First Drive : MINI John Cooper Works GP

Mini John Cooper Works GP (10)

Considering the MINI is due for replacement in 2014, the number of new variants rolling out of Cowley in its final few months shows that the brand is keen to maintain buyers’ attention. For its latest version, MINI is reviving the limited edition two-seat 2006 Works GP, creating the fastest production version of them all.

The original Works GP was a bit of a collector’s car. Produced with the help of Bertone, and stripped of its rear seats in a ruthless wight-saving programme, the limited-run supercharged GP was a ripsnorting, hardcore hot-hatch that sold out within weeks of its launch.

MINI is hoping that the 2013 incarnation will prove to be a case of history repeating itself. It’s made sure that the latest GP follows that car’s formula pretty much to the letter, right down to its limited run of 2000 cars across all markets. To create the Works GP, MINI uses a John Cooper Works as a starting point. The 1.6-litre turbocharged engine receives a new map, ekeing out another 7bhp, as well as changing the throttle response, and adding a ‘GP’ mode to the Sports DSC programme.

There are new 17-inch four-spoke alloy wheels with Kumho tyres that have been developed specifically for the GP – and holding it all together are new bespoke dampers plus front and rear strut braces. MINI claims the GP is 18 seconds quicker around the Nurburgring Nordschleife than the 2006 car – but frankly, that’s hardly relevant to UK buyers suffering post-winter pot-holes.

In truth, the biggest changes to the GP are cosmetic. The wheels are unique to this model, as is the carbonfibre rear spoiler and bodykit. Inside you’re treated to new leather and Alcantara-trimmed Recaro seats, which are supportive and comfortable plus red stitching on the seatbelts and gearknob, as well as piano-black trim. We also like the fact that – just like the original Works GP – it retains its rear passenger grab handles, despite the lack back seats.

Mini John Cooper Works GP (9)

It’s purposeful to look at and more appealing bereft of the flashiness you get in other expensive MINIs. The exterior paint and graphics also unique to this model. As before, you’re limited on the options front to nothing. When you buy your £28,790 Works GP, it comes as it is…

MINI hopes that you’ll really feel the difference on the road. And actually, they’re right. We drove the ‘standard’ John Cooper Works alongside the Works GP, and it’s clear that the limited edition car is a sharper driver’s car. You might not think so straight away – driving through town and heading for the country, you’ll be surprised to learn that the ride quality is improved, thanks to more compliant damping (the dampers were on their highest setting, some 20mm above the ultimate track height).

Get onto the challenging country roads and the Works GP comes to life. The steering remains unchanged over the standard car and that means a nice sharp turn-in with super-responsiveness – if a lack of ultimate feel.

WS8A5917

But with that low ride height and those super-sticky tyres, grip levels and confidence go up, making it a more satisfying car in which to drive quickly. Selecting ‘Sport’ adds weight to the steering and stiffness to the ride (as well as less intervention from the ESP), and going to ‘GP’ mode overrides the ESP’s ability to cut power when traction is lost, meaning you find the steering wheel trying to squirm in your hands more often, just as a fast hot-hatch should.

Straight line performance is okay with a 0-62mph time of 6.3 seconds and a maximum speed of 150mph, although for the money you can buy a lot faster cars. The six-speed gearbox has well-judged close ratios and the change quality is excellent, with clearly defined slots and lovely weighting. But the engine note is gravelly and unpleasant – if not excessively loud – and for fans of the original Works GP and its charismatic supercharger, that’s a disappointment.

But does any of that matter? This is a limited-edition model built for MINI enthusiasts who want the ultimate incarnation of their chosen car. The last Works GP became a collector’s car the moment it rolled out of the showroom and there’s no doubting that this one will too. The question is whether it is special enough – after all, MINI UK isn’t individually numbering these ones.

