A BMW Mini? (Mini in general)

Name: andycharger

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Product:	Mini in general
Date:	10.09.02 (215 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Looks fun, Comfy, BMW Engineering

Disadvantages: Lack of rear passenger space, Lacks the Mini sentimentality

With my Beemer in at the menders, it is time for the courtesy car on offer at my dealership to get a spin. Im talking here about the Mini cooper I had last week while the car was having its main service.
It went in on Friday and the mechanics at my BMW dealer dont work Saturdays so I had the joy of a Mini Cooper for the entire weekend. It was with mixed feelings that I took it back on Monday morning.

Styling/looks.
Well, I liken the Mini to the concept VolksWagen took to the Beetle. People like it so keep it the same but change it slightly to be fashionable. That is exactly what BMW have done with the new mini. I can see the trademark lights and overall shapely lines but it also looks like it has lost a lot of its character. My friend that is a mini enthusiast fails to recognise the new mini as any relation to his beloved car.
"Thats no mini, its a Beemer" he exclaims.
And, thankfully, I have to agree with him. The stretch shape has made the car more on the lines of the BMW compact in size, manouvreability and performance.
The unusually bulbous wings from the original remain but have now become part of the bonnet when lifting it to reveal the powerplant.
The back of the car is more sloped than the original which adds much more boot space.
My favourite external styling addition is the addition of 17 inch Alloy wheels. These look huge and give the car a much more sporty appearance.

Interior.
Nothing like a mini inside here. Its spacious, comfortable and luxorious. The rear leg room is quite small still but the seats are out of this world. The Full leather interior is something a little bit special. Not the usual soft badly wearing type but a firm sporty looking type that will last years and years.
The Dash keeps the large speedometer in the middle as in the original and the vertical mount steering wheel makes you think that you are driving a cart rather than a car.
Front passenger and driver room is


huge. You really can stretch out in comfort here.

Handling.
Fantastic. Throwing it into bends, you feel the tyres hug the road and grip the tarmac like no mini before. Its low centre of gravity helps with this. The stiff suspension gives a remarkably comfortable ride while keeping the car body upright and not rolling around.
Motorway driving is ok but lacks the comfort of my larger Beemer. Best for around town or country lanes in a rally! Vrooom!

Performance.
Wow! Stonkingly quick. Was suprised how responsive the throttle was. Put your foot down hard and you will move! Around town you can really zip about. Pulling away from the lights will embarrass most boy racers, should you need to. Remember, the Beemer powerplant is suprisingly powerful and underestimated in this small mini looking car.

Maintenance.
Well, you have BMW engineering here. You wont be breaking down every few minutes as you would have with the older mini's. You now have reliability and excellence in design so you can be assured you will have minimum problems.

Pricing.
Expensive for what it is. A Mini. Cheap for what it is. A BMW. At £17,000 for a top of the range one, you can find cheaper and better cars out there. If you are a fan then maybe it can tempt you but I was glad to give it back on the Monday and get in my REAL BMW!

Fun for the weekend but not a full time car for me!

Summary: