Been a member on here for AGES (I last enquired about the R53 JCW GP before they were released!), but have only just got round to getting a MINI. This car isn't mine, however: I bought it for my wife to replace her slowly dying Ford Ka. She's absolutelly thrilled with the car - the upgrade in quality and power is quite a step for her!
I have a few questions, however:
1. Does this thing really have 'only' 181bhp? I can recall an Evo magazine article having one of the older 173bhp models on test and it dyno-ing a fair bit more than the quoted power. Is that a common occurrence? Reason I ask is because I've owned a couple of cars with similar power outputs (notably a Renaultsport Clio 197) and this thing feels a good bit quicker. Clearly the torque figure is massaged by the forced induction, but I wasn't expecting it to feel quite this nippy! :biggrin:
2. It has nice clear front indicator lenses that are ruined by horrible big amber bulbs. I'm assuming something along the lines of Philips Silver Vision make things look much better for not much effort? Are they easy to change?
3. The halogen side light bulbs do not sit well with the white colour temperature of the xenon headlamps. Are these easy to swap for something like Philips Blue Vision? I don't like non-OEM LEDs as they blow.
4. It currently has (what I assume to be) factory-fitted Bridgestone run-flat tyres. Are there any downsides to dumping them for non-run-flats when they've worn out (aside from the obvious!)?
5. It has wheels I'm not familiar with and can't remember seeing on a MINI before. Are they some sort of special order, perhaps? I can't see them on the online configurator for the current MY13 car, but then again this is a MY11 car.
6. It has traditional-style metal-supported wiper blades, whereas I noticed at the dealer that new MY13 cars had flat blade ones. It's not as simple as a straight swap, however, as the arms are of a slightly different design (pictured below). Are retrofit upgrades (such as Bosch Aerotwin) any good?
7. Does anyone have the part number of the floor mats that were supplied as part of the CHILI pack? The ones in this car seem to have gone missing.
Here are a couple of pictures (before the pre-delivery wash, unfortunately!):
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MY11 wiper and arm assembly:
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MY13 wiper and arm assembly:
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The mystery wheel design:
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EDIT
Have had to post a load of welcomes to people to have enough posts to allow me to post links. Take that, logic! :biggrin:
I have a few questions, however:
1. Does this thing really have 'only' 181bhp? I can recall an Evo magazine article having one of the older 173bhp models on test and it dyno-ing a fair bit more than the quoted power. Is that a common occurrence? Reason I ask is because I've owned a couple of cars with similar power outputs (notably a Renaultsport Clio 197) and this thing feels a good bit quicker. Clearly the torque figure is massaged by the forced induction, but I wasn't expecting it to feel quite this nippy! :biggrin:
2. It has nice clear front indicator lenses that are ruined by horrible big amber bulbs. I'm assuming something along the lines of Philips Silver Vision make things look much better for not much effort? Are they easy to change?
3. The halogen side light bulbs do not sit well with the white colour temperature of the xenon headlamps. Are these easy to swap for something like Philips Blue Vision? I don't like non-OEM LEDs as they blow.
4. It currently has (what I assume to be) factory-fitted Bridgestone run-flat tyres. Are there any downsides to dumping them for non-run-flats when they've worn out (aside from the obvious!)?
5. It has wheels I'm not familiar with and can't remember seeing on a MINI before. Are they some sort of special order, perhaps? I can't see them on the online configurator for the current MY13 car, but then again this is a MY11 car.
6. It has traditional-style metal-supported wiper blades, whereas I noticed at the dealer that new MY13 cars had flat blade ones. It's not as simple as a straight swap, however, as the arms are of a slightly different design (pictured below). Are retrofit upgrades (such as Bosch Aerotwin) any good?
7. Does anyone have the part number of the floor mats that were supplied as part of the CHILI pack? The ones in this car seem to have gone missing.
Here are a couple of pictures (before the pre-delivery wash, unfortunately!):
MY11 wiper and arm assembly:
MY13 wiper and arm assembly:
The mystery wheel design:
EDIT
Have had to post a load of welcomes to people to have enough posts to allow me to post links. Take that, logic! :biggrin: