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MINI Cooper
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Comments
Ray T., 2003 Cooper - 52k miles to date :P
Is it possible to get that "oversized" cup holder installed on both sides of the dash? So that me and my passenger can have an actual cup holder. Also, is the cup holder something I can attach and unattach easily or is it incredibly difficult? Or is it something the dealer has to do?
Regarding all this driving you'll be doing with the new Mini are you sure your not going to exceed the mileage limits of the lease ? I have just clicked over the 52k mark and the car hasn't reached its second birthday yet (4/21) My warranty is over already in 22 months from mileage factor. Between my 100 mile a day commute and my "just wanna drive this car fun factor" it killed my warranty in no time. Keep that in mind if leasing.
Ray T. :P
If the Mini's DO get an uglier, less friendly looking interior in the 07 models... I'm not going to want to trade in. Same thing if they make them bigger. As said, I plan on keeping it! lol
But we are getting 10k mileage on a lease to have the lowest possible payments. Me going over that 10k doesn't mean anything if we do keep it, right? =/ But we may also keep 12k because there wasn't much of a difference in payments between the two.
I figured that maybe the cup holder may hit my knee but maybe not... I'm not that tall of a driver and it doesn't hit my knee when I sit in the passanger side, just sucks because it gets in the way of the controls. But is it possible to put a cup holder on the driver side? Should be fine for me just will have to take it off my brother drives it.
Has anyone tried eating a meal in the cooper?
That large cupholder thing swivels around, so you can empty it out if you have a passenger and get it out of their way. It's really not a problem. This whole thing with cupholders and food trays and practically entire kitchens outfitted in cars is a little ridiculous, in my opinion. Jesus, people act like they can't get from point A to point B without a frigging hit of something to put in their mouth. No wonder obesity is rampant in this society.
You asked if anyone has tried eating a meal in a Mini - you are joking, right? My God, can't you pull over in a park or just wait until you get where you're going? I guess I just never considered a car to be a rolling restaurant.
But a cup holder is of extreme importance. Whenever I leave to get into my car I grab a coke. And on the way home from any place I usually have a soda that won't fit into those standard holders.
My concern isn't about the oversized cup holder being too far as it isn't, but that the passanger won't have a cup holder. And while it's true the backseat one can be used as a cup holder, if there is a thrid passanger... Someone won't have the convenience of a cup holder. =(
As for those standard ones.. I was thinking of using them for change too. Whenever I go through a drive thru I could always use extra change for the cents and a place to put change at. In my Mom's car we use the opening arm rest. In the Mini I'll use the "cup holders."
On another topic though... The sound system!
I read several comments about the H/K system not being loud enough. Can anyone confirm this? Also, I've heard several complaints about the speaker on the passanger door making a rattling sound due to the volume or bass of the music, which I'm sure is truthful as everyone I know seems to have confirmed and there is even a step-by-step process laid out on a website on how to fix it -- Though much too difficult looking for me, involves taking the door thing off.
Our other car is an '04 Acura TL that is way faster, quieter, roomier, more comfortable, much better sound system, more amenities, etc., etc. If I give my head a shake and think logically, I would conclude that I'm an idiot to drive the Mini. But driving the Mini puts a smile on my face, even when it lurches along, and the radio sounds no better than a portable boom-box, and Honda Civics blow by me.
The moral of the story is, don't worry about being able to drink and eat while driving a Mini, or whether the stereo sounds good enough. You can't and it doesn't. But the car is still a blast to own and drive (as long as you don't get run over by 3-ton SUV's, right, greyscale?) :P
No matter what flaws the Mini has compared to other cars, there is no compensating the Mini's small size. It's perfect for parking! The visibility in the Mini is also another strong point which makes it easy to drive and creates a cheery atmosphere when it invites the sun in or more tranquil with the moon.
I personally don't see any troubles eating in the Mini. But music wise.. It's really not THAT bad is it? What is the problem with the Mini's stereo? Is it lack of quality or lack of volume or what?
As for eating, I find when you eat in a car, you need elbow room, plus extra room to put stuff -- your drink, the sugar for your coffee, the fries while you're munching on the Big Mac, etc. And the Mini simply doesn't have much "working room". You'd likely end up spilling something. I think if you need to regularly eat in your vehicle, get something like a CR-V.
