FOAK[1]: Mini Cooper

the flowers are optional, you know. Underneath the Laura Ashley frock
is a perfectly usable Mk.IV Golf.

all of my current, past and future vehicles will be referred to as
"it" or "the whatever".

"blame google groups".

 

I never really understood the comparative benefits of SC verses turbo.
I'm sure I've had it explained to me before, but I have some kind of
'offside rule' type blind-spot for it.
Super chargers are always engaged, or at least always driving air, and
they're driven from the direct mechanics of the engine?
Turbos are exhaust driven, only engage properly at high revs and tend to
be a bit laggy because you have to wait for the gas to come out of the
back of the engine?

I never really got why superchargers aren't just 'better' than turbos,
because I thought they were a more uniform power boost throughout rev
range. Does fuel efficiency get involved somewhere?

You *can* SC *and* turbo an engine, right?

 

Yep. A turbo is basically driven by "waste energy" - whilst a
supercharger takes real live effort to turn. It can also be easier to
find somewhere to put a turbo, because you don't have to fanny about with
belts to drive it.

Indeed you can, and a few hard-core nutters have done exactly that. Oh,
and VW...

 

But what about something like this?
http://www.photeau.com/yachts/comp_tall_yacts/sigma_33_nationls_cork_2000.jpg

Or even this:
http://www.wet-windy.co.uk/acatalog/Topperwithlogo8small.jpg

Hmmmm?

 

I think they saw you and thought "He looks dodge, give him the shite
ringer, he'll flog it on eBay in a couple of weeks".

I had a cooper - no problems - now on the cooper s - still no
problems. As the yellow peril owner said - I think you were the
exception - I do a fair few mini runs and frequent mini2.com and must
admit haven't heard of anyone who had the probs like you did.

;-)

 

Jealousy will get you nowhere.....

;-)

 

for "quirky" chickwheels, the beetle has a lot more space than the
mini, and is just screwed together better. Sure, it's style over
substance, but that's what women want, right?

 

Suzuki Swift is so much better than both.

 

you ain't got no style.

 

It's 'naff' apparently

 

Thanks Bear.

It's just struck me how little I know about cars or at least cars
currently on the market.

 

Not for me They are a very good car with more room & decent styling.

I would have to take the front seats out to drive it!

 

I imagine I don't need to say this, but avoid the automatic ones like
the plague. Seriously. They're truly, truly horrifically bad with a
gearbox that rivals the Alfa Selespeed thing for unreliability.

Otherwise, fine, but beware of the residual bubble which is beginning to
leak somewhat, and will burst very soon indeed.

 

It's also a brilliant way to dispose of money. Sister in Law bought a
new one in 2004, as she worked for Bentley she got a massive VW Group
discount which brought the price down from around £18k (very good spec
job) to something closer to £11k. She had it for just over two years,
didn't do huge mileage in it, kept it immaculate and properly VW
serviced, and it didn't even fetch £8k.

 

I think that if it costs more than the GDP of a decent sized country to
build, then it's ok(ish) to call it 'she'.

 

Heheh yellow peril My dad calls it that.

 

Aye, but was't the Skoda significantly cheaper to both buy and run? - as
well as actually having usable rear seats and a boot that takes more
than 2 bags from M&S.

 

Lancia, ffs. They did it properly, not the half arsed emissions dodging
bollocks VW are doing.

 

Secondhand would seem to be the way to go. There should be shitloads around
v. cheaply atm, especially if you don't mind an estate agent's name on the
doors.

 

Bought it