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Post by Big Blue on Jul 1, 2022 8:23:21 GMT
That Exclusive does look like the nicer car to schlep across Europe in once a year. The driving about town and leaving in Italy makes no odds to having either.
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Post by PG on Jul 1, 2022 17:50:55 GMT
Looked at them both on Autotrader. I'd agree with Jeff - definitely go for the proper Cooper. Better for the drive to and from Italy.
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Post by racingteatray on Jul 2, 2022 19:13:34 GMT
I went to see the grey car in Southend today. Drove very well (as indeed any car with so few miles should). Handles like a dream but agreed that less power would be hard work. The Cooper definitely feels mildly warm acceleration-wise at best (think it’s 8 secs to 60).
Whether it’s worth the several grand extra is up for debate. Neither of us is especially fond of the colour but on the other hand it’s ok.
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Post by racingteatray on Aug 4, 2022 18:01:56 GMT
So, have finally struck a deal on the grey Cooper and going over to Shoeburyness tomorrow to pick it up. Quite excited - first new car since 2016.
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Post by Stuntman on Aug 4, 2022 20:43:47 GMT
Excellent news!
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Post by racingteatray on Aug 4, 2022 20:46:47 GMT
It’s Moonwalk Grey with black leather seats and is well specified, being in Exclusive trim and then It has the following options fitted:
Navigation Plus Pack (widescreen nav, digital dash, wireless charging etc)
Comfort Plus Pack (all manner of stuff including heated seats, folding mirrors, park assist, comfort access and reversing cam)
Privacy glass
Heated windscreen
LHD, registered 1/22, has 600 miles on the clock and fully warrantied until Feb 2025 (I rang BMW Mini Park Lane to check) and BMW Group is registered in the log book as the first owner.
Cooper 5drs with both the Nav+ and Comfort+ packs are really rare and pre-facelift cars with the digital dash even rarer, especially with the manual gearbox (didn’t want an auto). The only option it’s missing that I would have liked is the pano roof, but that’s not a deal breaker.
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Post by Stuntman on Aug 4, 2022 20:54:19 GMT
Now you just need to perfect your Moonwalk when you approach and leave the car  |
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Post by racingteatray on Aug 4, 2022 20:59:52 GMT
You’ve reminded me that it’s sort of woodlouse-coloured and woodlice have been known in my family as “Michael Jacksons” ever since my little nephew came into the house one day gleefully in possession of a woodlouse and upon being asked asked what it was, he confidently announced that it was a “Michael Jackson”…
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Post by Roadrunner on Aug 4, 2022 23:32:30 GMT
An excellent choice and it would seem that its name is already chosen.
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Post by johnc on Aug 5, 2022 8:44:09 GMT
You can't not love a Mini - they just put a smile on the face. Enjoy.
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Post by PG on Aug 5, 2022 16:14:10 GMT
Fantastic. Enjoy it. That does sound incredibly well specced. Are you going to sell the Fiat privately or is it being traded?
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Post by Big Blue on Aug 5, 2022 19:59:28 GMT
Fantastic. Enjoy it. That does sound incredibly well specced. Are you going to sell the Fiat privately or is it being traded? A few years ago when I was considering a new garage door W2.1 reversed into the old one resulting in the home insurance covering the cost. Just an idea…. |
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Post by racingteatray on Aug 5, 2022 20:10:13 GMT
Some pics - collected it today on my way up to Suffolk to a wake at Aldeburgh yacht club. And then tucked up next to my mother’s Countryman. Drives beautifully - really pleased with it. And it was really easy to get used to as everything works as it does in my car. Also seems pleasingly economical.    |
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Post by racingteatray on Aug 6, 2022 18:02:26 GMT
Fantastic. Enjoy it. That does sound incredibly well specced. Are you going to sell the Fiat privately or is it being traded? No, Mrs RT wants to keep it, as if the Mini is going to be in Italy, she wants to keep the 500 for bumbling around London. I am now rethinking the Macan idea, because if it’s not going to be used to drive to Italy, it seems massive overkill. |
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Post by Big Blue on Aug 6, 2022 20:00:33 GMT
Excellent. Looking at the newest Mini vs the older countryman is interesting.
So now you’re looking at interesting options in lieu of replacing the 440i for a Macan.
