Any Mini owners out there?

[MrsJohnDeere]

Please tell me the good and bad things about your car.

I want to downsize and am planning on getting one. Can't decide between the 1.4 and 1.6. It will mainly be used for the school run (4 miles round trip on 40 and 60mph roads), occasional trips into town, and some use on country roads.

No longer have mine but I loved it. Reason for sale - baby! when my car seat arrived I realised I couldn't get it in the rear of the car without tipping it upside down and sideways and there was no way I was going to get my pram in the boot, it is tiny so don't plan on any big shopping trips. I had the 1.6 cooper, tried the 1.4 which was fine, but the 1.6 just had a little bit more go in it. Live in the Peak district and it managed fine with our windy country roads and long motorway journey's to parents.

Pros:
Looks good
Great build quality - feels safe and sturdy
Comfy
Good interior design and surprisingly comfortable rear seats as space is used really well.

Cons:
Not huge - only a 4 seater
Tiny boot
Servicing with BMW/Mini can be expensive - buy the 5 year TLC package
Runflat tyres - no spare. Ok, so you never have a flat that stops you but it does mean you are restricted in the tyres you put on the car.

Would have one again tomorrow if I could. Lovely car!

Really helpful. Thank you.

I will have to fit 2 dcs in the back but they're very small (and I'm short so have the drivers seat far forward).

we have mini as our 2nd car and love it. you can find a few buggies now that are marketed to fit in boot, M and P nuna is one. we have two boosters in back and if need be, rear facing on front passenger seat with a/bag turned off. we love the mini, and i bet you will too.

I have 1.6 Cooper D and I LOVE it. I bought the 5 yr TLC package too. Mine's 2 years old and I haven't had any trouble with it. We're in London and even with urban driving I get about 250 miles out of a full tank; you'd get more from the sound of it on somewhat faster extra urban roads.

I have 4dcs so it's not our only car; but I use it for school runs for the younger 2/getting myself out and about etc. It's a joy to park compared to a bigger car !

It's quite nippy and responsive which I like, so for that reason I'd recommend the 1.6 over a smaller engine. I didn't test drive the petrol version though.

So I hope this helps; unless your dcs take up playing the cello I'd say it's more than adequate for a school run car for 2 children.

I have one. DS2 is 13 and DD is 7 . they get ion and out no problem so perfect for when I pick up DD in the evenings and DS2 has to come too. We do sometimes take the two smallest in it with both DH and I but it is a bit squished then as DH sits quite far back.

It is very responsive and quick to accelerate so beware if it is your second car. If I have taken the dog out in the passat and then jump in to go somewhere I look a bit of a knob screaming away if I don't make the mental adjustment

We have the convertible which is fun

Thanks all. I really want one right now after reading your comments.

MrsJD I wish you luck with your decision.

I have a mini!!!!

It's a 2005 Mini 1, 1.6 petrol engine

fooking love it!!

Had it when had DD, and was fine with baby seat, and could even get a bugaboo in it too.

I do 500 miles a week to a 40ltr tank, love it

I am looking for a convertible, thats fun.. can you really get 2 kids in the back of one though? mine are 4 and 7 will they fit?

I decided against the mini in the end. I still think they look fab and fun to drive but decided it would be too annoying to only have 2 doors.

Have gone for a dull but sensible Fiat Panda instead.