Does anyone drive a mini here?

[LEDZEP]

You should start a thread "who WEARS a mini?"

[BMW0]

Its a nice compact machine that handles well around the corners, just what BMW needed in its company, an entry level that most people can afford. Also an ultimate in personalizing.

[uofmtiger]

I am 6'5 and got it as a loaner when I took the BMW in for service. It was tight, but I overlooked that because it is so much fun to drive. It actually felt more roomy than my girlfriend's Toyota Corolla.

Here is a picture of me next to it:


Don't worry, that shot even makes me laugh! While I had the camera out I got this shot, too:

[lux.sh]

Originally Posted by uofmtiger

Here is a picture of me next to it:

awesome pic. they didn't recognize how big you are when they gave you a loaner? bad service! complain!

[E90-4life]

LoL, sounds like some of you guys think the mini is a chick car, which it is not, but that's a whole nother discussion. Chrysler motor? Since when?

The Mini 1 is an awesome car, but the second generation(previewed by the Frankfurt and Tokyo Traveller concepts) looks to be the winner. Turbocharged I4 planned for the S version, should be hot w/ over 200hp. Can't lose w/ a Mini. I've sat in many a Mini and it's a suprisingly roomy car for it's size

[E90-4life]

Originally Posted by underDAWG

While waiting for a 335i coupe, am thinking to get a mini cooper S for now. Your thoughts please

The 335Ci coupe will be out in a hot min.(most reps saying for the U.S. market by early summer), w/e the case, will be a very short lease for you on the cooper S if you do it.

[shuzmaker]

Originally Posted by E90-4life

...Chrysler motor? Since when?

...BMW has designed a new series of all-aluminum twin-cam engines with French company Peugeot, at least two of which will appear in the "Mini 2." While the capacity will remain the same for all available powertrains at 1.6 liters, the engines themselves are expected to be vast improvements over the hastily designed Tritec engines that Chrysler originally provided for the vehicles. The standard Cooper will receive a substantial bump in its horsepower from 115 to 150, while the Cooper S' new turbo engine will channel its 170 hp into a much more sophisticated package. BMW is considering retaining a 115-hp engine as an option for the standard Cooper. All three of these engines will feature Variable Valve Timing, while the turbos will be endowed with common-rail direct-injection fuel delivery. In addition to the above mentioned engines, other changes include a new and slightly longer body, new sheet metal, a revised grille and upgraded interior materials...
Edmunds

[E90-4life]

Originally Posted by shuzmaker

...BMW has designed a new series of all-aluminum twin-cam engines with French company Peugeot, at least two of which will appear in the "Mini 2." While the capacity will remain the same for all available powertrains at 1.6 liters, the engines themselves are expected to be vast improvements over the hastily designed Tritec engines that Chrysler originally provided for the vehicles. The standard Cooper will receive a substantial bump in its horsepower from 115 to 150, while the Cooper S' new turbo engine will channel its 170 hp into a much more sophisticated package. BMW is considering retaining a 115-hp engine as an option for the standard Cooper. All three of these engines will feature Variable Valve Timing, while the turbos will be endowed with common-rail direct-injection fuel delivery. In addition to the above mentioned engines, other changes include a new and slightly longer body, new sheet metal, a revised grille and upgraded interior materials...
Edmunds

Thanks for pulling that info for me. Good to know they're dropping the Chrysler units.

[shuzmaker]

Originally Posted by E90-4life

Thanks for pulling that info for me. Good to know they're dropping the Chrysler units.

No problem.

Hopefully Peugeot will be better.

Don't understand why BMW can't provide.

[E90-4life]

Originally Posted by shuzmaker

No problem.

Hopefully Peugeot will be better.

Don't understand why BMW can't provide.

Probably has something to do w/ the bean counters.

[mowog]

Originally Posted by E90-4life

Probably has something to do w/ the bean counters.

Actually I believe it has more to do with BMW's complete lack of experience designing front-drive powertrains. The Mini was the first front-drive car BMW *ever* attempted, and rather than learn how to master a front-drive powertrain they decided to outsource that part of the car and concentrate on chassis dynamics, which they're very, very good at.

--m

[AidenL]

Thing is, that little Chrysler engine, while a little rough around the edged, is tough as hell - the Works kit takes it to 210bhp,well within its comfort zone, many have easily modded it to 265bhp, and even 300bhp with no adverse effects.

