I checked out the new MINI...

[Rick Lee]

Alright, I'll be the first to open this forum. I got to check out the new MINI a few weeks ago. A friend of mine here runs BMW's gov't relations office in DC and he had the new MINI for a few days. Must have sucked, not driving his free 2002 M3 convt. for a week.

So he invited a bunch of folks to come over to his loading dock to check out the car. I was well impressed. I've been in a lot of the old MINI's when living in Europe - they are much roomier than they look. But this one is larger all around. The MINI S at 160hp looks like it would really get up and go. I asked my friend what sort of demographics BMW was targeting for this car. Since VW Beetles are almost only bought by women, I was afraid this may be BMW's answer to that. But he said they planned to target younger folks, men and women, with income in the $50k range. Hell, the MINI S with all the options runs about $19k and change. That's pretty affordable.

I think these will be in dealerships by June, though there will be a long wait list in some parts of the US. As a longtime BMW and Porsche lover, I almost hesitate to say this. But for the money, I think the new MINI is an excellent buy and I'd probably get it over another BMW. It's got about the same HP as my 325is and weighs much less. Better yet, the new MINI's have all the modern safety features the old ones lacked. If you have a decent Internet connection speed, check out www.miniusa.com.

[Nabeel]

From what I've read, the handling of the Mini is awesome....I really want to drive one, I've heard lots of good things about them.

[makaio]

It's on my list of possible candidates for a new daily driver. I would really like to see 200Hp or more and 4 wheel drive in it, but i guess 160 and front wheel drive would do.

[Wayne 962]

Wow, I've seen this car up close too, and I was not super-impressed. I put it (in my mind) in the Miata, PT Cruiser type category.

It's also like a Civic Hatchback to me. I have no doubt that they will sell quite a few of these to both sexes. The guys will hop them up with coffee-can mufflers and whale-tail spoilers just like rice cars.

Did you actually get to drive it?

-Wayne

[Nabeel]

hehe, if it drives anything like a Miata, I'd gladly take it. Miatas are awesome cars to drive.

[Rick Lee]

I did not get to drive the new one, though I've driven several of the old type in Europe. The newest one I drove was a '97 and that was in Berlin in January. But I got to sit in the new one and fire it up. I was still very impressed and look forward to seing these do well in the US.

[Eron Flory]

I think the Miata comparison is a good one. In fact the S my wife has on order will be replacing her 99 Miata. The Miata is a nice car and is a LOT of fun on the track.

She likes the Mini because it's CUTE and is a foot shorter than the Miata so should be easier to park in San Francisco. I like the S because it should handle just as well but have 50 more HP, can carry more stuff and should be able to park in spaces only motorcycles and old VW bugs could get into.

I am hoping I'll get to drive one of the standard Coopers in the next couple of weeks and will report back if I do.

Eron

[Wayne 962]

Yikes! I've parked my 914 next to Miatas, where it looks like a Cadillac next to them. A foot shorter. I didn't realize they were that small. What is the weight on these?

-Wayne

[Nabeel]

Kinda heavy for a car that small.....2350 lbs for the base model. Don't know about the Cooper S

[Wayne 962]

That is heavy. My 914 is about 2200 lbs...

-Wayne

[rich]

Ok, a mini story. (no pun intended) I received an e-mail from MINI of Mpls. I'm on there list to purchase a new Mini. Patty notified the list that some of the dealers weren't ready to open yet. So conciquently the cars allocated to the other dealers were being distributed to the dealers that were ready to do business. She stated that if you wanted to pick a car from the 12 or so extra cars they were getting to show up at the dealership and place your order. In order to participate you needed to come to the dealership. (160 miles one way) I received a second e-mail saying not to bother. They sold the extra cars in 3 hrs. A real record!

[4WheelDrifter]

160 miles? I live less than 1 mile from one. These things are small but have plenty of room inside for seating but that's about it. They look well made and have tons of nice features. Give me an S in BRG with Brit flag painted on the roof.

[Rick Lee]

I got behind one in traffic last night. I didn't know they were out yet. But it was a new one and I was in Fairfax, VA. I guess they're here.

[rich]

Oh ya, I was at a special showing of the MINI. Invitation only thing about a month ago. The cars are a real value. BMW will not associate themselves with less than their image. Why should they? The cars are 5 series quality, no kidding. When you shut the doors they sound like a BMW. When you sit in the drivers seat and close your eyes your in a BMW. The interior has a hint of the Audi "TT" trim detail with the retro MINI poping out at you, but in typical BMW quality standard. They don't carry a spare tire to make more room. They come with huge Extended Mobility Tires. (run flats) You can order to car any way you want. You can even get the flag on the roof! I want an "S" so bad I can hardly stand it. I still have an opportunity to place an order for this years model. I'm 169 on the list at the dealer. But I've decided to pass. I've delayed the completion of my 928 powered 914 long enough. I'm selling off a few other projects and focusing on the completion. I have a company car to drive with free gas. We have to pick our passions, I can always order one next year...

[TRE Cup]

mine is going to be the charcoal grey with black roof S, full leather, sport pack, etc, but NO sunroof!- gawd that is ugly. Will make a great daily driver and fun canyon toy. GOBS better, albeit LARGER than my original Mk 1 and Mk 2 Minis. But the safety, bmw engineering, and reliability will make this experience a positive one, I'm sure

[Eron Flory]

I took a closer look yesterday at Cooper and the S. Both look nicely built, under the hood and in the suspension area they look BMW all the way. It appears that the reason that the S has run flat tires instead of a spare is that the battery is in the back where the spare is on the Cooper. Probably to make room for the Supercharger. The only real surprise is it was roomier in the interior than I expected.

Eron

[E30klassic]

Hey guys, just got my S from BMW Concord in CA ,paid a little higher price but i'm happy. Awsome mini-bmw car. Been around all the dealer in the bayarea searching for S, most of them seem helpfull except the "half men 1/2 woman" sales lady in BMW SF told me "That there's no way anyone will get an S this year and I'm sick and tired telling everyone the same thing, if u like one......just get on the waiting list!!!" While her feet's on her desk. I'll proof her wrong, driving by tomorrow to see what else she have to say. If anyone would like to test drive a S, try concord BMW, you'll feel the different w/ the S......maybe that why all the dealers are delaying to release the SSSSSSSSSSSS.

[TRE Cup]

Wow, you already got it? Fantastic! How much over list did you pay? Around here they are rumouring 5-6k! For which I would buy an excellent used E36 M3

[rich]

Glad to hear you got your car. BMW is discouraging price gouging. And the rude sales person needs to get into the spirit of things.

[E30klassic]

Vroom Vroom...... pay extra $2500 for markup. Folks, Get the mini S not the reg model, for a little extra it'll take u a long way w/ a smile on ur face. Hummm, what's next ?? Exaust system from minimania.com ??
Good day folks.