evilKoala.. dido that about BMW drivers.. I think BENZO drivers are even WORSE..

What I find interesting is you're using this forum, provided by MiniMania, who is trying to sell parts for ALL makes and models of Minis.  I'm not sure if it's stubbornness, lack of being aware, or just wanting to put someone else down, which we frankly have too much of in this world right now.

Thank you everyone that did reply with helpful comments, we all have our life experiences shaping our opinions and I too frequently see BMW drivers being a$$holes on the road but I still try to remember not everyone driving a BMW is like that.

daf..  me thinks if someone wants to buy BMW mini..  they need to go over to BIMI friendly website.. like north american motoring..   we tend to call a spade a spade here at MM..   and do NOT kiss any ARSEs..   later bc

A BMW MINI (including JCW) has yet to beat my classic MINI on the autocross track     Just sayin

I'm well aware of history, wolf.  And back in the day I watched Minis beating other sports cars in SCCA races.  How do you think I got interested in Minis/MINIs in the first place?  But if you're comparing a race-prepared Mini driven by an experienced race car driver against a bone-stock MINI driven by a civilian, well, what can I say?  Compare Apples to APPLES, though, and you won't be so smug.

Too bad this discussion has degenerated so badly.  It started, as you may recall, when a new person wrote in asking about buying a used MINI.  I offered opinions and help.  He never expressed an interest in classic Minis.  I don't see why you (and others) feel you have to attack those of us who like both MINIs and Minis.  Nor do I see any reason to continue here.

Just checking in. Yep, it's still effed-up.

daffododideb..    might do your history. the classic  mini won the MONTE CARLO RALLYE four times.   one time was xxx because of headlights..  what has your BIMI ever won..?/ best cup holder..  btw.  Mini Mover and I sold two classic minis to BMW/ MINI in 2000. to the late Jack Pitney the CEO of MINI..  and we went to private showings in Miami and then NJ also in 2000.for MINI,  the BIMI is just tarted up sedan..  sure does NOT have any PATINA.. or CLASS of a classic mini.....fyi. I have been lic dealer and importer for 44 years NOW..    later bc

Sorry, but I don't have cupholders in either classic car.  I'm too busy driving.

I get that you don't like modern MINIs (or BMWs).  I think they're very capable cars.  Maybe if you'd been on the roads with me last week, you'd have a different opinion.  If you're honest, you know they'll run rings around the classics.  Not that it takes anything away from the classics--they're simply from a different era.

sxsman... great photo.. reminds of when I was down in CUBA...  btw.. specialist .post was right on target , my thoughts  exactly about BIMI owners.. so Dafafodideb  .. what brand of cup holders did you get in your BIMI ?/ get the JURA expresso  maker?? wine cooler for two??  I HATE  BMW owners even worse than their poor  excuse of a british car.. btw. I drive a  red Bentley Mulsanne as my daily driver..  and own six classic minis..  later bc

It's sad that some people like "specialist" have such a low opinion of the MINI, as redesigned by BMW.  It's sad that some people even compare it to the original (classic) Mini.  They are different animals!

I've got 2 Porsches in my garage, too.  One's a '64 356 SC Sunroof Coupe, a car we've owned for 50 years.  The other's an '07 911 Carrera, purchased about 3 years ago.  They are night and day different.  They have different capabilities.  They're both fun to drive and can do amazing things, but it's best measured against the era when they were born.  No one expects a 356 to match a 911 in acceleration, for example.  Heck, my modern MINI can beat the 356 on the twisties!  In their day, though, the 356 was a remarkable car.  Same with a classic Mini.  And the heritage is evident when driving either classic.

I'm really looking forward to driving my classic again.  Actually, if it weren't raining, I'd probably do it today.  I'm finally able to get around without my walker for short distances, but as a practical matter, we don't drive our classic cars on wet roads.

