why a MINI

[badwolf340]

so we all have MINI's but why did you end up with one and why the model that you picked ,we got our first MINI (R56) a silver cooper d because Wiliam was picking up his car and the cooper d was in the showroom and we both liked it so ,we got it ....whats your story ,was it to be trendy or what ???:popcorn:

[MINI William]

Great topic. Can't actually remember why I wanted a MINI but can always remember wanting one and loved the R56 when it came out hence picking up my R56 ONE on launch day with some JCW extras

[Mon the fish]

Helped a mate restore a classic about the time the R50 came out. Mate's dad was a BMW service manager, so got a close look, loved the turn-in and feel, so got one

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[donnaj1dlh]

Never contemplated a MINI until about 6 weeks ago and now here I am waiting for my MCS to be built. I've been a Peugeot driver for 14 happy years and a diesel driver for 17 years. My RCZ is at the end of its PCP and depreciation has been such that I can't really afford another one (I'd be £120 more for the exact same spec). So I thought I'd try a 208GTI as that was the only Peugeot that interests me, but I was sadly underwhelmed by it. It was then I had to think what else I could look at. I always wanted back to a smaller hatch.....had 2x306s and a 207 before the RCZ and I've always found it a bit of a big lump to park in the city! But I wanted something quirky, with character that I hope can start conversations like my 'Amber' still does. To this day I have NEVER yet seen another Amber red RCZ in the flesh. I will miss her greatly, although I cannot wait to get 'Beaker' home.........

[DigitalLemming]

Decided around August last year it was time for a new car, never considered a MINI at all when I was trawling through the mags as you do. List had been narrowed to a Golf GTI or GT-86 from memory, then I happened to pass Motorpoint in Glasgow and went in for a wander, they had a Cooper sitting in the showroom which I had a wee peek at but thought nah I'd never fit so walked on. No other cars of interest in the place, so was almost back at my car when something made me go back and check out the Cooper - hey I can fit! :thumbs up:

At this point I was 80% set on the GT-86, but it didn't really grab me so a trawl of the local dealers found a pair of ex-demo cars sitting at a decent price. Arranged for a test drive, half thinking it's one thing sitting in one another driving it, but when I planted it coming off a round about and then got it onto a bit of country road I was hooked. 60 minutes later deal done, deposit paid and all I had to do was wait a few days to pick it up.

[jonnie]

My sister had an 1gen cooper and i got to drive it a couple of times and thought it was fantastic so i had to have one. After that it was a second cooper with the jcw sound kit(still miss that noise). Then the r53.

[Dave]

Worked at mini for a year and a half. When I started they only did the "mini" so it wasn't practical for me having a wee one. They announced and launched the countryman when I was there and I had Cooper S ALL4 in white with black roof with chili and media pack. Absolutely loved it!! Finally had enough cash to get a good one and was top of my car shopping list:)


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[Eddie thomson]

Always loved the old minis,never really liked the new then bout 3 weeks ago wos at the garage lookin at a audi a3 when my daughter showed me the Mini Cooper s loved the colour got a test drive that wos it had 2 have it money well spent.

[AndyP & Lenore]

It's all Mark Wahlberg's fault... :lol:

We'd seen Italian Job in the cinema and Mrs P had fallen in love with the Indi Blue MINI and the Supercharger whine from the S models. Popped into our local BMW/MINI Dealer and took a Cooper and an S out for a test drive.

Really wanted the auto box - even though at that time it was a CVT rather than a DSG auto tranny. Picked it up on 30th December 2003. Loved it and got us totally hooked on MINI's.

