Mini Loaner

MrRipfrog · 06-05-2007, 12:42 PM

Turned the car in for service yesterday and they gave me a mini for a loaner. The crazy thing is all the little similarities with this car and the 335(buttons, options, etc.), yet a completely different car. (of course)

It felt like the automatic transmission was slipping but as I drive it more it almost seems like is has a continuously variable transmission. However, you can put it in DS mode and also manually shift through the gears. Not a very fast car, but it's not an "S".

This car really has a rough ride. You feel virtually every bump in the road. It does turn on a dime though.

The perspective while sitting in the car is crazy. It's a short car but fairly wide with lots of headroom. I have plenty of leg room and at 6'4", that's not too shabby.

Interesting ride but I can't wait to get my baby back. Here are a couple of pics. Just though I would share.

a burrito · 06-05-2007, 01:01 PM

I had similar impressions when driving my friends "S" although the biggest difference that i do see is that the S felt very peppy and quite torquey for what it was. Steering is very nice and does have that go-kart feel. great gas mileage and good power goes hand in hand. the mini is pretty impressive!

Neema · 06-05-2007, 01:12 PM

My aunt in Italy has a manual mini.......was there last summer as I normally go to europe durring the summer for the past 14 years or so now. The car was a lot roomier then I thought. Managed to fit her, myself, my mom, and my sis, along with some suit cases and stuff in the back. Cant really break down a car's performance aspects on busy Italian streets haha, its a nightmare. However, I spent a few weeks with my family in Germany as well and that was a totally different story. We hit up the autobahn on our way to Duseldorf........though we were limited by the lack of power of my cousins GTI haha. We were doing 240 km/h in the right lane (slow lane on the autobahn) and there were cars flying past us in the right lane, i mean seriously just zooming by going atleast 300 km/h!

stressdoc · 06-05-2007, 01:13 PM

The Mini needs non-rfts even more than the E9x.

Ryan 330i · 06-05-2007, 01:16 PM

i am so envious. i wish i would have gotten a mini loaner.

stressdoc · 06-05-2007, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boost_Nation

My aunt in Italy has a manual mini.......was there last summer as I normally go to europe durring the summer for the past 14 years or so now. The car was a lot roomier then I thought. Managed to fit her, myself, my mom, and my sis, along with some suit cases and stuff in the back. Cant really break down a car's performance aspects on busy Italian streets haha, its a nightmare. However, I spent a few weeks with my family in Germany as well and that was a totally different story. We hit up the autobahn on our way to Duseldorf........though we were limited by the lack of power of my cousins GTI haha. We were doing 240 km/h in the right lane (slow lane on the autobahn) and there were cars flying past us in the right lane, i mean seriously just zooming by going atleast 300 km/h!

Can't wait for a report from a 335 ED with v. 2 PROcede, if it has speed limiter delete, and if the M-sport suspension and M-sport wheels can be ordered as OEM from factory via Performance unit. [without which I would be too scared to take a 335 up to 300kph]

LOLrance · 06-05-2007, 01:21 PM

Checkmate mini. Atleast that mini has LSD, something we desperatly need

LEDZEP · 06-05-2007, 01:39 PM

I'd love a MINI loaner... that would be cool. They are little go karts!

MrRipfrog · 06-05-2007, 01:44 PM

It's not a bad car at all! Go-Kart is right and the perfect term to associate to this car. It's one of those cars you take back in the canyons and give it hell through the corners. I was surprised that they gave me this as a loaner and quite impressed... although, can't wait to get my baby back.

jonerik26 · 06-05-2007, 01:56 PM

nice, i wish i got a mini as a loaner, something about the car just appeals to mine attention

WxSquid · 06-05-2007, 02:16 PM

I had two MCS (2004 and 2006) - loved them, but really needed more room. The pics are of a Cooper, and if an automatic, for that style it is a CVT. No LSD in it, although you can spec one in an MCS (2005+ MY)

Every now and then I miss it - then again, usually only at the pump...

prolix21 · 06-05-2007, 02:33 PM

i'd love it if the dealer would give me a mini as a loaner. i'd love to try one out for a day

Revlis · 06-05-2007, 02:45 PM

This is what I want... Will have to cross No mans land but I am looking forward to these coming stateside next year.

But then it won't be too long before some Redneck tool does this...

