Posted: 7/24/2011 6:05:47 PM EDT
| Im a 26 year old male...Should I turn in my man card for thinking about getting one? I do hear they are quite the quick little cars, but something about them screams a bit too feminine. Opinions? Also thinking of an rx8 or a mazdaspeed3. Though the mpg on both of those leaves something to be desired ( I drive about 40mi each way to work). |
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Shop in Atlanta I believe rebuilds original pre-BMW minis installing a subframe and Honda or Accura engine some with over 200 horsepower.
"The Mini Tec VTEC is one of the fastest, and, um, furious-est, drives south of a Z06. Just look at the numbers from the one we tested-1792 pounds and a claimed 220 horsepower. The Honda engine was originally for the Acura Integra Type R and was rated for 195 horsepower." |
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We love ours!!!
We have a 2006 S and it has been a great car. I love driving it. The wife unit pushes the car real hard in autocross each year. She put a 17% underdrive pulley on the supercharger and some tower braces and such... Her car put 170 HP on the ground before the SC mods... The pulley added 4lbs of boost from 10 to 14 PSI max. We have yet to dyno it after the mods, but it's a whole different car now. Get it! |
| They are amazing cars. The S (1st gen) has a lot of hidden horsepower and the new ones have the potential for even more. The handling really is amazing. BMW spared no expense in designing the suspension and it really shows. I tracked my 04 a bit and I found very few cars I couldnt pass/keep up with. In a straight line they can be quick but arent fast unless you do a lot of mods. But once you hit the corners the car really comes alive and gives you the confidence and ability to drive it right on the line. |
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Maintenance nightmares. My wife has one and I turn wrenches for a living. I would rather burn alive that have to work on these pieces if shit. Its a 2003 with 114k on it, do all PM and still have nothing but problems with the car. I could go into detail about the problems and repairs made to date, but that would take forever. If you would like you can message me and ill give you the list. I have had to put about 5k worth of parts in it since it has been out of warranty. If you get one, make sure it has a getrag transmission not the shitty midland unit.
Here is what you have to do to replace an alternator.......just did it last week. God damn thing has to come out the front. 
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Quoted:
Maintenance nightmares. My wife has one and I turn wrenches for a living. I would rather burn alive that have to work on these pieces if shit. Its a 2003 with 114k on it, do all PM and still have nothing but problems with the car. I could go into detail about the problems and repairs made to date, but that would take forever. If you would like you can message me and ill give you the list. I have had to put about 5k worth of parts in it since it has been out of warranty. If you get one, make sure it has a getrag transmission not the shitty midland unit. Here is what you have to do to replace an alternator.......just did it last week. God damn thing has to come out the front. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/DinnerTime/477405305_photobucket_27597_.jpg  F that!
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Rented one in Ireland (steering wheel on the wrong side, lulz) and took it through a ride in the country side. The car has fantastic handling and is a real joy on tight, twisty roads.
Its also really nice in tight city driving, and easy to find parking spots for. The parts that sucked were getting our luggage in the thing (wife and I were on our honeymoon, 1 large suitcase and backpack each). We had to jam that stuff into every nook and cranny. |
| I've been looking for a fuel efficient car that would be fun as hell to drive...and I keep coming back to the Mini Cooper S. I love the fact that they are small, 6-speed, 200+hp, supercharger with lots of aftermarket stuff available, and tall guys can fit in them very well! If I can find a good deal on a used one, I think I'm going to pick one up soon. |
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My girlfriend drives one.
It's a good car and all, I just feel scared to death everytime I ride in it. It sure ain't my truck Of course, that could be due to her driving habits. She just started driving last year 
I've driven it a few times. It's a fun little car and fairly comfortable. Just not my cup of tea. |
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Quoted:
I've been looking for a fuel efficient car that would be fun as hell to drive...and I keep coming back to the Mini Cooper S. I love the fact that they are small, 6-speed, 200+hp, supercharger with lots of aftermarket stuff available, and tall guys can fit in them very well! If I can find a good deal on a used one, I think I'm going to pick one up soon. Check out the VW GTi as well. It's really a better deal; though the MCS has a bit more personality. |
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Quoted:
Thanks for all the input. I don't know much about the transmissions though. How can I tell which it is? Or is the getrag the manual and the other the auto? I may go look at one this weekend. Early models had midland 5 speeds, avoid those. I think they started putting the getrag units (non S) in 2005 or 2006. |
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Quoted: Quoted: Maintenance nightmares. My wife has one and I turn wrenches for a living. I would rather burn alive that have to work on these pieces if shit. Its a 2003 with 114k on it, do all PM and still have nothing but problems with the car. I could go into detail about the problems and repairs made to date, but that would take forever. If you would like you can message me and ill give you the list. I have had to put about 5k worth of parts in it since it has been out of warranty. If you get one, make sure it has a getrag transmission not the shitty midland unit. Here is what you have to do to replace an alternator.......just did it last week. God damn thing has to come out the front. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/DinnerTime/477405305_photobucket_27597_.jpg F that!Double F that!  |
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Quoted: I think they're a little girly, but whatever floats your boat and works for you is fine with me.  I've never driven one but when I first saw them they reminded me of the early VW GTIs, which were cool little cars. However my wife did think they looked effeminate.  |
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I've got a regular Mini with the auto,great little car.
They're fun as hell. If it meets your needs and you want a smile every time you turn the key get one! Ignore all the ARFCOMmers who attach their ego to their gas-guzzling trucks who are about to hit this thread. Manly? I also own a Freightliner Century.....I just feel vulnerable....to the stealerships.....truckstops....idiots on the road....lousy roads....dispatchers.....ect. BTW....3 22.5" Forgetron wheels WILL fit in a MINI! |
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Go for it.
I am one of those people who don't like to leave things stock. I always wanted to get one of the British racing green ones, with the black roof, black hood stripes, put some gloss black wheels on it, and do the quad-light set-up like the old rally cars had. |
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They're OK. I don't like the funky design of them, but there are good points. They're not terribly slow, and the handling is pretty good. The steering isn't, though, in my opinion.
I think that all-around, the VW GTI is a ten times better car. The Mini is a bit smaller, but the GTI has equivalent handling, better steering, is less girly (if that matters to you), and a higher quality interior. If I was in the market for a hot hatch, it'd be a GTI (I haven't driven a Mazdaspeed3 but I've heard good things). |