Undoubtedly, the 2013 MINI John Cooper Works GP turns heads like few other cars at this price, but for those not fully indoctrinated into the MINI universe, the asking price (of a car you can’t option up) of £28,790 is quite a premium for exclusivity. Given that the Renault Megane Renaultsport is as much as £6000 cheaper, will run to 160mph and has 265PS, that’s food for thought.

But let’s not forget that the John Cooper Works GP is brilliant fun to drive and easily the best of all the fast MINIs currently on sale. Existing customers, loyal to the brand, will be queueing up to buy it and, for its maker, that must surely mark it as a success.

 

Keith Adams

66 Comments

  1. @ Jemma…. LOL. Nigh on £30k gets you an awful lot nowadays that can blast this thing into the middle of next week, esp if you get something that is about a year or so old.

  2. dont like it…why is not in a Britax livery???if it is a John Cooper Wprks GP….they could call it an Mini M

  3. Great car! 🙂

    It will no doubt sell out quickly like the previous MINI GP which was also launched as a run-out model for the R50/53 MINI Mk1 range before the R56 Mk2 launched.
    As to be expected….the usual negative comments from the haters of all things MINI on here.

    I see the MINI Roadster (also much derided by many on ARO) has just won ‘Best Open-Top Car of 2013’ award by What Car Magazine!

    Quote:
    “The Roadster feels every inch the little sports car it looks like, thanks to its sharp steering and grippy handling. Go for the Cooper S version and you get power to match; its 181bhp turbocharged petrol engine rockets you from one corner to the next, yet average fuel economy is an impressively frugal 47.1mpg.”

    “The cabin has only two seats, but the driver and passenger get plenty of space and the boot has a useful 240-litre capacity. As you’d expect from a Mini, the interior is quirky and most of the materials have a good-quality feel. Running costs are affordable, helped in no small part by rock-solid resale values.”
    http://www.whatcar.com/awards/convertibles/mini-roadster-award-winner.html

  4. There is nothing that impressed me at that car! The only thing which is really impressing, are the people who could sell that overpriced item to customers that would pay so much for “nothing”.

  5. I have driven the R56 JCW MINI which is similar to this but not quite as hardcore.

    Brand new the car was £25k

    Is it worth that much? Hell no.

    I really don’t understand how they sell so well. The car is small (for a £25k car), uses minimal material and has a kind of “snap together” feel to it. There is no extravagance to the design, unlike the old R50 which had quirky little features. BMW tried to make it unique by putting scenic lighting in it, but heck even companies like Ford do that these days.

    I am a current owner of an R50 and have driven at least four R56’s. The R56 is dull and dreary, even the tarted up JCW version. I’m sure the same applies for this variant.

  6. Another great review. Have been following your website for over 8 years now and have a chuckle every time you publish a MINI artical at the negative comments from the same few people. Its as if they would only be happy to see MINI fail.

  7. Francis has hit the nail bang on the head. People who buy these shall we say are lacking in grey matter, when there are faster, and better cars out there for much less. Just wait til the 2014 version is due, Special editions will flood out of Cowley as they try to shift the old shape model, and numpties will still be daft enough to buy them

    • @yorkie, change the year and you described well what were the last 10 or even 20 years of the old Mini… Too expensive for what it was and – as some of here would say – bought as fashion accessory.

  8. A 1289 Felicia is faster than one of the last of the line Minis, but come on, just look what £28k buys you now. Almost 2 Skoda Fabia vRS for a start, and they have 170bhp to play with, and DSG 7 speed boxes, and they aren’t exactly spartan inside, plus you can get the kids in and shopping.

    And people who see this thing go by will thing ‘What a total prick/dickhead’ etc. The stickers and daft bodykit are so 1980’s and ‘Essex’, that they may as well paint it Burberry coloured.

    Now is not the time to go shouting about things, because this is a guarantee here, park this in a car park or in a busy street, and it will be covered in goz and have it’s paintwork keyed, simply because of what it is, and what it looks like, especially when people find out how much it costs. BMW need to learn to be subtle, and not ‘in yer face’. It’s just yet another crass & vulgar car from a German car company that specializes in vulgarity.

