Mini (archive)

Ok guys here's the deal. Some people here might know that I totaled my 325is about a month ago. I've been driving my eta around while I�ve been searching for a new car. This search has led me to the new Mini Cooper. The pluses are its safe, it has traction control, handling beyond belief, my parents like the car, and they are incredibly fun to drive. The problems are the price ($20k ), the fact that it is a brand new car only has a few dealerships around the country that will service it, and a few reliability issues that I�ve read about. They also don't seem to have the type of build quality that the e30's do.
Alright...so now all of a sudden I really really want an e30 M3 . Does anyone know how the driving experience compares between the two? One thing I like about the e30's is that I can do a lot of the work on them myself (except of course that scary s14 ). I got about $5k from my wreck, and I�ve saved another $2k since then. Plus I have graduation coming up , so I should have enough to get one without having to deal with financing like I would if I got a Mini. So what do you guys think?

Any input appreciated!!

Having just completed a 3 day 2400 miles trip in a new Cooper w/sport package. I can say the car handles extremely well. With me wishing the sport suspension was actually a bit softer for some those terrible roads I encountered. Fit and finish is up to normal new BMW standards, and the car has a nice solid feel to it. While 115hp doesn't sound like alot, but it's much better than you would believe. Even in the mountain passes I usally could maintain 70-75+ without a hitch, and the car would cruise at 85-90 without fuss. Straight out acceleration is not as dramatic as what I'm used to and I was wanting more..... which of course the S has. (I'll be getting one of those in March) Drive the normal mini and S car side by side it and the power difference is noticable. But I found using the gear shift between the seats to it's best advantage in the standard mini (6000 rpm shifts) did help even the score alittle against an S.

The 88' M3 although a very good car even 14 years after it's introduction.... it really isn't on the same level as a new mini. It's like comparing apples to oranges..... They are two different beasts. You might as well compare the old M3 to a new 2002 M3. Same difference.

Besides, what other car attracts soo much attention even in Montana? I had soooo many people stop to ask me what the hell it was..... I haven't had that much fun since the last time I drove my Super 7 to a hot rod show.

Get a mini if you want a cool ride now.... or wait for an S. I even hear BMW M may come out with a motorsport version in a year or two w/220hp......

Motor on!

WH
87' 325is
(2) B7 turbos
81' M535i
(2) 2002's
5 other british rides.....and of course 1 new mini.....

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