MINI Most Appealing in Segment for 3rd Year

Sections: Uncategorized Oct 18th, 2004 16 Comments

From MINIUSA PR:

For the third year in a row, the MINI Cooper ranked highest in the Compact Car Segment in J.D. Power and Associates latest Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study. The study measures owners' delight with the design, content, layout and performance of their new vehicles.

MINI has been successful attracting buyers with a fun, unique design, including the cars' signature contrasting roof, and wheels pushed to the four corners. The wheels at the four corners, along with a responsive chassis, give MINI its go-kart-like performance – another appeal that has drawn customers to MINI. And customers have enjoyed the freedom to individualize the content of their MINI with every option offered a-la-carte. This is all combined with the MINI brand?s fun and “cheeky” personality, offering customers a truly enjoyable ownership experience.

“We are excited to have received this award,” said Jack Pitney, vice president of MINI USA. “To receive this honor for the third year in a row is a true testament of how much delight owners are having behind the wheel of their MINIs and it underscores the performance, fun and value our cars provide to them.”

The 2004 APEAL Study is based on responses from 102,951 new-vehicle owners during the first 90 days of ownership. The study, now in its ninth year, is based on eight specific categories of vehicle performance and design that identify what consumers like and dislike about their new vehicles. The areas are: engine/transmission; ride, handling and braking; comfort/convenience; seats; cockpit/instrument panel; heating, ventilation and cooling; sound system; and styling/exterior.

Written By: MF Staff

Patrick

Im a new owner. I have had the car since Friday. I concur with the results of the study. Simply fantastic. More fun than a go-kart. completely solid, beautiful design, cant beat it for the price.

http://homepage.mac.com/applecello/PhotoAlbum38.html
http://www.gilbertlee.com Gilbert Lee

I got my first Porsche in 1973. That was the most excited I've ever been about getting and driving a new car…at least until 9 days ago when I took delivery of my '05 MINI S.

I went with the Atlanta Minis to the Georgia and Tennessee mountains yesterday …logging 500 miles. It was the most exciting and exhilerating experience I've ever had driving a car.

Also, the act of purchasing the car and waiting for the delivery was a true delight. MINI BMW goes out of its way to make the experience of ordering the car, waiting on the car, and taking delivery of the car something most of us have never experienced in the car buying world…pure JOY!

So, all that said, I really, really like my MINI S a lot.

PS…It's the first time I've ever wanted to name a car.
Frank

As an owner of 2 MINIs ('02 Cooper CVT and '04 MCS)these beautiful cars still put a big grin in our faces everytime we drive them. I got my MCS a bit over a year ago and I still look forward to drive it and bee seen in it.

I have never owned a car that turns every single day into a “new delivery”…simply amazing!
GSKChicago

Well said Gilbert and Frank.

I've only had “Sally” for two months now, but I feel like I missed out on something if a day goes by that I didn't drive my car.

I actually look for excuses to drive her still (such as driving out to BFE to meet clients rather than have them meet me. :o)
GW

I've never made more frieds at gas stations in my life. I absolutely LOVE my 05 MCS.
Kyle

My 05 MCS has completed production and is waiting for delivery. Any of you guys in this boat a few months back know how long it takes from the time its done until you take delivery? I have dreams about my Mini weekly. Can't wait to get it!
Paul

I took delivery of my '04 MCS on May 1st, 2004. Mine waited to be put on a boat for about 2 weeks. I'm sure they wait to fill up a boat, so you may or may not have to wait that long depending on where you fall. I think it took about 5 days to cross the Atlantic to arrive in NJ, then about another week before it was at my dealer.

It was well worth the wait! Enjoy your new MCS!
GSKChicago

Kyle, I think it took about 2 to 3 weeks for my '05 MCS. Mine ended being re-routed to South Carolina if I remember correctly though… No matter how long it takes, it won't be fast enough and then once you get it, you will never be able to have too much fun in your MINI. :o)

Good luck and soon, welcome to the wonderful world of MINI Motoring. :o)

G.
Kyle

Thanks Guys! I live in Utah. Will that make any difference on shipping times?
GSKChicago

I can't see it affecting things more than a day or two. Once it hits port, it's loaded onto a covered truck (so not exposed to the elements). However long it takes them to get it to your dealer from port. I'm in Chicago, so maybe another day or two from here is all I would see being a delay.

But that is my non-expert opinion. If it's worth anything. :o)
COOPR SS

Kyle,

I believe the Utah dealers get their cars form the California vehicle processing center. That will add another week to go thru the Panama canal and end up over here on the West Coast.

I know what you are going through, when my 04 MCS came over there were 600 + MINIs offloading at the processing center and I swear mine was the last off the boat and last to be processed. It took two weeks at the center for mine.

A coworker's MINI came on the same boat as mine, and was delivered at Murry MINI in Salt Lake City before mine arrived at the dealer here in SoCal.

Just the luck of the draw.

Be Patient, it will be worth it.

Bill
marksmith

Nothing is more fun than seeing the front of a MIni Cooper (or a whole row of them) smiling back at you. BMW/MINI has done something extaordinary: they have produced a car that has captivated and charmed a global audience in record time. How is it that a car manages to attain an almost anthromorphic quality? People speak of the Mini in endearing terms as they would a pet, loved one or fond memory. -Bravo Mini. We love ours too!
marksmith

Sorry. Anthropomorphic: Human like attributes (often used to describe the new mini.)
Mila Hanousek

I got my Mini Cooper S in August 2002 and did not stop smiling since then. Even now, wherever I go, I get people oogling and wanting to look inside, little and (“big”) kids waving. I took my Mini to a race track in Shannonville to learn “How to get the most out of my Mini” sponsored by BK Morors in Waterloo, Ontario. You should all try it!!! What a fun; all those curves, (you do not get that feeling on HWY 401, or your American Interstates) and it helps you to realy get to know what you can do, and all that without worring about getting a ticket!! I love my “Little Coop” (he is a boy by the way!)and listens to me better than my husband and seems to always know, what I am going to do, before I do it; it's like he reeds my mind!
Enjoy your Minis, I know I will, (I won't trade him for our M3, no way, even thought we would get a better price for it). Can anybody tell me why cars have to have a girls name??
http://www.marinbmw.com Mark

I purchased my 03 MCS used by a British family moving back to the UK after having the car for just over a year. I just could n't wait 6 months for a new Mini. Also dealers in the San Francisco Bay Area are charging $2500 above list. The car was driven by wife to go shopping around Marin County here in NorCal.

Electric Blue with the Union Jack on top, the car is instantly recognizeable. I get so many compliments from friends and other drivers. Even my buddy with a Ferrari was so taken with it that we had to switch cars on one of our Sunday Morning Drives up the coast. I had more fun in the Mini than the 360 Modena. I know he did too because he did n't want to switch back to his car. He ordered an '05 the next day: MCS JCW black/black fully done (no GPS).

Instead of sitting in the hour+ commute on highway 101, I take the back roads in West Marin. I arrive at work everyday with the biggest grin on my face!!!!

The gas mileage I get rivals my BMW K1200RS motorcycle! My kids love it.

It is an amazing thing BMW has done! I would love to see an AWD version with the new BMW/Renault engine they are working on. I would be first in line to give them my money!!!!
http://pjcarfanatic.com P.J,WASLIEN

I have owned close to 400 cars in my life,( an addiction,not a business), and the Mini Cooper S is more fun to drive than any of the others.Check out my website, and you will see about 15% of the cars I have owned.If only I had saved photos of all of them. Love my Mini S PJ

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