13 replies to this topic

[LukeH]

Well last night we became a two Mini household. My fiancee took delivery of a brand new Cooper D convertible Highgate.

I was never a huge fan of BMW Minis until I had one as a courtesy car but they somehow manage to capture that mini feeling. I still prefer my classic though.

[CityEPete]

Welcome to the club before this gets moved to the motor mouth section or locked, lol.

:-D

[matt050990]

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh BINI talk. (Shudders)

[CityEPete]

And over we go, lol.

[Carlos W]

And over we go, lol.

 

Aim to please

[CityEPete]

Without pictures it didn't happen anyway did it Carlos?

[LukeH]

Oops sorry. I've been a member for.long enough to know better. I'll post a pic later

[CityEPete]

Good good.

[LukeH]

So here it is.

Most of the extras are standard to the Highgate. Leather, chrome etc...we added heated seats, dimming mirror, electric folding mirrors and the idrive satnav system.

[CityEPete]

I like the leather and the dash pad, ours is only half leather from the chili upgrade but we bought it used, I was expecting it to be based on the new F56 rather than being like my clubby with a roof chop! Is there a f56 cabriolet in the pipeline? They did the same last time didn't they just to confuse everyone regading when turbos, superchargers and citroen engines start and stop!

How are you liking it so far?

[LukeH]

The new f56 face lift convertible is due next year and my fiancee didn't really want to wait. We quite like this shape to be honest.

We both really like it. It feels familiar going from my 3 series. The idirve is similar and all the controls. The build quality and drive is great very impressed so far and I've even been allowed a quick drive in it

[CityEPete]

There's always a new version anyway and I agree especially on the cabriolet, the stubbier proportions suit it better than the new long nosed f56 imo, it's growing on me but I still think the ones with our front look the best so far. We might go for another R55 in a few years time which will be getting on a bit but I like the clubbie, maybe a 15 reg in three years for example.

The naysayers will tell you other cars are cheaper/better and we are paying over the odds but NONE of the other small cars feel as classy or solid imo, FIAT 500 looks ok but feels cheap as chips in comparison for example.

[LukeH]

Couldn't agree more. I had a fiat 500 from new for 18 more months. It looked smart but the engine was gutless and everything squeaked and rattled after a 1000 miles. It didn't even come with a interior boot light!

I really do like the clubby Bini. The proportions work well and they aren't that common.

[CityEPete]

We would have bought a hatch when they first came but the boot is too small for us with two dogs to fit in the back, the clubby is just big enough so it was our first chance to get into a new mini, we are already talking about the next and everyone else I know has had more than one and still has even if it has meant going up to a countryman for practical reasons, tgat tells you enough imo.

We will look at tge all new clubman but with five normal doors and a tailgate instead of the van doors it's lost it's quirks imo.