Bought a 2009 Mini Cooper a few weeks ago. Has been to the dealer for some warranty repairs, but is now like brand new. has 43000 miles as of now. Only annoying little things are squeaks and rattles that pop up throughout the cabin. The little thing handles amazingly well, although the ride is quite choppy. By far the best handling car I have ever had the pleasure of owning and it is very very hard to find the cars limits during anything resembling semi-sane driving. What do you guys think of the Mini. Any owners out there??
Just Bought a 2009 Mini Cooper!
- Thread starter parimento1
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ls1mike
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Congrats and enjoy it. How about some photos?
Like old coopers, but not so exited about new ones. I drive occasionally 2010 S version convertible with 6 speed M/T which belongs to my Father.Not very comfy, especially arm rest above hand brake, gets in your way every time. Easy to confuse R and 1 gear, if you not used to.
Like Fiat 500 and Abarth much more. It used to be and continues to be main competitor to Mini.
Like Fiat 500 and Abarth much more. It used to be and continues to be main competitor to Mini.
Right...I gotta post pics! I do not think they use Citroen/Peugeot anymore. Could have the engine was BMW and trans was from Aisin.
They look like really fun cars, but one burst into flames here in town not long ago and burnt up for no apparent reason. It seems there have been a few that this has happened to: Coopers ignite
I have heard they are good cars, at least the owners love them. Its the next car I plan to by for myself if I can find a good one. Used prices around here are high, what did you pay if you don't mind....
Mini Engine: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_engine
Mini Engine: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_engine
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I paid 12,950 on craiglist...super deal. It is white with black stripes. Reason why I bought it was mainly for parking purposes here in NYC. My previous car, a Toyota Avalon, was toooo big. I get excellent gas mileage with the Mini as well, About 33 mpg last tank, with a lot of city driving.
Biggest complaint I have heard is carbon build up. You can probably help that by using only Top Tier fuels
Enjoy your new car!
Congratulations on the new car!
Originally Posted By: Spazdog
Still not sold on the French Peugeot/Citroen engine.
Originally Posted By: Bluestream
Mini Engine: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_engine
Originally Posted By: parimento1
Right...I gotta post pics! I do not think they use Citroen/Peugeot anymore. Could have the engine was BMW and trans was from Aisin.
I'm pretty sure this one does have a Peugeot engine. I've had some concerns about PSA's recent engines, but I think the Prince engine rectifies a lot of the issues. My understanding is that they even used a timing chain, and PSA was absolutely refusing to use chains for the last 20 years.
Originally Posted By: Spazdog
Still not sold on the French Peugeot/Citroen engine.
Originally Posted By: Bluestream
Mini Engine: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_engine
Originally Posted By: parimento1
Right...I gotta post pics! I do not think they use Citroen/Peugeot anymore. Could have the engine was BMW and trans was from Aisin.
I'm pretty sure this one does have a Peugeot engine. I've had some concerns about PSA's recent engines, but I think the Prince engine rectifies a lot of the issues. My understanding is that they even used a timing chain, and PSA was absolutely refusing to use chains for the last 20 years.
yea carbon build up is a problem the the direct injection engines...mine is not, since it is a NA engine.
Originally Posted By: parimento1
yea carbon build up is a problem the the direct injection engines...mine is not, since it is a NA engine.
So the NA engine is not a DI engine?
yea carbon build up is a problem the the direct injection engines...mine is not, since it is a NA engine.
So the NA engine is not a DI engine?
Originally Posted By: parimento1
Right...I gotta post pics! I do not think they use Citroen/Peugeot anymore. Could have the engine was BMW and trans was from Aisin.
