Comments on: Selling My MINI & the Search For the Next Car (Part Two) http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/04/01/selling-my-mini-the-search-for-the-next-car-part-two/ MotoringFile | MINI news, reviews and opinion. MINI Cooper, Cooper S, Clubman, Countryman Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:14:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: michael http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/04/01/selling-my-mini-the-search-for-the-next-car-part-two/comment-page-1/#comment-297128 michael Fri, 19 Feb 2010 03:17:26 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=8826#comment-297128 <p>Great experience review -- I am in your same position now. Exact same price range and requirements and have made the same car comparisons -- maybe we're long lost brothers. I was initially considering the 335i (sedan) though the engine on that thing scares me to death if something were to go wrong (as I'd get it with 60k miles on it already), I then considered the 2006 330i though felt the same way about those cars that they're all over the place, and am now set on the ZHP. Drove one today about 4 hours ago and still have a grin on my face.</p> Great experience review — I am in your same position now. Exact same price range and requirements and have made the same car comparisons — maybe we’re long lost brothers. I was initially considering the 335i (sedan) though the engine on that thing scares me to death if something were to go wrong (as I’d get it with 60k miles on it already), I then considered the 2006 330i though felt the same way about those cars that they’re all over the place, and am now set on the ZHP. Drove one today about 4 hours ago and still have a grin on my face.

]]> By: Sam http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/04/01/selling-my-mini-the-search-for-the-next-car-part-two/comment-page-1/#comment-257902 Sam Tue, 14 Apr 2009 06:28:35 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=8826#comment-257902 <p>So you gave up the station wagon - It's been a great safe car for my family - but like you I want to make a change. I've threatened the little girl that I would get a VW Hippie Van but I think I'm going to follow your lead.</p> <p>Sam</p> So you gave up the station wagon – It’s been a great safe car for my family – but like you I want to make a change. I’ve threatened the little girl that I would get a VW Hippie Van but I think I’m going to follow your lead.

Sam

]]> By: accel http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/04/01/selling-my-mini-the-search-for-the-next-car-part-two/comment-page-1/#comment-257559 accel Wed, 08 Apr 2009 05:41:17 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=8826#comment-257559 <p>ZHP....</p> <p>Why LSD is missing in this package?</p> ZHP….

Why LSD is missing in this package?

]]> By: Brad http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/04/01/selling-my-mini-the-search-for-the-next-car-part-two/comment-page-1/#comment-257213 Brad Fri, 03 Apr 2009 06:32:05 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=8826#comment-257213 <p>Congrats man. The only thing I would have changed to make that BMW a little more sporty would be the black grills which it already has!</p> Congrats man. The only thing I would have changed to make that BMW a little more sporty would be the black grills which it already has!

]]> By: JP Dunphy http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/04/01/selling-my-mini-the-search-for-the-next-car-part-two/comment-page-1/#comment-257196 JP Dunphy Thu, 02 Apr 2009 20:02:52 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=8826#comment-257196 <p>thumbs up!!!! u get my vote! i almost got the exact same kind of car, nav, m package, red only it was a convertible and i ended up going for the mini instead for pure love purposes :P</p> thumbs up!!!! u get my vote! i almost got the exact same kind of car, nav, m package, red only it was a convertible and i ended up going for the mini instead for pure love purposes :P

]]> By: Gabe http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/04/01/selling-my-mini-the-search-for-the-next-car-part-two/comment-page-1/#comment-257189 Gabe Thu, 02 Apr 2009 16:23:23 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=8826#comment-257189 <p>@<a href="#comment-257188" rel="nofollow">C4</a>: Oh I know! Imola makes the standard BMW red (or even Chili red on a MINI) look so desaturated and boring. And I love the fact it's not metallic :)</p> <p>Although my favorite E46 color has to be <a href="http://www.flickr.com/search/?s=int&w=all&q=laguna+seca+blue+m3&m=text" rel="nofollow">Laguna Seca Blue</a> (exclusive to the M3)</p> @C4: Oh I know! Imola makes the standard BMW red (or even Chili red on a MINI) look so desaturated and boring. And I love the fact it’s not metallic :)

Although my favorite E46 color has to be Laguna Seca Blue (exclusive to the M3)

]]> By: C4 http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/04/01/selling-my-mini-the-search-for-the-next-car-part-two/comment-page-1/#comment-257188 C4 Thu, 02 Apr 2009 16:14:13 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=8826#comment-257188 <p>Gabe, if you get the chance, park your E46 sedan right next to a new E90 sedan and look at both from the back. There is no comparison. And the Imola Red paint really brings out the clean lines of the E46 shape like no other can.</p> <p>Man, I am envious!!</p> Gabe, if you get the chance, park your E46 sedan right next to a new E90 sedan and look at both from the back. There is no comparison. And the Imola Red paint really brings out the clean lines of the E46 shape like no other can.

