Input requested

[Kaelaria]

Well, there's no formal definition, but the 2004-2005 was mostly the gearing change and a slight change in engine performance, but there were literally hundreds of detail changes that improve fit, finish, and reliability between 2003-2004 - believe me, I did the research before deciding that 2004 had enough of the teething problems (power steering pump overheating, steering column clicking, windshield stress cracking, etc.) with the initial production solved to take the risk. I've never heard of anyone calling the 2005 changes a new "generation". Generally, people think of the 2002-2006 cars as Gen1, and the new 2007- and beyond (with the turbo motor) as Gen2.
- Mark

Officially the R53 is 2002-2006, however 2004 had no major changes. 2005 & 2006 were the only big changes as I mentioned, like the taller gearing and available LSD, and more HP. 2004 had only the standard production fixes, nothing substantial. I'm not sure why you think 2004 had the big changes. If you have a 2004, you have the original short gearing and less HP, and did not have the option of the LSD available like in my 2005.

 

[.paul]

Kaelaria, what kind of mileage have you been getting with your 05?

 

[gr8eyes]

Kaelaria, I wouldn't mind trying it i n a mini but I'd have to convince my wife first.

 

[FJRMGM]

I never said they didn't make a Mini convertible - I just said you can't put the top down like I can on my power retractable hard top Miata. Flip lever, push and hold button for 12 seconds and the Miata top is down.

Well that proves you have never actually tried it in a MINI - same procedure there sparky - all with one finger.

True That - to me, a Mini convertible looks too strange to drive. But, to each his own and if you like it then its fine.

 

[Kaelaria]

Don't comment on things you don't know about then.

 

[Kaelaria]

Kaelaria, what kind of mileage have you been getting with your 05?

It varies widley depending on how you drive. On my '05, with the mods I did (milage is the same as was stock), I get 22 city and 28 highway flooring it every chance I get. That's how I usually drive it. If I back off and drive it 'normally, it improves to 27 city, 32 highway, crusing at 75. Cruising at 55 gets 36, but honestly when do you ever do that?

The '07 is significantly better. It uses a lower compression engine that's turbo instead of supercharged, is a more efficient design and uses direct injection. The wife only drives it normally and gets 30 city 37 highway. Hers is stock.

Both take Premium fuel.

 

[.paul]

That's about what I was figuring, thanks.

So I need to get my car sold first, but even if I were to sell it soon, I wouldn't buy the one I linked. I checked it out again and spent more time with the car (no test drive, for some reason the dealer requires that I pre-qualify) poking around it and such without the sales man hanging around and I just didn't get a good vibe from the car - something about it made me uncomfortable as did the "pre-qualify to test drive". I really really like the electron blue with white roof, white wheels, hood stripes, and chrome mirror covers.

Oh well, the search continues...

 

[dbvolfan]

Test drove a Mini and I was pleasently surprised...handled really well and was spirited. Ended up with a WRX mainly for the AWD, room and towing ability, but if I were still single I may be toying with a modded mini right now.

My friend has a loaded '05-S that IMO he paid too much for b/c he wanted "everything" with it but he's been a happy camper with no maintenance issues.

 

[jayke]

Two Mini Family. I have a 06 Cooper S 6 speed , wife has a 06 CVT Cooper.

My Cooper S is an absolute blast to drive. I'd describe it as quick not fast. It's really fun on a twisty road up to about 90. Gas mileage is about 25 average, 30 Highway. I have 33K on mine, no problems. The car has only had two scheduled services 13K and 30K. Love the burble from the exhaust.

Not the best car for long distances. The suspension is pretty stiff and that exhaust is pretty loud. Gets old after a 600 mile slab run.

 

[OhioFJR1300]

Kaelaria, what kind of mileage have you been getting with your 05?

It varies widley depending on how you drive. On my '05, with the mods I did (milage is the same as was stock), I get 22 city and 28 highway flooring it every chance I get. That's how I usually drive it. If I back off and drive it 'normally, it improves to 27 city, 32 highway, crusing at 75. Cruising at 55 gets 36, but honestly when do you ever do that?

The '07 is significantly better. It uses a lower compression engine that's turbo instead of supercharged, is a more efficient design and uses direct injection. The wife only drives it normally and gets 30 city 37 highway. Hers is stock.

Both take Premium fuel.

I too am looking at buying a Cooper S, are you saying that you are getting 30 to 37 MPG's on an 07 S ? I wonder what I'll get with a JCW 08?

 

[Kaelaria]

Yes the new '07+ (completely different car, just the same name) get significantly better milage. The JCW mods are almost all for show. They really son't add that much performance, drain the hell out of your wallet, but at least don't drop the milage much if any at all.

 

[dhalen32]

Paul:

My wife drives a 2004 Cooper and loves it. It's biggest problems have been electrical. If you are looking for Honda/Toyota reliability look elswhere. However, the car is an absolute hoot to drive compared to it's Japanese competitors. We chose the naturally aspirated model because we felt the Rover 5 speed gearbox/shift linkage and engine control software calibration made for a more pleasant, yet not as quick, driving experience as the S model Getrag 6 speed.

Minis are drive by wire throttle cars and can feel oddly disconnected between you and the drivetrain. I recommend you try both before deciding what to buy. I don't think you will be disappointed by either model.

Dave

 

[Kaelaria]

The disconnection is by design, and it's all software. One of the big plusses my aftermarekt software did was change that linkage to something so incredibly tight - it makes the stock FJR throttle feel like a wet sponge. It can be set to anything you like with aftermarket software.

 

[OhioFJR1300]

Yes the new '07+ (completely different car, just the same name) get significantly better milage. The JCW mods are almost all for show. They really son't add that much performance, drain the hell out of your wallet, but at least don't drop the milage much if any at all.

