Should I buy a mini?

[gruntygiggles]

Well, you have warranty so if you plan on on replacing when that runs out, that is one concern dealt with.

As for comfort, only you can know what you find comfortable so all I can suggest is ask for an extended test drive. I know you have one at the moment, so if that is the model you will buy, try and do a decent length trip in it and see how you feel as you'll already be getting a feel for normal driving. If it is a different model, try and get an extended test drive in the model you will buy so you know you will be happy with it.

Just give it a decent test. A friend here has one and I reckon it would be ok for one medium sized dog, but dog and lots of luggage or shopping or two dogs would be really cramped.

As for what the car is...down to taste. If you like it, have it...doesn't matter about statements or fashion...you're buying something you're happy with.

All I can say is that me and Stretch like to call them Ironies. A friend of ours just bought one and she is going to name hers Irony

[yorkie_chris]

Getting cars on finance you're going to be getting bummed 7 ways while sunday anyway.

Changing from one finance bumming to another make that 14 ways while sunday.

Minis are crap in snow too. Stupid fashion statement low profile tyres even with FWD. Not as bad as beemer though. Still don't like them, horrible noisy boxes with crap suspension. Loads of fragile plastic crap inside.


On other hand, guy who works for us has one, 100 mile each way commute, 60-65mpg. Not changed oil in 45k or something. He'll probably clock it before it's a year old and flog it.

You obviously liked your BMW when you bought it and just because we have had a bad winter and it is rear wheel drive I can't understand why you are so keen to change.
OK it has had a little bump but repaired as new.Only my opinion but I would have thought a diesel BM more reliable than a Mini Cooper and better on fuel.
You would have to change your profession as it is a hairdressers car but if that's what you want and don't care about cost go ahead.
I wouldn't .

Originally Posted by Dicky Ticker

You would have to change your profession as it is a hairdressers car

And the BMW 1 series isn't? I thought that was practically the definition of a hairdressers car (ok, maybe that honour goes to the MX5).

Depends what yer legs look like.

We (my wife) had a 06 plate Cooper Park lane edition from brand new. She loved it but it had to go last year when we had a baby. It was ultra low miles when we sold it (only done 11k in 6 years). It had run flats on, which you need to try on poorer roads! Tracks and torque steers all over place, even tried different brand. Ride was rock hard, you needed a pee after 5 mins from being jiggled about. Stuck to road like glue if you had a mad 10mins. Thermostat stuck few times, done under warranty. O/s engine mount went, frightened life out of me. Turns out the are full of fluid, thought engine had expired! Apparently they are very common as is t/stat. Was out of warranty then cost £70 for genuine one, fitted myself, easy job. Handbrake lever plastics fell off ans back box rusted. Engines are very revvy on that age coopers, you have to thrash them to not feel gutless. I hated driving it and always chose my old focus instead but my wife loved it and cried when it went! They don't hold there money like they did, ours was absolutely mint when we sold it, not a single stone chip, full BMW history and mileage was half that of the best park lane any dealers had and we had to lower price over and over again to a stupidly low price. You need an extended test drive on 'real' roads before deciding I think as the rock hard ride was ridiculous

Firstly DT, I have said since about 3 months of owning the Beemer that I didn't like it, I'm not fickle enough to want rid after one winter. We've actually had two in the time I've had the car.

Secondly to the people wondering what car I have, I have an 11 plate 118d SE. I have had it from new.

Run flats issue - as said to Steve - I know, I hate them and refused them on the Beemer and would continue to refuse them.

Test ride - had a 13 plate Mini Cooper to drive since Monday anyway. That'll be a full week of driving it both in town and also my 30 mile each way commute.

I have no idea what to do as I am definately getting rid of the Beemer but I don't know what car I want after that.

Just out of curiosity(no experience with them myself) whats everyone got against run flats?

[TamSV]

Originally Posted by stuR

Just out of curiosity(no experience with them myself) whats everyone got against run flats?

I was wondering that. Got them on my car and they haven't offended me in any way.

[squirrel_hunter]

Originally Posted by TamSV

I was wondering that. Got them on my car and they haven't offended me in any way.

I only have experience with run flats in a BMW so they may work in other cars.

The problem comes down to the fundamentals of run flats and how they work. Run flats have much stronger side walls to enable them to work as tyres with out air. And it is this strength that is the problem in ride quality. Go to you car and take all the air out of the tyres, the tyres then sink, this doesn't happen with run flats. But when a tyre hits a bump in the road the sidewall deflects and acts as part of the suspension. This doesn't happen with run flats.

So taking an educated guess I'd say that some cars fitted with them basically have had part of their suspension system altered by stiffening, but then the rest of the system has not been softened to compensate. You might well be able to tune the excessive harshness of the ride out of the car but if I were buying a new BMW I'd expect them to provide a suspension system that works with the tyres that the car left the factory on. They don't, hence my advise to avoid them.

Finally there is the cost verses the benefit. I cant remember exact numbers but I was astonished by the cost of replacement run flat tyres. And based on that if I were to have a puncture I'd call the RAC out go to a local shop and get a replacement, and still be saving money.