Had quite a few MINI's since then and now awaiting a new Paceman - due in to the dealer end of March. Hmmmm.:frown:

[cuddles]

It's all Williams fault lol walked in to the showroom and fell in love with my silver cooper D xx

[ianking]

Been into minis since I was old enough to drive them around the farm fields. Got my first shot of driving one on my own at the age of 11 (I'm now 31) and from then on I was hooked. Got my first mini to help restore at the age of 17 (Mary Quant designer edition) and always had a classic to go with my modern everyday car.
When the R50 was launched I was eagerly awaiting it. I remember the countdown stickers on the showroom window at Easterns old place. I had to wait until 2002 before I had paid of my Corsa but got my first R50 (a red mini one) and have owned a number of new Minis since.
Between my now wife and I we are on MINI number 14 I think.
Had a number of classics and still have my Cooper Sport 500 which is a keeper as well as being on a Countryman now as the modern car due to needing to fit a pram in the back.

Ive tried other cars and even bought 2 different BMW 1 series over the years but always go back to a MINI.

[GERFIX]

I've never really been a big fan of classic Minis and I hated the new Mini when it first appeared. I've worked out since that it was down to "principle" after BMW's asset stripping exercise. Anyway, that's off topic.

We came from an MG ZT CDTi and BMW 525tds before that and had looked at Minis a couple of times towards the latter part of our 6 year ownership of the ZT. We decided they were too small, especially after those two biggies. Then, just before going on holiday last year we just happened to stumble across this one on eBay and decided to have a closer look (it was in Morpeth). By the end of our fortnight in Spain and numerous emails and questions to the seller, we'd decided it was ours if it was still there when we got home. It was and we were sold on it after one viewing and a drive in it.

Well chuffed with it, despite the various problems with engine carbon etc on these motors. I dare say if we'd look into MCSs in any depth before buying we probably would have steered clear.

[Eddie_JCW]

Excellent question!

I was never a fan of the MINI although I wanted to drive one and when I got my BMW I had a Cooper or One as a courtesy car I was left hugely disappointed with it's lack of power and torque compared to my 320d, it was fun but I knew it could handle loads more power.

The majority of my previous cars have been large cars and every car had more legroom in the back and boot space so that was another reason I couldn't have had a MINI.

So July came and Rachael fancied a go of a convertible. We had used Gogeta rental car before (I have a thing for hire cars :P ) I knew it had to be a Z4 or MCS, Rachael decided the MINI. I hadn't had that much fun in a car in a long time and it was loaded with toys – the 2 main criteria for my cars.

I had that much fun I knew I had to have a MCS then I thought if I get the MCS I'll end up wanting a JCW and wishing I'd got one. I decided to get some figures on both a used MCS and used JCW, I then found out that I'd be much better off getting a brand new JCW.

I just wish I'd done it sooner. :thumbs up:

[badwolf340]

some great storys folks :thumbs up:

[Mini Ecosse]

I had no say in the matter! Allyson's choice. Just sign here:nag:
.
.
.
. She did whisper camera and lens in my ear, so head down and signed on the dotted line:thumbs up:

[badwolf340]

I had no say in the matter! Allyson's choice. Just sign here:nag:
.
.
.
. She did whisper camera and lens in my ear, so head down and signed on the dotted line:thumbs up:
best reason in the world
:yes nod:

[Crombers]

Jings where do I start ........

As a lad I'd been brought up in the 70's Mini era. I fondly remember Rallycross being shown on Grandstand on Saturday afternoons and these mighty Mini's giving MkII Escorts & others a pasting. At 17 (1982) one of my pals passed his test 1st time & was given (lucky sod) a blue 1974 Mini Clubman saloon. I was into motorbikes back then but would pop up to see him on a daily basis to watch him de seam, plonk in a 1275 & respray in black. In addition white Weller steelies were added along with a centre bore exhaust.

What a car :thumbs up:

In 1985 I was able to buy a brand new Mini City E in Moonraker Blue (C755 GGA)

Sold the Mini & enjoyed a few VAG (Polo/Golf) years before returning to another Mini in 1991 (the year I bought my first flat) a 1983 chocolate brown Reg OGB 260Y
Unfortunately due to savage rust issues my Mini relationship then went into hibernation from 1993 to 2004.

