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taffy1967
Member
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Posted: Saturday July 14th, 2007 02:30 pm |
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Okay folks after hearing a few negative comments about our Rover Coopers in a few threads (MKI Cooper S) which I responded too, I just wanted to add some revelations of my own.
I'm not really knocking the views of some members here, because it's always good that these people have a passion for their cars and hopefully they'll pass their knowledge on to future generations.
Anyway enough waffling and to dispel a few myths all I can say is that my 1990 Rover Mini Cooper (Mainstream) blew my mind when I took it for a blast up the mountain behind my house prior to it's impending MOT.
It's been laid up for almost 3 years for a number of reasons, but I've finally treated it to a service, full suspension grease and a wash. So after spraying some oil down the bores to help lubricate the cylinder head valves, I decided to give it a blast to help burn it all off afterwards just in case I had emissions problems during the test.
Well after many years of driving a large modern comfortable car I honestly thought I'd find the Mini uncomfortable, but I couldn't have been more wrong. In fact once I'd hopped in (I'm now more used to climbing up into our MPV these days) and buckled up, I was soon blasting up that mountain at full throttle and before I knew what I was doing I was absolutely throwing it around bends and enjoying myself far more than I should.
I then overtook a few cars on the long section at the top and when a large black BMW thing started to close in on me, I just hit the throttle, threw it around a few more sharp bends and completely kissed goodbye to Mr BMW because he couldn't match my speed or handling/cornering and I was gone.
I had to question just what the hell I was doing at one point, because I generally drive the MPV and other modern cars like someone's grandad. But the Mini made me feel like a 17 year old again, or in actual fact a racing car driver because instead of it feeling like the coach I'm used to driving, it was more like a go-kart and the handling and performance just gave me loads of confidence to push it all the way.
The best thing was that I wasn't particularly breaking any speed limits up there or traffic laws either, but I got one hell of a kick and a buzz. But probably another great thing was the reactions from the people that I drove past and most were smiling, waving or giving me the thumbs up. In fact one bloke who was with his young son and dog both gave the thumbs up twice the both times I past them before and after turning around and heading back up that mountain from the other side.
I was absolutely beaming when I got out of the Mini afterwards and I just wanted to share my thoughts and I'm so glad that I didn't sell it on 3 years ago.
So if you find you've lost interest in you're Mini for whatever reason (sick of the scene or you're local Mini Club etc), then just put it away because pretty soon you're enthusiasm will return and you'll also be amazed how well it handles and goes too.
Well I'm impressed and I don't give a flying frig that it rides on 12" wheels, has rubber mounted subframes, rubber suspension and only one fuel tank, because it completely blew my mind and also showed a clean pair of heels to a few others that day too.
Oh and here's a few pictures that I took up there: -
Like The Who sang back in 1967 "I Can See For Miles And Miles".
And here's an example of one of the bends I enjoyed more than I should and I can remember a report appearing in the MCR magazine many years ago with pictures taken at the top of that mountain too. And I didn't get upset when they stated that the sheep were the local population, because they didn't realise that I lived in the valley below: -
So there you go MCR, the Rover Cooper isn't as bad as you think after all. Not that I give a toss what some people think because I'm having far too much fun in mine to worry about petty views anyway!  Last edited on Tuesday September 18th, 2007 11:44 pm by taffy1967 |
Andrew1967
MCR Member
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Posted: Saturday July 14th, 2007 03:18 pm |
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The Cooper looks good after a three year lay-up - bet that ultra short registration number is worth a bit!!  . Great pics of the Welsh countryside.
I have some very fond memories of the hills and valleys of Wales, especially on the 3 or 4 Wye Valley runs I've been on. Pity it was only in my 998 Cooper, would love to take the S replica up and down those hills and round those hairpin bends - no chance of any fun like that in flat, boring Norfolk!!
Any Mini is great fun to get behind the wheel of, even my old Mini 30. There's no doubt that a late 80's onwards Mini is more civilised than an early one. I shouldn't be saying this and will regret it, but I have to say that as much as I love my Mini's and will never be without at least one (or two or three  ) I have as much fun in my current everyday Pug 306 D Turbo and it handles as well as any of my Mini's. But it's always great to get back behind the wheel of a Mini after the winter break, when the weather is OK. 
