Mini E road tests and consumer car reviews

Mini Cooper D 2011

This is my 3rd Mini Cooper D and I have covered about 250,000 miles with little problem. My first 2 did develop an annoying squeak on the cambelt; this was the Peugeot engined one, which also squeaks in Peugeot’s. The one I have now is the BMW engine, which to say is the same power, it seems a lot faster and the engine is far quieter, but does 5-10 less mpg than the Peugeot engined one. The other 2 had the Peugeot induction system, which was very cheap and plasticy and rattled constantly. The BMW one is much more sturdy and doesn’t rattle at all, no wonder BMW dropped the Peugeot one. All in all extremely reliable, handles like no other and very easy to sell second-hand.

Mini Cooper Convertible 2009

I’ve had my Mini for 2 years now and still love it as much as the day I bought it. It’s stylish, fun to drive, good on fuel if you keep the speed down to a decent level and nothing beats it on those days when you can get the top down! If you’re hesitating on whether or not to buy one, just do it - you will not regret it for a minute.

Mini Clubman 2008

Just got back from London and now another flat tyre, I am very, very angry. I will never ever recommend a mini or any car that runs on run flat tyres. TOTALLY LOST CONFIDENCE in this car, it is not reliable for over 20 miles. Hate the car!

Mini Clubman 2008

I wrote over two years ago and decided to give you an update! I have grown to hate my car now, it’s noisy, still very cheap inside and the satellite is useless in London, it can’t find maple street W1. But the worst thing is I have totally lost my confidence in the car because in the last 18 months I had to do a long drive, and on both occasion my run flat tyres had a flat, and cost me over £100 to replace. I no longer have confidence in long trips. I wish I never had run flat tyres, sadly I am never buying another car that has run flat tyres, you have been warned. Very unhappy mini owner!

Mini One 2002

Fantastic car, reliable, great to drive. No problems ever. I’ve swapped it now for a little larger car for the kids. Looking forward to the kids leaving home, counting the days down. Mini days will be back.

Mini Cooper 2003

Very good fun to drive.

Mini Countryman 2011

Had my countryman for 10 days - all was well until got a flat tyre. Do you know there aren’t any 17" runflats in the country? It is taking 3 days to order one.

Mini Countryman 2010

Our Mini Countryman arrived in early November 2010 after ordering it in late September. With black leather seats, shiny black dashboards, white body and white rear view mirrors to match this car is definately stylish. I am in love with my car. Inside in the door handles, door storage and shelf in the middle of the front there are small lights with a range of rainbow colours to choose from by just the flick of a switch, they look amazing when it’s dark outside. We were lucky enough to have purchased the last available mini countryman made in 2010 on the wirral. It is such a cool car.

Mini Cooper 2008

We recently purchased a BMW Mini Cooper 2008 model with 26K on the clock. Great little car and fun to drive. However, last week we took it on a run from Southampton to Chester and found the great little car very hard to the point of painful. We got to Chester both of us with back ache due to the shock transmission from the road. Obviously this is a sporty car with sport suspension but now they have added run flat tyres, this has tipped the balance from sporty fun to painful. If we had known how uncomfortable this was to drive we would have got something else.

Mini One Hatch 2003

Great car in almost every department-steering, handling, body control, equipment, shape, usability and more. Disappointments: Could use a few more inches in length, some annoying rattles letting down the general build quality but worst of all the cvt transmission is controlled by a horrible clunky lever and when cold or manoevering it’s quite embarrassingly jerky. Ignoring that it’s fun to drive, economical and not thirsty. I would love to add a reversing camera and head up speed and gear display.

Mini Clubman 2007

I have owned the Clubman diesel for about 18 months now and I love it, it handles superbly especially on cornering and love taking the roundabouts on the inside as the other cars just wallow, the mini really hugs the road. The style is cool and sexy looking and the interior space is brilliant. It does have the stop/start function to save on fuel, but you can over ride this by simply pressing a button. It can average 73 plus to the gallon on the motorway and road tax is a mere £35 a year, what a plus in todays economic climate. My kids simply love it and love to be seen getting dropped off for school or in front of their friends. Stylish, classy it certainly has the wooooowwwwww factor for me.

