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MINI Club Of WNY -> General MINI -> Leaving the MINI world
Post Info TOPIC: Leaving the MINI world
Pamlico


Motorer

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Leaving the MINI world
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Well, the die is cast and we'll soon be leaving the MINI world after about 5 1/2 years of ownership.

We ordered a BWM 135i coupe last Friday. Things seem to be moving quickly as we've already gotten a date when production is scheduled to be completed (June 11).  Actually moving a bit too quickly as we're planning on taking delivery at the BMW Performance Center in South Carolina in early August. Assuming regular shipping times it looks like it will be sitting down South for a few weeks before we pick it up.

The MINI we're selling has only been posted on this site and on craigslist which has  generated more activity that I expected. We've received a couple of good offers that we're now negotiating.

Doing all this with mixed emotions, but there are valid reasons for all this.








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the_copi


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Sorry to see your MINI going, but excited for you to be getting a 135i.  You MUST post a review of the 135 compared to your JCW MINI once you've gotten a good feel for the car, and it's broken in well, etc.  I bet you'll have a ball @ the BMW Perf. Center!

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yellowmininy


Obsessed (Taking the long-cut)

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Congratulations on the 135i! You know, you're not leaving the Mini world, just entering a different part of it! biggrin.gif

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Pamlico


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the_copi wrote:

.... You MUST post a review of the 135 compared to your JCW MINI once you've gotten a good feel for the car, and it's broken in well...


I can give a brief impression after having taken a couple of test drives lasting about an hour total.

- Initial feeling is that it's much more substantial than the MINI, not to say that the MINI feels substandard at all, but the 135 feels more solid.

- A lot quieter when driving. The MINI feels solid over 100 mph but at similar speeds the 135 just settles in and goes. You can converse at normal voice levels at that speed (at least so I hear smile) .

- Ride is less jarring on less than perfect roads.

- Handling seems pretty good but I doubt it will have the overall nimbleness of the MINI through tight corners . Seems to be a bit more body roll when cornering, but it does handle quite well.

- Very powerful brakes.

- You can really fell the road while driving - good feedback to the driver.

- I drove both an automatic and 6-speed. Auto is OK and certainly easier to drive in jammed traffic, but the manual at least to me is much better.

- Fast! The JCW MCS isn't a slouch by any means, but it's not going to keep up with the 135. It's deceptively fast - punch it when getting onto a highway and next thing you know you're going way too fast - no drama, it just accelerates.

After picking the car up in South Carolina we're planning on driving directly to New Mexico, spend about 10 days there, then driving back. The car will be through it's 1200 mile break in period before we arrive at our destination, so by the time we return I should have a pretty good idea about how the car runs.



 



-- Edited by Pamlico at 15:36, 2008-06-05

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