  9. Look you mong, 28k buys you 1.63 Skoda Fabia’s not nearly 2.

    Find another website if you just want to spout hate filled ignorant bile.

  10. I dont like Minis either….they are over priced…and the one I used to own went rusty from new in 2 years, the interior that “snaps togther” snapped apart.

    I wouldnt have another one…

    But lets face it, if it floats yer boat….it keeps the UK factories open….

    Me I would buy a one year old car with some real talent, and proper build quality

    Since I have been known to do mystery shop assignments, if you cant knock 14% of any brand of new car, yep including the posh ones…you aint trying hard enough :-0

  11. Yorkie,the comment about being keyed etc… I do hope you’re not vindicating that behaviour. And even if you’re not, that’s a sad reflection of our society as a whole (and I’ve never had our MINI vandalised – in fact the only car I have outside my house is a Hyundai), not the owner of the car…

  12. The cashed up bogans should be happy to drive with the cut-price MacPherson strut front suspension, owners of the Audi TT, at least the ones still alive to tell the tale, didn’t seem to mind.

  13. Ive had all my fancy cars keyed. If I had my own way I would move tommorrow to France. The UK is full of Angry jealous people.

  14. Jeremy – it’s not a new phenomenon. It’s a reflection of UK society values: in other countries, people see someone has something nice, they thing ‘if I work hard, I can have that’ – in the UK, it seems to be more a case of, ‘look at that tw*t, I’ll deprive him of his enjoyment of something he’s worked for…’

    That’s probably a cruel generalisation, but sometimes it seems that way.

  15. Keith,
    I will be 40 in a couple of months…its not a new phenomenon…but still gutting.
    have a great weekend
    Jezza

  16. The BINI always has been a fashion accessory, a Gucci handbag on wheels, and BMW see it’s on its last legs, so keep Coming up with more & more ludicrous editions to try and exploit the stupid, but £28k is Baby Rangey money, which has 2 extra seats, so can be used to take the little ‘dahlings’ to school, and it looks so much ‘cooler’ as it were.

    And a real petrolhead would not buy this overpriced ‘thing’, because there is so much better talent out there, for many thousands less, and can actually be used as every day cars, as they have 4 seats and a usable boot. If you put anything in the back of this Bini, and need to brake hard, you will either see it go flying through the windscreen, or it will hit you pretty hard on the back of the skull. And I see it is yet another car with no spare, which should be illegal, because if you have a blow out, you are stuffed. A can of foam isn’t going to get you home.

  17. @27
    “and BMW see it’s on its last legs”

    Ignorance is bliss! 🙂

    MINI Looks Back at the Most Successful Year in its History.
    (or since 1971 if you include pre 2001 Mini production years)

    “Global sales for MINI reached a new milestone by climbing to a record 301,526 vehicles in 2012 (+5.8%; prev. yr. 285,060). In December, sales remained around last year’s level with 28,751 vehicles sold (-2.4%; prev. yr. 29,467). The MINI Countryman recorded double-digit growth, with a total of 102,250 deliveries in 2012 (+14.8%; prev. yr. 89,036). Further momentum for the brand is expected with the launch of the MINI Paceman in spring this year. The U.S. remains the largest market for MINI, with a record-breaking 66,123 cars sold last year, followed by the U.K. with 50,367.”
    http://www.motoringfile.com/2013/01/11/mini-takes-looks-back-at-the-most-successful-year-in-its-history/

    What Car Awards 2013 🙂
    Winner, Best Open-Top Car:
    http://www.whatcar.com/awards/convertibles/mini-roadster-award-winner.html

  18. Mab01

    Don’t bother – you’re banging your head on a wall. Some miserable wonkers would be happier had MINI gone down the pan with MG Rover in 2005. You can’t change the entrenched views of narrow minded bigots.