Mini Clubman Cooper S 2008

I’ve owned the car now for 2 weeks & the wow factor just gets better and better. The performance is excellent & just practical enough for four of us. The kids love it in the back with their DVD tablets. The sat nav is easy to use but a bit expensive for a non touch screen. The TLC pack is an excellent package and the local dealer has an excellent reputation for after sales backup. With about £6000 of extras added to the car it still was a bargin second hand. What a fantastic little car with a big car attitude. GREAT.

Mini Clubman Diesel 2008

Mixed feelings really. On one hand the car is economically on long runs but the build quality is unfortunately quite poor. Main gripes include; doors not staying open when you’re trying to get out, rattling plastic dashboard and trim, The seat belt retension system on the side hatch door doesn’t recoil my driver’s seatbelt quick enough and therefore is always left hanging out when I shut the door. Handling is quite bad on normal A-roads; if you’re turning a corner and you perhaps drive over the smallest of road defect then the whole car violently lurches which ever way your turning. This may only be a characteristic of ’run flat tyres’, which I have. If I could give it back I would. Sorry mini.

Mini Clubman Cooper 2008

A great car. I have owned mine for just over a year with no problems. Excellent if you have dogs as they can easily go into the boot space and have space to look out. I would recommend loads of the optional extras especially upgraded windows and wheels, I think they finish the look. Fab car my second mini, I have loved both.

Mini One One diesel 2005

Firstly, under the county heading why is there no Merseyside or do you think we can not afford BMW’s up here? Right, here goes with the review. We have owned the uprated diesel varient from new, Oct 2005, and will start with the type of MPG you can expect around town 50+ mpg is the average my wife gets with any effort when driven more frugally 55 can be achieved and on a run well over 60 is easilly capable. Good bits: Great to drive, feels solid with excellent handling light and airy inside with the large sunshine roof, extra cost option and most important the wife absolutely loves it still, even after four years. The bad bits: According to my wife, there aren’t that many...I disagree...Build quality is poor some parts of the interior look solid and well built others look and feels shamefully cheap and nasty. have had THREE rear washers replaced.....BMW say no problem it is the washer fluid I use gumming up and there is not an issue, I disagree as I don’t use washer solution only plain water I think it a bad design which rusts and blocks the jet. The sunroof, dashboard and just about anything not nailed down rattles while driving. Paint quality is poor and stone chips appear too easily and touch up paint is never the correct shade. The wipers sound like chalk on a blackboard, I suspect due to the upright design of the windscreen. The BMW dealer experience was poor compared to my experience with Mercedes and Ford and on the last visit to thelocal dealer they damaged the car and took them almost 2 months to rectify with barely an apology. BMW no better when filling the customer satifaction survey a question was asked if I would like some contact from BMW re problems at last visit, well 5 months on and I’m still waiting for them to contact me. All that said My wife still adores the car, I still love driving the thing. Would I buy another? Probably not.......but then never say never. The good bits probably out weigh the bad bits..but only just.

Mini Cooper Convertible 2009

A fantastic, fun, sporty car. Just swapped my Saab Convertible for it - awesome drive!!!!!!

Mini Cooper S 2009

I have had two Mini Coopers, now I have a Mini Cooper S, it’s fantastic!

