BMW MINI

Skyline2uk · June 30, 2013, 01:00:45 PM

Going to have to have my 2 pence on this

Firstly, must comment on this:

"You could call the Fiesta Girly car".....How? The current shape ones are the most aggressive of the hatches and the previous shape (mine) is a simple clean design. On that basis you must accuse Clio, Golf, 207 et all Girly.....

And on the "Mini"....in this house hold (ferociously loyal original owner sitting on my right) the BMW offering is refereed to as the "Big".

Its all been said here before but they have a fairly decent chassis and the larger engine versions are quick(ish). Had a friend who swore by her Cooper S Works and misses it now she has a little one. FYI when baby arrived she switched to a Focus.

The BMW BIG has rock hard ride and quite possible the worst internal packaging known to the motoring world. I could even go so far as calling it style over substance, except the S and S works go quite well.

If it was me I would get a decent spec Focus, or for the same money an even better spec Fiesta with usable rear seats (I can't fit in the back of a BIG).

Of course cars are very much subjective, so feel free to ignore my rantings

Skyline2uk

Sprintex · June 30, 2013, 07:00:47 PM

Quote from: Skyline2uk on June 30, 2013, 01:00:45 PM
And on the "Mini"....in this house hold (ferociously loyal original owner sitting on my right) the BMW offering is refereed to as the "Big".

Previous owner of three PROPER Minis here too, the BMW 'thing' is known here as the "BMW ½ series"

Paul

Skyline2uk · June 30, 2013, 07:53:01 PM

Lifelong Ford fan here also Sprintex

Skyline2uk

Tackleberry · July 01, 2013, 07:34:16 PM

Getting a 1.4 53 plate Fiesta, the Mini was sold, the Citroen C3 is an automatic and not a manual so gone for the Fiesta.....

Skyline2uk · July 01, 2013, 10:33:11 PM

Gulp, I hope after my post this goes well for you Tackleberry!

Unnerving when people buy something you recommend

Seriously though, I have enjoyed mine, and a pal ran one from 08 till just a few months back with minimal outlay.

Hope it fills your needs

Skyline2uk

Sprintex · July 01, 2013, 10:37:31 PM

We've ot two of the previous generation models, both MK5 1.8TDi. Apart from the comes-as-standard rear-arch rot they're both great little cars

Paul

B757-236GT · July 03, 2013, 09:35:34 PM

Just one quick one. Given its a 53 plate car it should have had its cambelt done. Im pretty certain they are due every 80,000 miles or 8 years. Ford dealers can do it quite cheaply and get the water pump done if it hasnt been done. A ford dealer should quote around £200- £250 which considering the cost of repairs it probably worth it. Wheel bearings can fail too but they only cost around £30 to £40 to get replaced.

You dont say whether its a 3 or 5 door. The 3drs can snap the seat fold on the front seats so you can get in the back. Most were done on recall but they are out there. Also if you have a quickclear screen check your insurer covers it as alot of new policies may not include it. Apart from that the 1.4 is pretty good. You should be able to get 40-45 mpg even round town.

Richard
Owner of a 1.4TDCI version (its a good car, shame about the engine)

Skyline2uk · July 03, 2013, 09:41:52 PM

Agree with the above, though I thought the Cam belt was after more miles. 8 years is right though so should have been done anyway.

Ref the wheel bearing, I had one go on mine but got a new one put on for less than £25.00.

Skyline2uk

B757-236GT · July 03, 2013, 09:58:13 PM

I think the 1.4 petrol engine is 8 and 80. The 1.4/1.6 diesel is 10 and 125k. As i dont know the reg i cant use the ford etis system. But if you would like to know what should be done on your car go to this link
http://www.etis.ford.com/home.do
Its the same system main dealers use, it can also tell you when/where you car was built and registered and the car numbers and codes.

Edit just checked fror another 53 plate fiesta and it shows 100,000 and 10 years so it should be due next month. Best think to do is to go onto the system above and put your reg in.
Richard

Bealman · July 04, 2013, 12:04:23 AM

Just in relation to my post a couple of pages ago about that green Mini here in Oz, thought people might like a squizz:
[smg id=5870 type=preview align=center width=400]
[smg id=5871 type=preview align=center width=400]
[smg id=5875 type=preview align=center width=400]
That's Mrs Bealman's car on the left which I happened to be driving. Wonder if I could do a swap?
[smg id=5873 type=preview align=center width=400]
[smg id=5874 type=preview align=center width=400]
The owner of the Mini wasn't interested.....

Tackleberry · July 20, 2013, 10:03:57 PM

The car I've settled on....

Caz · July 22, 2013, 08:48:02 AM

My sort of car, a wheel at each corner and something to steer it by

Bealman · July 22, 2013, 10:49:43 AM

Me too!

mereman · July 22, 2013, 02:14:39 PM

Far too many wheels only need one at the front and one at the back

Not to forget a nice big engine.

Unless it's a steamer then a few more wheels are allowed.

4x2 · July 22, 2013, 02:28:40 PM

Quote from: Tackleberry on July 20, 2013, 10:03:57 PM
The car I've settled on....

Good choice !
I owned a 1.4 Zetec (i'm guessing that's what yours is) and I loved it to bits, great handling, smooth on the motorway and the engine is quite perky (the 1.6 is better but is a bit thirsty). Only sold mine to pay the finance off as I was struggling...

Useful tip, on these the washer jets work loose and rain water leaks under the bonnet and drips on to the engine cover, then drips down on to the spark plugs and drowns them, which then causes the coil pack to fail ! A bit of silicon under the jets should prevent this.