  19. I’m surprised they didn’t make it as the coupe version.
    Obviously everyone that comments on it being too expensive hasn’t looked too closely at new car prices for a while… Although, if I was buying a new car at that money, I’d buy something else from BMW – the M135i, which is only £2k more – and would leave the RenaultSport Megane in it’s tracks as well… (both in performance and build quality)

  20. mab01 & Keith
    Perhaps we should get these narrow minded bigots to highlight what they consider to be good cars and then give our opinions on them.
    One mentioned Fabia VRS,I would say quite a nice car, especially the way it copies the MINI styling ,but far from perfect, after a quick check on the internet appears to have a bit of a problem with piston rings.

  21. hahahahah a note from a narrow minded bigot
    We have to divide the problem in two different sides
    the first
    BMW is using the classic mini heritage in the names of his models (from Cooper to the London streets names like Park line, or clubman and so one) but doing the work half done, beacouse they are then making those cars their own way, forgetting in a way that there is still someone who loves and cares about the classic Mini (like me and i think a few narrowminded biggots)we re replying only beacouse we care about
    on the other hand there are others that are looking at the car no mather what badge it wears and having discusion about the price and so one…is the car expensive, in my oppinion for those who buy it not, for those that dosent yes.

    But gentelmans there is two version of the Italian job movie ….and nomather what special effect you can put in the second (or third or fourth)you can hardly beat the first one….so BMW can play heritage seriously and sell in in a propper way or find a new proper way (not stealing nothing from the classic mini from the look like to the names) witch will be in my oppinion the best solution for the car and for us arguing about in any case a biggot oppinion and take it like that

  22. I should also clarify – classic Mini fans aren’t biggots (I’m one myself), but people who make judgements about others based on the cars they buy or products they consume.

  23. Ketih, not at all, but i am waiting that they do something special (technically)like the Mini was. A milestone. The MINI is comercally succesful ant there is no doubt about that, but in 50 years in the future what will be written in the classic car books about this car???
    What is written about the Mini can everybody read. But In my oppinion is still today playing a revival of the old model and as you know the copy is always more criticable than the original (even more if there is only a half citation of the original one)

  24. Jeremy @ Yorkie,
    I think you are right about the no spare wheel thing.
    It is just plain dumb…

    Indusutry standard today on new car and light commercials – saves cost, lowers weight, bolsters MPG figures…

    I agree with the sentiment, but it is a fact of the 2013 motor industry – however you get a heater today that 50 years ago was an expensive option.

  25. Right bigot eh? 67th in the 2012 JD Power survey for all variants of the Bini, down from 49th place? Quality product deserving of a premium price when it falls below the industry average? 68th was the X5. BMW aren’t quality, and they were 10th in the manufactures! DOH!

    For crying out loud, even the Peugeot 308 and Renault scenic were higher up, and we all know how hopeless they are!

    The results make interesting reading.

    http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/jd-power-survey-2012/the-results/263078

  26. Guys, experience has taught me, renault are better than mini. but (ask Keith) I did like driving mine…just hated owning it

  27. Andrew,there are cars there that sold way more then the Bini, but scored higher, so that argument holds absolutely zero water. You are hit with proof that quality and satisfaction is below average, and getting worse, and still froth. It is a very sorry tale of how you Mr Elphick, and many others have been blinded by sentiment and PR guff.

    May I also point out that the tide is turning big style against the Bini. Just look at the Pacman article Keith posted recently. It was universally hated, due to being unbelievably ugly, and once again several grand overpriced.

    BMW are doing all these stupid, and pointless editions, when they should be kicking people at Cowley and at the Steyr plant firmly up the arse to sort out quality. All those disgruntled buyers will tell their friends, and that can do untold damage. Once you get a bad word of mouth review, basically, you are knackered, as it the start of a chain reaction, especially when this is allegedly a premium product. People rarely mention good customer service & quality, but will openly mention if it’s piss poor

    Also, if it starts performing badly in the US JD Power survey, they can kiss the lucrative US market goodbye, so they really are going to have to put their house in order.