Mini Cooper S Convertible John Cooper Works 2009

Small, sharp and engaging just like yesteryears ’Works’ Mini Cooper S whose original score BMW has so brilliantly remoulded, todays car is a pure driving machine for feel and entertainment, - through its seats, helm, brakes and tyres. It’s right up there with the best of them. In todays closed ranks of mixed and obstructive traffic, this Mini is spirited enough to break free from the scrummage - and in the right hands it can achieve great ends, displaying all the qualities that earned its predecessor such approbation. If there was ever any doubt that one could aspire to heights of motoring pleasure without buying an inordinately expensive and impractical supercar - that doubt is now dismissed by the Mini John Cooper Works Convertible. So, I took it where fast and twisty bends come thick and fast: to the Welsh Marches - a stern test for any car with claims to performance. The Mini took it all in its stride ; fast through the bends and fabulous hill storming urge between them. The truth is good enough to need no exageration - the performance is beyond question. On the straight and with gearchanging done for a while, I watched the needle on the rev counter climb in the sixth and final ratio. Inspired by the wonderful fruity soundtrack of the exhaust, a glance at the huge speedometer was a rude reminder of the forces at work - 211 bhp from that 1.6 litre turbocharged engine with its turbo overboost. Surely not ...45mph so soon and so easily! By the Lord Harry does this Mini go! - Like a terrier on re-heat. And it doesn’t gobble too much fuel either. 36mpg overall was about the norm during my test, but BMW claim 39.8mpg. Delivering solid response from right down in the doldrums it has a smooth and seamless power delivery. The John Cooper Works Convertible looks teriffic, of course. You can see that. Sideskirts and other aerodynamically beneficial tweaks over and above the standard Cooper S mean there’s not much buffeting at speed as they aid the car in its quest to cleave the air. And for a convertible it is fairly quiet at speeds in excess of Mach one. Inside it’s an intimate car with plenty of room for driver and front passenger,but there’s lttle chance of aged parents clambering into the backseats to criticise your robust driving style - so it’s ok to enjoy yourself. This Mini exhibits real precision: you move the steering wheel and the car follows. You command with fidelity, so on roads designed by spaghetti manufacturers, you don’t need to do too much of that ungainly elbow twirling, and you’d need freakish bad luck to lose adhesion. Put simply, the John Cooper Works Mini feels brilliant to drive. Ride is firm - as you would expect - and there’s not the chassis rigidity you’d get, for example, in an Audi convertible: but then that’s part of the appeal. This is not an anodyne boulevardier: this is an interesting and involving ’living’ car like they used to make, to set your heart racing and it’s all the better for it. With this version of the Mini, ’performance fun’ really is a major constituent of Mini funkiness. I loved it immediately.... but then doesn’t everyone? It’s beautifully made too, and you get that German meticulous attention to detail and finish, so it should be impressively durable. Of course, the Merchandising Men have had to have their input, with the trumpery of tricks on the extras list guaranteed to confuse all but the most dedicated train spotter - but then I’m an old cynic who considers the car before its flags, badges and tatoos. Drive it and whatever the weather, the sun seems to be shining, so - as one who is addicted to a life freezing on motorcycles - I spent most of my time with the hood and windows lowered. And there’s nothing to it. You just flick a switch and - Hey Presto! - you’re topless. This, of course, in anyone with well oxygenated blood coursing through their veins, induces a hormonal response encouraging knowing grins, obligatory sunglasses and enthusiastic driving. It’s seriously big fun, but seriously expensive too, being a whisker short of £25,000. - but it’s worth it. Syd Taylor.

Mini Cooper S Cooper S Chilli 2008

My wife and I were initially looking for a bigger car, but once my wife saw the MINI and drove it, she just had to have it. With the sport button switched on, the MINI feels much faster than the figures suggest. It feels similar to a turbocharged MR2 that I used to own which had a 0-60 time of 5.2. What I like about the MINI is the fact that you can switch off the sport button and drive it like a normal car.My MR2 turbo felt like an out and out sports car. The MINI is smooth and comfortable and you feel like man and machine in perfect harmony. You feel ultimately in control when you drive the MINI.

Mini Cooper 2007

What a waste of £15,000!! For a start alarm bells should have rung when I had to add nearly £2,000 to get some equipment on it (air-con etc). In and out of the dealers monthly for build quality and engine problems (the car actually cut out on me for no apparent reason). Did 35,000 miles in it in just under 18 months then just simply had enough and sold it. On the plus side it was fast(ish), handled well and it was economical (50mpg). The car also had a good wash and vacuum every time it came back from the dealer. Would not recommend at all!! The worst car I have ever owned.

