Crazy Man Needs Reality Check

[Blip Bavarian]

^LOL

sell the x3 and get an evo, sti, or r32.
fun to drive, you wont mind putting a dog in there and winter capable

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by I Wanna go Fast!

The hardest part of owning a Mini is telling your dad that you're gay.

[Erhan]

Originally Posted by Seattle S65B40

19 posts and no one has mentioned Erhanh and his recent similar move? He's the guy you need to talk to...

Yes, I did traded the M3 for a Mini Cooper S. My plan is to seperate the M3's 2 personalities to 2 different cars. Mini as a daily, and something else (not decided yet) as a track car. Although Mini will see some track duty as well

I have my Mini for 500miles now, and I'm still in break-in period, and it has shitty all season run flat tires... BUT, I swear to God, it is more fun to drive it in the city than the M3. I used to take freeway onramps at 60mph in the M3, and Mini can do 50mph easly with all season runflats.. It is more agile, more responsive, and the manual tranny is amazingly smooth.

Originally Posted by Richbot

There is something really fun about being WOT all the time and nobody around you noticing. A JCW is probably too fast for that though.

Exactly. It is amazing fun to be able to use the car's potential. I couldn't to this in the M3 in Seattle... I have the Mini S, and I'm not intending to do any power modes to not ruin it (more torque steer etc).

[Erhan]

Originally Posted by I Wanna go Fast!

The hardest part of owning a Mini is telling your dad that you're gay.

Well it is already implied when you buy it. So you don't need to say anything.

[alms211]

Originally Posted by rdkc01

I drive the E90 M3 for 7 months out of the year and park the X3. the X3 is also good for Sampson our Vizsla to ride in. I draw the line on having the dog ride in the M3. Besides he would likely look like the dog in the BMW M5 add where all you see is the dogs head and paws sticking out from the seam of the rear seat. Love that dogs expression.

http://adsoftheworld.com/media/print/bmw_m5_dog_spoof

I do think that bone stock clean E30 M3's will continue to raise steadily in value. There were less than 5000 brought to the US and many have been ravaged crashed and driven into a state of costly repair to bring them back.

+1 on the Vizsla Mine rides in the 4Runner and every once in a while in the X5 but nothing else.

-1 on the Mini. I think the OP would tire of it after a breif period of time.

You have a damn nice mix now --- let the E30 do what the JCW did for you

[stefan]

Can you still just option out an LSD for $350 in the configuration? I think that's amazing.

Also my dog rides in my M3 all the time. I got that OEM dog seat cover.. it's sweet.

[bholloway]

Originally Posted by rdkc01

I must be crazy. I had the opportunity to drive a JCW Mini this week and loved it. Am I crazy for thinking it is more engaging to drive then my E90 M3? I don't like to even compare the two cars for performance factors. We all know the answer to that out come. However that Mini just puts a grin on your face. If I do buy one I am faced with the dilemma of having too many cars. What would need to go I ask my self. The 07 X3 winter car, the E30 M3 garage queen (all original 39K miles super clean), or the E90 M3? Will the fun factor fade all too soon with the Mini?

I do find that while I am being a good steward of preserving the E30 M3 I find that garage queen is really not in my DNA. I can't help but think the value of bone stock low mileage examples can only keep appreciating.

I may have to pursue finding the coldest beer and ponder this a little more.....

Your thoughts??

Most of the people that bash minis have probably never driven a JCW or had a decent amount of time to drive the car. Minis are probably the most fun car you can buy. Sure the torque steer isn't great but they are an absolute blast to drive and I can see why you would say its more fun to drive than your e90 M3. Is it a better car? Abosultely not, but its ridiculously fun to drive and gets great gas mileage. Unfortunately they are outrageously priced in my opinion, especially the JCW which can easily run north of 40k new. If you really wanted one, used JCWs can be found with low miles for around 25k if you look hard enough.

[scheherazade]

Get an elise SC.

Smiles all-around. Friggin' fun car.

The mini will feel like a pig in comparison.

-scheherazade

[TheKosherStogie]

We have a MINI JCW World Championship Edition in the family. That car is so much fun, and yes it torque steers but its almost like taming a wild little beast. It only weights around 2700lbs, is great in the canyons due to the light weight, great for city driving, small size = easy parking and cutting in and out of cars. Put on some sticky tires and its just a blast!

[M3Bahn]

Jeremy likes it too!

[rdkc01]

Love the Vizsla pic. What's your dogs name? I have never had a dog that likes to play with toys as much as Sampson does. I see it runs in the breed.

bholloway - I believe your right about the seat time in a Mini.

4G63 There is some wisdom here.... " add more garage space and get the mini. see a shrink about the guilt you have letting cars sit around unused :-)."

Is that how the whole hording thing gets started?

[Moo]

Originally Posted by rdkc01

I must be crazy. I had the opportunity to drive a JCW Mini this week and loved it. Am I crazy for thinking it is more engaging to drive then my E90 M3? I don't like to even compare the two cars for performance factors. We all know the answer to that out come. However that Mini just puts a grin on your face. If I do buy one I am faced with the dilemma of having too many cars. What would need to go I ask my self. The 07 X3 winter car, the E30 M3 garage queen (all original 39K miles super clean), or the E90 M3? Will the fun factor fade all too soon with the Mini?

I do find that while I am being a good steward of preserving the E30 M3 I find that garage queen is really not in my DNA. I can't help but think the value of bone stock low mileage examples can only keep appreciating.

I may have to pursue finding the coldest beer and ponder this a little more.....

Your thoughts??

If you liked the shorter wheelbase and lighter weight, have you considered an 1M?

[alms211]

Originally Posted by rdkc01

Love the Vizsla pic. What's your dogs name? I have never had a dog that likes to play with toys as much as Sampson does. I see it runs in the breed.

bholloway - I believe your right about the seat time in a Mini.

4G63 There is some wisdom here.... " add more garage space and get the mini. see a shrink about the guilt you have letting cars sit around unused :-)."

Is that how the whole hording thing gets started?

Thanks man re: picture. Her name is Kata (kay ta). My wife wanted her to have a Hungarian name. Dog is simply amazing with so much energy.

ok - no more dog pics and back on topic. Sorry for straying.

[AngelinIsRich08]

I just can't get past the Mini's looks... That and how overpriced it is.

[Erhan]

Originally Posted by AngelinIsRich08

I just can't get past the Mini's looks... That and how overpriced it is.

Looks are personal, sure.
What is the cheap alternative to Mini?