Its expected that the new lighter engine won't take the stresses of high-level tuning quite as well.........

It is a bit heavy though, which does affect handling adversely, but considering how it handles already, real world and in slaloms, the ligher engine will raise it to a new level.

[shuzmaker]

Originally Posted by mowog

Actually I believe it has more to do with BMW's complete lack of experience designing front-drive powertrains. The Mini was the first front-drive car BMW *ever* attempted, and rather than learn how to master a front-drive powertrain they decided to outsource that part of the car and concentrate on chassis dynamics, which they're very, very good at.

--m

Sounds logical, but Chrysler?
They probably gave it to BMW for free.
Should have went with Honda or Toyota like the Lotus Elisé.
Sales would even be stronger.

[mowog]

Originally Posted by shuzmaker

Sounds logical, but Chrysler?
They probably gave it to BMW for free.
Should have went with Honda or Toyota like the Lotus Elisé.
Sales would even be stronger.

Yeah, I've puzzled over that one for a long time. Why, when you're BMW, do you ask an American car maker not famed for their front drive cars (putting it kindly) to supply the drivetrain for your heavily anticipated remake of a seminal car? The engine in the Mini is easily its weakest point. Had they gone to Honda, who is first and foremost an engine maker, the Mini would have been a car orders of magnitude better than it already is.

--m

[maq]

I've been toying with the idea of getting a MCS as a second car, now that I've decided not to get an E90 until MY07. I'd buy one tomorrow if a fairly loaded MCS + Works kit was around $25k. A stripped one just doesn't do it for me and the resale value will be poor as hell. They are releasing a limited GT edition, that I'd pay 30 grand and keep for a while, but somehow I don't think it will be anywhere near $30k.

Btw, the Works kit is now factory fitted.

[maq]

For those of you who didn't know, BMW has been using GM comissioned transmissions for years. They can be found in many BMW models. Even Ferrari buys trannies from GM from time to time. The uber German sports car benchmark, the mighty Porsche 997's tranny is supplied by Japanese manufacturer Aisin.

It's not uncommon for manufacturers to buy stuff from each other, every company has some R&D that others don't. If Chrysler had a 4-banger that BMW couldn't have outdone with their resources, then why not?

[ward]

I was just at the track, and took a few hot laps as passenger in a well driven cooper S, and this guy was passing instructors in 3000GT twin turbo's


when driven well, these things are fast!

[mowog]

Originally Posted by maq

It's not uncommon for manufacturers to buy stuff from each other, every company has some R&D that others don't. If Chrysler had a 4-banger that BMW couldn't have outdone with their resources, then why not?

I'm not disputing that manufacturers cross-source, nor am I questioning the wisdom of outsourcing something in which you have little expertise. But Chrysler of all people? Surely, if you were a car manufacturer with the reputation that BMW has, you'd want your new project to be the best it can be. Dropping in an iron anchor designed and built by someone not well known for their leadership in front-drive architecture has to be a recipe for disaster. The Mini engine is basically the same as that found in the Chrysler Neon, ferchrissake.

All that said, I'm impressed the Mini has been as successful as it is, despite the lump of iron they pass off as an engine. Put that down to the styling and handling having been executed so brilliantly.

--m

[mowog]

Originally Posted by ward

I was just at the track, and took a few hot laps as passenger in a well driven cooper S, and this guy was passing instructors in 3000GT twin turbo's


when driven well, these things are fast!

The initial launch of the Mini here in Australia coincided with the Melbourne F1 Grand Prix. BMW had been the sponsor of the "Celebrity Challenge" support event for a few years, and ran JCW-tricked Coopers that year. In the right hands, the Cooper (not even the 'S') was faster through the first two corners than the E46 M3.

It didn't hold the lead for long, (not enough power) but handling-wise, it had the M3 beat. It'd be interesting to see the same comparison again, seeing how far the MCS has come with JCW or aftermarket tuning...

--m

[uofmtiger]

LoL, sounds like some of you guys think the mini is a chick car, which it is not, but that's a whole nother discussion

I don't know if its a chick car, but anyone over 6 foot looks like a clown getting in and out of it. It is A LOT of fun to drive, though.