My brother's getting a Mini.

matt.love84 · 02-24-2008, 03:35 PM

Well, now that he's in school and is driving quite a bit he wants to pick himself up a Mini Cooper. He's 20 years old now so I feel it'll suit him pretty well.

He REFUSES to learn how to drive Manual (

) and is budgeted around $15,000

It seems if he looks really hard he might be able to pick up a 2005 Mini Cooper S (w/ auto) for around that range (2005 is when they released the S model in Auto from what I can see) although I'm not sure if performance is what he's really after.

Anyway, as for my question.. anyone here have any experience with these cars? any years he should stay away from? things he should look for when buying?

Thanks

MTV · 02-24-2008, 04:06 PM

Getting a Mini with a slushbox is a waste of a sick car.

matt.love84 · 02-24-2008, 04:15 PM

That's what I tried telling him. MAYBE just maybe I can convert him to a manual. It'll just take a lot of work.

BMWGator · 02-24-2008, 04:27 PM

Is your brother also buying a new purse to go along with the non-manual transmission (probably non-S I bet) Mini, too?

Maybe he's better off getting a convertible VW Beetle instead. With AT of course. lol

j/k (sort of)...

Los Angeles · 02-24-2008, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWGator

Is your brother also buying a new purse to go along with the non-manual transmission (probably non-S I bet) Mini, too?

Maybe he's better off getting a convertible VW Beetle instead. With AT of course. lol

j/k (sort of)...

Wow, seems like everyone is blowing AT out of proportion.

AT= gay? riiiiight, suuuure.

..

All those Mercs with AT are gay and all those BMWs with AT are gay? WTF?

AT is for chillers who don't like shifting. Shifting doesn't make you more masculine.

It means you like driving and messing with the transmission in the process.

Excellence · 02-24-2008, 07:21 PM

Mini Cooper S, tiptronic with shifter paddles. = Godly.
Welcome to a whole different feel of driving. Love that car.

iku · 02-24-2008, 08:45 PM

excellence..man whos that chick in ur sig

?

par4bmw · 02-24-2008, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Los Angeles

Wow, seems like everyone is blowing AT out of proportion.

AT= gay? riiiiight, suuuure.

..

All those Mercs with AT are gay and all those BMWs with AT are gay? WTF?

AT is for chillers who don't like shifting. Shifting doesn't make you more masculine.

It means you like driving and messing with the transmission in the process.

I am old fart compared to most here and I agree that an AT in a Mini is gay. A 3 or M3, ok for some, but a mini c'mon. I had one of the first 10 S's delivered in SC and it was a blast. Can't even imagine an auto in a mini and missing out on the connection you get.

Stronie · 02-24-2008, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Excellence

Mini Cooper S, tiptronic with shifter paddles. = Godly.
Welcome to a whole different feel of driving. Love that car.

+100 I test drove 1 very fun. Sport Mode and Manual Shifting, paddles....Just like a BMW without the shift speed. No bad at all and for 15K so much fun to throw around.

Excellence · 02-24-2008, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stronie's BMW

+100 I test drove 1 very fun. Sport Mode and Manual Shifting, paddles....Just like a BMW without the shift speed. No bad at all and for 15K so much fun to throw around.

Honestly. I would use it as a daily driver to go to work.
I love that car to death. I actually traded that car my 323i and I want to go back.

ScottyGams · 02-24-2008, 10:29 PM

my bro is getting the cooper s with step as well...

it is basically a toned down bimmer at this point. comfort access, professional radio, park distance are all in the MINI!

rc'Z · 02-25-2008, 09:22 AM

If it is about Mini Coopers, this site has all the answers and then some:

http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/index.php

The only problems I had with the MINI were the seat was too small and uncomfortable, and the black on black on black couldn't be cooled in the hot summers. More than I could put up with.

Excellence · 02-25-2008, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rc'Z

If it is about Mini Coopers, this site has all the answers and then some:

http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/index.php

The only problems I had with the MINI were the seat was too small and uncomfortable, and the black on black on black couldn't be cooled in the hot summers. More than I could put up with.

Heres another site.

http://www.mini2.com/

Make sure you get a sunroof with your car.

JackMac · 02-28-2008, 12:55 PM

For his budget, it might be hard to find a 2005/2006 MCS. May need to go back a bit earlier, or he may find a 2005 with higher mileage. The mid-year model refresh was in 2005 so there are some differences from the earlier years. There was also a CVT transmission option.

Regardless, he will enjoy the car. They are a blast to drive.

Oh, and FWIW the MINI communities rarely give a shit about MC vs. MCS or Stick vs. Auto discussions.

asaulo1 · 03-20-2008, 12:33 AM

how about this one? it's a 2005 Mini Cooper S with just 15k miles on it. I am the orig. owner. it is however 6 speed manual

Excellence · 03-20-2008, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asaulo1

how about this one? it's a 2005 Mini Cooper S with just 15k miles on it. I am the orig. owner. it is however 6 speed manual

Looks good!
I always loved that colour!

ianbiz · 03-20-2008, 01:09 AM

E46 325?

ianbiz · 03-20-2008, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asaulo1

how about this one? it's a 2005 Mini Cooper S with just 15k miles on it. I am the orig. owner. it is however 6 speed manual

Thats a good lookin coop!
Needs tint asap and a black grill and trim around headlights.

MrHarris · 03-23-2008, 06:17 AM

Get an e46 330 ZHP or e46 m3.

Tobizach · 03-23-2008, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt.love84

That's what I tried telling him. MAYBE just maybe I can convert him to a manual. It'll just take a lot of work.

Ignore the stupid AT hater crap..

But OTOH a car thats either down on power or has most of its hp/torque at higher rpm's etc.. A manual is a must.

Just tell him:
Not in any order, nor in all cases, but for most cars...

Faster
Less weight
Better fuel economy
Better handling
More fun to drive
Cheaper
Less to break or go wrong
Cant do the ole clutch pop start on an auto.
Better driving awareness (When your shifting your not drifting..off that is

)

02-24-2008, 03:35 PM	#1
matt.love84 xXx 65 Rep 82 Posts Drives: 2006 E90. Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (0)	My brother's getting a Mini. Well, now that he's in school and is driving quite a bit he wants to pick himself up a Mini Cooper. He's 20 years old now so I feel it'll suit him pretty well. He REFUSES to learn how to drive Manual ( ) and is budgeted around $15,000 It seems if he looks really hard he might be able to pick up a 2005 Mini Cooper S (w/ auto) for around that range (2005 is when they released the S model in Auto from what I can see) although I'm not sure if performance is what he's really after. Anyway, as for my question.. anyone here have any experience with these cars? any years he should stay away from? things he should look for when buying? Thanks
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02-24-2008, 04:06 PM	#2
MTV Banned 241 Rep 1,906 Posts Drives: E60 M5, Volvo S60R Join Date: May 2007 Location: Montreal iTrader: (1)	Getting a Mini with a slushbox is a waste of a sick car.
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02-24-2008, 04:15 PM	#3
matt.love84 xXx 65 Rep 82 Posts Drives: 2006 E90. Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (0)	That's what I tried telling him. MAYBE just maybe I can convert him to a manual. It'll just take a lot of work.
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02-24-2008, 04:27 PM	#4
BMWGator Captain 16 Rep 653 Posts Drives: 2008 E93 335i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: DC iTrader: (0)	Is your brother also buying a new purse to go along with the non-manual transmission (probably non-S I bet) Mini, too? Maybe he's better off getting a convertible VW Beetle instead. With AT of course. lol j/k (sort of)...
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02-24-2008, 07:21 PM	#6
Excellence G-STAR 200 Rep 1,897 Posts Drives: E90 to A5 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Richmond, BC iTrader: (0)	Mini Cooper S, tiptronic with shifter paddles. = Godly. Welcome to a whole different feel of driving. Love that car.
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02-24-2008, 08:45 PM	#7
iku New Member 8 Rep 17 Posts Drives: slk32 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: vancouver iTrader: (0)	excellence..man whos that chick in ur sig ?
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02-24-2008, 10:29 PM	#11
ScottyGams Uber-Lee7 Member 47 Rep 1,440 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NYC iTrader: (2)	my bro is getting the cooper s with step as well... it is basically a toned down bimmer at this point. comfort access, professional radio, park distance are all in the MINI! __________________ http://www.facebook.com/Scotty.Gammon
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02-25-2008, 09:22 AM	#12
rc'Z Captain 13 Rep 821 Posts Drives: 2009 335i Convertible Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	If it is about Mini Coopers, this site has all the answers and then some: http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/index.php The only problems I had with the MINI were the seat was too small and uncomfortable, and the black on black on black couldn't be cooled in the hot summers. More than I could put up with.
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02-28-2008, 12:55 PM	#14
JackMac Recovering BMW Addict 151 Rep 1,914 Posts Drives: <OO (\|\|\|)(\|\|\|) OO> Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Southeast PA iTrader: (7) Garage List 2010 MINI John Coop ... [9.66]	For his budget, it might be hard to find a 2005/2006 MCS. May need to go back a bit earlier, or he may find a 2005 with higher mileage. The mid-year model refresh was in 2005 so there are some differences from the earlier years. There was also a CVT transmission option. Regardless, he will enjoy the car. They are a blast to drive. Oh, and FWIW the MINI communities rarely give a shit about MC vs. MCS or Stick vs. Auto discussions.
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03-20-2008, 12:33 AM	#15
asaulo1 Lieutenant 38 Rep 577 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 Coupe, alp white Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Santa Clarita, CA. iTrader: (0)	how about this one? it's a 2005 Mini Cooper S with just 15k miles on it. I am the orig. owner. it is however 6 speed manual
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03-20-2008, 01:09 AM	#17
ianbiz Back in a BMW 205 Rep 5,208 Posts Drives: 2015 335i Msport Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (8)	E46 325? __________________ Ian
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03-23-2008, 06:17 AM	#19
MrHarris yodog 197 Rep 5,025 Posts Drives: '86 Corolla Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Diamond Bar, Ca iTrader: (5) Garage List 2009 BMW [10.00]	Get an e46 330 ZHP or e46 m3. Last edited by MrHarris; 03-23-2008 at 06:18 AM.. Reason: nvm didn't see the 15k.
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