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If you have a mini (car)...

135 replies

happis · 23/09/2023 11:32

What do you think of it!

I currently have an Audi TT which is costing me way too much monthly and isn't suitable any more for what I need.

Considering a mini but I don't know where to start! So, if you have one, what do you think?

Are they fun? Spacious enough? I'd love to know! 😌😌

OP posts:
Doyouthinktheyknow · 23/09/2023 11:35

Love my mini, this is our 3rd.
We have cooper s, really nippy acceleration, great to drive. Ours is a 5 door hatch automatic.

They aren’t big but boot size is fine and we have had 4 adults in the car but not regularly. Couldn’t accommodate all 4 of us plus luggage for a holiday but our dses are adult and don’t come.

My first car was an old style mini and it was my dream to get a new one, no regrets.

Notthrilledatthatidea · 23/09/2023 11:48

I love minis so much I have 2. Would love a 3rd and totally do an Italian job style heist! One for rain and a convertible for shine. They are surprisingly nippy. More spacious than you think and pretty bloody cool looking if I do say!

PeggyPoggleshaw · 23/09/2023 12:01

They're owned by BMW so the build quality and reliability isn't as high as you might expect. Would you consider buying Japanese or Hyundai/Kia?

Interested in this thread?

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loveyouradvice · 23/09/2023 12:02

fab fab electric hybrid - beautifully designed and capacious

CCSS15 · 23/09/2023 12:05

I have a mini clubman and it's amazing - coming from someone that always hated mini!
It drives like a dream, is quirky and pretty much impossible to fill

SamphiretheTervosaurReturneth · 23/09/2023 12:06

I'm in my 2nd 3-door hatch Cooper S.

It does me for working with the dog in tow. Back seats down, boot cover in place and dog crate slid in. I can still get a few bags of shopping in in front to the crate.

They are comfortable with the bucket seats. Easy to drive. Satnav is good enough - I work with letting agents and it rarely loses a house, even in the most rural of areas.

Nice insurance levels too.

SnappyHorse · 23/09/2023 12:07

I can get 3 teenage boys (although they have to get in to the back head first!) in the car and a weekly shop in the boot of mine. It wasn’t my first choice, but half the price of my last car and we were cutting costs. I’ve grown quite fond of her.

Nippy, easy to park and cheap to run. And not as small inside as you’d think.

SamphiretheTervosaurReturneth · 23/09/2023 12:07

PeggyPoggleshaw · 23/09/2023 12:01

They're owned by BMW so the build quality and reliability isn't as high as you might expect. Would you consider buying Japanese or Hyundai/Kia?

Oh! I've never noticed any issues. And my most loved ever car was an MR2, in various incarnations. What have I missed?

Switchingoff · 23/09/2023 12:09

Absolutely loved my Mini Cooper but feel like it was quite cramped in the back (where I rarely sat!) although PP seem to be saying otherwise about their Minis!

MNetcurtains · 23/09/2023 12:12

PeggyPoggleshaw · 23/09/2023 12:01

They're owned by BMW so the build quality and reliability isn't as high as you might expect. Would you consider buying Japanese or Hyundai/Kia?

I had my first BMW Mini when they first launched them. I had it for 11 years and never had a problem with. I have had my 2nd for 12 years now, and no problems with it. I love 'em! My next will be an electric one.

Getyourstafftogethergordon · 23/09/2023 12:18

Love my mini countryman- perfect size with very user friendly features. Had an A Class Mercedes before and it was much too fussy and tempermental- barely 6000 miles on clock and was always in garage for updates/resets etc.

Mini has a good sat nav on them...and you can even get a padded picnic bench for the countryman so you can sit on your opened boot to have a picnic or change your dog walking shoes. Husband was so impressed he even bought a mini (clubman) too rather than his usual Volvo saloon. No 2 minis are the same as there are so many options- camera, satnav, automatic transmission, heated seats and mini external light projection are all worth the extra expense.

Definitely my favourite car. Good luck with your decision.

DominoRules · 23/09/2023 12:22

My Mini is perfect for me and the dog! It is a bit of a squeeze in the back now my DSs are teenagers but they’re only ever in it for infrequent short journeys, DHs car is much bigger and we use that at weekends/holidays/long drives.

