# We just bought a Mini Cooper - anything I should know? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 1, 2010, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-just-bought-a-mini-cooper-anything-i-should-know/534593 "2010-04-01T17:01:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![crazyjoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@crazyjoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crazyjoe)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2010, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-just-bought-a-mini-cooper-anything-i-should-know/534593/41 "2010-04-05T21:00:22Z")
> [@duality72](#): > > When the runflats wear out (or sooner if you’ve got the dough), replace them with non-runflats for a smoother ride and add a bottle of fix-a-flat to your emergency kit. > > Find your closest Mini Cooper car club/Meetup and attend. You’ll get lots of good info. Has anyone ever successfully used fix-a-flat? I’ve tried it on more than one occasion and never had any luck with it. Seems like the problems it can treat are pretty minimal. ---
**Author:** ![TV\_time](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f17d59/32.png) [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2010, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-just-bought-a-mini-cooper-anything-i-should-know/534593/42 "2010-04-05T21:16:11Z")
> [@crazyjoe](#): > > Has anyone ever successfully used fix-a-flat? I’ve tried it on more than one occasion and never had any luck with it. Seems like the problems it can treat are pretty minimal. I have used it on about three occassions and had very good luck. The people who broke down the tires later to mount the new tires or repair the old one hated my guts for using it, but it worked fine. There are two different companies that make the stuff and one works well and the other is a complete failure. The one with the long tube is no good the one that fills directly from the nipple on the can works well, if I remember correctly. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2010, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-just-bought-a-mini-cooper-anything-i-should-know/534593/43 "2010-04-06T13:27:28Z")
The good thing about a Mini Cooper is that if you accidentally flood the carburetor; you can just put the car up on your shoulder and burp it. Regarding fix-a-flat. like the can says, use them for emergencies only, then the get the tire properly fixed when you get a chance. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2010, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-just-bought-a-mini-cooper-anything-i-should-know/534593/44 "2010-04-06T13:48:46Z")
Capitalizing Mini makes you look like a tool. ---
**Author:** ![Winston\_Smith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e95f7d/32.png) [@Winston\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winston_Smith)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2010, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-just-bought-a-mini-cooper-anything-i-should-know/534593/45 "2010-04-06T14:07:47Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > And who the _hell_ would buy an _automatic_ Mini? [Me!](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=558662) ---
**Author:** ![Hanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b3f665/32.png) [@Hanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hanna)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2010, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-just-bought-a-mini-cooper-anything-i-should-know/534593/46 "2010-04-06T14:54:19Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Capitalizing Mini makes you look like a tool. ahhh…that’s to distinguish them for the original Mini. The MINI USA site does it, sorry it bothers you. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2010, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-just-bought-a-mini-cooper-anything-i-should-know/534593/47 "2010-04-07T14:29:32Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Capitalizing Mini makes you look like a tool. I capitalized it because I thought the name of the car was the Mini Cooper. So you’re saying it isn’t? It’s just a Cooper that happens to be small? So is it just as accurate to say small Cooper? That doesn’t right true with me. You know what makes people look like a tool more? Jumping into a thread to say someone looks like a tool for capitalizing a letter when most people don’t even care one way or the other. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2010, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-just-bought-a-mini-cooper-anything-i-should-know/534593/48 "2010-04-07T14:40:45Z")
> [@Enright3](#): > > I capitalized it because I thought the name of the car was the Mini Cooper. So you’re saying it isn’t? It’s just a Cooper that happens to be small? So is it just as accurate to say small Cooper? That doesn’t right true with me. > > You know what makes people look like a tool more? Jumping into a thread to say someone looks like a tool for capitalizing a letter when most people don’t even care one way or the other. :rolleyes: No, not Mini. MINI. Mini is fine. > [@Hanna](#): > > ahhh…that’s to distinguish them for the original Mini. The MINI USA site does it, sorry it bothers you. The National Association of Realtors also capitalizes every letter in “Realtor”. I also refer to them as tools. The “BMW” part distinguishes the new car from the old one pretty clearly. ---
**Author:** ![Ingi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a6a055/32.png) [@Ingi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ingi)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2012, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-just-bought-a-mini-cooper-anything-i-should-know/534593/49 "2012-08-29T16:36:32Z")
Hey everyone, I just wanted to say that this thread has been very helpful and I am so happy I’ve found it. Although a little bit more stressed out now because I was going to buy a mini, 02 S or none S haven’t decided yet but I’m realizing I probably shouldn’t? Do you guys recommend to save up for the 05 S minimum? I’m also non native speaker and apologize for any typos. Ingi ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2012, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-just-bought-a-mini-cooper-anything-i-should-know/534593/50 "2012-08-29T16:53:52Z")
Mini’s are the preferred ride of driving zombies everywhere. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2012, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-just-bought-a-mini-cooper-anything-i-should-know/534593/51 "2012-08-29T17:11:09Z")
> [@Philster](#): > > What you should do is start _another_ thread about what oil to use and when to change it. We’d all really appreciate that. You must read other, car related boards, don’t you? 😃 Hey I realize it was an old post but your light was green, so I know you are still here. ---
**Author:** ![Marconi\_N.Cheese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Marconi\_N.Cheese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marconi_N.Cheese)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2012, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-just-bought-a-mini-cooper-anything-i-should-know/534593/52 "2012-08-29T22:33:35Z")
If you really want to have fun in that car, and push it (and yourself) to the limit in a safe environment, find yourself a local [Autocross](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autocross) club. You can thank me later. 🙂 Actually, any car can do it, it’s just a lot more exciting in a mini, sti/wrx, go cart, etc. Ignore the mini on three wheels in the picture, it’s been modified. Your stock S on street tires will be more than adequate to get your heart pumping. Solo (autocross) is really cheap too. At first… ---
**Author:** ![The\_Great\_Cornholio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ed8c4c/32.png) [@The\_Great\_Cornholio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Great_Cornholio)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2012, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-just-bought-a-mini-cooper-anything-i-should-know/534593/53 "2012-09-01T20:35:58Z")
> [@Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](#): > > OP: You should know that I am green with envy. I think they are so cute, but I’m afraid to drive anything so small. Still… JEALOUS! Christ, if you think those BMW Mini abortions are small, you should try a REAL Mini Cooper S, they are tiny. They go like stink though, handle like they are on rails and make those new BMW things look like the ugly pieces of shit they are. Watch the Italian Job with Michael Caine… ---
**Author:** ![AtomicDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ac91a4/32.png) [@AtomicDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AtomicDog)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2012, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-just-bought-a-mini-cooper-anything-i-should-know/534593/54 "2012-09-01T22:08:35Z")
My wife has a Mini. Fun to drive; miserable to ride in. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2012, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-just-bought-a-mini-cooper-anything-i-should-know/534593/55 "2012-09-02T02:37:15Z")
Park in the driveway and drive on the parkway. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-just-bought-a-mini-cooper-anything-i-should-know/534593.md?page=2)