Mini Questions

The countryman looks good, but it doesn't appeal to me performance wise. Once you start sacrificing agility, the Mini becomes less and less of a Mini.

Really?

I'm being told it's a downright bargain, performance wise.

" Countryman S has a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine, which produces 181 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque."

I think my moderately tuned '84 GTI back in the day could give it a run for the $.

Huh? My 2008 GTI is approaching 30,000 miles and has never hiccuped.

However, I'm starting to get concerned that the Check Engine light doesn't work, because it never comes on.

http://vtec.minimania.com/

Car & Driver Magazine: "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."

1974 Clubman Estate w/ Honda B-18 with LSD for sale:
http://new.minimania.com/web/SCatagory//DisplayType/News/DisplayID/2715/ArticleV.cfm

No affiliation, I just thought the VTEC in an original mini is cool.

I've had an 03 Cooper S, an 03 VW GTI VR6, and an 06 Audi A3 2.0T in that order. My absolute favorite was the A3. I'm in the process of looking for another A3 right now, but the TDI version this time.

My Mini came with run-flat tires (and no spare) which made the ride really rough. It was a fun car around town, but it was torture on my long commute to work every day.

Just my .02 and I'm sure the Mini's have come a long way since 2003.

As soon as my run-flats wore out on my '05 they got ditched for a pair of Yokohamas.

Made all the difference in the world in ride quality.

I bought it used/new (it had 1800 miles on it) for $19,000, and it had a few issues as well. Rear wiper wouldn't work right, thermostat housing developed a leak.

All fixed under the excellent warranty, though. In the four years that warranty was in effect, I paid $0 for any maintenance or repair. That's zero, zip, nada.

Once that warranty ran out though....holy crap! Now you pay BMW maintenance/repair level bills. That was the only drawback I had with an otherwise excellent car.

Now I drive a damned pickup truck, and where my commute was alot of fun it now sucks.

Thank goodness for the motorcycle.

Golf R in December.

now you're talkin'.

She wants an automatic, I doubt the R will be available with one.

DSG

The Golf R would be a seriously cool car to replace our Mini with- but it's just too expensive.

Here's my JCW Clubbie.

UMmmm, does not seem like you moved it since the last time you posted a pic

Seriously, Xeraux, beautiful, please give us an update on miles/pluses/minus since your last post in another thread about minis.

Thanks!

Well she finally decided on a new Mini Clubman S, I am thrilled to stop looking after six months of car shopping.

Specs?

She is very happy with it, so far it seems like a fun little car.



Specs here

I think he meant, how's it optioned out?

Oh, been a long day...

Only options on it are steptronic trans (wife requirement), Bluetooth/USB/iPod hookup (my requirement) and roof rails. One of the things I really like about it is that all 2011+ mini/BMW come with Sirius/xm preinstalled and the first year free.

I'm serious. When Sirius is free it's ok.
No.way I would pay for it.

we don't pay for my car (5 mile commute), but pay in my wifes (60+ mile commute). you can call in and talk them down to about $75/yr with very little hassle. ;D