Mini

RChoudry said:

Just visited the new Mini dealership here in Philadelphia (Don Rosen on Montgomery Ave).

Very nice car!

Scheduled a test drive for Monday morning since I'm on vacation next week.

The only thing I did't like was how much headroom the sunroof cut out.

This car is going to do well, especially against Civics, Integras, etc...

-RChoudry

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I went over to Mini of Sterling (VA) today to check the car out, as well. Very cute; the styling is extremely clean and well-put-together. I knew there was going to be a wait to drive one, but I didn't realize Tuesday would be their first opening. In any event, I decided not to schedule a drive, for the following reasons:

-The car is SMALL. Really, really small. I'd seen them at NAIAS before, but had forgotten just how tiny it is. I think that even with the rear seats folded I wouldn't be able to get a mountain bike in the back. The rear seats are essentially useless; the car is effectively a two-seater.

-Interior materials are disappointing. In terms of quality of feel, the plastics are in line with those in the Focus, and definitely a step below those in the Golf. The leatherette is pretty cheesy, too; it's not as nice as the 'ette used in the 3er, and feels sort of like rubber. Leather is definitely the way to go with this car.

As I said, I didn't drive one. I hear the driving dynamics are outstanding, but the car is just too small for me to consider as a second car, no matter how well it drives. It'll assuredly run circles around a Golf, but for me the Golf is a much better size (and, with decent tires, isn't a bad drive). If I could afford a third car, and for some reason didn't want a Miata, maybe the Mini would make sense.

I went to my local dealer today, and discovered they are also by appointment, and only the 2 S are available for test drives, or should I say test rides, as they dont let you drive the thing. What's the point?

I agree about the seats. Definitely too rubbery. I'd like to see what the cloth is like, since none of the cars I've seen at previous events had them.

Plastics quality is OK. On par with most of the bits in the E46, but the ratio of the cheaper stuff might be a little higher. I also noticed that the deadpedal room between the clutch pedal and kick panel is awful small.

They also had 2 old Minis there (a restored older one and a newer one), and it seemed like those actually had more usable space overall. :dunno:
There's an awful lot of seemingly wasted cargo space given up to space fot the CD changer and NAV computer in the rear fenders.

SONET said:

Kaz

If you don't mind me asking, which dealership did you go to? I'm in OC too, was going to head over to Irvine BMW on Monday to have a look around.

--SONET

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That's where I went. I think its the only MINI dealer in OC.

Okay cool, thanks.

BMW of Long Beach is building a Mini showroom (though that is LA County, it is still pretty close). It was nearly complete as of two weeks ago. Wonder if they let you drive them there?

Did you buy your BMW at Irvine BMW? If so, how was your experience there and who sold you the car? I'm going to be ordering mine this week, but I'm not sure where quite yet. I've been to LB, Crevier, and Sterling so far...

--SONET

SONET said:

Did you buy your BMW at Irvine BMW? If so, how was your experience there and who sold you the car? I'm going to be ordering mine this week, but I'm not sure where quite yet. I've been to LB, Crevier, and Sterling so far...

--SONET

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After getting/trying to get quotes from Irvine, Crevier, Sterling (they practically kicked me out) and Shelley, I got the best service and pricing at New Century. Assael and Cutter quoted the same pricing, but things ended up working out best at New Century.

My friends have told me they've also had good luck at Nick Alexander, but not so good at Long Beach and South Bay (Vasek Polak).

Thanks for the info Kaz. I hadn't even heard of two of those dealerships you mentioned (New Century and Nick Alexander), I'll be looking them up tomorrow and paying them a visit this week.

I could see where you felt that way about Sterling. I made it a point to dress up a little every time I went there, because I knew if I didn't I would have been treated poorly due to my age (25). Those people are a bit old school and need to realize that some people can achieve financial success before retirement age. Anyhow, they did offer me test drives there, but I didn't feel right doing that because I knew there was absolutely no chance I would ever buy there... their unnecessary attitudes are just too much to have to handle along with the normal stresses of buying a car!

Anyhow thanks again,

--SONET

Kaz said:

After getting/trying to get quotes from Irvine, Crevier, Sterling (they practically kicked me out) and Shelley, I got the best service and pricing at New Century. Assael and Cutter quoted the same pricing, but things ended up working out best at New Century.

My friends have told me they've also had good luck at Nick Alexander, but not so good at Long Beach and South Bay (Vasek Polak).

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Cutter? I did not know that there is a Cutter Mini. Same as Jon's?

Dave:

Sorry, I had actually asked Kaz where he bought his BMW (not Mini) when I realized he lived in my area, so this has gone a bit off-topic. :eeps:

My apologies for taking the thread OT...

--SONET

SONET said:

Dave:

Sorry, I had actually asked Kaz where he bought his BMW (not Mini) when I realized he lived in my area, so this has gone a bit off-topic. :eeps:

My apologies for taking the thread OT...

--SONET

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He he Well, a Mini topic in tha 3 series board is what is really OT. I should have read more carefully the individual messages. For a second I was going to call Jon and demand a Mini at his "Internet special" price. hehe

Ok, resurrecting old message

Just tested the base Mini today and I put a deposit for an S. The wait list is so long that I don't expect the car until next May. But that is ok with me because I would rather wait to see how the Brazilian engine behaves under U.S. driving conditions.

Anyway, the base car has lots of pep. There were three persons in the car, with a combined weight of around 350 pounds. Still, the car pulled fast through the gears.

I love the gearbox and clutch. I have not driven a stick shift for a couple of years, but easily drove away on the first time withoug stalling or bogging. Every shift just felt natural.

No body roll on the stock suspension and no harshness at all. But I felt a little front wheel pull. I guess a FWD car will always do some of that.

The downside? Can't think of any really. It is certainly not a practical car for long distance travel just because you do actually hear the engine. But it is a good vehicle for commutes and driving around the city.

I went to East Bay Mini in Pleasanton CA. They are technically selling at MSRP. Well technically, because they require a $280 etching of the windows (etching the VIN number to deter theft). Too bad Cutters do not have a Mini franchise. Still for a nothern CA dealership this may be the best one so far. The San Francisco dealership adds lots of other mandatory assessories. Mini USA may have required the dealers to sell at MSRP but dealers always find loopholes. :angel:

MY 2cents on Mini Cooper & Mini S

I drove them both.
The regular Cooper totally sucks as far as performance geos. I think my beater 01 Civic drives much much much better. However the look is pretty nice and the inside is quiet spacious. The roof is high allowing 4 tall people to sit over 5'10". The steering wheel is not great and it's 2 plasticky looking inside. But on the outside, it's pretty sweet. Quiet disappointed with this test drive.

last night- as always stopping by my many offices(that would be HBL Tyson's dealers and Sterling BMW, we call it office cuz we frequent so much. LOL!) Anyway, the manager let me take the Mini Cooper S out. Totally different car. This car was very fast. Even in 3rd gear with 2 other people in the car I was able to spin the wheel. The SC is amazing. I was able to only take it to 3 rd gear cuz the local roads didn't permit me to take it to 6th gear. I really liked the car. And this one is going to do very well against it's competetion in the segment. Also the exterior is quite nice. I will take some pix and post it on the board. so yeah, I am suppose to spec out my mini in a month. However, now i have the bug for a convertible, so i am gonna get my deposit back. It's an awesome car for those who are getting it. But I think I have something else up my sleeves which is a better fit for my need.
Excellnet.

LIL Raja

I saw a mini last weekend in the Irivine area. It was driving like a bat out of hell. I was gaining on him around 95mph, but then lost him. He must have been going about 100-110mph. Crazy bastard. :yikes: :bawling:

Here are a couple pics. Sorry for the crappy quality. had to zoom in to see anything.

I also saw an M5 :thumb:

whoops. here's theother pic of the mini

Hahah, wow. I live in Irvine, and my sister lives in San Clemente, so both of those pictures are on very familiar road for me.

I was in NYC this past week, and saw a silver Mini on Water St on the way to work Wednesday. An NYC police officer was talking to the guy driving the Mini -- I'm pretty sure he was asking him about the car. :thumb:

Kaz said:

A Dakar M5? That's not a normal color is it?

And I think that Cooper S is one of Irvine MINI's test drive cars. Those pics were taken right off 405 and Sand Canyon heading back towards the dealer (I live nearby).

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You're probably right, cos they were exiting around the 5/405 junction. Damn, he was going fast!! Couldn't keep up! But I did have all four of my stock wheels in the car that day to slow me down...:angel: