Finally had a chance to just go out and motor around for a few minutes with little to no traffic in my new '06 Cooper. What a sweet car - I haven't had time to go to any backroads as yet, (maybe later this AM) but just from normal around town driving & short stint on the hwy, some impressions:
• car seems very tight & well made - I know its early, but I think what I've been reading about the newer cars being relatively rattle-free is true
• you dont have to go fast to have fun (though it helps) I have a lightly modded '02 TT that is way faster, but in many ways the mini is more enjoyable to drive. Everything is light but precise - steering, braking, shift action are almost effortless and make even going out looking for muffins this AM (no luck its Xmas after all) enjoyable.
• The 15" holeys are a good match - I was surprised how good they look on the car, and while the 175/65/15 tires are not what I want to run for long (Pirelli 3000 summer rubber which surprised me, thought all were Contis), the car feels very nimble/tossable. I'm beginning to lean toward staying with 15s and saving my money for the BBS RGFs in 15X7.
• the HK stereo, at least to these admittedly non-audiophile ears, is very, very nice.
• the leatherette in gray/black sport seats looks wonderful (especially with the Piano dash & door trim), and I'm not at all sorry I didn't pop for the leather.
• the money spent having the wheel arches, lower panels & front/rear black plastic pieces prepped and painted was worth it - looks wonderful in PW and the black roof & mirrors give enough contrast. Visually lowers the car too. I'll post some pix after I borrow a digital camera.

Well, the fiancee' is sleeping, there is no traffic, and I'm going to go out and drive around (I mean motor) looking for some curves. Got to burn up those break-in miles so I can get up above 4500 rpm. Merry Christmas to all, and thanks for so much good info these past months.

 

Enjoy your MINI It is so much fun to toss around corners, not the fastest car out there, but it sure tickles the right senses all the time!

The 15" holies with stock tires are suprisingly good match for the MINI, the car feels really nimble. But it does lack high speed stability due to the really soft sidewalls.

And the car really comes alive above 4000rpm

 

Just got back from about an hour's drive out Santiago Cyn. Road, past Irvine Lake to Silverado Canyon and back - not a lot of twisties, but really good for break-in type driving, changing revs, etc. Just had a great time - it's a typical SoCal Xmas day - sunny and about 66 degrees (according to display anyway). The shifter is a joy to use - I actually found myself being glad to hit a stop or red light for the opportunity to chang up thru the gears instead of my usual Oh s&$#. Had enough curves and tight spaces on Silverado Cyn. to appreciate how nimble the car is, but the stock 65 series tires really don't do the chassis' capability justice. If I stay with the holeys (and they've really grown on me), I'm gonna try 195/60/15 in Toyo T1r & drop it an inch w/Hsports - but 16X7 Rotas or 15X7 BBS RGF w lower profile rubber probably in my future. Got back home and noticed that just like my Audis, the brake pads are obviously the product of someone in league w/manufacturers of wheel cleaner - washed 'em and polished/protected with Klasse all-in-one, then did the dash and all interior vinyl bits with Klasse vinyl/rubber/leather protectant. This really is fun (or a sick obsession)

 

that's awesome! enjoy!

 

Sounds great! I just went into your empty gallery , so I would love to see some pictures soon! My girlfriend, the car's other driver, says if we had another MINI to get, it would be exactly like yours, pw/b, holies, grey/black sport seats (a must!) etc. Is your car an auto? It sounds like you're running through some gears either way. Sweet! Keep me updated on your wheel choice, I know you've been doing some good research for the right combo...:impatient

I just got the OK to buy new wheels and tires, so I'll have something on in the next few months for the spring/summer motoring!

Merry x-mas & happy new year!

-Steve

 

Thanks Steve - it's a manual - although with my commute I did consider the CVT. Fortunately, this is about the easiest to shift car I've had. Yeah, I've obsessed about the rims for quite a while - it's kind of weird after all that to like the little holeys so much - those BBS RGFs would be very nice, however . . .Congrats on the wheels/tires - have you decided? GramLights are also sweet