I've not been on here much recently - but that doesnt mean I havent been changing cars quite often. In sept 2017 I bought an Audi SQ5, which I kept for nearly 2 years. When BMW were doing mega deals to get rid of the last of the non comp M5s I took advantage to tick the boxes of M car and petrol V8 in one go. It was immense but not for me - partly as I have a dog and transporting her in the car wasnt my thing, partly as it was big, but mainly because it was completely wasted in the busy south east. Also partly because I bought my daughters almost 4 year old Mini Cooper 5 door at about the same time and enjoyed driving that! The M5 went after 11 months and a few months later I bought an RS4 Avant - better for the dog, better at the boring stuff, smaller, and I'd never had an RS car either. Kept that about 20 months and decided to try electric after my SIL brought home an iPace - loved it so much I bought one. I still have that 18 months on and decided not to settle the finance as its already worth less than the GFV for 30 months hence... However, SIL did change jobs and hand back his company car. Car scheme at his new place is a mess - one of his jobs to sort out - so he decided to manage for a while until it was sorted.... and could they buy back the Mini from me. As it was still technically registered to my daughter I couldnt really say no! It was fine, the Jag did what I needed and using it for the station run and local stuff seemed sensible. So I was Miniless... The F55 was my third Mini. Technically the other two were my late wife's but lets be honest, I nicked them when I could. An R56 Cooper 1.6 Pimlico and an F56 1.5 Cooper..... A few weeks without it and I'd decided that a weekend toy was in order - but what? I narrowed it down to a convertible... why, well I have never had one (that's a regular phrase..). I then went through lots of obvious and less obvious stuff before I came to the realisation that I wanted something small and fun to drive like a Mini, but with a soft top. Well I guess then the solution became obvious - but it had to be manual! So yesterday I collected a Mini Convertible JCW manual in black, 2022, 2000 miles, 18s with RFTs... see below pics! Proper fun drive, a tad on the firm side after driving the iPace, but immediately reminded me why I love them. And the chance to drop the top when the grandkids are in (or the other half!) for fun runs out... I am sure the money would be better in my pension but life is short (as losing my wife reminded me) so enjoy it whilst you can.... Ian, nearly 60, bald and clearly a bit feckless buying things as he's never had one!
Great write up, you made me smile and nod in agreement in equal measures. Looking forward to the updates on this one, wonder how long it will be in your possession...??
Yep, when I read your thread on the M440 I was nodding alot. The Mini is my reaction to that sort of feeling....
Minis are so much fun to drive - we had a new 2003 Mini One for a couple of years until child number 2 came along. It was like driving a go cart for the roads. Enjoy the fun!
6 years on and we still love ours. Great nimble fun cars, economical too, long term mpg just over 40mpg Wish you plenty of miles with smiles
Congratulations on the new car! Great recap on the recent car history. You’ve had some crackers but I can see the genuine interest in the Mini. I’ve only driven them as courtesy cars when the Bimmers have been in the garage but each time has been incredibly enjoyable regardless of power output. Do keep us posted on how you get on with it!
Will do, as expected having been away for a long weekend, its not had much use yet. But yes, I am more excited about this car than the M5 or RS4, much more fun in the real world where I live. You may see it up and down the M11, the other half lives near J25 of M25 and has family in Saffron Walden area....
