2002 BMW Mini Cooper 1.6 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

It's a head-turner alright

Faults:

The car was delivered with a small "ding" caused during the manufacturing process (it was pushing the body work out). Dealer replaced door after repair failed.

General Comments:

It can be a little unresponsive pulling away until you get above 3,000 rpm, but apart from that it handles excellently.

It has little to no boot space, but that was expected. It also doesn't have a glove compartment, but once again neither did the original.

The mini has grown up. BMW have come up with the perfect styled replacement for the unique mini. Alec Issigonis would be proud.

My only gripe is the cost of all the optional extras. While I stopped at £2k my brother's cost him, in total, close to £17,000.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th August, 2002

21st Jun 2003, 10:43

I have to agree - my mother has one which I borrow from time to time and it is a solid car, and I would seriously consider buying one sometime in the near future.

2002 BMW Mini Cooper 1.6 from North America

Summary:

A unique bargain

Faults:

Only two pieces of plastic have come loose. Gluing back into place fixed both issues. One was the cover on the retractable seat handle on the passenger side. The other was on the hand mount in the back seat, behind the driver. Other than that, I've had great luck with the vehicle.

General Comments:

I ordered my car with the CVT option and have not experienced any of the transmission problems that have been posted to the various internet groups. I drive approximately 90 miles per day near the western slope of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado and have found the new Mini to be up to all road challenges. Still waiting to see how it performs in snowy conditions using DSC.

Performance is everything that has been advertised. The handling is almost as good as the Porsche Targa and would give almost any passenger car a competitive run on an autocross course.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th August, 2002

28th Sep 2002, 09:33

It's funny you compared it to the Porsche Targa. I have an 83 911, and I'm looking forward to my new Mini. I am shopping for one as we speak (no rush though). Does it really handle as good as a Targa? That's impressive. I test drove one yesterday and it felt like a Go Cart. It was a Regular (non S) mini and the engine felt like it was going to explode. Maybe I'm just used to the 911? I am a tall heavy set guy, and I confortably fit in one of these. I had to try it to believe it.

2002 BMW Mini Cooper 1.6 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Supercharged rocket!

Faults:

Nothing yet!

General Comments:

This is a very good car with a lot of power and very good acceleration. It is very comfortable as well.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th February, 2002

5th Jun 2002, 14:43

Do you have the Sports plus suspension? Because my MINI Cooper does and it doesn't seem very comfortable (makes it handle really well though). Does it really make that much difference? My Mum says my car bounces around like her old Mini!

Maybe I should have not gone for the Sports plus suspension, but the Chilli package was such good value, and it makes the car look really butch, I can forgive the quality of the ride.

11th Sep 2002, 04:56

The car (Cooper S) was not available until June 2002, how could the original report be written with any fact of ownership in February 2002???

27th Jan 2003, 13:26

The mini cooper was in the US by March 2002, but maybe the review writer was from England -- didn't they have the Mini there before it arrived in the US?

9th Jan 2004, 06:16

Well spotted by the anorak 2 entries above. I have my own theory: Mini is getting such a hammering on this website that BMW's marketing dept. are slipping in good reviews here and there. You can spot them a mile off.