Mini Clubman Cooper D 2008

Will try to be as neutral and honest as I can, I know often these reviews swing from extreme negatives to undying pledges of allegiance to the brand so this is hopefully a rounded view. Mine is a company car Clubman D selected as a low tax / high fuel economy choice with enough room to occasionally potter around in with the kids. As the main work car it actually made financial sense for me to downsize and my wife to have a big car, especially with the fuel situation at the time. I’ve just hit 12000 miles and my thoughts are mixed... Economy is nowhere near claimed figures (is it ever?), or at least I cannot get it there. I drive regular long runs from Manchester to Durham outside peak hours and even when very gentle can get around 59 mpg tops whilst holding everyone up. So economy is not bad, but then in my experience a carefully driven Mondeo/Vectra/Passat diesel isn’t that far behind at around 50-55 mpg average with more space and comfort to boot. I opted for three rear seats as a no cost option - but cannot fit three child seats in abreast so its pointless really. [to be fair we have an MPV for general use so it’s not an issue, just for information for those considering as a main vehicle]. Engine wise it’s a bit noisy and no fireball but then that was not a criteria for me and performance is more than acceptable for most needs, the 6th gear making motorway cruising very easygoing. If you want outright performance in this range go for a petrol Cooper S. Comfort wise, I actually find the car ok over long distances, but theres no doubt the run flat tyres and suspension make for a firm "Germanic" ride, and after a year I’m ready for some comfy seats to be honest. One surprise omission on the pepper pack is that the side mirrors are not heated - that was a surprise and means you have to manually defrost /demist them. I can’t believe that is not standard, wiping my mirrors with my sleeve in a morning takes me back years... Space wise it’s ok if you understand and accept the limitations of a car this size to start with - it’s no estate car for Ikea visits but will take a weeks family shopping ok. See it as a Mini + but don’t try to convince yourself or your other half it’s a family car. Quality - well I’m sorry but there’s just no getting over the hard, black plastics for me and the ones that are painted silver look and feel home painted as they are not lacquered i.e. "cheap". It feels cold, clinical and, well, Germanic. Everything is hard to touch in mine, and that registers on cold mornings! I’m sure you can up spec but at this price you’d have to be mad to stump up even more when you could get a decent new Golf for the same money. The side door is useful [when it works, which it often doesn’t on mine and the dealer cannot seem to fix] Which brings me onto reliability. Generally mine has been ok, but there are niggles such as that side door which sometimes does not work, the fuel filler cap which does not engage properly when the car is locked so hangs open, and a rattle under the bonnet on cold mornings. The rattle is quite bad, although the dealer cannot find it. I’d be a bit concerned and embarrassed about it if it was my own car, ditto the fuel filler flap. It’s all well and good having a warranty but that assumes the dealer can find/fix the problem! At least they wash and hoover it for me when it goes in. Long term [or if you are considering second hand], what worries me is the engine stop / start system, which swithches the engine off at idle to save fuel. Great idea, and you get used to it - but when you are doing high speed e.g. on the motorway and hit standing traffic the turbo must be frying itself when the engine stops and therefore the oil supply stops. Time will tell! You can switch this feature off but I suspect many owners won’t either without realising the potential for problems down the line or just because of the hassle factor. Pound for pound a Fiat 500 / Clio / Fiesta are probably just as good and economical for half the price, but failing that, and if image isn’t top of your list please don’t write off a second hand, well driven, well maintained rep mobile for comfort, safety, equipment, space and economy. For the dealers, it’s like shooting fish in a barrel; there’s no need for a "sales" team, these cars sell themselves. You buy one mentally before you actually drive one. You’ll love the 20 minute test drive, you’ll be grinning like an idiot and remembering the first mini you had in the old days and you’ll want one, whatever the cost - but how long will the novelty last? To sum up - there’s no doubt it’s a nice enough car, but there is an element of toy like novelty that will wear thin with the miles, and what you are left with is a very expensive [£15400], very small [260 litre boot], average supermini. I’m one year in to my 4 year tenure and already I wish I had followed my head, not my heart and got a worthy but dull Mondeo. I’m saving on tax and people stare at it but that isn’t enough for me to choose one again. A lenghtly review, but I hope I have been fair and this helps.