I've been a Mini fan for years and have test drove a number of them. The JCW package is pricy, $4000 +. But I have read reports that it is a BIG improvement in handling and power. The supercharged years, a JCW package got you a new head and a lot of goodies, the 08 JCW is a chip change, new exhaust and intake as far as I know. May not be worth the price. I'll have to drive one before I buy the package. Thanks for the info, the milage is a big plus for the new model Mini, more ammo for me to convince the wife that we HAVE to have one. :yahoo:

 

[Berde]

It looks like it has the premium pkg with the HID lights. Two of my best friends have MCS and they love them.

 

[Charlie Hoss]

I don't have one, but I'm looking at the reliability reports in the APR 07 Consumer Reports. This is compiled from actual owner surveys.

The used car verdict for an 05 SC model is less than average (a half black circle).

The weaker areas include:

engine, minor

transmission

fuel system (solid black)

electrical

body integrity

body hardware (solid black)

The 06s seem to be much improved with all categories better or much better than average except for "body integrity", which is average. Used car verdict is average.

Don't shoot me, I'm only the messenger.

 

[markjenn]

Officially the R53 is 2002-2006, however 2004 had no major changes. 2004 had only the standard production fixes, nothing substantial.

How can I put this gently - you don't have the slightest idea what you're talking about. The 2005 had a couple performance changes and the LSD option, but all the big mods to fix the reliability issues occurred in 2004 - completely different internal dash design, different power steering system, different windshield and windshield mounting system, different exhaust configuration, different water pump, different radiator internals, different ECU, wiring changes, the list goes on and on and on and on. 2004 was the equivalent of SP1 for Windows - the major bug fix release. And it's reflected in the data - 02 and 03 show dismal reliability, but the 04 is pretty good.

- Mark

 

[markjenn]

The weaker areas include:
engine, minor

transmission

fuel system (solid black)

electrical

body integrity

body hardware (solid black)

The 06s seem to be much improved with all categories better or much better than average except for "body integrity", which is average. Used car verdict is average.

I wouldn't put too fine a point on the details of this data - it changes from year to year. It shows the 04 and 06 "average" and the 05 "below average", but I think you'd be tilting at windmills to avoid an 05 for this reason.

Mini reliability is basically that the 02's and 03's are pretty dismal (although anybody who has stuck through the initial startup problems by now has probably paid the price and gotten the car updated and/or worked around the issues). The 04 through 06 are all Okay, which means worse than a Mazdaspeed 3, but better than a GTI.

The Gen2 turbo cars are too new to know yet, but things look Okay. I would never own an 07 because its a bad idea to own the first year of any BMW re-design, but an 08 or 09 should be fine.

Gas mileage of the turbo cars did go up dramatically - in my mind, relatively poor gas mileage in the Gen1 cars is their biggest drawback. The Gen1 cars are powered by a brazil-built Tritec engine that was a joint venture between Rover (which owned the Mini brand before being bought by BMW) and Chrysler. It's a relatively low-tech, very robust, almost bulletproof engine. The supercharger gives it a nice mid-range pull with no turbo lag, but contributes to its relatively low efficiency. When Daimler bought Chrysler, suddenly BMW was in bed with their arc-rivals with the Tritec, so they immediately decided to do a new engine design with Puegeot. This new turbo engine in the Gen2 is a clean-sheet design with fuel efficiency as the #1 goal, but it remains to be seen how it will hold up in the long run - there is some concern that it is a little too lightweight and underdesigned in many areas.

The brazil tritec plant has been mothballed, but there was some deal to possbily restart it with the engines to go into a new Chinese car. Maybe even move the plant lock/stock/barrel to China. Haven't heard anything lately.

- Mark

 

[Kaelaria]

Officially the R53 is 2002-2006, however 2004 had no major changes. 2004 had only the standard production fixes, nothing substantial.

How can I put this gently - you don't have the slightest idea what you're talking about. The 2005 had a couple performance changes and the LSD option, but all the big mods to fix the reliability issues occurred in 2004 - completely different internal dash design, different power steering system, different windshield and windshield mounting system, different exhaust configuration, different water pump, different radiator internals, different ECU, wiring changes, the list goes on and on and on and on. 2004 was the equivalent of SP1 for Windows - the major bug fix release. And it's reflected in the data - 02 and 03 show dismal reliability, but the 04 is pretty good.

- Mark

As I said - 'Production Fixes'. These were not design updates like the '05 model, that got a TON of new parts because it was a design refresh. New body accents, headlights, tail lights, interior panels, a ton of new options, etc. '05 and '06 were the major change, period. '04 was the normal annual and running fixes only.

 

[Knifemaker]

Much more fun to drive........

This subjective statement would get an argument from many including me. I've driven several Miatas over thousands of miles and while it's a fine roadster, I much prefer how my Mini drives, especially how much roomier the cockpit is.

Granted, "more fun" is subjective. The Mini felt like too "big" to me. All your reasons for liking it are the exact reasons I did not like it. "roomy" and "practical"...sports cars should be neither. I would not own a mini unless it was convertable, the inside just feels like any other small car.

As for handling aspects, yeah, the mini can stick to the road. but I'm old school and like my sports cars to feel like sports cars..(the mini has a rear seat!!!!!!)

Now, a freind of mine as an "original" mini , they are diffrent than the new ones, and are fun to drive.

My wifes niece has a new one, and although it is a thousand times "more fun" to drive than a ZX2, a Camry , or a Malibu...My Miata just feels more like a sports car to me...(my opinion of course)

(and the Miata's are known for being pretty bullet proof--zero problem cars)

KM