Man, I am envious!!

]]> By: Gabe http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/04/01/selling-my-mini-the-search-for-the-next-car-part-two/comment-page-1/#comment-257181 Gabe Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:25:20 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=8826#comment-257181 <blockquote> <p>Unfortunately the concept of good timeless looks and clean lines was simply too much from Mr. Bangle to comprehend.</p> </blockquote> <p>I agree that it's a classic design (as is the R53) but for the record it was Bangle who oversaw the exterior and interior design of the E46. In fact the designer of your Clubman was also the exterior designer of the E46 M3. Although I will say that without the M aero-kit (which my car has of course) I almost prefer the original non-facelift version of the E46 sedan.</p> <blockquote>I also wanted to say that Gabe purchased a fantastic automobile for 50% off!! </blockquote> <p>Technically it was more than 50% off :)</p>

Unfortunately the concept of good timeless looks and clean lines was simply too much from Mr. Bangle to comprehend.

I agree that it’s a classic design (as is the R53) but for the record it was Bangle who oversaw the exterior and interior design of the E46. In fact the designer of your Clubman was also the exterior designer of the E46 M3. Although I will say that without the M aero-kit (which my car has of course) I almost prefer the original non-facelift version of the E46 sedan.

I also wanted to say that Gabe purchased a fantastic automobile for 50% off!!

Technically it was more than 50% off :)

]]> By: C4 http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/04/01/selling-my-mini-the-search-for-the-next-car-part-two/comment-page-1/#comment-257180 C4 Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:25:06 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=8826#comment-257180 <p>I also wanted to say that Gabe purchased a fantastic automobile for 50% off!!</p> <p>Show me what $24K can buy you brand new these days....</p> I also wanted to say that Gabe purchased a fantastic automobile for 50% off!!

Show me what $24K can buy you brand new these days….

]]> By: C4 http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/04/01/selling-my-mini-the-search-for-the-next-car-part-two/comment-page-1/#comment-257179 C4 Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:23:08 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=8826#comment-257179 <p>The E46 BMW is like the MINI R53. Both are timeless and look absolutely fantastic. And both age very gracefully too.</p> <p>Unfortunately the concept of good timeless looks and clean lines was simply too much from Mr. Bangle to comprehend.</p> <p>I hope he is enjoying his retirement far from any BMW design studio.</p> The E46 BMW is like the MINI R53. Both are timeless and look absolutely fantastic. And both age very gracefully too.

Unfortunately the concept of good timeless looks and clean lines was simply too much from Mr. Bangle to comprehend.

I hope he is enjoying his retirement far from any BMW design studio.

]]> By: Alexander Chemerys http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/04/01/selling-my-mini-the-search-for-the-next-car-part-two/comment-page-1/#comment-257166 Alexander Chemerys Thu, 02 Apr 2009 13:19:11 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=8826#comment-257166 <p>My wife has the same car but in dark grey. She has had it since brand new.</p> <p>Good choice!</p> My wife has the same car but in dark grey. She has had it since brand new.

Good choice!

]]> By: Gabe http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/04/01/selling-my-mini-the-search-for-the-next-car-part-two/comment-page-1/#comment-257164 Gabe Thu, 02 Apr 2009 11:39:19 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=8826#comment-257164 <p>@<a href="#comment-257146" rel="nofollow">Eugene</a>: The big give-aways are the aerokit, wheels, lip spoiler, anthracite headliner, alacantara trim inside and red needles. Oh and the gloss black exterior trim is unique to this car as well.</p> @Eugene: The big give-aways are the aerokit, wheels, lip spoiler, anthracite headliner, alacantara trim inside and red needles. Oh and the gloss black exterior trim is unique to this car as well.

]]> By: GregW http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/04/01/selling-my-mini-the-search-for-the-next-car-part-two/comment-page-1/#comment-257155 GregW Thu, 02 Apr 2009 07:21:19 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=8826#comment-257155 <p>Gabe - Great choice. Now I do keep saying this but here I go again - this was the last of the BMW old school desings which is timeless. No funny eagle eye headlamps or flame treatment. A classic pre-Bangle car. No CCC programming to worry about. Good basic engineering.</p> Gabe – Great choice. Now I do keep saying this but here I go again – this was the last of the BMW old school desings which is timeless. No funny eagle eye headlamps or flame treatment. A classic pre-Bangle car. No CCC programming to worry about. Good basic engineering.