Responses to this review

Could not agree more. This is an over priced car with more form than function and not as well built as the badge or the price suggest. It rattles and crashes over most road surfaces, is very noisy and the dealership is poor. It took a letter to the MD of Mini UK and BMW Germany to get a problem of poor windscreen wiping sorted out. The rear windscreen wipers, activated every 7 seconds make this car dangerous in heavy rain and when roads are wet and gritted as rear visibility especially with non-heater mirrors is terrible. The handling is good and fun but the car is too difficult to live with to make it enjoyable. Thank goodness I hand it back in two years time - Chris Topping from Surrey

Mini Cooper 2001

I have had my car for approx 6 months now and although an older model it has done very few miles. However the problems have started with airbag light, intermittent fault with indicator, trim popping off of seats. Should I sell it now????

Mini One 1969

If it’s called Mini one and is a car made by Germans - is it a Mini or a BMW? The only Minis in the world that deserve the name Mini are the classic Minis; the rest are BMW’s. Real Mini drivers don’t acknowledge BMW as a Mini, so if you have problems with your BMW call a German dealer.

Responses to this review

Minis are made in the UK not Germany, probably by Poles. Remember if you have an original Mini, don’t call a German dealer as they will only laugh at you. Phone a British Leyland dealer instead - Andy Parsons from Durham

Mini Cooper S chili 2008

Had our Cooper S just 10 months from new. A fabulous fast, fun car that just looks the absolute business. Just revs and revs in all gears and puts a great smile on a driver’s face. 39mpg is very acceptable given the fun factor. Insurance is not a problem when shopping around but aged 60+ helps. A classic car that will outlast most others and repay in trade in value should we decide to trade it in for another MINI in the future. How sad is this, an hour or two before we know we are going out in MINI we just like to park it in front of the house, in the sun with the double sun roof ajar then just admire the little pepper white beast from indoors.

Mini Cooper S Convertible Cooper S Convertible 2005

In the past three years I’ve owned a 2004 Honda Civic Type R, a 2002 BMW Convertible 330ci, a 2004 M3 Coupe and now own a 2005 Mini Cooper S Convertible. I SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT THE MINI THREE YEARS AGO :) :)

Mini One 2005

Top notch little motor. Got one for my wife but I love driving it. I am 6 feet 4, but fit into it without a problem. Sticks to the road like glue and performance is great . Needs revving hard to get the best out of it. Superb fun and has held its value quite well.

Mini Clubman Diesel 2008

Great car to drive, save money on fuel and tax and so far I have only done 300 miles and got 75.7 mpg. I did order over £8000 of extra, however, satellite navigation for £1600 is an absolute rip off, it’s not even touch screen, and the trimming around the dashboard is very cheap and nasty! Not BMW quality at all. To be honest it is typical of BMW attitude to rip people off, like I said it is a real shame about the interior switches and controls, it lets the car down and especially the sat nav (I know I go on about it, but it really is disgusting waste of money). I hope BMW get their act together!

Mini Cooper 2002

Sorry to hear about the clutch / gearbox issue; most likely your dealer didn’t notify you on the massive recall (some 50-60,000 cars) concerning the 2002 Minis. The recall was due to gearboxes issues (’stickiness’ between 1st and 2nd gear, most likely to affect you if driving a lot in slow traffic. I had experienced this issue myself...

Mini Cooper S R56 Turbo 2006

An absolute pleasure to drive (when the wife lets me). Doesn’t like town’s much, prefers to be on the open road and opened up a little (whilst staying within the speed limits of course)! Super fast and economy not bad now with the new turbo engine, around 35-40mpg. Good: A fantastic driving experience that will bring a smile to your face every time. Almost everything about this car is excellent. Bad: A little lumpy on tick-over and bumpy on long journeys. Dual glass roof sometimes sticks (replaced under warranty). A rattle when starting from cold sometimes. Investigated and a few bits changed, then a new engine fitted after only 11K. Well done BMW for great customer satisfaction.

Mini Cooper S

I’ve had my Mini Cooper S 6 months and have one thing to say - fun - very good all around. It likes petrol, 35 miles to the gallon on average but the miles are great to drive. Nice on motorways very smooth, A roads are OK but with 17" wheels are a bit hard and can be lumpy.

Mini One 2008

Hi - anyone know how to turn off the Ambient lighting please - reply to hilsalter@yahoo.co.uk Thanks

Mini Cooper 1.6 Cooper 2007

If I was asked to design the car that I really, really wanted then I think it would look almost identical to the Mini Cooper. I’ve always loved the style of the Mini, it is an icon and quintessentially British. I picked up a brand new 1.6 Cooper for exactly £12,500 and I think that I have an absolute bargain. The Cooper looks good from the outside but it was when I first sat in the cabin that it really took my breath away, the large switches are just perfect and the choice of ambient lighting for the dashboard is customisable, a beautiful touch that allows you to make the Mini uniquely yours. The acceleration is quick (1-60 in about 10 seconds) and the top speed of 126mph is 30mph more than I need. Good fuel economy (approximately 50mpg), great looks plus supreme performance make the new Mini Cooper a winner, BMW have thankfully improved upon the previous model while leaving everything that makes the Mini British firmly in place.

Mini Cooper S 1.6 S Cooper 3dr 2007

This car is sweet as a nut, the sharp steering and brilliant handling means that driving it is about as much fun as you can have behind the steering wheel. This is a classic modern car and will outlast any gimicky hot hatch.

Mini Cooper S Convertible Mini Cooper S Convertible 1.6 2004

I have had my mini for 1 year now and am sadly selling it. It is a fantastic and fun car to drive and I love it to bits however it is very costly to run, very thirsty on fuel and high car tax. The ride is not the most comfortable but then what do you expect from a mini! I will surely miss this fantastic car however the cost of running has meant I have part exchanged for a BMW 118d SE, a diesel!!

Mini Clubman Cooper Diesel 2008

Great handling, but hard ride on run flat tyres. Diesel engine much noisier than my 9 year old VW Golf GT TDI. For a £17500 car ( the price I paid), the build quality is below average. Exterior trim is poorly fitted. All doors close without a satisfactory clunk, as my Golf did. Fuel consumption is high. 68mpg! You will be be lucky to get 50mpg on a long run.

Mini Cooper S 2005

A superb car in every way! It’s a fast little bugger and the handling is superb. It just begs to be driven hard. I’ve done a few long trips in mine and it is just at home on the motorway as it is on the twisty B roads. Two of my friends have been in mine for a spin and they’ve both now bought a Cooper S. The only thing I’d fault is the low roof line which means when you pull up to the lights you need to lean right forward to be able to see what colour they are! Petty, but thats the only fault.

Mini Clubman 1979

Here is a proper classic car. I mean hey it may not be the most spacious of cars but they are awesome to drive. They are fairly reliable, good handling, and most of all fun to drive. It is stylish and most of all you have piece of history.

Mini Clubman

GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mini Cooper 2002

I LOVE the styling of the mini both inside and out. It is comfortable and distinctive and ticks every box for me as far as design goes.... Why the poor star rating? Reliability, or lack of to be more acurate. A CATALOGUE OF FAULTS. Before the car was two years old and with only 24,000 miles on the clock it needed a new gear box and clutch. It has had its power steering replaced twice, the tracking went, the airbag light continually keeps coming on and needing to be reset... adn as the other reviewer stated, at every service something needs to be repaired or replaced. The customer service from BMW/Mini and the dealershiphave been appalling. All in all, this car is a real lemon. If you are thinking about this car, DON’T DO IT! Sense over vanity!