    I know a few of you seem to have fallen blindingly in love with the Bini, but the evidence is there to see. All isn’t what it’s cracked up to be, and you have to accept it

  28. Yorkie,
    P42. I agree with you 110%
    Watch this space, Keith is going to publish a story of Woe, when I foolishly brought a Mini in 2010. brand new….it went rusty within 2 years.
    My perception was it was a funky Golf, the reality was Peugeot running gear, sub standard interior [sorry not a patch of any thing from France]. Nothing at all broke down mechanically, but the interior was poorly assembled, and I wouldnt touch another with a barge pole. (Inc BMW)
    I just wanted shot, and took a fiscal hit on that car, so you can rest assured I will share my experience.

    I like my Subaru a lot, I really like the main dealer (Unity in Peterborough) it makes a real difference when you feel your custom is valued and nothing is too much trouble.

    14,000 miles in, I still really like my car, economy, pace, toys….

    Put simply no manufacturer can sell poor products and expect a viable business. [including Mini]

  29. Yorkie – As I said, you’re entitled to your opinion, but when you start calling the people who buy them the things that you do (lacking in grey matter, stupid etc) you destroy any semblance of a constructed argument. The car has faults, I said so in the test, assuming you read it, but calling those who buy MINIs shows your own lack of judgement.

    What car would you (have you) bought that’s so much better?

  30. Right Keith you want to know why people who will buy this overpriced & slow bauble aren’t all there? One word. REDUNDANCY. No matter who you are, except an MP or PwC vulture, you are not immune from that horrid word. If you have that kind of cash to throw around, save it, because some day everything will eventually stop spinning. Buying a car on the tick now is dubious too, and I know most manufacturers and dealers are reluctant to give anyone credit.

    And people like you, and Jeremy only bought the car for sentimental reasons. If you actually weighed up the car’s uselessness compared to everything else at the same price, you wouldn’t have bought it. All are purchased with the heart, not the head, which is in reality the wrong way to buy a car, and it seems 25% of owners have had the short shrift. That must really sting, and I really do feel sorry for the poor sods who paid out all that cash and got a lemon. It shouldn’t happen in this day and age, and really BMW should be brought to book. Perhaps all the former owners could get together and do a class action lawsuit?

    And on another related point, why remove Mr Brett’s comment? I’m sorry, but he was bang on about this car, and looking at other comments, there are lots who think it’s overpriced, and vulgar, and Keith, we do not need to know about yet another press release (complete with BMW PR dept photos) of yet another so called special. It’s getting almost weekly now, and tiresome. It also makes you look like you are sucking up to BMW. I know you are a motoring hack, and don’t want to bite the hand that feeds you, especially since you went freelance, but for crying out loud, give it a rest with new Bini so called stories. Just get Jeremy’s nightmare published and do some real journalism, and get digging the dirt on why BMW are making such a bog of things when it comes to quality.

  31. And to answer your question, If I was in the market for a new hot hatch, I would probably go for the 2013 Fiesta ST. I actually would avoid anything with the VAG 1.4, as they like to eat spark plugs, and drink oil faster than their thirst for unleaded. The Bini wouldn’t even show up on radar.

  32. Well I think this discussion proves how, despite its popularity, the new Mini hugely divides opinions.

    I can say from my R50 ownership that I get far more absure for owning it, than I actually got when I owned a Rover 25.

    I couldn’t care less. As far as I’m concerned the car has some obvious Rover DNA it. A huge amount of engineering was undertaken by Rover and you notice quite a few Rover parts on the car too.

    My wish was that BMW could have kept some engineering in the UK with the newer model. But not even a single part of the car is UK designed, and to be honest, considering it’s a British brand with British history I find that deeply worrying.

    They just pulled it off with the R56, but I have noticed they definetly seem less popular amongst the enthusiast community, and their used values seem to plummet compared to the old model.

    The “record” sales is simply down to a massive expansion of models. They have endless new variants. All of them increadibly ugly. This I believe is starting to drive a hatred for the MINI brand, which if BMW aren’t carefull could end up diluting and destroying the brand.

