Some of you may have sat in my Mini...and some of you may have even driven my car too...and a very small percentage of those have probably developed a secret crush on my car because my mini is just so likeable. In any case, I am going to write about my mini cooper experience. which includes the entire she-bang from purchase to my regular trips to the BMW service center (which, I tell you, while pleasant, is VERY expensive..once you go in it's hard to get your car out without involuntarily pulling out your credit card to pay for that hefty 4-digit service charge).
Some of you have asked me - is it worth it?
I could say at this point it's a yes and a no. Yes because of all the advantages a mini brings - it's versatile...it doesnt scream "give me all the attention because I am so expensive"like a BMW does..but then it does not give you a sense that it's cheap either (it's important trust me read on). The interior is beautifully crafted, the car itself is an adventure to drive...especially when you're driving a manual/standard. Engineering is so precise that when you tell the car where to go and what to do, you get the exact response within milliseconds (turning radius is awesome!).
For me, though, what is important in addition to the driving experience is that Mini as a brand allows you to merge into any social class with ease. I've had instances where I drove this vehicle to high-end restaurants for valet parking, special hip social events and I was never refused entry because this car has one of the best branding around..like i said, versatile.
Buying a mini is not like you are just buying a car. When you purchase the mini, from the second you place the order and granted that your deposit doesn't bounce back...your mini gets made in Oxford and as the proud owner...you get to remotely check on the status of your car every single day by web..as though you're waiting for your own pet to show up at your doorstep. It's a horse, it's a dog, it's a cat...it's anything BUT "just a car".
Because of this experience, mini owners have a strong sense of ownership towards their vehicle...almost as though the car is one of their own. No other mini is therefore, the same. Because you custom make everyone of them. And for that reason, once you own a mini, you feel like you really belong to a special group...almost like an extension of a family. Sometimes you would even get the occassional "hi" from the mini owner driving adjacent to you and right then and there you just made a new friend.
And if my car breaks down in the middle of the road, mini has one of the best 24/7 car towing service...all you need is a cellphone, decent reception and then a tow truck will be on the way within half an hour at no extra cost to the owner. It's that easy. And if I EVER, EVER get into service...I am usually greeted by someone in a suit followed by escort service. Free coffee, free internet free massage chair tv...and did i mention free shuttle bus service to a local train station? Yes. That too. Sometimes you also get free rental, depending on how long they have your car.
So really, if it's so good then I should've said it's worth it..why have second thoughts?
One and only reason - cost. The initial cost, much like purchasing any other vehicle...is usually a pretty hefty sum. But if someone has already had their mind set on a mini, usually that means there is a financial plan in place for that. That's not the main issue. The main issue relating to cost is upkeep and maintenance. And that, I kid you not, is the biggest problem with mini coopers...and BMWs in general.
If you purchased a warranty plan in the beginning, you're one of the lucky ones and you can stop reading the article. You are still in bliss. I didn't because I never expect myself to be in a minor collision, never expected my vehicle to be towed then have all the lights flashing in my vehicle as a result, and up until this day, one of the lights are still flashing and I can't actually read the speedometer clearly. If there's anything SLIGHTLY wrong with the mini cooper, the car will tell you immediately and force you to go into service. Because BMW vehicles are so intricately designed, one little glitch in its internal computer will alert its system and everything will be screwed up. The first few times I was worried but by the fourth time..I just gave my car the finger because it's been costing me more than an arm and a leg to fix my vehicle. It will be funny if I go bankrupt as a result of fixing my car not paying for my car. I might be an aggressive driver here and there...but I don't think I signed myself up for this excessive payment..it's as though I have a leak in my wallet wherein I'd drop a wad of cash at the service centre by accident every few months.
Every single time - a four-digit bill is waiting for me at the end of the service. Changing brake oil, brake pads, etc....oh wait something else is wrong we recommend changing it. I obliged. and another 4 digit bill at the end of service.
So moral of my story? don't buy a mini if you can't afford the four digit maintenance fee which I assure you will happen every single year after your first year of purchase. And if it doesn't happen, wait for it. It will. Once you go into service, expect to pay for that amount before they release your vehicle. And if you DO have to buy it either way, take my advice - get yourself a goddamn comprehensive warranty. You'll thank me for that. Wouldn't probably recommend it for any other vehicle but with high-end vehicles like the mini cooper and any other BMW (where oil change costs easily over 200 CAD), you might want to think twice about leaving warranty out of your budget in the beginning.
If only i had someone like me to teach me how to purchase an expensive vehicle in the beginning...I wouldn't be regretting my purchase....
I'm out. Rant is Over.
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