thinking of buying a Mini

[watchnut]

Help me......

I am thinking of buying a Mini 1 Diesel to teach learners in

I had one of the first Mini Cooper Chilli's on a 51 plate, it was that new that BMW didn't know didly squat about them so as it was thrown together poorly they had it more than me. I put up with it for about 8 months and sold it back to them.

faults were along the lines theat it needed a complete new front suspension, (as it could not steer straight, and to give an example of how bad it was it could steer it's self around the bend from junction 5 M27 towards Hedge end!) the boot would not stop rattling (they never fixed that one at all)....the mud flaps kept falling off, the power steering was really really loud, and an oil leak

I know this car was new and that BMW were learning about the car as it went along, but their attitude was poor

What i want to know now is.....

Are these cars reliable?

Do BMW/MINI care when there is a problem?

How easy are they to reverse?.....this is important as I find reversing easy....it's my job to teach it, but i want to know how easy it is from a none professional point of view. (I am going to test drive one again this week to refresh myself on this important aspect of having the car, but I need your opinions)

I am not interested in it's proformance other than it's fuel consumption....which looks good on paper...but how good is it in real life? ( I have an MX5 as a toy so it is really about kerb appeal....to learners/customers, and affordable to run

The BMW/MINI bloke I spoke to a couple of weeks ago said that he had never heard of any DPF problems with the diesel....is this the case?

How easy do you find it flicking the eyes down and across to keep an eye on the speedo without looking away from the road for too long?

Any help in any of the above would be good......cheers

Edited by watchnut on Monday 30th September 10:32

Edited by watchnut on Monday 30th September 11:00

[eybic]

watchnut said:

Help me......

I am thinking of buying a Mini 1 Diesel to teach learners in

I had one of the first Mini Cooper Chilli's on a 51 plate, it was that new that BMW didn't know didly squat about them so as it was thrown together poorly they had it motre than me. i put up with it for a bout 8 months and sold it back to them.

faults were along the lines theat it needed a complete new front suspension, ( as it could not steer straight, and to give an example of how bad it was it could steer it's self around the bend from junction 5 M27 towards Hedge end!) the boot would not stop rattling (they never fixed that one at all)....the mud flaps kept falling off, the power steering was really really loud, and an oil leak

I know this car was new and that BMW were learning about the car as it went along, but their attitude was poor

What i want to know now is.....

Are these cars reliable?

Do BMW/MINI care when there is a problem?

How easy are they to reverse?.....this is important as I find reversing easy....it's my job to teach it, but i want to know how easy it is from a none proffesional point of view. (I am going to test drive one again this week to refresh myself on this important aspect of having the car, but I need your opinions)

I am not interested in it's proformance other than it's fuel consumption....which looks good on paper...but how good is it in real life? ( I have an MX5 as a toy so it is really about kerb appeal....to learners/customers, and affordable to run

The BMW/MINI bloke I spoke to a couple of weeks ago said that he had never heard of any DPF problems with the diesel....is this the case?

How easy do you find it flicking the eyes down and across to keep an eye on the speedo without looking away from the road for too long?

Any help in any of the above would be good......cheers

Edited by watchnut on Monday 30th September 10:32

I work in sales for MINI so wont answer some of your questions as I could be classed as being biased.

I've also not heard of issues with DPF's

I find them easy to reverse, getting it into reverse can be a bit strange at first as you do have to shove the stick to the left quite hard

The speedo can be displayed on the rev counter to make things a bit easier.

[watchnut]

thanks for the reply...I don't mind biased, as you said you worked for them, I would also like to know if cruise control is standard?.....if it is not what model comes with it?.....or how much is it?

( I think to have a car with it will be useful to teach learners how to use it for their post test driving)

[eybic]

It's not standard, you need to add "sport steering wheel" & "Multi Function Controls" the cost is £360. In a One D without trying I can get around 42mpg in the real world.

[0llie]

I learnt to drive in a '57 MINI One, super easy car to learn in. I've also had a couple of MINIs ('51 and '07), absolutely no problem to manoeuvre.

[watchnut]

I had a test drive in a "baker street" mini 1 d yesterday, and found the following....

