Aero as daily driver...
Discussion
Hi all...
Just a quick question from someone who finds himself drawn to the Aero8s in the classifieds more and more:
To those owners of a series 3/4, how many of you use your cars as daily drivers? How do they fare in such situations?
Thanks, and you are all very lucky to own these amazing cars!
Just a quick question from someone who finds himself drawn to the Aero8s in the classifieds more and more:
To those owners of a series 3/4, how many of you use your cars as daily drivers? How do they fare in such situations?
Thanks, and you are all very lucky to own these amazing cars!
As nobody else ahs chipped in yet (clearly all out driving in the sun) I figured I'd give an opinion.
So - Aero as a daily driver - it's perfectly possible.
Series 2/3/4 cars are going to be easier to live with day to day than a series 1 purely for practicality - bigger boot and more interior space, plus little benefits like Airbags and anti skid.
However, having owned an s1 for 3 years, it is still perfectly usable as a daily driver, so I favour the s2/3/4 as more practical than the s1 - which is reasonably practical.
In terms of reliablity - like any car regular use is all good - you're always more likely to get an issue with a car if its sat for a long time.
Its cheap to run, light on tyres, returns around 25mpg in a mixed driving environment and tends only to attract positive vibes from the general public.
If its an everyday car then key options to look for would be :
hardtop - nice for winter - heated rear screen etc - not a necessity though.
xennon lights - or uprate the bulbs - the stock headlights are ok - but not wonderful. Depends where you are driving - city not an issue, but if you live in rural scotland probably a worthwhile upgrade.
Go get yourself a test drive!
So - Aero as a daily driver - it's perfectly possible.
Series 2/3/4 cars are going to be easier to live with day to day than a series 1 purely for practicality - bigger boot and more interior space, plus little benefits like Airbags and anti skid.
However, having owned an s1 for 3 years, it is still perfectly usable as a daily driver, so I favour the s2/3/4 as more practical than the s1 - which is reasonably practical.
In terms of reliablity - like any car regular use is all good - you're always more likely to get an issue with a car if its sat for a long time.
Its cheap to run, light on tyres, returns around 25mpg in a mixed driving environment and tends only to attract positive vibes from the general public.
If its an everyday car then key options to look for would be :
hardtop - nice for winter - heated rear screen etc - not a necessity though.
xennon lights - or uprate the bulbs - the stock headlights are ok - but not wonderful. Depends where you are driving - city not an issue, but if you live in rural scotland probably a worthwhile upgrade.
Go get yourself a test drive!
mr_tony said:
xennon lights - or uprate the bulbs - the stock headlights are ok - but not wonderful.
Go get yourself a test drive!
Good write-up mr_tony. Don't forget the Series III/IV have the "bi-xenon technology that offers twice the output of standard lamps as well as a longer lifespan" lights from the Cooper S fitted already, so the lighting is only an issue on the Series I/II.Go get yourself a test drive!
AeroMan said:
mr_tony said:
xennon lights - or uprate the bulbs - the stock headlights are ok - but not wonderful.
Go get yourself a test drive!
Good write-up mr_tony. Don't forget the Series III/IV have the "bi-xenon technology that offers twice the output of standard lamps as well as a longer lifespan" lights from the Cooper S fitted already, so the lighting is only an issue on the Series I/II.Go get yourself a test drive!
proposition. There are many simple and subtle changes which will reduce the running/serviging burden. Eg. S1's have fully rose jointed suspension with full geometry adjustment.. the later models move to a fixed cast component, therefore less gemometry worries.... there are many small items like this which make them easier to live with long term.
I had a series 3 as a daily driver for a year (well almost daily, only got 22,000 miles on it) For the most part it was great. Had a few issues with water getting in which took a few trips back to the factory to resolve but mechanically it was perfect.
I now have an 09 series 4 with hardtop (which is now off, back to sunshine and roof down time) with the auto box. After a few mods to the seats and the pedals it is perfect. Would expect to put 25,000 or so on it this year (been of road for 1 month this year with getting the seats and pedals done and a mod to the hard top so only on 10,000 miles year to date plus will probably add miles to some of the others.
If you find the car comfortable enough, then I would have no hesitation about endorsing it for everyday use. Mechanically the engine is prettty bullet proof, the servicing is not expensive, cheaper than my Zafira and the Mini Cooper (I ignore the recommended fluid change intervals and have them done more often on the Aero and the Carver).
You will have to sometimes have a bit of patience if due to the hand built nature of the car, there is something that needs a bit of tweaking from the factory, for example the water ingress, but they do tend to get it right with a bit of time and effort.
I now have an 09 series 4 with hardtop (which is now off, back to sunshine and roof down time) with the auto box. After a few mods to the seats and the pedals it is perfect. Would expect to put 25,000 or so on it this year (been of road for 1 month this year with getting the seats and pedals done and a mod to the hard top so only on 10,000 miles year to date plus will probably add miles to some of the others.
If you find the car comfortable enough, then I would have no hesitation about endorsing it for everyday use. Mechanically the engine is prettty bullet proof, the servicing is not expensive, cheaper than my Zafira and the Mini Cooper (I ignore the recommended fluid change intervals and have them done more often on the Aero and the Carver).
You will have to sometimes have a bit of patience if due to the hand built nature of the car, there is something that needs a bit of tweaking from the factory, for example the water ingress, but they do tend to get it right with a bit of time and effort.
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