples to aaples, shall we?

 

[quote] I love the Mini but like everything else it gets old after the new wears off.

 

The 6 looks like a Mazda

 

actually if you look at the new 5 series from slightly past the grill, its a Honda accord. Even the edgy look is identical.

 

If it were a 320d sport compact, decently equipped, I'd seriously have a debate!

 

Thanks for the post (I considered buying a 320)!

 

You'd take a deisel over a Mini? Wow. Anway...

I picked the MINI over a tuned E36 M3 that was going for $20k. I'm still living with that decision, and since I never drove the M3 I guess I'll never know if my choice was right

I would trade my MINI for one of three cars - a Corvette Z06, a M coupe, or a Viper. No other cars even cross my mind.

 

Stick with the Mini.