I don't have the H/K stereo option. I just find the standard unit a little lacking in oomph and dynamic range. To me is not a big deal, since I'm too old to care about blasting my music in the car anymore. And also, my TL has one of the best systems around, so by comparison, most other systems would sound inferior.
Greyscale I couldn't resist LOL so take it with the fun intended.
Really aren't we getting a little carried away here, how much room to eat in a Mini? If you have Mini meals it'll work, White Castle hamburgers are kinda cute to go along with the Mini theme. Stick with the 12 oz. cans and they will fit in front cupholders, install the add on to drivers side and sign up for a knee cap replacemnt in the future.
Harmon Kardon not loud enough ? maybe if your into sound equipment competitions it's not but how loud does it have to be before you forget your driving and loose it in a corner or can't hear the ambulance behind you trying to get by to rescue the guy who lost it in the corner adjusting the volume LOL
I better stop now before I get a mini headache................
1) Is there a way to re-set the gauge and try it again? I have a hard time believing that the mileage would only improve that tiny bit with a 10 -15 mph speed reduction, esp. considering how one always hears that consumption starts to rise over 60.
2) I read somewhere on here that the mileage improves after the car has 10K miles on it...Is that true, and if so, why?
While I can afford the gas without eating Franco American each night, it's become somewhat of an experiment for me, to see if the speed reduction really does make a difference, and also to see if I can max out the MPG...
I had no problems with the dealer at all, but then I haven't had to service it yet, so we'll see... :shades:
In two tests comparing them in a total of 4 cars I consider the standard to sound better!!! ($550 savings). I don't know if it is the speakers (supposedly JBL), the head, or both, but the difference is consistent.
Roger
Before final ordering my 05MCS blk/blk,prempkg,armrest,chrome grill, (dealer installed because I didn't want chrome mirrors) I listened to the Harmon Kardon. It sounded a tad better, but not $550 worth. So I ordered the standard. Now I'm in the process of upgrading, and don't know which way to go. Various options have been suggested:
Replace just the speakers with better ones, high efficiency Infinities or Alpines
Replace just the head unit with a higher output one. Higher wattage that will push the stock speakers making them sound better. Would also need to add interface so MFSW buttons still work.
Replace just the speakers with more expensive lower efficiency speakers and add an amplifier. That's basically what the Harmon Kardon system does.
The above choices will cost me anywhere between $350 and$1500 or more including labor. I'd love to buy my components over the internet and put them in myself, but that would be a disaster because I am mechanically challenged.
Which raises another issue.
Cheap labor installs like Circuit City, Best Buy, etc. mean risking work done by some kid who might never have worked on a MINI before. The boutique stereo shops offer more confidence, but labor is very expensive. And don't look for markdowns on the equipment! What's really holding me up is what I hear in the showroom may not be what I hear in the car.
So I'm holding off until I get to a couple of rallies this spring and summer. I'll listen to systems and then try to decide. In the meantime, maybe I'll run into somebody competent who will do the installs at fair price. In the mean time, the standard system isn't all that bad.
Hugh
First night I had it I paked it in front of our house... In the morning he had water spots all over himself. I took him straight to a car wash, ugh. I would like to wash him myself but's its extremely embarresing as where I live no one seems to appreciate anything of theirs and take everything for granted... So me taking care of my car would gain alot of stares and snoots. It embarreses me!
But I don't mind doing is just keeping him clean... Going out with a rag and going over the body and mirrors to keep him clean from little marks when driving or crap that falls from the sky when parked.
I been using a microfiber cloth and ammonia-free windex-like spray to go over the glass, mirrors and body... Is that safe? And if yes or no, what should I/can I be using instead?
And next time my Mini is dirty I do plan on washing him out in the street... Just going to pretend no one else is around!
For the body, use a Quick Detailer rather than "windex-like spray".
Now enjoy your new car.....
I didn't care for the "stretch version" but to each his own.
