Does anyone own a Mini car?

[BatShaped]

Test drove a Mini Cooper S today. Think I'll purchase tomorrow. Not new, it's ten months old

It's got Union Jack tail lights which in very swayed by

Anyway - before I bite the bullet - do you love your mini and if so, why?

I have a Mini Cooper and I love it - super easy to park, small but feels reassuringly solid, looks great inside and out 😊

V jealous of your Union Jack tail lights!

Ooh yes re the solid feel! Felt nice to drive.

I'm only buying it for those tail lights

I have a mini cooper Sport and I absolutely love it. Blacked out windows in the back, automatic, much bigger boot than you would think (has a false bottom I can get both my dogs in it), and it goes like shit off a shovel. And you can park it anywhere. Best car I have ever had.

Don’t want to hijack your thread but would love to hear views on a 4WD countryman, please! With or without posh tail lights!

Love my Mini with its Union Jack tail lights too! Perhaps even better though is that when you open it at night, it casts the Mini logo on the ground alongside the driver's door (swoon) .

I’m onto my second countryman (although not 4wd) and they are the best cars I’ve ever owned! Love my mini and my new one has lots of toys and gadgets.

@MacavityTheDentistsCat does it?!! Will mine do that too? I've gone for a mini cooper hatch 1.5 d ii. Whatever that is 😂

I looked at the countryman and wanted it but it's just a bridge too far, money wise. I can't justify the extra 4K +

My criteria was 2018 plate, under 5k mileage and under 14k to purchase so this one ticks the boxes

We got the mini clubman s this year. We love it. Only thing missing is the union flag lights. And yes ours also projects the mini logo. There are also loads of lights inside on all the time. It's really nice being able to find things and strap the kids in without fumbling about.

I’ve had Minis, Cooper S and Countryman. I found the Mini claustrophobic in the back and the Countryman a hard ride. Overpriced I thought too. Look good, but prefer other makes.

Mini Cooper here! Yes I love it, easy to drive, park, manoeuvre. Feels very solid and luxurious. It's the perfect size too

I had a Cooper S. Loved it. One word of warning..... you must check the oil at least monthly..... they go through a hell of a lot. By the time your oil light comes on, it's already game over and your engine will have chewed its self up and spat its self out your exhaust pipe.
Also, they tend (or did, they may have ironed this flaw out) to have timing belt issues so if it ever starts sounding like a tractor on a cold start, this is what it will probably be.

I love mine! Mini Countryman Cooper S - it's rapid!

I was behind a mini with those tail lights - I was amazed! I had tail light envy! I’ve always wanted a mini but not managed to get one yet. Still hoping though ......

I have a mini one and love it!

It’s small enough to park anywhere, but big enough to fit a wingback armchair from ikea in ;) yes, I did this much to the entertainment of fellow shoppers who clearly thought I was nuts.

It’s good on fuel too, and I just feel happy when I drive it :)

I have a Mini Cooper S coupe. They don't make the coupes any more, mine was one of the very last. I love it! It gets lots of compliments from both men and women, and everyone seems to consider it a sports car rather than a Mini (it only has 2 seats, roof and floor are much lower than a regular Mini). The most macho men have come up to me admiring it, it's quite amusing. It's perfect for central London where I live but is great on the motorway too.

My dealership is constantly pestering me to sell it back to them and get a new car. No chance, I like my coupe. Prior to the coupe, I had a 'regular' Mini Cooper S. I liked it a lot but I do prefer the more horizontal driving position in the coupe. So I guess when I next change cars, I won't be going with a Mini as I want to stay with more of a sports car.

I did have some issues (after a few years) with my old Mini Cooper S. The panoramic sunroof jammed while open. Mini/BMW insisted the whole thing had to be replaced (££££s!) but I found a specialist who fixed it for me (for £££). The aircon also died (it wasn't just a re-gas) and was going to cost a fortune to investigate. I'd had enough when this happened so traded it in for my coupe.

My father's DP has a Mini Clubman JCW. They're really happy with it (and boy is it fast!). They had a Countryman prior to that and were less keen. The seats in the back were in a really weird position relative to the door/seat in front. Anyone travelling in the back grumbled about it. No such problem with the Clubman.

Yes ! I had a Cooper followed by a Cooper S and now a beautiful black John Cooper Works . You will be hooked :)

I’ve got one too! (Cooper S) it’s SO easy and light to drive and really nippy. Good to park too and loads more boot space than my old Yaris.

I saw a lovely John Cooper works one. 10 miles on clock. Only issue? It's in Edinburgh and they wouldn't deliver. As I'm in the south, this wasn't going to work out

What's the mini hierarchy? Can someone explain to me what top of the range is, down?

Mini Cooper 1.5, three door hatch, with all the "packs" and full chrome, but no union jacks :-( I got mine ex-demonstrator too. Really good price as well as I bought it on 31st March.

I love, love, love it. Replaced a VW 2.0 Tdi, and the Mini is much faster, holds the road better, and much better built. Also no nasty shit from the exhaust.

BatShaped My only concern with your choice is that it is diesel, especially on a S. You may want to rethink due to resale value.....just a thought. Automatics are another issue.

I have a red Mini Countryman 4wd and it is the best car ever.

Get thee to Edinburgh - just imagine the drive home!

@OlderThanAverageforMN yes my husband pulled a bit of a face at it being diesel. Err despite he himself owning a diesel car

I admit it wouldn't be my first choice - I'd go petrol as a rule. We decided to go for it though as I don't intend to keep the car for longer than 2/3 years and although re-sale value definitely is important, I need those tail lights I'm afraid

@drquin oh I seriously considered it

I'd love one, but my god they know what to charge for them

I love my Mini. It feels like a very safe drive, it’s super nippy, and it looks beautiful inside and out.
Downsides are that you have to pay extra to play your music through Bluetooth and only 2 seats in the back (not sure if that’s the same for all). Also, don’t get a cream one if you don’t get it cleaned often and your kids are likely to write their names in the dirt, making it really obvious. 🙃