It’s surprisingly nippy and really pleased with it

PeggyPoggleshaw · 23/09/2023 12:29

SamphiretheTervosaurReturneth · 23/09/2023 12:07

Oh! I've never noticed any issues. And my most loved ever car was an MR2, in various incarnations. What have I missed?

I was just suggesting that if you want high reliability and build quality then Japanese cars and Kia/Hyundai are the way to go. MR2s are brilliant cars!

Bluevelvetsofa · 23/09/2023 12:36

,I’m going to go against the grain and say that I had a Mini Cooper S convertible after my Audi TT. I found it a fairly uncomfortable ride, the servicing was expensive and when I had to get in the back, it was cramped and claustrophobic. Too many things went wrong with it, but that could well be a one off.

The garage customer service was excellent. That’s the best I can say.

Findyourneutralspace · 23/09/2023 12:38

I love mine. It’s a convertible and really fun to drive, like a go cart. There isn’t much boot space but I don’t need much.
Not great for back seat passengers but again, I rarely have them.

MNetcurtains · 23/09/2023 12:42

Bluevelvetsofa · 23/09/2023 12:36

,I’m going to go against the grain and say that I had a Mini Cooper S convertible after my Audi TT. I found it a fairly uncomfortable ride, the servicing was expensive and when I had to get in the back, it was cramped and claustrophobic. Too many things went wrong with it, but that could well be a one off.

The garage customer service was excellent. That’s the best I can say.

Mini suspension is a 'bit hard' (to put it mildly). My DH really moans about it everytime I drive him somewhere, but it's really fun to drive, corners like it's on rails, as a PP said, drives like a go-cart.

HundredMilesAnHour · 23/09/2023 12:43

PeggyPoggleshaw · 23/09/2023 12:29

I was just suggesting that if you want high reliability and build quality then Japanese cars and Kia/Hyundai are the way to go. MR2s are brilliant cars!

Kia are Korean. 🙄

MNetcurtains · 23/09/2023 12:44

PeggyPoggleshaw · 23/09/2023 12:29

I was just suggesting that if you want high reliability and build quality then Japanese cars and Kia/Hyundai are the way to go. MR2s are brilliant cars!

I drive a Kia when abroad. Great car, but not as much fun as my Min!

PeggyPoggleshaw · 23/09/2023 12:45

HundredMilesAnHour · 23/09/2023 12:43

Kia are Korean. 🙄

Yes, hence "Japanese cars and Kia/Hyundai". Good grief. 🙄

Watto1 · 23/09/2023 12:51

I loved my mini but I’m now on my second Suzuki swift since then . I love the swift even more! Much more reasonably priced and very reliable. Great to drive and the two teenagers fit in the back ok.

CoffeeBeansGalore · 23/09/2023 12:51

Mini Cooper Clubman. Love it. Plenty of boot space, split rear seats if you need more. Dh is 6ft 3in & built like a brick outhouse. Even he was comfortable in the back.
Fun to drive. It is a "firm" ride though. Mine is 2008 & still drives like a dream. No annoying squeaks or rattles. Well built.

Insurance pretty cheap. Has the stop/start (which can be turned off) so road tax is £20 per year.

Iwouldratherbemuckingout · 23/09/2023 12:59

I have a mini countryman. Absolutely love it. Had it for 7 years now and it's been fabulous. Intend to keep it till it dies

Ihateboris · 23/09/2023 13:15

I'm on my third mini and currently have a Roadster convertible, which I absolutely love. Very nippy,easy to park and a lot of fun.

theemmadilemma · 23/09/2023 13:51

I've had 3 minis and now have a Countryman.

I had a TT in between and I did love it, but it started getting never ending issues and so I went back to a mini.

They're super fun to drive. I enjoy driving. Nippy, good turning circle. Just great!

MNetcurtains · 23/09/2023 14:18

I think you have your answer OP. Now you just have to decide which one you want. Both of mine were Cooper S, but if you want more space, maybe go for the Clubman. Book a test drive and enjoy!😁

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