If you can't reverse this car you should not be driving!

the steering was a little heavier than my Corsa, but good, as the leaners will not heave the wheel around so much cause "heart in the mouth moments" at times!

The steering was silent, unlike the earlier models...good.

All round vis was good for a modern car, and better than the fiesta I drove about an hour later

I couldn't really find a fault with it from the front seat, in the rear the seats are a little "upright" so i don't know how the kids would feel if we used it for "a family" run now and again....i will have to get them to sit in it and advise me how comfortable it is for them.

The boot is a disgrace, I didn't remember it being that small, I think the roof box will fit in...just!.....I would not be able to chuck a full size spare into it for "test day" in case of puncture

A very nice car to have to spend the day in....I just have to convince myself it is worth the money. The TLC pack is great with no servicing to have to pay for ....good

I liked it better than the fiesta i drove afterwards which has a funny 2nd gear range where just over walking pace it struggles and then only likes to go over into 3rd at about 25mph.....so for most of my driving loads of time in 2nd would be expensive in fuel!

Oh...the Mini also had a digital speedo on the rev counter.......brilliant for the pup and the big jobbie on the dash brilliant for me !

I hope they don't sell it before I have made up my mind!

Edited by watchnut on Tuesday 1st October 08:42

[eybic]

with reference to the TLC, you will need to pay for Brake fluid on the 2nd service but apart from that it's covered.

[richyt]

I actually learnt in a Mini Cooper Diesel when I was 17 (now 20). Personally I really enjoyed learning in the MINI, more exciting to drive and just a nicer car to learn in. I learnt in the MK2 Mini, also driving in the PSA diesel and BMW diesel engine. The BMW diesel engine is much smoother and a lot lighter clutch. Not sure whether you were buying new or used. I hit the kerb a few times, no damaged to the alloy wheel, go for the smallest wheel and should be fine, just the tyre. I found it really easy to reverse, 1) a short small car, 2) good visibility all round, 3) straight back end.

[watchnut]

I am taking the family to look at it this afternoon for the "all 4 of us in it" trial. If they think they will find in uncomfortable for journeys upto a couple of hours, and getting in and out a chore.....then it may not be happening as they are used to a 4 door car......we shall see.....I have advised them to think with their heads not their hearts.....which is something most of us don't do when buying cars!....me included!

[GeorgeR]

You can specify a kit to put a space saver under the boot floor.

[eybic]

GeorgeR said:

You can specify a kit to put a space saver under the boot floor.

I think he's looking at a used car. I would say that about 90% of my customers don't want a spare and either opt for run flats or an inflation kit.

[watchnut]

yep, it's a used one, with a tyre inflation box under the floor in the boot, I'm going to ask them to chuck a space saver under the car as well, cause if the "gunk" does not fix the puncture on a sat 1200-monday morning your going to be up st street without a paddle if all tyre depots are shut when you are miles from home! .....at least a space saver gets you home even if it's slow!

Getting excited now...picking it up Friday!

[eybic]

I'm not sure if they'll be able to/willing to put a space saver on as I don't think it can be retrofitted. I might be wrong but that's what I've been told, I'd be interested to hear if they can do it.

[watchnut]

Hi

your right, I have just found out to "retro fit" the space saver it would cost alot, and they didn't quote me how much to adapt the car, so i suppose they don't want to do it.

The space saver when you buy new is £50 when you order the car

To buy now would be £126 inc vat ......i feel a slight rip off there, so i will see if i can get it cheaper else where to bung into the boot for when i'm teaching.....I should have thought about this and asked before i did the deal!....you live and learn!

[GeorgeR]

I'm not sure if they'll be able to/willing to put a space saver on as I don't think it can be retrofitted. I might be wrong but that's what I've been told, I'd be interested to hear if they can do it.

The kit can be retro fitted however the price would put anyone off. I would recommend the OP looks on ebay.

[New POD]

eybic said:

with reference to the TLC, you will need to pay for Brake fluid on the 2nd service but apart from that it's covered.

Tight fkers. I bet it costs MINI/BMW 10% of what they charge. Why not just throw it in for free, and make the customer feel more happy? It's this sort of penny pinching that people remember, and when you point out it's in the small print, they'll hate you more because you were right.