Comments on: Brand Spankin’ New Images: Mini Coupe Concept in real-world settings

By: zermatt

zermatt — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 22:25:55 +0000

I am sorry to hear that you have had so many problems with your Minis. Our 2005 S was faultless and only saw the dealership for scheduled service. The Teens autocrossed it, so we had to replace fronts at about 2 years.

The current S, the 2008, has only had a front wheel bearing replaced @ 10K miles, but the Dunlops that came with this car only last one autocross season (5 months) and a new pair of fronts runs $700. If I had known that the Dunlops would turn to dust so fast I would have picked up a replacement set of wheels and R compound tires for less than the 3 sets of fronts will run me.

Being in Chicago, we use snow tires for the winter on 16" rims and we don't have rim issues.

The kids drive the cars like they are rentals, but both cars have held up without issue. I am told that the S is underpowered and that I need to get them a 135i once the lease is up on the current S - I don't think so.

By: kabluey

kabluey — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 21:09:07 +0000

No I live in Georgia.

I owned an 2004 MC40 S from Jan '05 until July '08 and went through the following: tail light housing, super charger seal, three transmission sensors, eight rims, left side black trim (under the driver door), gear knob, carbon fiber trim, anthracite trim on passenger door pocket, door locking mechanism, two support beams, four new rubber bushings. . . oh and ten tires..

I also owned an 05' Convertible S from Feb 05' until July '09 and went through the following: four rims, six tires, transmission sensor, cpu, steering fluid bottle, and a the sunroof motor.

Needless to say I was ecstatic to trade those in!

By: zermatt

zermatt — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 19:17:21 +0000

You must have been exceptionally rough on yours. We are on our 2nd, a 2008, and it is doing very well – very tight. Do you live in a cold weather destroying part of the country?

By: luso

luso — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:36:12 +0000

Great looking small car. Also in love with the Citroen DS. Looking forward to seeing them at the IAA. http://www.carnorama.com/

By: zermatt

zermatt — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:25:55 +0000

By: kabluey

kabluey — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:09:07 +0000

By: zermatt

zermatt — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 12:17:21 +0000

You must have been exceptionally rough on yours. We are on our 2nd, a 2008, and it is doing very well – very tight. Do you live in a cold weather destroying part of the country?

By: luso

luso — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 09:36:12 +0000

Great looking small car. Also in love with the Citroen DS. Looking forward to seeing them at the IAA. http://www.carnorama.com/

By: Ty

Ty — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 04:11:12 +0000

Hmmm, it looks cool. If it hada removable top, then it would've been like the civic del sol. Yet they already have the covertible version of this.. I don't get it.

By: johnR

johnR — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 02:42:45 +0000

Why!? Is it the Mini already called a coupe? And it is already small enough. Why make it even more height-deficient?

By: kabluey

kabluey — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 02:04:13 +0000

The interiors on a MINI look swell and all but after 15k miles, or 10k even, the plastics start a constant rattle, crack, and pop until they're sold.. It's dis-heartening to know, but MINI offers a rattle kit for the dash… I am amazed at how soft the leather is though–exceptionally buttery..

By: zermatt

zermatt — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 00:18:00 +0000

I love the leather interior. Nice touches that make the interior look more upscale.

I am also taking a liking to the roof line. The new look doesn't appear so tippy.