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Author Topic: Day-by-Day Review: 2014 Mini Cooper; Day 1  (Read 8016 times)

Offline Autos_Editor

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Day-by-Day Review: 2014 Mini Cooper; Day 1
« on: September 10, 2014, 06:00:38 am »

The 2014 Mini retains the controversial retro charm, but it's under the hood where the biggest changes are found.
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Offline aquadorhj

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Re: Day-by-Day Review: 2014 Mini Cooper; Day 1
« Reply #1 on: September 10, 2014, 06:23:07 am »
Hey james. Looking foward hearing about dynamic dampers.  Base with sunroof and dampers is basically how I would order this car.
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Offline JohnnyMac

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Re: Day-by-Day Review: 2014 Mini Cooper; Day 1
« Reply #2 on: September 10, 2014, 06:55:37 am »
This was probably the most surprising vehicle we've test drove this summer.  Neither my wife or I have ever drove any Mini and the only reason we even did this time was because we were at BMW to drive the 228i and had time afterward to kill.  I was most impressed with this new 3 cylinder engine.  In fact I think it would be the engine I would choose in the current mini.
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Offline jww

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Re: Day-by-Day Review: 2014 Mini Cooper; Day 1
« Reply #3 on: September 10, 2014, 08:13:14 am »
James, looking forward  to your experience with this new Mini. I have always been a fan of the revised Mini brand -- even the Clubman and Countryman (but not the Paceman, I must admit).

I'd sure like to see them drop the new engine into the base of both of these other models - but especially into the base FWD Countryman. It could make for a very compelling proposition when compared with similar vehicles --- as the current engine in the base is simply too weak to haul around all that extra weight. The 1.5l turbo engine now makes it an even more interesting compare with the slightly less-expensive, but-easily-as-fun-to-drive Fiat 500 -- even if the Cooper has more space inside.
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Offline KGcobalt

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Re: Day-by-Day Review: 2014 Mini Cooper; Day 1
« Reply #4 on: September 10, 2014, 08:14:50 am »
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the new one. I have a 2011 S and it is one hell of a fun car. Most fun car I've ever driven.
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Offline pcsp

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Re: Day-by-Day Review: 2014 Mini Cooper; Day 1
« Reply #5 on: September 10, 2014, 08:16:56 am »
Again, this is pretty well how I would order this car, without the Loaded Package, but with the Essentials. I'm also really interested in the ongoing and final impressions for the day-today review. I'm predicting the author will be totally smitten by the motor, pleasantly surprised by the ride, and hugely impressed by the fuel mileage. Evolutionary changes and improvements over the generations really add up to to a substantially better product.
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Offline Blueprint

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Re: Day-by-Day Review: 2014 Mini Cooper; Day 1
« Reply #6 on: September 10, 2014, 12:24:08 pm »
Quote from: pcsp on September 10, 2014, 08:16:56 am
Again, this is pretty well how I would order this car, without the Loaded Package, but with the Essentials.

+1

...and where's the Essentials pkg in the price breakdown? (and that roof looks white btw).

James, I volunteer to add extra days to the review  ;)
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Offline Blueprint

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Re: Day-by-Day Review: 2014 Mini Cooper; Day 1
« Reply #7 on: September 10, 2014, 12:28:38 pm »
If that trip computer stays put, this makes for a pretty compelling commuter / go-kart:

http://www.autos.ca/galleries/2014/index.php?level=picture&id=13366
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Offline aquadorhj

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Re: Day-by-Day Review: 2014 Mini Cooper; Day 1
« Reply #8 on: September 11, 2014, 09:34:43 am »
COMEON~ james..  how's the adjustable suspension!   is it worth the money?
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Offline OliverD

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Re: Day-by-Day Review: 2014 Mini Cooper; Day 1
« Reply #9 on: September 11, 2014, 11:19:18 am »
Quote from: Blueprint on September 10, 2014, 12:28:38 pm
If that trip computer stays put, this makes for a pretty compelling commuter / go-kart:

http://www.autos.ca/galleries/2014/index.php?level=picture&id=13366

I'm happy with the 6.7-7.8 that my Cooper S is capable of. Any better than that is just icing on the cake!
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Offline wing

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Re: Day-by-Day Review: 2014 Mini Cooper; Day 1
« Reply #10 on: September 11, 2014, 11:37:12 am »
Quote from: aquadorhj on September 11, 2014, 09:34:43 am
COMEON~ james..  how's the adjustable suspension!   is it worth the money?
Is it adjustable?  I don't see a button.  It certainly dampens...

