My 65 Vette roadster doesn't driven much either...

 

Went from a 987 Porsche Cayman S Black Edition to a MCS hardtop. Some may think it's crazy, I don't.

 

It looks like I'm in good company and not so crazy after all! still having a blast with the car but the break in period is excruciating...

 

Hey all,

Still loving the car but I'm starting to have second thoughts about the stripes. It's hard to explain, but even though they had that initial "wow" factor, I'm starting to think that they are a bit too much for the overall car, they attract all the attention away from the rest of the car. It's almost as if it was the only thing you see when looking at the car are the stripes. Sometimes less is more

They were dealer installed and I'm tempted to rip them off to try the cleaner look. Any thoughts?

 

The E92 M3 has always been my dream car. I hope to get one some day as a Friday through Sunday car. In the meantime I am loving my modded 2012 Countryman "S." Glad to see you are enjoying the Mini.

I agree with you about the stripes. I'm generally not a fan of center stripes on the Mini. I very much like bonnet stripes, though. I like the white bonnet stripes you showed there from the Mini configurator. That would be my choice hands down. A nice subtle touch. Going stripeless would be my second choice.

 

welcome to the club! i'm not surprised you're loving the mini. a good friend of mine has a e36, and as much as it's great for an autox or playing on watkins glen, day to day i enjoy the mini more than when i drive his bimmer. i really don't know what it is about these cars they're just fun to drive.

good luck with her!

 

Yes the side bonnet stripes look "just right". So I started to remove the center stripes starting from the bumper up, and as I finished the bumper, I stepped back, and realized this already looked a lot better!

Check out the attachment, a lot less screaming for attention, while still balancing out the white roof. I think I'll drive it like that for a bit and see how it goes.

 

Thanks, it's a strange thing for sure! The minis really have some character, while the new Ms are the perfectly balanced machines, but have "no soul".

 

How'd you remove the stripes?

 

I am planning to remove the stripes from my MCS. I want to be a little less conspicuous. With my green stripes on the Pepper White, my MINI is quite unique. I have had my stripes for about two years and I tried peeling them off a couple weeks ago and it was difficult. I am waiting for warmer weather and I have been advised to use a hair dryer to heat them up which is supposed to make it easier. I am hoping to get the job completed this weekend if the weather cooperates.

 

Congrats! Gret color. Fwiw, I actually like the stripes, makes it stand out compared to the others on the road, but that's coming from someone who lives in an area saturated with MINIs.

 

Gently peeling them off starting from a corner. The car is just a couple of weeks old so they were easy to remove.

Great looking car! Good luck removing your stripes. After a couple of years I can imagine the job being a lot trickier.

Thanks! There are not too many mini's around me, but I can see what you mean. With the color alone my car is already standing out quite a bit

 

i agree. they're great cars, but just don't give you the connection.

btw - love how it looks without the stripes on the bottom.

 

I have to say since gettin my mini, i have no desire to own anything else. Way to much fun. The R53 has crazy response to bolt ons, its just overwhelming.

 

Speaking about MINIs in general, I have to agree. I have no desire to change cars for the first time in my life. I'm not looking forward to what my next car will be after hitting the 3 yr mark with my MINI and comes on the heels of owning 5 cars in the last 11 years.

 

I also switched from an E46 M3 convertible to an 08 MC about 6 weeks ago. I cannot say I regret a thing. The M3 was an incredible, impressive, classic automobile, but as is the Mini Cooper. I must say I feel more 'at home' in the Cooper and get just as many looks

 

Aside from the Cayman, I owned a 2002 M Roadster. I put the Mini right up there with these two. It's a hard car to park

 

Not to completely hi-jack the thread here, but man those original M Roadster's were fun. My father used to have a 1999 version (with the smaller engine and 240 hp) and even now, they have held their value like you wouldn't believe. I've been looking into trying to find one for the longest time and can't find anything decent for less than $20K and that's on a 13 yr old car that was $38K new!

 

After more driving one weak point of this car compared to previous BMWs and even our X5 are the breaks.

The 17" JCW break kit might just be my first mod.

 

Yep, the M Roadster was a blast ... I do kick my butt a bit for selling it. A great car. The straight 6, 250 hp and 250 ft.lb/tq was a marvellous engine. It did snap loose quickly which you had to be careful with when driving without the assist. The BMW had a rawness that is sadly been dialed out by most manufacturers these days. But I still say the Mini is a smart option for someone who appreciates sports cars. I don't need to go ballistic. The Mini has the perfect amount of power for what I'm looking for. And I'm still just getting the feel for how good the turn in is in this car. Almost no body roll. Smooth turbo. So far very little not to love.