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MINI Cooper
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I'm hesitant after seeing a graph published in the Chicago Tribune article saying there are 166 complaints per 100 vehicles sold. [Hummer was worst at 220/100]
Any/all help would be greatly appreciated.
As us owners have said before, the car's not Japanese and indestructable. However things that people have go wrong are usually just annoyances (like the pedal covers coming off on the long term car, which happened to me as well) and you usually ignore them. MINI knows about the problems and fixes them as they can. (The S has standard metal pedals as of '03 for instance, which should solve the problem). Realize you may have issues with the cars, but they're getting much better. No one knows what the ultra long-term reliability will be, but generally new cars are much better. I'm personally looking at getting an '04 now (they'll be out in Oct). You have a 4/48 warranty for a reason, but the car's so much fun, usually a small problem or two doesn't bother you much. It doesn't surprise me that HUMMER is the highest, since at least the H2 is brand new as well, and wasn't on the road before it started selling in the US. (Also bigger things have more parts and more to go wrong)
I am a reporter with a major daily seeking new mini cooper owners for an article I'm working on. can you please email me at LANETEF@YAHOO.COM? Deadline is Friday May 16
Thanks in advance for any advice, & sorry if I'm asking redundant questions here.
There aren't any dealers in VT (I won't comment on the population of VT since its a very cool place, but since cows don't buy cars I guess MINI didn't feel there was enough of a market). So first of all, your friend needs to be willing to drive for service (in addition to driving to purchase the car).
The time to order and actually get your car is about 2 months, it takes 4 weeks to cross the atlantic and a few weeks to build it, get it ready etc. That assumes of course there's no wait at the dealer. CA still has year long backups, but if you check around the east coast, you may do better. Also dealers get cars delivered without people ordering them, so there might be something on a boat now that's not spoken for.
I've heard good things about Keeler MINI in Albany and also MINI of Peabody in Boston (well Peabody). Keeler being closer is probably the best bet, I know at least one person on MINI2 has an S in VT, so you could track them down. I did just think of one thing, depending on how northern VT it is, there's a possibility driving to Montreal for servicing (purchasing would be a pain I'm sure) is a better idea. I have no idea about those dealers though except mini.ca says there are two, I wonder about the warranty/free maintence though, so perhaps you should ask MINIUSA about it. (866 ASK MINI i think). In any event the service intervals are about 10K miles, then every 15K after, but you never know about unscheduled.
Essential (in my view, but others differ) items are probably multi function steering wheel, because it ads cruise and the radio controls stink. Otherwise, it depends on personal preference. Heated seats are really nice, the sunroof's nice, Fog lights are a good safety item. The rest of the options/packages are personal preference/financial issues. Xenon's are really bright, but expensive, the trip computer's neat, but pricy, etc.
As we've recently discussed, the tires are pretty close to awful in regular snow, so account for buying snow tires and purchase based on summer driving. If a harsh ride is a plus, then 17"s have good grip and look nice. If there's lots of potholes and such, 16's may be a better deal. Either of them are quite stiff because of being runflats.
List is probably the best you can do unless you find a car on the lot that's been there for a while. In any case, the car's worth MSRP.
On the S you get 16" wheels and sport seats in the standard config so there really isn't much you need. IMO, just heated seats and foglamps will do it. I don't really feel the need for the on-board computer (doesn't seem to be accurate anyways) or multi-function wheel (this isn't a car for cruise control IMO) but others love them so try out some cars with those features and see what you think.
I'm in Canada so can't help you with dealers or pricing, sorry.
http://www.detnews.com/2003/autosinsider/0305/09/d03-159692.htm
sunroof) this Spring but two things concern me:
How difficult is it to use the centrally-mounted speedometer? I know it's part of the Mini racing mystique, but I suspect it would be hard to get used to, particularly since I'm nearsighted. True? Secondly, I'm considering the five-spoke 16" wheels,which are called "performance run-flat" tires. Do they really work? Does that mean I wouldn't be supplied with a spare? Also, in Winter (in Connecticut) I'd acquire snow tires.
Are a pair for the front enough, or should I get four? Alan
In the USA I think you get a spare on the Cooper even with runflats.
Four snow tires are best for winter.
And, I really like the emphasis placed on the location of the tachometer. Some complain that you can't see the whole tach, which is true. A small part of the tach's top is clipped from view by the steering wheel, but I can still read the thing. The clipping can be alleviated somewhat by seat and steering wheel height and placement.
All in all, the MINI's controls, in several instances (seat back levers, window switches,etc.), differ from what Japan, Inc. and other manufacturers are doing, but there's nothing that feels weird or wrong after a short amount of time spent on orientation. I've been told that a lot of the MINI's features come from BMW's other cars. This may be so, I've never owned a BMW. For me the driving position is terrific and all the controls have a quality feel.
I believe that Hpulley is also correct in his assertions that US MINI Coopers optioned with run-flats still get the spare.
Motor On.
I have an '02 base cooper with the 16" 5-spokes and runflats. It came with a spare.
A note on snow tires - I never got them. After the nasty winter we had on the east coast (MD), I can only think of a couple of occasions when I thought I needed them. Even then, with DSC, it really wasn't all that bad. Two should suffice, but you would then have problems with uneven wear on the two you swap off. If you get them, you might as well get all four.