Dubai2LA · 06-05-2007, 07:21 PM

The Smarts are already here. A local Honda Dealership has quite a few for sale

Colonial Honda in Glendale

Dubai2LA · 06-05-2007, 07:22 PM

South Bay BMW has a Cooper S loaner. I drove it for a few days when my X5 went in for service

stefman · 06-05-2007, 11:13 PM

Cool loaner!

Ray · 06-06-2007, 12:00 AM

The Mini would be fun to borrow for a couple days.

BK · 06-06-2007, 08:54 AM

I really want to try the new Mini S - John Cooper Works. I wish they were RWD, though.

http://www.autosite.com/content/shar...le_id_int/1359

ward · 06-06-2007, 08:58 AM

the mini is one of the most "fun" cars I've ever driven, and i've driven a lot of cars

06-05-2007, 12:42 PM	#1
MrRipfrog Another 13 Rep 175 Posts Drives: Vespa GTS Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	Mini Loaner Turned the car in for service yesterday and they gave me a mini for a loaner. The crazy thing is all the little similarities with this car and the 335(buttons, options, etc.), yet a completely different car. (of course) It felt like the automatic transmission was slipping but as I drive it more it almost seems like is has a continuously variable transmission. However, you can put it in DS mode and also manually shift through the gears. Not a very fast car, but it's not an "S". This car really has a rough ride. You feel virtually every bump in the road. It does turn on a dime though. The perspective while sitting in the car is crazy. It's a short car but fairly wide with lots of headroom. I have plenty of leg room and at 6'4", that's not too shabby. Interesting ride but I can't wait to get my baby back. Here are a couple of pics. Just though I would share. Attached Images __________________
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06-05-2007, 01:01 PM	#2
a burrito Lieutenant Colonel 56 Rep 1,962 Posts Drives: Urus, 958.2 TTS, 997 S Join Date: May 2005 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (1)	I had similar impressions when driving my friends "S" although the biggest difference that i do see is that the S felt very peppy and quite torquey for what it was. Steering is very nice and does have that go-kart feel. great gas mileage and good power goes hand in hand. the mini is pretty impressive! __________________ Peanut Butter Chunky
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06-05-2007, 01:12 PM	#3
Neema Major General 784 Rep 7,246 Posts Drives: a few BMWs Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: SoCal iTrader: (12)	My aunt in Italy has a manual mini.......was there last summer as I normally go to europe durring the summer for the past 14 years or so now. The car was a lot roomier then I thought. Managed to fit her, myself, my mom, and my sis, along with some suit cases and stuff in the back. Cant really break down a car's performance aspects on busy Italian streets haha, its a nightmare. However, I spent a few weeks with my family in Germany as well and that was a totally different story. We hit up the autobahn on our way to Duseldorf........though we were limited by the lack of power of my cousins GTI haha. We were doing 240 km/h in the right lane (slow lane on the autobahn) and there were cars flying past us in the right lane, i mean seriously just zooming by going atleast 300 km/h!
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06-05-2007, 01:13 PM	#4
stressdoc Moderator 617 Rep 10,855 Posts Drives: BMW i8; Toy 4runner TRD pro Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Waco TX iTrader: (0)	The Mini needs non-rfts even more than the E9x. __________________ My recent ED photos: http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1026808 my not-so-recent ED: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31829 Please join BMWCCA http://bmwcca.org/index.php?pageid=c...&ref_by=300279
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06-05-2007, 01:16 PM	#5
Ryan 330i Major 56 Rep 1,181 Posts Drives: '09 E93 335i Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: San Francisco \| LA \| Oregon iTrader: (0)	i am so envious. i wish i would have gotten a mini loaner. __________________ 2009 E93 335i \| Jet \| Black Dakota \| Grey Poplar \| ZPP \| ZSP \| ZCW \| Step \| Paddles \| i-Drive \| CA \| Sirius \| HD \| Logic7 \| 06FL \| 06NF \| PDC \| OEM Alarm \| LUX Retired: 2007 E92 335i Retired: 2006 E90 330i
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06-05-2007, 01:21 PM	#7
LOLrance The Law. 301 Rep 14,283 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SF / OC iTrader: (17)	Checkmate mini. Atleast that mini has LSD, something we desperatly need __________________
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06-05-2007, 01:39 PM	#8