]]> By: Rossii http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/04/01/selling-my-mini-the-search-for-the-next-car-part-two/comment-page-1/#comment-257147 Rossii Thu, 02 Apr 2009 06:14:25 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=8826#comment-257147 <p>Great choice I've always like the ZHP Pkg on the sedans. I wish I bought one new. I have looked around and even found an Imola Red built by Rogue Engineering which has full engine, trans and diff from an e46 M3. Making it a true M3 Sedan. However with the economy decided to keep my MCS. I think its still available if anyone is interested.</p> Great choice I’ve always like the ZHP Pkg on the sedans. I wish I bought one new. I have looked around and even found an Imola Red built by Rogue Engineering which has full engine, trans and diff from an e46 M3. Making it a true M3 Sedan. However with the economy decided to keep my MCS. I think its still available if anyone is interested.

]]> By: Eugene http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/04/01/selling-my-mini-the-search-for-the-next-car-part-two/comment-page-1/#comment-257146 Eugene Thu, 02 Apr 2009 06:11:21 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=8826#comment-257146 <p>Gabe,</p> <p>just curious how can you easily tell if it a zhp when looking on cars.com or autotrader?</p> Gabe,

just curious how can you easily tell if it a zhp when looking on cars.com or autotrader?

]]> By: Nathaniel Salzman http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/04/01/selling-my-mini-the-search-for-the-next-car-part-two/comment-page-1/#comment-257141 Nathaniel Salzman Thu, 02 Apr 2009 03:49:14 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=8826#comment-257141 <p>Congrats Gabe! Great choice. Great looking car.</p> Congrats Gabe! Great choice. Great looking car.

]]> By: Evan http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/04/01/selling-my-mini-the-search-for-the-next-car-part-two/comment-page-1/#comment-257124 Evan Thu, 02 Apr 2009 00:39:16 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=8826#comment-257124 <p>Wonderful choice. Whenever I spot the performance package 330i my heart beats a little faster. I think the E46 is the peak of the 3 series. Refined a lot of the issues with the E36 which I will always love dearly, but then the E46 also didn't quite hit the size and complexity of the current E90, which is a great car, but more of a 5er than a 3er.</p> <p>Makes me wonder about space. When our family expands I've tossed around sticking it out with my '04 MC, getting a lightly optioned Clubman, or (drum roll) a gently loved E46. It's interesting how these cars attract such similar people.</p> <p>If there was a four door 1er or the if the 5-door 1er was available here, I'd have an easy decision. For now, we'll motor on in the R50, pure MINI at it's best!</p> Wonderful choice. Whenever I spot the performance package 330i my heart beats a little faster. I think the E46 is the peak of the 3 series. Refined a lot of the issues with the E36 which I will always love dearly, but then the E46 also didn’t quite hit the size and complexity of the current E90, which is a great car, but more of a 5er than a 3er.

Makes me wonder about space. When our family expands I’ve tossed around sticking it out with my ’04 MC, getting a lightly optioned Clubman, or (drum roll) a gently loved E46. It’s interesting how these cars attract such similar people.

If there was a four door 1er or the if the 5-door 1er was available here, I’d have an easy decision. For now, we’ll motor on in the R50, pure MINI at it’s best!

]]> By: SFRedMCc http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/04/01/selling-my-mini-the-search-for-the-next-car-part-two/comment-page-1/#comment-257118 SFRedMCc Wed, 01 Apr 2009 22:46:07 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=8826#comment-257118 <p>That Imola Red is a great red, it almost looks metallic compared to my Clubman's Chili Red. MINI's metallic Nightfire Red was a little too dark for me. Is the alcantara/leather wheel really better than the standard leather?</p> That Imola Red is a great red, it almost looks metallic compared to my Clubman’s Chili Red. MINI’s metallic Nightfire Red was a little too dark for me. Is the alcantara/leather wheel really better than the standard leather?

]]> By: C4 http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/04/01/selling-my-mini-the-search-for-the-next-car-part-two/comment-page-1/#comment-257107 C4 Wed, 01 Apr 2009 21:25:35 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=8826#comment-257107 <p>I really like the E46 330 sedan. And the color is fantastic too. Is this your first red car?</p> <p>Congratulations. You really did your homework well.</p> I really like the E46 330 sedan. And the color is fantastic too. Is this your first red car?

Congratulations. You really did your homework well.

]]> By: greg http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/04/01/selling-my-mini-the-search-for-the-next-car-part-two/comment-page-1/#comment-257102 greg Wed, 01 Apr 2009 21:12:14 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=8826#comment-257102 <p>"a red ******* chariot to take my ass straight to hell!"</p> <p>Nice job Gabe. Looks great!</p> “a red ******* chariot to take my ass straight to hell!”

Nice job Gabe. Looks great!

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