    As I’ve said before, wait and see untill the new hatch model comes out next year. If it really is 5 door, and if they really are going to get rid of the centre speedo and Germanize the interior even more, then it will be a great shame for MINI.

    • Chris,

      Agreed on all points there. I prefer the R50, and know that it’s a Rover design, penned and developed in the UK by Brits.

      It’s disappointing that MINI R&D and design don’t take place in the Uk, a fact reflected in the frankly baffling (Austrian made) Paceman and Clubman – as well as the R56’s watered down, too perfect (compared with the R50) driving experience. I was at the Barcelona launch of the R56 in 2007 and my first impressions were that most Mini DNA had now gone, and the car drove like a small BMW. I stand by that today. Shame, as I liked the old car’s rough edges and design.

      I remember MINI’s recent press release about the 300,000 plus sales of their car in 2012, and how it was the best year since 1972. I had to remind them that back there, there was one range of cars, whereas today, there are several, and the comparison wasn’t really valid.

      Like you, I await the 2014 car with interest. Some of the directions they appear to be taking it look worrying, but we’ll wait and see. As long as they make it here, and make it in volume, it’ll get covered (no doubt being spat at by one or two of the usual suspects), but if they further Germanise it, (as you say) it will be a great shame.

  33. Yorkie so all your bile about a car you have never driven is about fiscal jealousy? Get a grip man, and in the words of Lord Tebbits father “Get on your bike”. Your situation is unfortunate but strange as it may seem BMW can’t really be held accountable. Maybe you ought to do some real journalism, as your keen to support an opinion and have time on your hands?

  34. Which Francis Brett comment? I haven’t removed any?

    And I’m not freelance.

    And I’m certainly not sucking up to BMW. As I suspect, you didn’t read the story, but just looked at the pictures.

    And thanks for the editorial advice.

    Now go away.

  35. My sister recently bought a Countryman, & last summer my Dad got a Qashqai (another bugbear car for this site) so I’ll try to keep tabs on any problems they have have with them.

  36. Yorkie,

    I brought my Mini clubman as it was very low emissions, 109G/KM, which meant I could buy it thro my company, and do a big tax write off. I have a HUGE dog (Weimaraner) and the funny double doors give a really useful dog sized boot.

    I didnt buy it for sentimental reasons….

    More practice….if you look at a golf or a focus the hatch back design would mean my dog would bash his head often.

    If you guys have a look on Jason Dawe.com (sorry keith) there was an article in the twitter feeds about reliability….best/worst….Rover was at the bottom, then Mini. Audi did badly [same engine as Skoda me thinks]

    If I needed a hot hatch, I would seek out an Alfa with a 3.2Litre V6. and have a normal car to use day to day.

    For the sort of money that mini is, I would go buy a Subaru WRX, and have a grin on my face all day. Lets face it Subaru are built to be used and enjoyed, run by engineers not marketing people.

    It was my experience with BMW that they “expected” you to migrate to a beemer after a Mini.

    You should see the price of new cars in the US or Belgium…we always get fleeced here 🙁

  37. Keith,
    Surely there was a similar range of several classic Mini’s over the years including Mini, Mini Cooper, Mini Traveller/Countryman, Mini Moke, Minivan, Mini Pickup, Riley Elf/Woleseley Hornet, Mini Clubman Saloon/Estate/1275GT, Rover Mini Cabriolet?
    Had the finances been there we could also probably have added the 4WD Ant and MG sportscar/roadster Mini based prototypes, while BMW/MINI design have often said they include the BMC 1100/1300 to have been part of the Issigonis Mini range in all but name.
    Not to mention the special editions or aftermarket variants like luxury W&P/Radfords, the Broadspeed Coupes, comparable to todays luxury MINI Goodwood or the MINI Coupe now low volume niche models are more viable with modern production methods.