Mini Cooper S 1.6S Cooper 2007

This is such a HUGE improvement on the earlier model. Everything about it is now better, the ride, the handling, the way it holds the road are all now perfect. If you are looking for a hot hatch then I can firmly recommend the Cooper S. It’s cool and performs brilliantly.

Mini Cooper Convertible 1.6 16v S 2dr 2006

You can’t fail to love this car. Classic good looks and a very sporty sounding engine. This car is perfect for zipping around town in style. Very nice to drive and good support from the drivers seat make longer journeys more than comfortable. It does take a bit of getting used to parking though as the rear visibility could be better. Still love it though!

Mini Cooper S Convertible 1.6 2005

Great to look at, fun to drive but be warned, this is a thirsty car and not cheap to run. Also the rear visibility is poor and makes motorway driving, especially in heavy rain, as hairy as it gets! I’ve only had mine 6 months and although I do love it most of the time I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be keeping it.

Mini Cooper S 1.6 3d 2004

I can’t fault this car, I’ve had mine now for 2 years and it never lets me down. Brilliant accelaration and road handling make it fun to drive and the running costs make it a practical choice. Looks the business too. I don’t think there is another small car out there that can touch the Mini, it really is an icon amongst motorcars and something you never tire of driving.

Mini Cooper Cooper 2004

I have owned this car since 2004. I do like it and this model is an automatic with every extra you can think of. BUT, everytime it goes in for service they manage to find something wrong. I have had new tyres when it was only 18months old and had done 11,000 miles plus new discs and a bolt costing £75, something to do with one of the wheels. So far I have had 2 sets of tyres. The last time I took it in when something was wrong with the stereo it coat over £600 to relace, the ariel alone was £19,00 for the part £200 to fit it. Scandalas. And they found that there was a problem with the power steering and tried to get me to pay over £1300 to put it right, until I told them I was taking it for a second opinion some where else, they then said Mini was going to pay for the repair. So it is going.

Mini Clubman Clubman 2007

I’m impressed with my Clubman, it gives me over 43mpg. It is also a pretty green car with low CO2 emissions and this puts it in the bottom tax bracket. This is great fun to drive, economical and has excellent residual values.

Mini Cooper D Cooper D 2007

Want fuel economy of around 60mpg and a green car with CO2 emissions of only 104g/km. Get a Mini Cooper D, its that simple. Tax is also cheap and residual value is fantastic.

Mini One 1.6 One 2007

The drive is brilliant, handles nicely and copes with rough road surfaces. Quiet purring engine. A joy to drive, it may be small but it is perfectly made. Only downside is that part are not cheap.

Mini Clubman 1.6 Cooper 2007

A mini with extra practicality!! I don’t think the looks will be to everyones taste though and undoubtedly more people will buy the diesel than the petrol. I think it looks good in Cooper spec and with Mini’s reputation for reliability I don’t think I will be spending too much time at the dealers service desk! Hopefully the residuals will be as good as the hatchback’s are!

Mini One Convertible 1.6 16v 2dr

Love it, love it, love it!!! It’s my pride and joy and I hate having to park it up at the end of the day. It’s chic and racy and there are not enough hours in the day to drive it.

Mini Cooper 1.6

A great buyers package persuaded me to go for the Cooper, especially when the TLC pack is included, giving you your first 5 yrs servicing for a pittance! The car itself is nippy and spirited with sharp handling and a great engine, although the firm ride will not be to everybodies taste.

Mini One

Great run around, roomy inside, park in the smallest of space. Great responsive handling. However parts are expensive to replace.

Mini Cooper 1.6

I hate this car, too heavy on petrol, quite heavy steering, no boot space to speak of, only 2 seat belts in the back. If you are single and never want passengers, then this is the car for you, if like me you have friends, don't get one.

Mini Cooper Mini Cooper 1.6

I love this car! It looks fantastic and the drive is superb. It’s reasonable to run, nippy about town and just pure fun on long distance drives. A really, really great car.