2003 BMW Mini Cooper review from North America
"High on smiles per gallon"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Only issue to date has been a battery light that blinked once, for 30 seconds on pulling off... otherwise the car has been a joy.
General comments?
The MINI isn't a car for the shy, especially here in the home of the Hummer - the USA. We may be half the size of anything else on the road, but we're twice as cute and it shows in the reaction you get.
Everything about the car reeks of class - from dashboard plastics that put VW to shame to the stiching of the two tone Cordoba leather...
The Cooper is no pocket rocket, but work it hard and it will zing along at a fair old clip. You won't have to slow much for corners either - the car rides almost dead flat and there's plenty of grip from the 15" tyres (the 16" made the ride just a little TOO firm for my commute) so you;ll find yourself hurtling around bends with a smile on your face and the blood pumping in your veins.
It's well specced too - cruise, climate control, air conditioned glove box, wheel mounted radio controls - so you don't have to skimp.
You may have guessed - I love this car. It's fun, it's well made and it fees as though it's hewn out of granite.
Go on - try one.
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| 2003 - Mini Cooper 4 cylinder Non Supercharged Fun to Drive, Hit-or-miss with the quality and reliability |
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| 2002 - Mini Cooper 1.6L 4 cylinder You're not paying for the quality factor |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Year of manufacture | 2003 |
| First year of ownership | 2003 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2003 |
| Engine and transmission | 1.6 Manual |
| Performance marks | 7 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 8 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 7 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 9 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 8 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 15 miles |
| Most recent distance | 1500 miles |
| Previous car | Volkswagen GTI |
| Date of Entry | 25th June, 2003 |