It's most likely built into the ECO vs Sport mode.  Doesn't feel much different lol
« Last Edit: September 11, 2014, 11:44:52 am by wing »
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Offline Factger

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Re: Day-by-Day Review: 2014 Mini Cooper; Day 1
« Reply #11 on: September 12, 2014, 07:38:55 am »
Approximate 2600 lb curb weight really helps the fun to drive factor and fuel mileage too. Nice car. Reliability is my only concern with this car.
« Last Edit: September 12, 2014, 07:41:57 am by Factger »
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Offline hemusbull

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Re: Day-by-Day Review: 2014 Mini Cooper; Day 1
« Reply #12 on: September 12, 2014, 10:29:12 am »
What a hell is this - three cylinder in premium priced two door subcompact. Now you can offer the two cylinder Fiat 500, currently available in Europe, as another overpriced unreliable two door urban commuter. Wait, is MINI still at the bottom of reliability rates or now it beats the heavy priced Land Rover?
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Offline OliverD

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Re: Day-by-Day Review: 2014 Mini Cooper; Day 1
« Reply #13 on: September 12, 2014, 10:35:51 am »
Quote from: hemusbull on September 12, 2014, 10:29:12 am
What a hell is this - three cylinder in premium priced two door subcompact. Now you can offer the two cylinder Fiat 500, currently available in Europe, as another overpriced unreliable two door urban commuter. Wait, is MINI still at the bottom of reliability rates or now it beats the heavy priced Land Rover?

Wow, lots of hate for someone who has a Mini in their avatar pic.

What do you think would be a fair price for the Mini? They already dropped the price quite a bit over last year.
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Offline hemusbull

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Re: Day-by-Day Review: 2014 Mini Cooper; Day 1
« Reply #14 on: September 12, 2014, 10:52:12 am »
Quote from: OliverD on September 12, 2014, 10:35:51 am
Quote from: hemusbull on September 12, 2014, 10:29:12 am
What a hell is this - three cylinder in premium priced two door subcompact. Now you can offer the two cylinder Fiat 500, currently available in Europe, as another overpriced unreliable two door urban commuter. Wait, is MINI still at the bottom of reliability rates or now it beats the heavy priced Land Rover?

Wow, lots of hate for someone who has a Mini in their avatar pic.

What do you think would be a fair price for the Mini? They already dropped the price quite a bit over last year.
Not only I has a MINI on the pic, my first car was an original FIAT 500 with two cylinder air cooled engine. My point here is clear - from fun and affordable transportation for the masses today's MINI/Fiat 500 are in different price brackets for different buyers. What is assaulting for me are these respective cylinder-cut engines appropriate for the cheapest Suzuki and Tata.
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Offline dirtyjeffer

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Re: Day-by-Day Review: 2014 Mini Cooper; Day 1
« Reply #15 on: September 12, 2014, 10:56:51 am »
Quote from: hemusbull on September 12, 2014, 10:52:12 am
What is assaulting for me are these respective cylinder-cut engines appropriate for the cheapest Suzuki and Tata.
speaking of Tatas, nice avatar.  ;D
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Offline dasiuyan

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Re: Day-by-Day Review: 2014 Mini Cooper; Day 1
« Reply #16 on: September 12, 2014, 11:12:04 am »
Quote from: hemusbull on September 12, 2014, 10:52:12 am
Quote from: OliverD on September 12, 2014, 10:35:51 am
Quote from: hemusbull on September 12, 2014, 10:29:12 am
What a hell is this - three cylinder in premium priced two door subcompact. Now you can offer the two cylinder Fiat 500, currently available in Europe, as another overpriced unreliable two door urban commuter. Wait, is MINI still at the bottom of reliability rates or now it beats the heavy priced Land Rover?

Wow, lots of hate for someone who has a Mini in their avatar pic.

What do you think would be a fair price for the Mini? They already dropped the price quite a bit over last year.
Not only I has a MINI on the pic, my first car was an original FIAT 500 with two cylinder air cooled engine. My point here is clear - from fun and affordable transportation for the masses today's MINI/Fiat 500 are in different price brackets for different buyers. What is assaulting for me are these respective cylinder-cut engines appropriate for the cheapest Suzuki and Tata.
north american still equalizes the value of a car with its cylinder count..
Perhaps one would be more satisfy with a Ram 1500 ST with 5.7L V8 HEMI, currently at $21790 + tax.
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Offline aquadorhj

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Re: Day-by-Day Review: 2014 Mini Cooper; Day 1
« Reply #17 on: September 12, 2014, 12:01:54 pm »
Cheapest BMW you can buy. 
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Offline hemusbull

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Re: Day-by-Day Review: 2014 Mini Cooper; Day 1
« Reply #18 on: September 12, 2014, 01:55:43 pm »
Quote from: aquadorhj on September 12, 2014, 12:01:54 pm
Cheapest BMW you can buy. 
Front wheeler without straight six never will be considered a real BMW! As Germans say: ersatz!
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Offline jamesautos

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Re: Day-by-Day Review: 2014 Mini Cooper; Day 1
« Reply #19 on: September 15, 2014, 08:47:45 am »
it has like the longest front overhang...even worse than the CR-Z
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