2004 saw me in a position that allowed me to buy a new/newer car. I'd just 'relinquished' a 2001 Golf Gti 1.8T (with full Recaro leather) so let's just say I wanted/needed to spoil myself a bit. Can't remember why but I was passing Henry Bros in Glasgow & saw a liquid yellow Cooper in the showroom with 17' 'S' Spokes. In an instance I was smitten & after a couple of test drives I placed an order for the Cooper I still own.

There is more to the story that I won't bore you with but let's just say it'll be extreme circumstances that will ever lead me to part with this very special car :yes nod:

[GERFIX]

I should have added that, around 2007/2008, BMW did a couple of open days and Mrs G drove a JCW and that's where our initial interest in the Mini came from. She was absolutely smitten and didn't stop talking about it for weeks after.....I suppose I could have saifd the same for the Z4 I drove one of those days......:hand:

[Alex from NM]

I loves the old mini and didn't like the new one when it was first released. Took ages to come around to them. I had a Clio and kept seeing a indi blue cooper on my way to work. Eventually I started coming around to them. Then bored one Saturday morning I took a visit to my local dealer. I only really went in to find out what my Clio was worth, but there was this brg cooper just sat there. Thought while I was there I might as we'll ask for a test drive... I think you can fill in the rest. It felt a completely different car than what I was used to and looked fantastic. Bought it there and then.

[Scottie]

Well I got my first Mini back in 1980 it was a Mini Clubman then I moved onto a Woody and so on......finished with a sportspack Mini and sold it 2001 to move on to MINI when they launched. Owned a few different MINI'S since then appart for a brief period in 2007. Basically I've had a Mini in one form or another for the past 34 years....Is that a record on here I wonder!!!!????

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[badwolf340]

Well I got my first Mini back in 1980 it was a Mini Clubman then I moved onto a Woody and so on......finished with a sportspack Mini and sold it 2001 to move on to MINI when they launched. Owned a few different MINI'S since then appart for a brief period in 2007. Basically I've had a Mini in one form or another for the past 34 years....Is that a record on here I wonder!!!!????


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I think it may be Fi

[Duncan Stewart]

Easy to answer for me - the way they drive! Had minis since is started learning to drive and nothing else is as good to drive. Not talking about speed just the whole package.

[KenL]

In early 2002 I started to see early R50 MINIs on the streets and I thought they looked great, so different to the other cars around at the time.

I went for a test drive and was hooked. After a dismal trade in offer for my Punto at Dunedin, I went to Eastern where I ordered a Pure Silver ONE. Despite being great fun to drive it was rubbish quality and hard to live with, so I ditched the MINI for a mkV Golf in 2004.

When the R56 came out I got an invite to a launch and really liked it, so I am now on my third. The F56 is a great car all round, quality is way better than the R56 on the inside so will hopefully be going down that route.

[stoney]

Was looking for a new car and my big sister worked for BMW @ this point so went to look at the
MINI wanted an S but insurance was going to be to much so went for a cooper black and white with checked roof and mirror caps with white 16" alloys that was me hooked :D

[tangledfeet]

I've always liked them and had never seriously considered actually getting one until a colleague with a Mini One let me drive hers a month or so ago... and the time was nigh for a new car! After that I started doing some research and realised it was not only a really fun, rewarding car to drive but the new ones have great economy, really hold their value and have great warranty. The icing on the cake was 'Management' being delighted with the prospect of me getting one!

I should eventually (when they come out) be able to get a tow-ball and electrics fitted for carrying bicycles on the rear; at least the new Cooper I ordered last week doesn't have the exhaust(s) in the middle of the rear.

[d.oxley72]

My Dad and Gran had versions of the original Mini so when BMW launched the MINI in 2001 I knew I wanted one. When the pennies finally added up I bought my ONE three years ago. Initially I fancied a Cooper but I knew I had to be mindful of the sums so looked for a 1.4 and eventually found mine with the spec I wanted. It may not trouble the Coopers, S's and JCWs but it suits my lifestyle and still makes my smile.

