Volcanic Orange MINI Cooper SD

Volcanic Orange MINI Cooper SD

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2HFL

Original Poster:

1,595 posts

56 months

Sunday 13th October 2024
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It was new (second hand) car day for me today!

I just got back home, following an epic 12-hour round trip from southern Hampshire to Yorkshire (c. 500 miles) to collect my first ever MINI.

It's a Volcanic Orange (with contrasting black roof, alloys, wing mirrors) 2015 Cooper SD with Chili Pack, and other goodies which I'm still discovering.

Bought from a lovely couple who have owned it from new, 60k miles, full and documented service history, immaculate inside and out, great MOT record, needs nothing aside from a set of alloy refurbs which I negotiated off the price.

I am hugely impressed with the engine, handling, suspension and gearbox, it's a really lovely car to drive and I'm going to cherish it as much as the previous owners did.

Couple of pics.




Code Black

139 posts

64 months

Sunday 13th October 2024
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Looks great, love the colour. Did you check the MPG on your return journey and if so what was it out of interest?

2HFL

Original Poster:

1,595 posts

56 months

Sunday 13th October 2024
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Code Black said:
Looks great, love the colour. Did you check the MPG on your return journey and if so what was it out of interest?
Thank you, it’s definitely very striking (even to a very colour blind man like me!).

53.5mpg according to the onboard computer, albeit I didn’t zero it when I set off, so I’m not sure if that was combined with any prior journeys before I collected it, and I wasn’t exactly driving frugally to get home…

I will be keeping a close eye on it though, since that’s why I’m selling my Golf R as I want something which is far less impactful on the wallet.

£20 tax and v cheap insurance will also help alongside the fuel economy smile

S100HP

13,332 posts

182 months

Monday 14th October 2024
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Such a great colour.

The test driver

1,221 posts

174 months

Monday 14th October 2024
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Awesome colour, we ran a LHD volcanic orange F54 All4 SD on fleet for a while great car was a shame when it went, also ran an electric blue F56 SD for a while. One of our engineers did an unofficial high sped run in it, apparently very happy at sustaining higher speeds for distance.

Summit_Detailing

2,198 posts

208 months

Monday 14th October 2024
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Looks great in that colour...no LED headlamps thoughscratchchin how are they compared to the Golf?;)

2HFL

Original Poster:

1,595 posts

56 months

Wednesday 23rd October 2024
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Summit_Detailing said:
Looks great in that colour...no LED headlamps thoughscratchchin how are they compared to the Golf?;)
The headlight bulbs are upgraded to OSRAM Nighbreakers (+200%) which seem fit for purpose.

Definitely enjoying the car and the extra cash in the pocket, which was the ultimate aim all along. Considering a few aesthetic mods in due course.

The colour has really grown on me, pleased I got this one and she’s in fine fettle too.

Greendubber

14,327 posts

218 months

Wednesday 23rd October 2024
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We had an SD for a few years, in fact we had 2 on the bounce and they're fantastic cars.



Great on fuel, quick, decent handling etc.

Yours looks great!

2HFL

Original Poster:

1,595 posts

56 months

Wednesday 23rd October 2024
quotequote all
Greendubber said:
We had an SD for a few years, in fact we had 2 on the bounce and they're fantastic cars.



Great on fuel, quick, decent handling etc.

Yours looks great!
Thanks, will take some better pics in due course!

Love yours too, looked immaculate! I am a real fan of those wheels, am I right in thinking that’s a JCW option?

The little quirks in the car make it so fun, even if it’s totally pointless biggrin


braddo

11,852 posts

203 months

Wednesday 23rd October 2024
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No claims discount, an Orange SD card.

I think the title needs a little work hehe
A bit like the guy with the Suzuki Swift who used a model code in his title and no-one knew what the car was.

Nice Mini biggrin (we have a Clubman which we really like)

Greendubber

14,327 posts

218 months

Thursday 24th October 2024
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2HFL said:
Greendubber said:
We had an SD for a few years, in fact we had 2 on the bounce and they're fantastic cars.



Great on fuel, quick, decent handling etc.

Yours looks great!
Thanks, will take some better pics in due course!

Love yours too, looked immaculate! I am a real fan of those wheels, am I right in thinking that’s a JCW option?

The little quirks in the car make it so fun, even if it’s totally pointless biggrin

Yep, it had a JCW pack ok it which included the wheels. It was a great car, sadly that wife 'upgraded' to a Range Rover Evoque......

2HFL

Original Poster:

1,595 posts

56 months

Saturday 16th November 2024
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Had the VO around a month now, it’s been great to be honest and definitely no regrets, albeit it’s early days still.

So far the only changes I’ve made are new aero style wiper blades, stubby aerial, upgraded headlight bulbs and rear windows professionally tinted to 20%.







I am either going to get these wheels refurbed (as they’re all kerbed) or buy a different set and fit them with better tyres. I found a perfect set of wheels however they’re in Scotland and seller may not post, but it’s an 8-hour drive from me, so gutted.

I plan to dechrome it but not to black like everyone else does, I’m going with a different colour which should provide a nice contrast. Will no doubt make other small changes as I go as there’s plenty of things you can do to these.

In terms of fuel economy, I can’t reset the average so it’s sat at around 53mpg based on its lifetime so far (60k miles) but I’m only filling up twice a month now instead of four times before, which is epic for the wallet.

I have had zero issues and it’s an absolute joy to bomb around in go kart mode, genuinely puts a big grin on my face! As I sad to a mate earlier, there’s nothing better than driving a slower car fast.

Oh and I sold the R too, so even better! biggrin

Edited by 2HFL on Saturday 16th November 16:07

2HFL

Original Poster:

1,595 posts

56 months

Sunday 15th December 2024
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So I've had my VO Mini Cooper SD for around two months. When I bought the car the original Cosmos multi-spoke alloys were all pretty scuffed and had crap mis-matched tyres, so I planned to either get them refurbed or buy another set of alloys to replace them.

While browsing on eBay recently I found a set of the JCW track spoke 562 alloys from a 2022 Mini Cooper hatch, which were available for £384 delivered. I was certain there must be something wrong with them, but the seller was very highly respected, they turned up quickly and properly packaged, and aside from a couple of very small dings which are barely noticeable, they are as new - an absolute bargain which I still can't quite believe!

I paired the alloys up with a set of Michelin Pilot Sport 5's in 205/45/17 and the car looks and feels completely different now. It is a lot more planted and the all round drive is vastly superior, so I am very happy I got rid of the old wheel/tyre combo.

Added a few pics from the last few days, and I think they really set the car off very nicely.

The only other expense I’ve had was changing the battery (£235) as it was still on the original one and was definitely tired.

Now, what next…. cool






nordboy

2,424 posts

65 months

Sunday 15th December 2024
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Full dechrome? Would look good with the black wheels and roof.

Greendubber

14,327 posts

218 months

Sunday 15th December 2024
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nordboy said:
Full dechrome? Would look good with the black wheels and roof.
Agreed, I'd also have a think about a set of black bonnet stripes too.