Well, I gave it the college try. Sold my beloved E46 coupe (7+years of ownership) thinking the Mini would be fun and not too expensive way to "stay in the BMW family" and have a newer, ride. CR/CR S well optioned and even added JCW package. I love the turn on a dime, torque, and the uniqueness (here in the midwest) of the Mini. I could not get over the torque-steer, idiosyncratic interior design, and bump-steer when turning or on anything but smooth as glass roads. I went by the local BMW dealer and happened to find a 135 original launch car. I got in and felt nervana. Sure, it is more money as it is a higher price-point, but I got a pretty good deal. It provides the torque (oh does it-by the butt loads) and the quick turn in and handling without the ride issues and other negatives that always niggled me.

Mini is a good car, and has a lot of positives, but it is just not for me. You would think at this point in my life, I would have it all sorted out, but hey, we all make regretable decisons.

Anyway, I will have a few items for sale: rear and side window sunshades (great alternative to tint), shorty attenna, euro arm rest, (perhaps even my alta gauges)etc. I will post them in the marketplace with pictures in a few days. If your interested in any before I post them, just PM me to reserve/discuss (FCFS-paypal). Thanks to all and good luck to all.

 

135's are sweet cars. Not great suspensions, but still, an overall awesome car with some work. Enjoy it.

 

Sorry it did not work out for you, but the mini is not for everybody. There is a car for everyone which is why they make so many. Good luck to ya. BTW I thought Jed was from West Virginia mountain range.

Jim

 

I too jumped on the MINI bandwagon and got a well-optioned JCW (pretty much everything except the sunroof), and I love it (even coming from 5 bmw's)!!! I've had an e46, but it just felt like a dog. I got rid of my e39 540i 6-speed to get this car because I was paying way too much for gas and the handling sucked. I really have no regrets with the JCW. I'm sorry you didn't like yours

 

sorry it did not turn out... maybe netx time...

 

Mine came over on the Tombarra too. I was able to track her all the way across and into port. I guess that ship has made a lot of folks happy campers.

Jim

 

Longest wait of my life, but definitely well worth it.

Hey, I like that dragon on the roof of your car. Reminds of that Nintendo video game, Legendary Wings. hahahaha. Anyway, later.

 

I guess I got lucky. Mine took 31 days from order to pick up.

Jim

 

I'm getting an MCS as a replacement for my E46 M3 CiC, apples and oranges, but the Mini is pretty damn competent and fun to drive. Enjoy the 135i, that was on my list of options, but the better mileage and lightweight of the Mini convinced me to switch even though I'm a RWD guy,

 

Whenever i see a 135i on the road i want one. Maybe in a few years i'll get that as my daily driver and make the mini a weekend racer.

good luck.

 

Switching to nonRF tires will improve the bumpsteer quite a bit, esp if you have 18" or 17" wheels.

 

I couldn't help but notice this. Midwest vs Los Altos Hills. No wonder sfdhed switched. Like tires you need to choose a car that fits your driving elements, road conditions and location. If you could only experience a MINI Cooper in it's proper element you will know in a second.

So, how can we get him out to experience driving from Los Altos Hills, jam up Page Mill Road, then up Skyline Hwy 35, head down Hwy 9 into Felton, cruise back up Hwy 17 and go back at again up Big Basin Way from Saratoga? That ride should do it.

In any event, I'm sure you are happy back to your roots. Coming from someone who used to own a RWD 1972 Porsche 911RS replica I'm still understanding FWD and I know how you would feel. My plan is to stick it out all the way. If my Father could rack up 475,000 miles on a '76 Porsche Carrera 3.0, my plan is to go for 500k!

I love my MINI through the twisties here in Vermont ~ it is absolutely perfect.

 

Really? I always had him pegged as an Arkansan.

 

Thanks for the comments. As to jed, here is a quote regarding their origins: While Granny frequently mentioned that she was from Tennessee, the series never specified the state from which the Clampetts moved to California. However, they often referred to nearby towns such as Joplin, Branson, and Silver Dollar City, all of which are in southwest Missouri. Early episodes also contained several references to Eureka Springs, which is in northwest Arkansas.

It is likely that a switch of tires might be better, but that really is only part of it. Once you have been to RWD, it is hard to switch back-esp in a car that most comment on the torque-steer. I am picking up the 1 series today, so back to oem for the Mini. I have the following that I will post on the marketplace: Euro arm rest (several have pm me and I will answer in order received), craven 4" attenna, rear and back side window sun shades (very nice-much better than you might expect), and a complete set up to add XM (hard wiring kit, all the connection for factory attenna, etc) via the aux in (very clean install). I will take some pictures and post in the marketplace.

Best wishes to all and I will continue to check in (I actually posted more here in 18 months that in 7+years on the BMW boards).

 

-great choice!
135 is the way.
check out what MiniMadness did to their 135i.I wanna get one,mod it...then stomp m3's!
-they were featured in one of the car mags recently.

 

Thanks, I'll post that way in my trivia bank for later use. It just might come in handy.

Jim

 

So, it is now 2024. Last post on this thread was 15 years ago! In the interim I had the 135 for over 7 years and it was a great ride. I finally did get that Porsche-I ordered a 2017 718 Cayman and had the pleasure of picking it up at the Porsche Experience Center in Atlanta which included track time (their car), a tour and free lunch at their 356 restaurant. I still have it and probably always will-great car. I also had a 2000 M-roadster for the last 6 years that I saved from sitting in a collectors barn in SW Missouri. He primarily collects old stuff, 36 Fords, older Corvettes, muscle cars but had the BMW and didn't know much about it. I did and I took it off his hands for pretty low $ (relatively speaking). Last week I returned to the Mini fold. I was idly looking over the local (I now spend much of my time in West TN due to grandkids) BMW/Mini inventory and found a 2022 F60 Countryman AWD JCW with 6K miles. It had been ordered (with all the right stuff) at the dealer and then traded in for an X7. These cars don't make much sense new (over $50K MSRP) but as a 2 year old CPO with 6K miles and 30% less money, they are pretty reasonable. Very quick and very nice interior and still quirky. On second time around, much more palatable-especially with appropriate options and increased quality. After 15 years, my account is still active, so I guess I'm back!

 

I always liked the Cayman... and wow, do they hold their value!

t
still in an E46

 

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