[Biturbos4] Naughty thought...

[docwyte at comcast.net]

The Mini's are nice, and they certainly are a good track/auto-x car, but I wouldn't want one as my daily driver.  The ride stock is pretty punishing, they have absolutely *no*  room for cargo/passengers and they're stupid expensive.  For one with the options that most of us want, it's easily a $25k+ car, then add the $4500 for the works package and you're up around $30k.  That's STI/Evo territory and I'd much rather have one of those than the Mini.  

While the STi/Evo might not be as solidly constructed, they're far more versatile and are just stupid fast right out of the box.

I recently bought my S4 Avant used and despite advice to find one that CPO'd, I got one that has no warranty.  So far I've had to fix a few niggling things (boost leaks, pre cat O2 sensors) but I'm able to do most of that kind of work myself, so the costs aren't that high.  I'm pretty aggressive with maintenance (just did the t-belt, h2o pump, t-stat etc 55k miles) so I don't think the car will bite me.

That said, if you don't have the tools or place to work on the car, it can become expensive.  I don't think it's all that much more than any other car in it's market segment tho...

-josh

-------------- Original message -------------- 

> Gang, 
> 
> Have any of you ever felt like our S4, even in stock form, is too much car 
> (power wise) for daily use? I've been frustrated somewhat since I got my S4, 
> that I can't really use its power 90% of the time, due to traffic and not 
> wanting dates with cops. 
> 
> And it really is pretty bad on gas for a car this size, mostly due to its 
> weight, which also affects handling. 
> 
> I'm stock right now, except a boost gauge and Tracksport suspension, which 
> really helps to address its handling and eliminate the "all-road" stance. But 
> still I can feel that weight lugging around. 
> 
> Lastly, there's the reliability. Replacing those pesky K03s aren't cheap by any 
> means, and owning it past warranty is starting to concern me. 
> 
> All this leads me to the Mini Cooper S. I drove one last summer and it was 
> fantastic. It's certainly not as fast as a stock S4, but with its slick gearbox, 
> I can genuinely use all its power most of the time. And it will run circles 
> around the S4 and most cars for that matter when it comes to handling. Not to 
> mention it's easier on the wallet at the gas pump, and it's just so damn good 
> looking. Some call it cute, I prefer handsome, and you can't ignore its 
> giant-killing ability and its point-to-point speed. 
> 
> If the standard car it's quick enough, the Works package will make it more 
> interesting with 210hp and a pretty mean soundtrack. But it comes at a price. 
> 
> I only bring up the Mini because it's the only car I like on the market right 
> now other than my S4 and CQ, and its within my financial reach. So what do you 
> guys think? I'd like to hear some of your thoughts. 
> 
> Quincy 
> '01.5 S4 
> '90 CQ 
> 
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