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Post by racingteatray on Aug 6, 2022 20:16:15 GMT
Excellent. Looking at the newest Mini vs the older countryman is interesting. So now you’re looking at interesting options in lieu of replacing the 440i for a Macan. Eventually yes. I’m still intrigued by a Supra 3.0 manual, but equally it could be something interesting and slightly older…eg Z4M coupe etc… |
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Post by Andy C on Aug 6, 2022 20:58:32 GMT
Looks good.
Z4m you say. Interesting. Don’t blame you considering the engine it has
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Post by bryan on Aug 7, 2022 16:27:34 GMT
That has all the toys and will be perfect for your intended use...
Be Interesting to see the developments re the Macan
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Post by racingteatray on Aug 7, 2022 19:23:06 GMT
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Post by racingteatray on Aug 7, 2022 19:30:04 GMT
I have to say that for a pretty small car, it feels very sturdy and poised at motorway speeds. I just drove back to London, a trip that took knocking on for three hours due to roadworks and traffic, and apart from the fact that it is a manual rather than an auto, I don’t think I feel markedly less fresh than if I’d done the trip in the BMW. It generates more road noise, or is less well insulated, but apart from that, it bodes well for driving it to Italy. For a small engine, its surprisingly elastic in fifth and sixth - rarely any need to trouble fifth let alone fourth.
And its an absolute hoot on back roads. It’s just so chuckable. I know that’s cliched but it just is.
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Post by LandieMark on Aug 7, 2022 19:50:17 GMT
Nicely done. Z4M Coupe would be a great second car.
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Post by Roadrunner on Aug 7, 2022 20:18:05 GMT
I have to say that for a pretty small car, it feels very sturdy and poised at motorway speeds. I just drove back to London, a trip that took knocking on for three hours due to roadworks and traffic, and apart from the fact that it is a manual rather than an auto, I don’t think I feel markedly less fresh than if I’d done the trip in the BMW. It generates more road noise, or is less well insulated, but apart from that, it bodes well for driving it to Italy. For a small engine, its surprisingly elastic in fifth and sixth - rarely any need to trouble fifth let alone fourth. And its an absolute hoot on back roads. It’s just so chuckable. I know that’s cliched but it just is. Welcome to the wonderful world of Mini ownership. I agree with everything you have written. The BMW DNA really does shine through. |
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Post by Ben on Aug 8, 2022 1:56:29 GMT
Neat!
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Post by PG on Aug 8, 2022 15:12:32 GMT
... I know that’s cliched but it just is... +1 Basically the modern Mini is just one big cliche that just works. I think that is maybe why they generate strong love / hate feelings among people. |
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Post by Bob Sacamano v2.0 on Aug 8, 2022 17:35:04 GMT
Despite my earlier misgivings on the looks, that looks great, and the interior is lovely. I stand converted.
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Post by PG on Aug 8, 2022 19:45:45 GMT
You can have hours of fun deciding what actions - and hence different colours - you want the coloured ring round the sat nav to perform.
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Post by racingteatray on Aug 8, 2022 20:11:51 GMT
Despite my earlier misgivings on the looks, that looks great, and the interior is lovely. I stand converted. You me both! I’m convinced they missed a trick in not having frameless doors on the 5dr as well - would have looked much neater and if my 5dr 4-series can have frameless rear doors, I’m not sure why a Mini can’t. I wasn’t totally sold on the colour, but with the black roof, privacy glass and those wheels, it works. I wasn’t sold on the stripes, but then I saw a near-identical car without them and it looked duller. By the way, it came with a box containing the original LHD headlights, which was a nice brucie bonus if we ever were to decide to take it to Italy permanently. Not sure how much an LED headlight for a Mini costs, but imagine it’s not peanuts. |
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Post by Stuntman on Aug 8, 2022 20:14:46 GMT
I'm also of the opinion that the stripes improve the way the car looks - and I also like the interior.
The spec is really cohesive. Enjoy!
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Post by ChrisM on Aug 8, 2022 21:24:44 GMT
I'm also of the opinion that the stripes improve the way the car looks Stripes improve the way that some cars look ..... |
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Post by racingteatray on Aug 9, 2022 15:45:57 GMT
They surely add at least 30bhp!!
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