Ray T. :shades:
http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=102232
Diefont, My first trip with my Mini was after a 500 mile breakin and was to Virginia/North Carolina from upstate N.Y. about 1500 miles round trip. It was a blast but the stiffness of the Mini starts to wear on the bones after a while. I found myself stopping every 200 miles for a breif walk to get the circulation going again. Was getting a little over 400 miles to a tank of gas also. The car is built to handle so ride comfort suffers on long hauls. All in all I still enjoyed the trip and since Mini's on the road were still few and far between the looks had me laughing and smiling the whole trip. :P
I wonder if they will work on giving it a more liveable ride?
Jesse
The center speedometer is easy to read, but how about the other gauges and the LCD display? It seems like the tachometer, the LCD displays, and the warning lights are much easier to see with the Chrono Package.
Some auto AC systems go crazy trying to get the interior to the desired temperature, and I often switch to manual to get rid of the roaring fan. How well does the MINI system work? It seems to me that the manual system may be easier to use than the auto system.
That's what my dealer said too. Although I wonder about the merit of that because I have always thought the location under the rear view mirror used for all BMWs is the best since you can literally see the LED a block away in any direction. Also, the alarm unit is a BMW alarm anyway, so why not use the same LED setup?
Okay, The car came in on Wednesday, I was supposed to pick it up on Saturday after they install the alarm. Well, the dealer called me on Saturday morning to tell me that they did not realize the alarms were backlogged and they wouldn't be able to install it until Tuesday.
So I go to the dealer on Saturday to deal with the down payment and paperwork, I took the car for a spin and then left it there for Tuesday. This morning (Tue) I get a call from the dealer saying that the truck with the alarm parts would not be in until Wednesday and I could pick it up Wednesday night. I was ready to pick it up tonight.
Tomorrow the dealer will call me to see if they will be able to put the alarm on by tomorrow night. Ugh, it's a bit frustrating.
On a lighter note, I did see and drive the car, and boy is she beautiful. Those web-spokes look SOOOO much better in person. The shifter felt a little rubbery/vague, but I think it will tighten up with use. Is that a fair assumption?
Probably not a good assumption. If anything, the shifter is at its best when new, perhaps a litlte stiff which gets better, but the rubbery/vague feeling isn't going to get any better as things wear.
It's subjective, but IMHO, the shifter is not bad for a front driver. Not great, but not bad. Some people report major improvements by using one of the solid/heavy shifter balls (Whalen), but I'm not a believer that a heavy ball is going to make THAT much difference. I think it's mostly the bling talking.
- Mark
If there is no action for a couple more weeks, I'm going to start making phone calls to the general manager, and up.
We'll see, good thing I have 3 years/ 36K (and keeping my current car) to figure it all out.
LSD is a performance feature which reduces wheelspin when cornering hard while on the throttle. You can skip it unless you plan on driving the car fairly aggressively. On the track, it is a great feature.
- Mark
Be sure and post in the MINI Cooper: Prices Paid & Buying Experiences discussion as well.
Whatever they're called, traction control systems simply cut engine power when a wheel slips on acceleration. It's mostly to reduce the chances of getting stuck in the snow. This is a very simple system and is standard in most cars these days.
Skid control has a yaw sensor that compares the rate the car is turning to the position of the steering wheel and from this can deduce if the car is oversteering or understeering. If either is detected, it then modulates power and brakes individual wheels to attempt to correct the problem. This a much more sophisticated system and recent studies have shown it to be very significant in the reduction of accidents.
Limited slip differentials are mechanical systems that reduce the tendency of differentials to route power to the wheel with the least traction. At least on the Mini, it is pitched as a performance driving option, although it should assist in getting around in the snow - instead of just cutting engine power, it would route engine power to the wheel with more traction.
- Mark
"ASC prevents slip at the drive wheels while starting off and accelerating the vehicle. ASC also recognizes unstable vehicle conditions, such as fishtailing or nose-diving. In these cases, and subject to physical limits, ASC helps to keep the vehicle on a steady course by reducing engine speed and by applying brakes at individual wheels. This system optimizes driving stability and traction, especially when just starting off, when accelerating, or when cornering."
Interestingly enough, the same description is also used for DSC. I suspect both ASC and DSC are designed to do the same thing, but DSC is just a more advanced version of ASC.
So--after one month--two thumbs up by both my wife and me.
So is that four thumbs up?
I too, am amazed at the positive reaction the Mini generates from bystanders, even though it's been out on the market for almost 4 years! I think the car will go down in history as a styling classic. :shades: