Mini Cooper S

I just admitted I got the name of the service wrong :( as someone who has a BMW as well, I'm familiar with the servicing structure of oil service, inspection 1 and 2. I just used Standard service, incorrectly I know but I thought the main area we were disputing was the price? :(
 
Yea but your post implied that servicing is £99 on a Cooper S. In reality, one of the three types of service you could have is £109, and sometimes £99. The other two are £170 and £270 :p
 
Ok, phew well I'm glad I'm that we got that sorted.

In the mean time, he now doesn't want the car anyway so it's all irrelevant
 
DezUk said:
Hi all,

given the really bad snow up here in the past 2 years and increased running costs the wife and I are thinking of downsizing our BMW 330ci M sport convertable (2003) in favour of a 02-06 Mini Cooper S.

Whats the score re. running costs such as fuel, service, tyres, road tax performance etc.

What are the things to look out for on them?

Finally what are they like to drive and own?

Will I be disappointed in my change?

Just newly married and have a mortgage to pay.

Any other cars along this line which we should consider?
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How many miles do you do a year?
 
DezUk said:
OK Ive been put right off the cooper now so just looking for other possible ideas?
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Erm, just how much cheaper are you wanting your running costs to be?

First of all, you said you had a 330 Convertible? What mileage and options have you got? Is it a facelifted one? £9k is a lot of money for a 8 year old 330 and people won't pay that kind of money for a 2003 one, so i doubt you'll get that much. For example this is "spotless" one and is only up for £7.2k and it's likely he'll probably get about £7k for it: http://pistonheads.com/sales/2401169.htm

So where do you go from here? You have a £7k 330ci and you want to save money.

If you got something sporty (like cars you seem to be looking at), it will probably have big wheels (and therefore tyres), be fast, be in the same tax bracket, same insurance group, use lots of fuel and cost a lot if it goes wrong. Hence, making the whole scenario of changing your car pointless.

So you'll probably need to downgrade to something cheap and reliable to actually save money. I'm thinking in the region of a £4-5k small engined Focus to make the whole thing worth it.

EDIT: Or as an after thought, maybe a Fiesta ST?
 
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Steedie said:
Being a passenger isn't much fun either especially if you're tall.
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You must be a giant as I'm just over 6ft and my girlfriend is 6ft too and there's ample space above our heads, a good 5-6" I'd say. Headroom has never been an issue at all.

The rear seats however.... (but I'm sure you know that already)
 
No it's leg room I was getting at :)

If there's no one in the back it's usually ok as I can put the seat right back, but I hate my legs touching the dash, which they are if I don't have it pretty much all the way back. head room is fine :)
 
Not wanting to hi-jack the thread, but does the Cooper have same servicing costs/issues as the "S"?
Cooper auto is on my list of "possible" cars if/when i get my license back.
 
Shoei said:
Not wanting to hi-jack the thread, but does the Cooper have same servicing costs/issues as the "S"?
Cooper auto is on my list of "possible" cars if/when i get my license back.
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The servicing costs are the same, yes, but obviously it has smaller tyres, doesn't eat tyres as much, is more economical (Though not in Auto form I wouldnt imagine?) etc.
 
[TW]Fox;18249980 said:
The servicing costs are the same, yes, but obviously it has smaller tyres, doesn't eat tyres as much, is more economical (Though not in Auto form I wouldnt imagine?) etc.
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Nice & simple reply. Thanks.
Cars only got to get me to work and back as well as pick up the kids from school every so often.
 
Steedie said:
No it's leg room I was getting at :)

If there's no one in the back it's usually ok as I can put the seat right back, but I hate my legs touching the dash, which they are if I don't have it pretty much all the way back. head room is fine :)
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Ahh, I see.
As far as I'm concerned my Mini is a 3 seater car. I'm not moving my seat for anyone but my girlfriend can slum it for a bit by pulling her sear forward for a rear seat passenger now and again.

If you need to regularly carry anyone other than midgets or children in the back then the Mini isn't the right car. It's a brilliant fun car to drive, but not all that practical.
 
Well I remember when this tou used to get sound advice in here. Not like nowadays when your thread gets high jacked with useless childness "look how big my e penis car knowledge is". I'll ask else where from now on!
 
DezUk said:
Well I remember when this tou used to get sound advice in here. Not like nowadays when your thread gets high jacked with useless childness "look how big my e penis car knowledge is". I'll ask else where from now on!
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handbags!

i mean you asked about Cooper S you got all the facts you needed, dont see the problem
 
Yes I asked for cooper s advice which i received in abundance and its appreciated. The advice was so good its changed my opinion. What I didn't ask for was a playground argument in a supposedly mature forum, I think its others that need to put their handbags away and not me. Oh and what about other car suggestions, seems this also cannot read!
 
DezUk said:
Whats the score re. running costs such as fuel, service, tyres, road tax performance etc.

I get 22-23mpg round town and 37-38 on motorway runs. Tax is £200ish per year I think, tyres (non funflat) are about £70 per corner, can't tell you about servicing I'm afraid as mine has the TLC package. Performance is decent enough as standard but a £60 reduced pulley will give you around 200BHP so they're very easy to modify if you're so inclined.

What are the things to look out for on them?

Clutch (well, flywheel) seems a common fault but generally it's just the little things which all add up

Finally what are they like to drive and own?

Fun, fun, fun. Chuckable but not terribly refined. Better than the equivalent hatch but not a patch on your 330.

Will I be disappointed in my change?

Only you can answer that. Personally I'd much prefer the Mini as I love small chuckable cars but not everyone shares my preferences.

Just newly married and have a mortgage to pay.

I hope you're not planning kids as the rear seats aren't going to be much use after about a year. Rear seats won't be much fun for a regular sized human for any journeys that last more than about 30 mins.

Any other cars along this line which we should consider?

You've got the other obvious choices like Clio, Golf I suppose. They won't be as fun but might be cheaper to run.
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