[KenL]

Sadly, the days of MINI holding their value well are gone. But, that is not why you buy a MINI!

Apologies for the off-topic post.

[EcosseGP]

I loved my very first car a sand glow mini clubman (FVV549T) although after about 3 years it started to tire and we had to part company although I knew at that time I'd have another mini.
After a few years in Fords I went into Peugeot mode and had a number of 205 GTi's in various disguises.
Was a few years ago now that I fancied a change and after checking out Craig's I decided to have a look for a JCW. I'm usually a buy the best you can guy so when MINI surfing I stumbled across the GP and decided to check it out and after viewing a number of rough GPs 0793 was bought.
Later sold to Craig, but when plans didn't work out another GP took it's place.
A MINI One and an S later I'm still delighted with the wee buggies .. A JCW clubby next .. why of course !

[illegalhunter]

Saw a r53 in light blue ,second hand . The price was crazy , got a brand new one instead

[Gismo]

I went to JC's in Dundee to buy a 3 series BMW, while i was waiting for a salesman the MINI guy started chatting, he didn't try any pitch on me was genuinely happy to see someone in the showroom, finally we got round to the Mini's and he shrugged his shoulders and handed me the keys to a Cooper, i took it out and signed for it when i got back.

Had a brief time away with a WR1 Subaru, a pure brute of a machine, all out race car for the road, fantastic, but, wanted back into a Mini, so, 4 weeks later i traded at a huge loss
The rest, as they say, is history :thumbs up:

[JamieM]

I took my driving lessons in a yellow R56 cooper and instantly fell in love with it. I was desperate to buy one when I passed my test at 19 but insurance was such a killer so I went for a new 1 series instead ( insurance was unbelievably cheap ). I then traded that in for a bit of fun - 2012 Audi TT S Line Coupe. I hated the bloody thing! So much negative attention it was unreal. I wanted a Mini but my other half at the time convinced me to get the Audi ( big mistake ) so when it was time I went straight to John Clark in Aberdeen just when the new F56 came out and traded the TT for the Mini. FINALLY! :lol: and I've not looked back. This is by far the best car I've owned, never fails to put a smile on my face.

[davidmacdonald306]

After splitting with my wife I decided to buy my boyhood dream car.....a 306 gti-6! I quickly decided I wanted to get to some track days and realised it was gonna cost too much to get the 306 where I wanted it so set about looking for a good track car that was easily tunable. After seeing I could pick up a nice r53 for under 3k I did some reading and decided it was the perfect car for what I wanted. After driving it I was convinced! Absolutely love the car now, I'm even seriously considering trading up to a GP at the end of the year.

[Gismo]

Nice one, you can tune the R53 to a decent spec to save on the cost of a GP

[Mon the fish]

The GP is good, but for what you've done to your car a GP wouldn't be a dramatic improvement IMO - another few mods and you'll have more power and better suspension [emoji6]

[CiderFex]

I owned three Classics in the past and scrapped all three.
I loved them to bits but never felt really safe in them.
I forgot all about Mini's until 2001.
I fully specced a Cooper S and all I needed to do was sign on the dotted line to become an owner of one of the first MINI Cooper S's on the road.
I stepped back, had a long think about what I was doing, walked away and bought a 4 bed house instead.
I then gave up my dream until 2005 when I saw the first pics of a GP, I was in love again.
I then saw the price and forgot all about them until April '12.
I remembered about them at work on a Thursday afternoon, looked for them and found 4 for sale. I discounted 3 of them straight away.
I looked at the remaining one on the Saturday, put down £500 deposit and picked it up the following Saturday.

.....I've been smiling ever since.

...enjoy the journey.

[s-a-l-t-i-r-e]

Opted out of the company car scheme at work, only stipulation is that you must have a 5 door car..
As soon as the Clubman came out I had to get one, they do have 5 doors after all...;-)