Curious if any X owners here also have a BMW Mini

[sapphireblack]

I'm contemplating one as a runabout/shopping trolley.

I had an early example on loan years ago in my E53 era, and i recall i was quite taken with it. Wondered whats best to consider aside from a petrol motor priority.

I'd want one of the earlier 'original' models before they got very seriously bloated and bigger than a 1 series. And yes i agree, they're none of them real, Minis.

[X5Sport]

Haven’t got one now, but used to have a Countryman back in 2011. It was as you say quite ‘large’ being built in the original X1 chassis.

It wasn’t a keeper as the fuel economy was way off (even for a diesel) and things like the Stop/Start stopped working within 6 months. Mini never could work out what was wrong with it, and to be honest we were glad not to have it. Seats were uncomfortable for me as a tall driver (not enough padding or thigh support) though my wife (it was her car) liked it and would have another one.

Both the 4-cyl petrol and diesel engines suffered from timing chain breakages, so that’s something to be mindful of. If it fails then it’s a full rebuild! Have a look around on line as early Ines also suffered electrical/electronic gremlins - hey it’s a BMW so we’re used to that. Reliability seems to have been an issue generally with the first versions though it’s better later.

As with any ‘BMW’ repairs are expensive. One of my team had an issue with the throttle system and various parts of the emissions system, plus engine wiring loom. The quote from her BMW Dealer was over £5k to fix. That’s on a 2014 Cooper.

[sapphireblack]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and your thoughts.

I'm pretty sure the first incarnations of petrol Mini used a Chrysler motor, whether that makes it better or worse than BMWs own offering i don't know.

I had given thought to a 1 Series but dont like them particularly. The 2/3 door version appeals most, but i'd propably then want an M spec which would defeat the purpose.

Maybe a Fiat 500 is the better option, genuinely small too, unlike BMWs Mini

[sapphireblack]

Coincidence or fate? The X is workshop bound tomorrow for trim replacement, following the airbag recall damage scenario.

I will be provided with a loan car from Enterprise for the day. They called tonight to enquire if i would accept a Fiat 500. Under normal circumstances, that would have been a flat no. But as it will be a day long free test drive i have readily accepted.

[sapphireblack]

:The Fiat 500 morphed intto some kind of Kia. Nothing more to say

[X5Sport]

Probably a good call. From what I’ve read on Minis helping my colleague, you avoid anything made between 2007 and 2015/6

[sapphireblack]

Probably a good call. From what I’ve read on Minis helping my colleague, you avoid anything made between 2007 and 2015/6

Thats a substantial manufacturing period to be avoided, though sort of endorses my thoughts of buying an early one.

Got a Touareg to re-import and get sold before that can happen.

But enough non BMW chatter

[X5Sport]

A Mini is a BMW - we’ll sort of

[sapphireblack]

Just, i suppose