The earlier models used a Brazillian made Chrysler engine. BMW was not happy with the output so they switched to the Peugeot Prince engine. (perhaps they should have tried turbocharging the Chrysler instead of supercharging it. No one has made more turbocharged passenger car engines than Chrysler)
I'm not saying anything directly negative about the car. It's more of a comment on my negative opinion of French engines. I sincerely like the MINIs. Just my perception of French cars has been somewhat skewed by experience with various Renaults and the overall media:
"never, ever, buy a French car, unless you live in France..." Tom and Ray Magliozzi
I still hear people talk about how spectacular their Peugeot 505 was. How it was a rival for any comparable Mercedes Benz.
Maybe they are on to something.
Right...I gotta post pics! I do not think they use Citroen/Peugeot anymore. Could have the engine was BMW and trans was from Aisin.
The earlier models used a Brazillian made Chrysler engine. BMW was not happy with the output so they switched to the Peugeot Prince engine. (perhaps they should have tried turbocharging the Chrysler instead of supercharging it. No one has made more turbocharged passenger car engines than Chrysler)
I'm not saying anything directly negative about the car. It's more of a comment on my negative opinion of French engines. I sincerely like the MINIs. Just my perception of French cars has been somewhat skewed by experience with various Renaults and the overall media:
"never, ever, buy a French car, unless you live in France..." Tom and Ray Magliozzi
I still hear people talk about how spectacular their Peugeot 505 was. How it was a rival for any comparable Mercedes Benz.
Originally Posted By: Spazdog
It's more of a comment on my negative opinion of French engines. I sincerely like the MINIs. Just my perception of French cars has been somewhat skewed by experience with various Renaults and the overall media:
"never, ever, buy a French car, unless you live in France..." Tom and Ray Magliozzi
I still hear people talk about how spectacular their Peugeot 505 was. How it was a rival for any comparable Mercedes Benz.
Maybe they are on to something.
We got some really bad Renault products in the US. A lot of French stuff is actually OK.
About a year ago, I picked up a junkyard-bound 505 and got it back on the road, just for kicks because I was curious about them. I love it. It's an awesome machine, even though the Magliozzi brothers hate them.
It's more of a comment on my negative opinion of French engines. I sincerely like the MINIs. Just my perception of French cars has been somewhat skewed by experience with various Renaults and the overall media:
"never, ever, buy a French car, unless you live in France..." Tom and Ray Magliozzi
I still hear people talk about how spectacular their Peugeot 505 was. How it was a rival for any comparable Mercedes Benz.
We got some really bad Renault products in the US. A lot of French stuff is actually OK.
About a year ago, I picked up a junkyard-bound 505 and got it back on the road, just for kicks because I was curious about them. I love it. It's an awesome machine, even though the Magliozzi brothers hate them.
Enjoy it. I had an '05 so it had the Tritec (previous engine) in it. Except for having to put some coolant into it just before I sold it (never checked why) it was pretty good to me. Great fun to drive and good mileage if you could keep the Welly out (which I could --- occasionally). Miss it at times. Mine was an S (S/C) convertible.
Will say that the Top Tier recommendation was right on in my case; could tell a difference if I didn't use it. Be sure to run some techron or SL1 through it pretty regularly.
Will say that the Top Tier recommendation was right on in my case; could tell a difference if I didn't use it. Be sure to run some techron or SL1 through it pretty regularly.
I ran some Techron through it twice already, as the dealer said that the fuel system and valves are prone to clogging up due to "American gas." Owners manual states to flush the brake system every two years. Seems very excessive to me, I will probably have it done the next time I need pads. Is flushing brake lines every 2 years excessive?
We have a base '08 Cooper with automatic that my wife really loves. I think it rides way too harshly (probably due to the run flat tires) and I don't like all the buzzes, squeaks and rattles that have developed in only 20,000 miles. The only repairs have been attempts to fix some of the noises plus an oil pan leak which was fixed under warranty at no cost. Have been advised will need new brake pads before 25k which seems way too soon. According to Mini, one should replace the rotors too, but numerous bloggers have said that's not necessary. It does have great handling and contains a surprising amount of usable space. For running around town, it's great. Would not want to take on long trips due to the ride and the noise levels. Hope you enjoy it as much as my wife enjoys hers.
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