I have defected...

AppleSei · Sep 9, 2009

Not keen on the colour, think a darker blue wouldve suited it better, good spec though

Why you taken the stripes off? Also should there be a petrol cap?

Most Easterly Pandas · Sep 9, 2009

Hmmm, a BMW.

dave · Sep 9, 2009

now your user name is stupid, change it to si fake mini

maddogmorg · Sep 10, 2009

don't let the 500 drivers see this

Si - Punto · Sep 11, 2009

AppleSei said:
Not keen on the colour, think a darker blue wouldve suited it better, good spec though

Why you taken the stripes off? Also should there be a petrol cap?

The colour wasn't my first (or second, or third) choice but it was by far the best spec, condition and mileage of all the ones that were within my budget so I snapped it up.

I wasn't keen on the stripes and they had been badly fitted, really miss aligned and full of bubbles.

There is a chrome petrol cap, think it's just the sun/camera flare hiding it.

dave said:
now your user name is stupid, change it to si fake mini

Doesn't quite have the same ring to it but I see your point.

What about Si-Bigi or Si-NotSoMini, better still Si-Puntoless

maddogmorg said:
don't let the 500 drivers see this

If I was spending new car money then I think an A500SS would have been on the list, but for less than half the cost of a 500 this seemed like a wise choice

Will have to drive one of the Abarths at some point, they look so cool.

fenton_jd · Sep 11, 2009

Even though these blow the 500 out of the water in terms of driving....... I'd still take a 500. These mini's look dated now.

Si - Punto · Sep 11, 2009

I think I see what you mean mate but to be fair they are dated now, they've been around for 7/8 years.

Will have to see what the used prices look like on the A500 in a few years time, or better still see if Abarth pull off some form of small coupe

JFL · Sep 14, 2009

they are the best handling small car that ive driven though

looks nice in that colour

Tris Harris · Sep 14, 2009

very, very nice car mate, i really like them!

how are the petrol costs hurting your wallet though, they return awful mpg dont they! My dads returned almost half what it should have done lol!

The Beard · Sep 14, 2009

Judassssssssssssssssssss! Sorry, got carried away there. No offence. I just can't help thinking the whole Mini thing is just a marketing ploy/charade. I just feel they should have called it a BMW 0-Series.

I've been talking to ADIs in my area because I'm thinking about doing some part time work for a Driving School that will require a car to be less than 2 years old, which means buying or leasing a new car to be kept for only 2 years. During the course of the conversations as to which car was a good choice, the Mini came out as just about the worst of all those chosen by ADIs in terms of running costs and depreciation.

After being used for tuition for 2 years, the Mini cost more in depreciation than any other Supermini, it's wheels were very susceptible to kerb damage and its tyres wore out quickly and were expensive.

I was a bit disappointed as I quite fancied one. I think now that if I do have a go with that School I'll go with a GP MJ.

Sour grapes aside, I hope you enjoy the car and it's as good for you as you hope. I don't think you'll have most of the problems as the Instructors.

dannygp · Sep 14, 2009

Bastard, You get the supercharger noise now!

Are they all 6 speed? Lovely car mate

Si - Punto · Sep 14, 2009

Cheers guys, I really appreciate the input

Fuel costs are 'higher' than the GP was

but no worse than I expected tbh. Last tank averaged a little over 30mpg, current one is a little bit lower due to traffic jams, etc.

The Beard, I agree it's not a real Mini but if you get past the attempted image they're fantastic all-round 'hot' hatches.

Only had it a couple of weeks so cant really comment on running costs and depreciation, although they do tend to lose a large chunk in the first couple of years they seem to settle down after 4-5 years (pretty average considering my GP halved it's value in less than 3 years and 32k miles).

As above, fuel costs aren't best in the market, wheels dont have much protection but neither did the GP (as can be seen on one of my GP's old wheels that bit a kerb

)

I dislike the run-flats for road noise and harshness, when they're due for replacement I will probably ditch them in favour of some normal Toyos and a can of tyre weld.

I wouldn't want to learn to drive in one or teach someone to drive in one, steering is weighted, clutch requires a manly shove, gearbox is very mechanical and requires precise selection and the floor mounted accelerator pedal takes a bit of getting used to.

If I was a driving instructor looking for the best new car to teach in I would probably pick a 1.3 M-Jet Panda

.... However, as a fun car for the weekends that also needs to soak up the odd long journey with ease I can honestly say I personally couldn't have picked a better car - I love it

Danny, 6 speed Getrex box fitted to all 'S' models.

Supercharger whine rocks :slayer:

Johnbee · Sep 14, 2009

We had one of them but it was minus the S.

Great fun to drive

ChrisUK · Sep 14, 2009

JFL said:
they are the best handling small car that ive driven though

You need to get out more.

Hate them with a passion but as long as it makes you happy what the smeg

Johnbee · Sep 15, 2009

They are very point and go cars and tend to stick to the road well on cornering but we have found that the smart roadster handles a bit better but on a whole the mini was a great car although a bit uncomfortable on long runs.

payney1 · Sep 23, 2009

Good luck with the mini Si hope to see you back in a italian car soon

Si - Punto · Nov 2, 2009

I wasn't planning any mods this side of Christmas but a bargain popped up on Ebay that I couldn't resist, here is a quick teaser -

I will get some better pictures up once I've finished fitting a couple more bits and given it a damn good clean ready for winter

bulldog5046 · Nov 2, 2009

Si - Punto said:
I wasn't planning any mods this side of Christmas but a bargain popped up on Ebay that I couldn't resist, here is a quick teaser -

I will get some better pictures up once I've finished fitting a couple more bits and given it a damn good clean ready for winter

from the first pics i wasnt so keen on the colour but in this one it looks pretty darn good

what are the specs on the Cooper S? only thing i know about them is they are supercharged

Hope your enjoying it

Ry

Si - Punto · Nov 2, 2009

Cheers Ry

imo the Electric Blue Minis NEED the Aero kit to shape the colour as non CC'd bumpers/skirts make it look very cheap. Mine now sports the full Aero kit

(well almost, the rear bumper is still sat in my living room waiting for enough daylight to fit it).

Standard spec on the early Cooper S (like mine) is 1.6 16v Supercharged engine pushing a very modist 163bhp and about 140lb/ft torque iirc. 0-60 between 7-7.5 depending on who's speccing it and top speed is around 135mph.

All very modist figures although it feels a lot quicker than this because it's so small and you're so close to the windscreen..... plus the s/c whine when you get past 6k sounds evil :devil:

There are plenty of tuned ones out there pushing 280bhp+ but this takes some work however 210/220bhp is easily/safely achivable for less than a £1k parts and labour with simple changes like a better induction system, larger intercooler and a smaller s/c pulley - I will be aiming for 210bhp by June next year.

I love everything about the car, it has put the fun back into driving for me while remaining relatively civilised and easy to live with on a daily basis

I have defected...

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