mini cooper

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Q: How do I sell a 2005 Mini Cooper registerd in England if I am in Holland ?
The car is a Mini Cooper convertible silver is in excellent condition, it’s totaly payed HPI clear evrything in order!

A: There are too many online scams about selling a car from another country these days. People getting lured to pay upfront to some fake escrow service or phony but realistic looking global cargo, logistics, or shipping web sites and never seeing the car (or their money)!

If you really are a genuine owner and really do not know how to sell your UK car, the simple answer is fly to UK and sell it to a dealer or get your friends and family to help – is that really that difficult?

People who might be looking to buy – please read this site first http://www.carbuyingtips.com/fraud.htm

Or simply Google “overseas car scam”.

Q: Is a restored 1990’s Classic Mini Cooper reliable as an everday car?
I’m contemplating on whether or not to buy myself a really good restored 1990’s Classic Mini Cooper with a 1275cc engine, automatic transmission and air-conditioning. The shop owner/restorer says he fixed it for everyday use. However, is this car reliable enough to drive everyday to work and to withstand some traffic situations without overheating? Is it easy to fix if it ever breaks down, and are the parts easy to find and not that expensive? Thanks in advance!

A: if i was you i would ask for a test drive he can ride in the car with you..test drive it..

there like a small chance it wont work..

i got a restore 1980 nisson it works i had it for 2 mth the only problem i have is taht the lil stuff like air and radio is starting to short out whitch when that stuff happens that means the car as very small life left in it all together

Q: How many cigarette lighters are in 2006 mini cooper?
I just got a 2006 mini cooper and I only see one cigarette lighter. In my old car, I had my GPS plugged into one lighter and my ipod adapter into another. It appears that this car only has one but I was wondering if there is another one somewhere that I’m missing. Thanks!
is there one power outlet and one lighter? as in 2 total?? if so, where is the power outlet? or do you mean they are the same thing…

A: You can buy an adapter that plugs into the lighter/power source and has 2 ports. I bought one at Target or Auto Zone (can’t remember). Very streamlined and works fine. Now I can simultaneously charge my phone and GPS. It was around $10.

To gromit80… just where is this power outlet in the boot?

Q: What is the avg. discount off of sticker for a Mini Cooper?
I’m looking at buying a Mini Cooper, of course I’m told by the salesman they charge sticker, but they may through in a toy or two. I want to deal!

A: LOL – Check out edmunds.com for your car buying needs – They have a number called TMV (True Market Value) that varies by location, just like discounts at car dealerships. Look up the model that you’re looking to buy, punch in your options and zip code, and see what the TMV is for your area.

For Gainesville, FL, 32607, the Mini Cooper base coupe is going for about $100 less than sticker, so your dealer might not be too far off.

Do your research. Going into the dealership with a price in mind will keep you from getting too badly screwed, but there is alot that is out of your control when buying new from a dealer.

Best of luck!

Q: What is the best/most well-known Mini Cooper club in Arizona?
I’m looking for a cool Mini Cooper Club in Arizona. I just got one, and I want to get involved in a club. Any suggestions?

A: Check this link:

http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=103

Q: Any ideas for a mini cooper themed license plate?
We recently purchased a new mini cooper S clubman. We want a cool personalized plate. Any ideas?

A: Kind of depends on your personalities.

A lot of Mini owners give their car names: http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/showthread.php?t=72886

So perhaps name your car and base the plate on that.

Q: I have a 06 Mini Cooper what is the best infant car seat?
I need to know which is the best infant car seat to use in my mini cooper since the back seats are bucket seat. Any ideas?

A: For bucket seats you just need a rolled towel/blanket or some foam (like pool noodles)

http://www.carseatdata.org/search
Make – Model – Year
Seat Brand – Seat Name Installation Method – Orientation
Seating Row – Seating Position Fit Rating Ease Checked?
BMW – Mini Cooper – 2006
Peg Perego – Primo Viaggio Lower Anchors Only – Rear Facing
2nd Row – Passenger Side Good 4 – Easy Yes

http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/coupe-talk-2002-2006/118380-rear-facing-car-seat.html
In ‘03 MCS, used ubiquitous Graco Snugride base with infant seat rear-facing behind the front passenger seat until our daughter outgrew it, then switched to Britax Roundabout (I think Britax has an even smaller convertible child seat (rear/front facing) now) with no trouble to speak of. I’m 6′0″, and even when not driving could ride comfortably in front passenger seat (with knees bent somewhat, but front seat legwell is deep enough I was still comfortable).