Last edited on Saturday July 14th, 2007 04:26 pm by Andrew1967 |
chillbean
MCR Committee
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Posted: Saturday July 14th, 2007 06:49 pm |
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Taffy, well said and good for you. Pics are great, roads look like a lot of fun. The car is looking good too. A decent Rover Cooper is starting to get more difficult to find.
I dont get a lot of time to use mine, I commute to work in my VW Golf GTTDI. Its comfortable and reliable, but very boring. But when I get the chance to bring the mini out, and take it for a blast, I smile and people who see the car smile too. It may be unused for weeks and even months especially over the winter, but I will never part with it as it is so much fun to drive.
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taffy1967
Member
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Posted: Saturday July 14th, 2007 08:40 pm |
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Thanks both and to be honest the photo's are doing it a lot of justice and hiding some of the rust that I will be getting sorted as soon as I can. Sorry about the numberplate, but I used to get so many bitchy comments on Minifinity about posting pictures that showed the registration plates, that I got in the habit of blanking them out.
So I still don't understand what all the fuss is about with that though?
Anyway it's far from concourse but I don't care because it's such great fun to drive and does exactly what it says on the tin and I'm addicted to it again. Okay it certainly got me up that mountain pretty rapid like, but I've driven smaller engined Minis up and over there in the past and their just as effective on those bends. Although this one handles considerably better because of the adjustable suspension and adjustable dampers etc.
And it's not as quiet or civilised as it was when I first bought it, because it now sports a Maniflow LCB and exhaust system plus a K&N cone filter. So you really now when you're putting it through it's pace now, but I love the sound it makes and it would be terribly boring if it sounded like the family car we own.
But I've driven quite a few cars whilst our Mini has been hibernating and enjoyed most of them, but I guess it was the fact that driving the Mini again surprised me by how good it felt and the reaction I got from everyone I saw and you just don't get that with most everyday cars.
To be honest not that long ago I was using my Mini to drive to Cardiff 5 days a week for work and clocking up around 350 miles a week throughout the year. And that was on local roads, dual carriageway, a short spell on the M4 and then the dual carriageway around Cardiff Bay. I was getting around 50mpg and only filling it up once a week, which wasn't bad since I used to be in a rush to get there most days too.
Okay I could have done what the Government wanted and taken the train, but stuff that when I could drive my Mini instead and it was very therapeutic after being screamed at all day in a call centre. Well I just enjoyed every mile there and back whilst listening to the stereo and I would do it again if needed, although I'd now be choosy about it's use in the winter though.
Anyway I won't be using mine when the winter kicks in again either, mainly because of the amount of salt our local council puts down here. As you can imagine any threat of ice and their up that mountain and all the hills chucking it out from an automatic gritter and it's not pleasant when it passes you and you get a load of grit and salt thrown at you're car.
So I really love the earlier Minis and Cooper models, but I also have nothing but praise for the later ones too because they've never let me down and are awesome little cars, every single one of them.
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minorparts
Member
| Joined: | Friday March 23rd, 2007 |
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| Posts: | 732 |
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Posted: Saturday July 14th, 2007 08:50 pm |
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Taffy, you've summed up exactly what Mini ownership is all about for most of us. Fun driving!! It doesn't matter if it is an 850, Cooper, 'S', Rover Cooper or whatever, they ALL share that great drive which makes you prepared to put up with the noise, discomfort and lack of convenience that boring, soul-less but efficient modern cars provide. We all have our favorites from the extensive Mini range - thank goodness we do. It should not be seen as snobbery that some, myself included, prefer the earlier cars. It is simply nostalgia for me, and the fact that I don't need my Mini for practical regular transport: If I did I would have a later one! Have fun! Great roads by the way !
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taffy1967
Member
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Posted: Saturday July 14th, 2007 09:09 pm |
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Thanks mate and yes I've always heavily used all the Minis I've owned over the years and I'd really love to own an earlier model one day too. But just keeping this one running is expensive and hard work enough for now.
This is the only Cooper model that I've owned, so it's a fair bit faster than the Mayfair's or LE's that I once had and has got faster again in the time I've had it after losing it's cat and having a sports exhaust and filter fitted.
But believe it or not it was our main family car for several years and the car that got me to work. But now after over 13 years of ownership it's getting special treatment too and since we can't buy a new one any more, it's here to stay and I'll do everything I can to preserve it.
And I can appreciate all the Mini models made here and overseas and that's why I'm still an enthusiast because there's such a great variety of models to drool over.
Yes Minis are mucking fagic!
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