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      01-13-2009, 07:09 PM   #1
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"It's the Mini, Not the One" (Roundel)

Scott Sturdy wrote in to the most recent issue of Roundel to express his view that the Mini more accurately embodies the spirit of the 2002 than does the 1 series.

I certainly see the logic to his argument, but the part that confused me the most was his assertion that 1er owners will never have the same level of "camaraderie" as the Minilots (there's one of these in my household too, so I feel pretty ripe for comparing the groups).

I'd have to say that 1addicts promotes a pretty darn good club (especially given the disparity with current BMW customers being either enthusiasts or status-symbol-posers), and we do well as a group of creating a great online presence with some excellent regional meets and representations (focused on the joy and thrill of driving).

So, this begs the question: do we let the Mini owners win? Or do we start to organize national gathers of 1ers to prove our awesomeness?
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      01-13-2009, 08:05 PM   #2
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i don't know man. most of those MINI owners are pretty weird. talk about a cult car...
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      01-13-2009, 08:40 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by imdanomite View Post
i don't know man. most of those MINI owners are pretty weird. talk about a cult car...
Ditto X-2!!
Just like the Audi TT owners, they'll scratch your eyes out!
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      01-13-2009, 09:14 PM   #4
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IMO those cars are gross... I had one as a loaner once and just felt like a tool driving that thing...
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      01-13-2009, 09:46 PM   #5
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I agree with the Roundel article, in the sense that the MINI may actually be more of a driver's car than the 1er. I test drove a Cooper S back to back with a 135i -- spent about 40 minutes in each, took them both on a route of my choosing and without dealer 'supervision'...and the Cooper S was more fun to drive than the 135i, felt a bit more involving, shifting gears to keep the power up (vs the 135i, where it didn't matter too much what gear I was in.) And the fuel economy (30 MPG vs. the 20 MPG in the 1er) was great.

Thing is, I just don't find its retro styling appealing. Especially that big old speedometer in the center of the dash. I found it annoying just after 40 minutes. And I'm not at all the kind of guy who wants to drive a car that screams, "Hey! Look at this! Isn't this a neat car?"
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      01-13-2009, 10:01 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jkp1187 View Post
I agree with the Roundel article, in the sense that the MINI may actually be more of a driver's car than the 1er. I test drove a Cooper S back to back with a 135i -- spent about 40 minutes in each, took them both on a route of my choosing and without dealer 'supervision'...and the Cooper S was more fun to drive than the 135i, felt a bit more involving, shifting gears to keep the power up (vs the 135i, where it didn't matter too much what gear I was in.) And the fuel economy (30 MPG vs. the 20 MPG in the 1er) was great.

Thing is, I just don't find its retro styling appealing. Especially that big old speedometer in the center of the dash. I found it annoying just after 40 minutes. And I'm not at all the kind of guy who wants to drive a car that screams, "Hey! Look at this! Isn't this a neat car?"
I agree 100%. My Father has an 08 Cooper S. Its the most "un-like FWD" car I've ever driven.
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      01-13-2009, 11:05 PM   #7
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I drive a r56 MCS now and have ordered a 135i.

I don't know of any other car that has the following and comraderie that the Mini does. It's actually quite addictive. I have never been waved to by complete strangers before I drove the Mini. I didn't really want it to begin with, but after driving it I couldn't resist. Some may say the interior styling is a little wack (agreed) but fact is, once you put the foot on the accelerator and turn the wheel your smile doesn't care what it looks like.

I'll probably miss the Cooper when the 1er comes, but I know I will love being in the 135 much more :-)
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      01-13-2009, 11:16 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jkp1187 View Post
took them both on a route of my choosing and without dealer 'supervision'...and the Cooper S was more fun to drive than the 135i, felt a bit more involving, shifting gears to keep the power up (vs the 135i, where it didn't matter too much what gear I was in.) And the fuel economy (30 MPG vs. the 20 MPG in the 1er) was great.
You, sir, did not drive the 1.
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      01-14-2009, 12:17 AM   #9
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Mr. Bean owns MINI, do not touch MINI
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      01-14-2009, 01:05 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MOCKBA View Post
Mr. Bean owns MINI, do not touch MINI
This coming from a Mercedes owner? :iono:


j/k!
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      01-14-2009, 02:02 AM   #11
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Had a mini cooper (non-s) for rental and it handles superbly on stock suspension (nonsport, mind you) The car is fun but lacked power, which john cooper works should fix, and now thinking back it's probably the better car for me right now. I commute 100 miles a day, roughly 25,000 miles a year, in an urban area. Definitely can use its size and nimbleness around town and it has the best mpg in its class of sporty and cheap. (check out this video: Fast and Frugal http://link.brightcove.com/services/...ctid1616690456)

The 135i's performance is a huge step up from mini with some scarifies in nimbles but certainly a hot rod. It is actually too much car for my application right now. I like my 135i but I also like the mini and the s2k, exige... etc :-)
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      01-14-2009, 03:38 AM   #12
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I think comparing the E82 with the 2002 is pushing imagination a fair ammount TBH, but the Mini, never, it wasn't Turbo charged, and is/was FWD, with a transmounted engine. No way.
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      01-14-2009, 05:30 AM   #13
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The Mini is a really fun starter car and to that extent it is more like the 2002. It is, however, competing in a field of really fun starter cars like the Mazda Speed3, Civic Si, Cobalt, etc. It's a car you graduate from.
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      01-14-2009, 06:41 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by esses View Post
You, sir, did not drive the 1.
I drove both cars the same way on the same roads on which I was going to drive every day.