It was better when daughter got big enough ~ age 2 to turn the Britax to forward-facing, but then #2 daughter was born shortly after that and we did not have the cohones (or spines as flexible as some brave MINI drivers) to go with two cars seats in the MINI. I’m still driving the MCS as daily driver, but for 2-kid transport, we went with a Subaru wagon.

http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=48846
Re: Access to car seat in Mini Cooper Clubman?
I have heard of rear facing convertible seats fitting in the Mini Cooper by word of mouth from other Child Passenger Safety Technicians, but I can’t speak to specific carseats that would be workable in the Mini Cooper Clubman. If you plan on using an infant seat with a base to start out with for the baby, an infant seat model that allows the handle to up in the “carrying” position while in the vehicle, such as the Graco Snugride, Graco SafeSeat 1, or the Chicco KeyFit, would buy you a bit more room behind the front seat.

There is one very important aspect you need to be aware of that will definitely affect carseat installation and placement in the Clubman’s back seat. If the Clubman can accommodate a carseat installation at all, it would have to be installed on the rear driver’s side, and not on the rear passenger side where the rear half door is located. This is because the rear passenger side of the Clubman has a door mounted seatbelt attached to that rear half door, and a door mounted seatbelt is a seatbelt type that is incompatible with carseat installations according to carseat instruction manuals. (I don’t think any of the Mini models have a center rear seating position at all as they’re 4-passenger vehicles).

If nobody else chimes in with specific seats known to work rear facing in the Clubman, I would suggest test driving the car if possible to a hopefully nearby Babies ‘R Us store where you could try out display model carseats in the vehicle in the store parking lot, or borrowing carseats from friends/family to take with you to the dealership to try out in the Mini before buying.
__________________

Newborn car seat for a mini cooper?

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080411083745AApYPXq

http://www.mini2.com/forum/minis-children-parents/88671-rear-facing-baby-seat.html
The Britax “Roundabout” is what we bought. Although we have not really been using it in my MINI…I know it does fit (barely).

The Britax has the best safety rating and is by far the most expensive.

I know the Evenflow Titan (which has good ratings and is cheap) has a big knob that mades it impossible to fit in the back in rear facing mode.

The Graco will fit…but be warned that the cheap clips that come with these are extremely difficult to un-do once in. OK if the seat is sort of “permenent”….but very unacceptable if it requires regular removal.

Also some Gracos have the styrofoam padding and some do not…be sure to pull off the cover and look to make sure its there should you buy one.

http://www.motoringfile.com/2003/09/12/BuyingTheRightCarSeatForTheMINI/

Q: Does anyone know if I can buy a black grill for a 2007 Mini Cooper?
I have a 2007 Mini Cooper (not S) and I don’t really like the chrome grill. Does anyone know where I can buy a black grille. I don’t think the grill from the S fits on the standard Cooper.

A: Why not just remove it and paint it yourself? Probably wouldn’t be that hard and a heck of a lot cheaper. Just make sure to spray a clear sealer over it after the black dries to keep it from peeling.

Q: How do I install an amp in my Mini Cooper?
I recently purchased an amp and a 12″ sub to put in my 2005 Mini Cooper. Does anyone know if the OEM stereo has RCA output, or do I need to splice in to the speaker wires?

A: Anyways you have to remove the stock unit connect the remote wire. Remove the unit, check the back of the unit if the are at least 1 set of pre amp outputs. If so, connect a RCA cable from the unit to the inputs of the amp (about 17 ft.).