LEDZEP Lieutenant General 417 Rep 12,276 Posts Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Area 51 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 X3 35i M Sport [7.62] 2009 X5 M Sport [0.00] 2007 328xi E90 [0.00] 2006 325xiT E91 [0.00]	I'd love a MINI loaner... that would be cool. They are little go karts! __________________ I think it is bad luck to be superstitious
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06-05-2007, 01:44 PM	#9
MrRipfrog Another 13 Rep 175 Posts Drives: Vespa GTS Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	It's not a bad car at all! Go-Kart is right and the perfect term to associate to this car. It's one of those cars you take back in the canyons and give it hell through the corners. I was surprised that they gave me this as a loaner and quite impressed... although, can't wait to get my baby back. __________________
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06-05-2007, 01:56 PM	#10
jonerik26 Lieutenant Colonel 57 Rep 1,906 Posts Drives: black 335i e90 PRE-LCI Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: somewhere iTrader: (23) Garage List 2007 335i [8.00] 1998 Acura Integra [8.50] 2006 325i [8.00]	nice, i wish i got a mini as a loaner, something about the car just appeals to mine attention __________________
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06-05-2007, 02:16 PM	#11
WxSquid Ask The Chief! 11 Rep 270 Posts Drives: '07 335i Sedan Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: I-270 Traffic iTrader: (0)	I had two MCS (2004 and 2006) - loved them, but really needed more room. The pics are of a Cooper, and if an automatic, for that style it is a CVT. No LSD in it, although you can spec one in an MCS (2005+ MY) Every now and then I miss it - then again, usually only at the pump... __________________ 2007 Jet Black 335i Sedan Prem / Sport / Cold / Sirius / Step Retired: Stella - 06 MINI MCS (Tuned) Eleanor - 04 MINI MCS (JC Works mod) To Come: E90 M3 or 135i? Last edited by WxSquid; 06-05-2007 at 02:17 PM.. Reason: spelling
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06-05-2007, 02:33 PM	#12
prolix21 Second Lieutenant 30 Rep 233 Posts Drives: 2020 BMW X3 xDrive30i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Fort Collins iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 330i zsp (sold) [0.00] 2020 X3 xDrive30i [0.00]	i'd love it if the dealer would give me a mini as a loaner. i'd love to try one out for a day
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06-05-2007, 02:45 PM	#13
Revlis Now With 33% MORE Sarcasm Free! 157 Rep 3,462 Posts Drives: M4 i3 X3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Phoenix AZ iTrader: (0)	This is what I want... Will have to cross No mans land but I am looking forward to these coming stateside next year. But then it won't be too long before some Redneck tool does this... __________________ A BMW is Just a Car, it doesn't make you smart, handsome, clever, better, cool, or wealthy.
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06-05-2007, 07:21 PM	#14
Dubai2LA v3ed 3er 1 Rep 70 Posts Drives: 335i Space/Coral Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: California iTrader: (0)	The Smarts are already here. A local Honda Dealership has quite a few for sale Colonial Honda in Glendale
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06-05-2007, 07:22 PM	#15
Dubai2LA v3ed 3er 1 Rep 70 Posts Drives: 335i Space/Coral Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: California iTrader: (0)	South Bay BMW has a Cooper S loaner. I drove it for a few days when my X5 went in for service
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06-05-2007, 11:13 PM	#16
stefman .::fel8me::. 7 Rep 453 Posts Drives: 335i Black Sapphire Coral Red Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Singapore iTrader: (0)	Cool loaner! __________________ E92 335i ordered April 28, 2007.....delivered 24 January 2008 Worth the wait
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06-06-2007, 12:00 AM	#17
Ray Member 306 Rep 22,825 Posts Drives: three series Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: sfCA iTrader: (0)	The Mini would be fun to borrow for a couple days.
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06-06-2007, 08:54 AM	#18
BK Smiling politely 165 Rep 7,931 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [9.00]	I really want to try the new Mini S - John Cooper Works. I wish they were RWD, though. http://www.autosite.com/content/shar...le_id_int/1359 __________________ E90 330i Black Sapphire 6MT \| 991.1 C4 Platinum Silver 7MT
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06-06-2007, 08:58 AM	#19
ward Major General 155 Rep 6,158 Posts Drives: F Join Date: May 2005 Location: T iTrader: (0)	the mini is one of the most "fun" cars I've ever driven, and i've driven a lot of cars
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