I'm sure the one is fantastic on the track, and certainly beats the MINI in a straight line, regardless of whether it's a 135i or 128i. Alas, I live in Pittsburgh, though -- few straight-lines to be had here, and the ones that are tend to max out at a 55 MPH speed limit. :wink:

Don't get me wrong -- the 135i really took corners like a bat out of hell. But the MINI did, too, and it felt a little more fun while I was doing it.

Of course, note that I'm planning on buying the 1er, not the MINI for my next car -- it's overall a better car for my tastes and needs than the MINI is. And it IS fun in its own right.

But you'll get nothing but respect for the MINI -- at least, in Cooper S form (and by extension, JCW form) -- from me.
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      01-14-2009, 06:53 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by esses View Post
You, sir, did not drive the 1.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jkp1187 View Post
I drove both cars the same way on the same roads on which I was going to drive every day.

I'm sure the one is fantastic on the track, and certainly beats the MINI in a straight line, regardless of whether it's a 135i or 128i. Alas, I live in Pittsburgh, though -- few straight-lines to be had here, and the ones that are tend to max out at a 55 MPH speed limit. :wink:
I'm gonna have to echo esses. You did not drive the 1.

amy!
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      01-14-2009, 07:52 AM   #16
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I still have a soft spot for the R53 mini. No matter how much faster the R56 is...I loved the supercharger whine and the "raw-ness" of the older model.
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      01-14-2009, 08:29 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ptack View Post
The Mini is a car you graduate from.
LOL - I'm sure that's what other BMW owners say about the 1 series. Pissing contest are so 1990s! (not to mention that it should be "it's a car from which you graduate", of course)

Not owning either car, I can see the writer's point. Minis really require you to work them to squeeze as much fun out of them, which the 2002s did as well. And I'd have to say also that Mini owners are a pretty rabid lot. Don't see the same on the 1 yet, and I'm not sure I will, with the small number of sales they generate.

Can't everyone just enjoy their cars??
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      01-14-2009, 08:30 AM   #18
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1 Coupé vs. Mini? LOL No way! He got it wrong...

I think BMW got it right; 1 Coupé does not compete with it. (that is why they brought in the 1
Coupé/Cabriolet to NA.)
I think it's like comparing a Moped to a Motorcycle. And I think that is just silly.

But don't get me wrong, the Moped is a great way to zip in/out of traffic in a busy city.
Notice how in Europe they seem to have their own laws for Mopeds. (or lack of them)

Maybe a better example is the VW Beatle to their VW GTI?

Amway, as for addiction, I do agree a Mini could be addictive! I would love to zip around in a Mini. But for my "needs" I got the 1 and love it. A Mini would be especially good on roads in European cities or in Japanese rural areas where the lane is only wide enough for 1 car length, and you have to keep an eye on the big mirrors on the road for oncoming traffic around the next corner.

I can also see why BMW did not bring in the 1 (five door) to NA. It would be a better compare to the Mini. Personally I would still buy the 1 (five door) over a Mini. I think the 1 Coupé is just way more sexy to a Mini.
Maybe that is why Little People....ahem...Mini People are considered weird to us?
BTW I named my car Lulu! How sexy is that?

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Maybe the people who did a study on Longer ring finger people, should also do a study on Mini vs number 1 people?
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      01-14-2009, 08:30 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by amybang View Post
I'm gonna have to echo esses. You did not drive the 1.

amy!
Poseur alert.

Either of you actually driven a MINI?
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      01-14-2009, 08:37 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jkp1187 View Post
Poseur alert.

Either of you actually driven a MINI?

Good point. I think the next time I take in my car, I will ask them to set me up with a Mini. Or just do a test drive. I wonder if anyone has sold a 1 to get a mini?

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      01-14-2009, 08:42 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Creepy Coupe View Post
I think comparing the E82 with the 2002 is pushing imagination a fair ammount TBH, ...
Yea but that's all Roundel ever seems to do, with anything. That whole magazine still thinks its a 2002 fan club rag. I know BMWCCA has some great benefits, but Roundel is not one of them. I've seen Letters section submisions in other car mags that are written better then most of the articles in Roundel.
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      01-14-2009, 09:03 AM   #22
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The MINI is a great, fun car. The only bummer I had with my '06 R53 was the build quality. It is a cheap car. I had so many repair issues with that car, that I swore I would never buy another MINI Product again. We still have 1 R53 in our family, and I drive it at least a couple times a month. It is such a fun little car. Compared to the 135, it is a much more in your face driving experience. Louder, more vibration from the engine, suspension is tighter, lotsa stuff stands out.

As far as MINI owners being a bit cult like, yupp that is 100% true. Go check some of the MINI forums, you'll see what we mean.
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