If the case is you dont have pre amp outputs, you need a Line Output Converter to convert the high level speaker signal to the low voltage pre amp audio signal.
Here are a couple of them:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-2ZjOCGoTW1D/cgi-bin/ProdGroup.asp?search=line+output+converter&skipvs=T&g=721

If the amp you get have high level speaker signal just connect the speaker wires comimg from the radio to the input in the amp. Get an amplifier installation kit, it includes everything you need.

Q: is it possible to install a superbike engine in a classic mini cooper?
I’m interested in purchasing a classic mini cooper but most have less then 90hp. i want to know if it’s possible to install a superbike engine in the classic car. i understand that i’ll probably need to purchase a completely new drivetrain and what not. i’m looking for a good explanation on how large of a superbike engine will fit and what i will need to have installed in the car for the engine replacement to work. i’d also appreciate a ruff estimate on how much $ this will all cost. thx

A: Hey, In looked into this myself about 10 years ago. The biggest problems are:

1. The lack of a differential, since there is no where to fit one separate from the engine

2. The increased cooling efficiency needed, since the engine will be under significantly more load, and

3. The lack of a reverse gear, which is needed on the road, and in motorsports. Even bike s that come with reverse (Honda Gullwing, for example) won’t work. They have a “reverse crawler” – that is, you switch the engine off, engage the crawler, then back up on the starter motor. The purpose of this is to keep it slow, since you still need to keep your feet on the ground and walk backwards with the bike. Riding backwards (feet up) is VERY difficult!

4. Lack of torque. Those bike engines make great horsepower, but would really have trouble getting the car to move, especially since bike engines don’t have much rotational mass (no flywheel to speak of, and the clutch weighs nothing.)

The best solutions I’ve found are:

1. The Twini. John Cooper made 2 or three of these. You remove the rear subframe and the floor of the car. Bolt in a new FRONT subframe into the rear of the car, complete with engine, fabricating as necessary. Link the subframes together (full chassis – the body can’t take the strain.) Link the shifters and throttle cables. Make latch extenders (like the old FIAT 500 Abarth) so the trunk can be left open about 2 inches for the are intakes and cooling of the rear motor. Weld the rear tie rods to the frame so the rear wheels point forwards. Run both clutch cylinders off the one pedal, or find a high volume master cylinder (a brake master might work). Find somewhere to put the extra exhaust pipe (pretty tricky!) Fuel tank needs to be relocated to behind the front seats. Synchronize the clutches, shifters and throttles. MAKE SURE ALL WELDS ARE PERFECT! Otherwise, a rear wheel may start to turn at speed (this is what happened to Cooper at 100 mph – he nearly died.) Don’t worry about the engines making different hp – just make sure the gear ratios are the same. Cooper’s first one had an 850 in the front, and an 1100 in the rear. Just to show that this’ll work…the Mini Moke was designed for the military, and was supposed to have 2 engine (1 front, 1 rear) for reliability as well as 4WD.

2. Cut out rear floor. Insert Alfa Romeo 2.5 V6 into front (radiator will just fit if you use the Clubman front bodywork). Try to find one with carbs – injection wiring for the computer would be a major pain in the ass. Alfa transaxle goes into the rear, incl. all suspension. Modify subframe to take suspension. Needs big discs up front to balance the brakes, otherwise too much in rear. Will also need to run 13″ wheels and 175/40/13 tyres to fit the discs (can’t fit bigger – the wheel arches are too small and too shallow.) Interior floor will probably need modifying to fit the shift linkage, exhaust pipe and drive shaft. Engine is a VERY tight fit, but supposedly it can be done. Also heard of using a Ford V6 from a late 60s/early 70s Capri GT (European model).

I prefer the first option. All engine/trans parts can come from BMC’s racing parts bin (work well together, and fairly reliable), and you have the advantage of 4WD.

None of the real Minis came with over 90 hp, but in a car weighing just over 1/2 ton, that’s a pretty good power to weight ratio. And there are more mods out there (from the factory race teams – work well together AND reliable) than you can shake a stick at! I’ve had over 90 hp from an 1100 (1098cc, actually.) I’ve heard of up to 170 hp, and I’ve personally seen 130 hp from a reliable daily driver. Imagine 260 – 340 hp and 4WD in a car with 4-wheel disc brakes, and weighing about 3/4 ton!

