Let's talk Mini Coopers...

I've driven a Mini Cooper hatch (3dr) (64 plate) yesterday and liked the front cabin space, but the boot and back seats are abysmal for space/room. If I had the drivers seat where I like it, nobody with legs could sit behind me.

Despite this, the engine in this little thing is very pokey, when i've only been used to big engines, and the interior is decent quality. Obviously specification was weak, but if I was jumping to a Mini i'd look at getting a high base spec, to offset any of the potential buyer-blues at lost functionality (etc) from the jump from a BMW.
 
The high spec in an older mini is not that great though, nav is the old BMW business system, there is no nav integrated with the instrument cluster etc etc. It's old tech wise.

The car you drove yesterday is fundamentally a totally different car to the Paceman.
 
[TW]Fox;27490848 said:
The high spec in an older mini is not that great though, nav is the old BMW business system, there is no nav integrated with the instrument cluster etc etc. It's old tech wise.

The car you drove yesterday is fundamentally a totally different car to the Paceman.
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OK, so if I opted for the Mini Cooper S 5-door hatchback would that be a better choice specced up?

It's a bit of a shame the JCW only features in the Coupe, Roadsters and the bigger Paceman/Countryman.
 
The JCW hatch was actually revealed at Detroit this week. 228bhp 2.0 turbo.

It's caps the MINI range for now as they have stated there are no plans for a faster one.
 
Quite tempted to do this - the Mini loaner I have just worked amazingly in the bad weather today when my xDrive struggled with Winters - likely due to the extra control over the gears and low(er) torque.

Current 330D xDrive (63 plate) is owing about £30k on finance, so against a Mini Cooper S (decent spec) comes to about £24k - and have very low APR ~2-4%. Wonder if a monthly saving can be made without compromising too much here...
 
RedvGreen said:
Quite tempted to do this - the Mini loaner I have just worked amazingly in the bad weather today when my xDrive struggled with Winters - likely due to the extra control over the gears and low(er) torque.
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Your xDrive 'struggled' on winter tyres? So you have a 4wd car with winter tyres fitted and still it struggled? Yet a summer tyre equipped Mini loan car was absolutely fine?

I find this very hard to believe - I don't think the people of Austria 'struggle' with winter tyres..

Current 330D xDrive (63 plate) is owing about £30k on finance, so against a Mini Cooper S (decent spec) comes to about £24k - and have very low APR ~2-4%. Wonder if a monthly saving can be made without compromising too much here...
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This is an enormous mistake IMHO but I suspect you'll do it anyway - despite your admission that your previous deals were also a big mistake.

You have a genuine opportunity to get rid of a large amount of the finance owing on cars, something you've indicated in other posts you'd like to do:

RedvGreen said:
I try not to think about it - if I had kept my cheaper car i'd be around £18000 better off now... which is a comfortable deposit on a starter property, and frees up a considerable amount each month!

Live and learn though, paying off debts slowly but surely and eventually will be debt free in about 12 months, car finance accepted.
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£24k of finance on a car like a Paceman is just silly. It will be fundamentally no different to a Cooper S of HALF the price.

http://www.minicherished.co.uk/mini...ch=_V01XU1YzMjA5MFQwNDkxMzY=&resultsOrder=5_0
http://www.minicherished.co.uk/mini...ch=_V01XU1YzMjAyMFQwNDcyMjc=&resultsOrder=5_0

Loads of high spec ones for half the budget.

Take this opportunity to drive a car that's basically the same but wipes 50% off the amount owing. I am amazed you've not noticed how old it feels in the cabin after your 330d?
 
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The paceman did feel a bit old compared to the f30 and also the hire Mini Cooper (it's a refresh model 64 plate).

Definitely considering the Cooper S, I think the inbound JCW hatch will be ridiculous cost - less than m135i for potentially more cash too. The Cooper loaner is actually a fun car despite 1.5 3pot, so the 2.0 4pot (Is this correct?) will be even better ...
 
We loved the R56 MCS we had.

Not £24k loved it though.

A 2 to 3 year old example at half the price is the most you want to be paying as regardless of the price they are really not "worth" paying any more for to an individual.
 
Skeeter said:
Is this thread about financing a brand new 8 year old previous generation car?
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Its a thread about Minis, and the new mini hasnt changed that much since it was introduced.

Its got a bit bigger, a bit fatter, a bit faster, a bit better equipped and a bit better built.

But apart from the first One model, which was released as a 10k 1.6 hatch, they have all been overpriced for what they are.
If you are considering buying even a new model one for 24k, you should go lock yourself in a darkened room for a little while till you have calmed down.

And thats from someone who will be buying another "new" mini this year for himself (although not new, used)
 
From what I have seen and heard the mk3 is a massive leap in build quality and refinement from the others.

And while they are expensive, they also hold their value incredibly well.

But the thought of buying a Paceman now, on finance, is just silly.
 
atpbx said:
Its a thread about Minis, and the new mini hasnt changed that much since it was introduced.
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We are talking specifically about Mk2 generation Mini's, which of course didn't really change at all bar minor facelifts and the nobody would ever notice suspension revisions Jonny mentioned.
 
[TW]Fox;27507171 said:
We are talking specifically about Mk2 generation Mini's, which of course didn't really change at all bar minor facelifts and the nobody would ever notice suspension revisions Jonny mentioned.
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OP is now talking about buying a new MK3 Mini hatch for 24k
 
[TW]Fox;27507171 said:
We are talking specifically about Mk2 generation Mini's, which of course didn't really change at all bar minor facelifts and the nobody would ever notice suspension revisions Jonny mentioned.
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Yes.

I think they are great, but I got rid of our R56 MCS as the missus just wouldn't drive it, far too lightweight and flighty for the b roads she has to commute to work on, it just did not like it.
Ended up getting her a 2.0 diesel Mondeo Titanium X sport which was as close to a tank I could find her at the time.

I am going to try and find a Cooper for myself to mess around with later this year, just for a bit of fun.
 
Dangerous Dave said:
OP is now talking about buying a new MK3 Mini hatch for 24k
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Pacemen is in OP.

Thats Mk2+. Got to say the R56 MCS out of warrenty with the N14, coking chain tensioner failing engine did concern me, hence happier at the time to get the revised N18 in a Countryman - plus needing 3 proper seats in the back. Guess the R56 MCS with N18 engines is now in reach.

[TW]Fox;27507171 said:
We are talking specifically about Mk2 generation Mini's, which of course didn't really change at all bar minor facelifts and the nobody would ever notice suspension revisions Jonny mentioned.
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Well it would allow All4 badges.... which is like quite a difference underneath, namely a 4 wheel driver enabler :p
 
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