In any case central speedo's a non-issue as others have said. Also, the tires depend on if you've gotten the all-seasons or performance tires, which could explain the difference in people's snow-opinions.
I bought it for a commuter car for the next 5 years use and retired my 91 CRX w/170k.
Can't wipe the grin off my face, this is one fun car to drive.
Ray T.
Revka
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Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
steering pump go bad? Just got my MINI back
from the dealer, replaced the power steering
pump, went out last week. I was still able
to drive the car, but only because I work out
in the gym regularly! Dealer service was great,
they gave me a free rental car and first class
treatment, although I had to make 2 trips over
there, is about a 3 hr. round trip drive...
Back to the fun part...driving!
The power steering pump. Mine did go bad and caused the car to overheat. The pump is electric on this car. The cooling fan for the pump and cooling system are on the same fuse on my car and cars older than mine. So there is a week link there, I'm sure that MINI is addressing the issue but would not expect to see a fix for the older cars any time soon. I placed a skid plate under the car to protect the fan.
I got the car with the sport package. It has the five spoke wheels mounted on Goodyear run flats. The wheels look great and are relatively easy to keep clean. The run flats are ok to good street tires for day to day driving. They weigh a lot and ride hard due to the stiff side walls. I will be getting performance tires when they are worn. This is an easy move for me to take as I have a spare tire, the S does not. (I am considering putting run flats on my wife's van.)
The only bad thing about the speedo is you will never convence a cop that you did not know how fast you were going.
I hope you get one and enjoy you MINI as much as I have.
John
Good movie: your standard heist caper with the obligatory quirky ensemble. Think Ocean's 11 with cooler cars. Only problem? Only the first 20 minutes take place in Italy; from there on it's standard L.A. scenery.
According to the promo film shown at the dealership, the Minis in the film were not modified for the chase scenes... which makes me want to explore the limits of my handbrake. Of course I saw the movie with a biased audience, but you will come away from the film wanting a Mini, badly. Or loving yours even more.
Check it out!
Yes, stryder, I think I'll have to find myself an empty parking lot ... Runflats are a little pricey, but I'm not sure I can resist any longer!
Donuts anyone !!!!!
Got my welcome kit from Mini USA in mail yesterday, these guys think of everything!
4100 miles on my 03 & still can't get the smile off my face.
Let's Motor !
Ray T.
THX
You can also buy a blitzsafe adapter which will let you use a normal alpine cd changer, which shouldn't be more then a few hundred depending on which you get, with the factory stereo and pre-wiring.
If you have an '03, you can get Sirius from the dealer for a rather excessive price, I think it was $500....
Also, the common wisdom among stereo people is if you change the MINIs speakers, you'll get a huge difference, even if you don't change the headunit.
I'm just under 6'2" and it basically comes down to your driving position. I tend to drive with my knees almost at the dashboard. If you prefer to be very far away, there will be less room behind you. Also, the height adjustment is an issue. If you have the seat at its lowest, there's no toe room under it, so I always had to adjust higher then I liked if people were in the back seat. I always carried full size adults though, so I'm not sure about kids.
Overall, the car's quite pratical for the price, I don't want to cause family strife, but go take the kids to a dealer and drive around with them, she may change her mind. There's people who have been toting 12' sea kayaks on their dealer installed racks.
The residual values on the cars are amazing, mostly because of the limited demand and nearly everyone paying MSRP. Browse around the used section here on edmunds, you'll do pretty well if you get one for MSRP. Saving a few hundred just means you'll get the car later and is it really worth saving that little when you can't enjoy it? However, with the new model year coming up as Sept builds, you may need decide to either snatch one off the lot, or wait and order an '04, I wouldn't reccomend ordering a car that will come a month before the new year, even if the cars lose less then 10% in a year and 15K miles at the moment.
I bought the base Cooper in Indigo Blue paint as the only option and payed $17375.oo + tax
Still motoring............
Has anyone out there bought from or corresponded with this company, Minispares.com, I have sent two e-mails for more info on a product they offer but no response ????? What the hel.....
Terrible way to do business.
Ray T.
I would also like to know how people chose their body color. They are all very nice, classic colors. These postings have been extremely helpful to me. Thanks.
Also not spending $1250 (I think that's the cost) is a big benefit. If you haven't/Can't drive a manual, I know several people whose first manual cars were brand new MINIs (and others got brand new VW's with the same transmission logic) so its certainly possible to learn.
The redline on a CVT is limited compared to a manual cooper, so it is 'wimpy' in some respects, also it can have lag that you need to get used to and adjust for when starting, so its 0-60 times are slower.
I chose my color because I looked at cars that were pre-speced as the first in the country, I wanted certain options, and the one that matched best happened to be Indi Blue. I didn't especially care, except I knew a few colors just didn't work for me, so that narrowed it. You can also decide if you like metallic paint or not, that can help you choose. Finally, a popular technique (especially in places like Northern CA) is to get a color that is different from the other MINIs on your block, so you still stand out. Don't forget once you choose a color, you still need to choose roof color, and interior colors to match.
On the colour issue, do you happen to know the original MINI colours at its inception? One earlier post suggested a bright colour because of its size.
If anyone is interested, East Bay BMW in Pleasanton, CA, claims to be the only dealership in the Bay Area without a mark-up.