Q: How much will new BMW Run-flat tires cost for my Mini Cooper S?
Just bought a Mini Cooper S, and it needs new tires. Price estimate for Canada? I heard it was something like 300 dollars per tire?

A: run flats are terribly expensive, approximately 2x or more the cost of conventional tires, and if you are dealing in performance or non standard sizes even more.
as an option (what i do) run performance tires, standard manufacture, carry no spare and keep in the trunk a kit of sealant/compressed air.

i have done this with my last 2 cars (my audio installations in the trunk does not allow enough room for a spare) and i refuse to consider the price for runflats…..i run very high performance-narrow profile
tires (nittos 285/30 ZR 19’s).

….cheers 04 cobra

Q: what is the difference between the mini one and mini cooper?
im after buying a new car and the mini are in my short list but can any one tell me what the difference is? thanks
p.s they look the same yet the cooper is more expensive then the mini one

A: Here’s the main differences of UK models (Mini Cooper first figures, One second)

Max. output/bhp/revs 115 bhp at 6000 rpm – 90 bhp at 5500 rpm

Max. torque/revs 150 Nm at 4500 rpm – 140 Nm at 3000 rpm

Acceleration 0-62 mph – Manual (secs) 9.1 s – 10.9 s

Insurance Group 8E – 5E

Price – Manual On The Road Price – £12,395.00 – On The Road Price – £10,995.00

The Cooper also has the following equipment as standard that the One doesn’t:
Driver and front passenger footwell lights
Exhaust pipe finisher, chrome-plated
Exterior mirror caps in high-gloss black or white
Radiator grille bars and boot handle in chrome
Roof in contrast colour (black or white)
Sport suspension
Wheels: 7-Hole light alloy rims, 15 inch, 175/65 R15

Q: What is the best deal I can get on a new 2006 Mini Cooper S in dealer stock?
Apparently, the dealer I am about to visit has a few leftovers in stock of 06 Mini Cooper S ( supercharged) . 07’s are turbocharged. 07 S should cost me somewhere around $24k. I am wondering whether I can crack a deal on 06 Mini Cooper S and get it for say $18 – 20K ? Firstly, is it a feasible deal? Secondly, if yes, is it worth it? (of course if I can’t get an 06 under 20k I would obviously go for an 07)

A: I don’t know if you are going to be able to get it for that big of a discount. If the sticker on it is say 23,500. I would shoot for 20,000 even. If the body style changed at all between 06 and 07, you can get more out of it
good luck

Q: What is the best kind of Mini Cooper, year?
My dad and I want to buy a Mini Cooper, but what year should we buy? Its going to be a used Mini Cooper. No more than 15,000$.

A: If you are looking under 15k, it won’t be a new one. A stripped base Cooper will run at least 18k.

You are probably looking at an ‘02 to ‘06 MINI. There was a redesign/refresh in for the ‘05 model year, so I personally think that the ‘05 and ‘06 models are the best. The body style looks the same from the ‘02 to ‘04, but they are a bit less prone to rattling and have some other minor changes. I’d avoid the ‘02 models and early ‘03 (maybe after March or April of ‘03 would be OK – look for the month and year of manufacture on the driver’s side door pillar).

Good luck! I love my ‘06 MCS.

There is a great article on buying used MINIs over at www.motoringfile.com

Q: Where can I hire a CLASSIC Mini Cooper in the NorthWest of England?
My father in law turns 60 this year and has recently been talking about his younger days when he’d tour Scotland in his Classic Mini Cooper. We’d love to hire one for a weekend and take him back to those days, where can I find one?? It can’t be a new BMW one, we’d like it to be a classic

A: You know, for the cost of hiring an immaculately restored one from a specialist firm, you’d probably find a half-decent one for sale. A 1275 gt or full-blown cooper in ok condition wouldn’t have to cost more than a thousand pounds, and he probably wouldn’t mind ironing out a few creases himself. Just a suggestion:)

Otherwise, try publications such as MiniWorld for Mini Club contact info, they will be able to direct you, or may have adverts from the firms that do it.

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