    The current MINI range is 7 variants with 10 in total said to be planned for the future I think.
    MINI Hatch, Cabriolet, Coupe, Roadster, Clubman/Clubvan, Countryman, Paceman.
    Possible Traveller, 5-door hatch, Rocketman to come?

    PS. All are built at Oxford (including Clubman you mentioned) except for Countryman and Paceman. Plus the satelite factory starting in Holland later this year.

  38. @ Keith Adams “Jeremy – it’s not a new phenomenon. It’s a reflection of UK society values: in other countries, people see someone has something nice, they thing ‘if I work hard, I can have that’ – in the UK, it seems to be more a case of, ‘look at that tw*t, I’ll deprive him of his enjoyment of something he’s worked for…’
    That’s probably a cruel generalisation, but sometimes it seems that way.”

    Keith, I parked a Rover 45 and and Land Rover Defender (and the Land Rover was pensionable” overnight in Warrington. Both got keyed. But it’s the same down South in a “normal” area. Years ago, my Dad was “showing off in his nice car” by driving his Volvo V70 to work. A, how do you show off by driving to work and B, my Dad is not the kind to show off. He has driven and drives what you would describe as “flash” cars. But only to please no-one but himself. Sadly, way too many people think in the way you’ve described nowadays. When I see a really special car, I mentally thank the owner for brightening up my day. How spoiling something you like for somebody else, will enrich you life, is beyond me. But there we go, it happens 🙁 It would be like me being jealous of your success, after you’ve GIVEN me such a great site to use, free of charge. I find seeing the success of others inspiring and motivating. But if I want those nice things, I’ll get off my backside and work for them, or get the next bast thing, not complain that I can’t have them. But Yorkie is right. There’s a sense of entitlement in our society now which seems to have replaced work ethic…

  39. Frankie,

    Your on the money.

    My last “fancy” car was a Volvo S60R, it got keyed in Somerset…I almost cried. really.

    My money that I sweated for 🙁

    I wish the coppers would catch some criminals for a change….rather than pestering motorists for every tiny thing they do wrong !

  40. Latest one we had here was that a series of cars down the street were attacked. Nothing too major, but two cars lost their driver’s door mirror, two were dented (including my son’s beloved Citroen BX) by kicking, and the Hyundai I had on test had its front number plate physically ripped off and thrown into a neighbour’s garden.

    Stupid, and no wonder I’m now fitting CCTV. Thing is, why should we have to?

  41. Even though there area where I live isn’t brilliant, I’ve not noticed any newer or flasher cars being keyed.

  42. Anyone keying a car should be slashed.Anyway,if this car was track ready,stripped out with all the safety gear i would not baulk at the heavy price.For that money i could buy a nearly new Connect,an Ifor Williams trailer and a cat D/C damaged repairable cooper S and make it a track day cars and still have loads of change.Its an overpriced trinket for trouts with cooters like an hippo’s yawn.

  43. “For that money i could buy a nearly new Connect,an Ifor Williams trailer and a cat D/C damaged repairable cooper S and make it a track day cars and still have loads of change” When you put it like that…

    “Its an overpriced trinket for trouts with cooters like an hippo’s yawn.” You should write adverts for MG Francis, still better than their marketing lines 😉

  44. I once owned a mini-gp and can honestly say it was the greatest car i have ever owned, i had to sell my car collection due to health problems, i have owned astons,porches,gtr skyline,you name it ive had them,and the mini gp was the best for fun running cost simplicity etc, that little mini gp attracted more attention from people than any other car ive owned, i absolutely loved it and it was worth every penny and if i had my health back i would go and buy another ,it learnt me one thing in life that the simple things are the best,no way would i pay £ 50000 plus again for cars, when the mini gp tops them all.

  45. mmm seems to me that (yorkie fella) wants a mini but cant afford one!!!! its a terrible thing ENVY !

  46. What a fantastic looking MINI, The other car manufacturers
    have a LOT to learn from MINI.
    Keep up the great work BMW.

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