The one thing I'd agree with specialist is that classics aren't a good candidate for rush hour commutes.  As for all the homophobic slurs, my husband (male) will dust him off any day in our MINI.  I'll do it too, if specialist doesn't mind getting beaten by a woman.  I live in the middle of the central Arkansas twisties, so pick a day and come on out.  I just drove 1000 miles this past weekend on some of the best sports car roads in the state, so I'm "tuned up" for the challenge.

That's a lot of miles!  I have 17" wheels, and pot holes aren't something I have to worry about much.  I'm  happy with about 40,000 miles to a set of the Extreme Contacts.  When the wet performance starts dropping, which is normally phenomenal, I replace them.  Dry cornering is great, too.  I've run this kind of tire pretty much since they came out, on MINIs and BMWs.

I never had good experiences with Continental ContiTouring guides on my VW Passat. Pot holes would kill them, etc. That was maybe 8-10 years ago, maybe they improved?  I started buying Michelin Primacy tires and was getting 100k on the first set with all my highway driving. I'm inclined to buy some Michelins when I have the dough, keeping the 15" wheels, and seeing how they do. 

I hate runflats.  Twice as expensive, but last half as long as good performance tires like Continental Extreme Contacts.  Tire shops don't want to repair punctured run flats, because they have to trust your word as to how long and how fast you drove.  Runflats are limited to UP TO 50 miles, and UP TO 50 miles per hour.  I wrote that as "UP TO" because when my car was pretty new, and I was still riding on the factory runflats, I got a chunk of metal in one of mine.  I got home, but in 14 miles of slow driving (flashers on), the rim was bent.  I'm not a fan.  Plus, you won't even get that with sidewall damage, like a pothole would deliver!

Better to get a good tire, and buy a space-saver spare.  I keep mine behind the front passenger seat, locked in place BY the seat.  It fits perfectly, and I only lost about 1" of passenger leg room.  I did that with my R56 and now also with my F56.  I also carry tire tools, a jack, a bottle of Slime, and a punch-type tire repair kit.  If I drove around my home town, I wouldn't bother with all that, but I drive a lot.  I drove 1000 miles on serious 2 lane twisties this weekend alone--Minis In The Ozarks!

When I installed KONI FSDs on my 2002 MCS, they totally transformed the cars' ride. So comfortable now, and respectable on the track as well...YMMV

Performance struts may exaggerate the issue. If you have the run flat tires they give MINI's a hard ride. You could try a strut brace to help out with the shock towers.

I still have to find the local mini club here in NJ. The dealership had a costume cocompetition (with the minis of course) followed by a road trip to an apple orchard an hour away.

I'm disappointed that in my Mini I feel any pothole I hit, it's very jarring... That's why I was hoping that installing performance struts would make a big difference. Of course I still would have to price it out but if higher end struts are only $100-200 more I would try it.

I'm really surprised a Gen 2 MINI had strut problems at such a low mileage.  That was common in Gen 1s, but they had pretty much fixed that situation by the time they came out with the Gen 2s.  Maybe the previous owner was one of the Dukes of Hazard, and thought he had the General Lee?  I don't personally know anyone who had the problem.

I'd just fix it with whatever fits your budget (OEM or aftermarket), and go on with your life.

BTW, I finally had to bring my Gen 3 car in for an actually repair--the passenger seat belt tensioner started acting up and trying to strangle whoever was using it.  Fixed under warranty at 38,000+ miles (3 years since delivery).  Lest you think this is a coddled car, it's not.  I'm at MINIs In The Ozarks right now, and will lead two...um...spirited drives in the next two days.  Also tackled the Dragon last May at MINIs On The Dragon.  These are just a couple of the fun events you can look forward to as a MINI owner...join a club and have fun!

Good luck!

I know my R56 has a cracked strut top too... Do you think if I repair it and get more expensive performance struts that would keep it from happening again?

It's a 2010 Clubman, 31k miles, all serviced at the dealer, and I feel better about the purchase because the dealership remembers them coming in and even remembered their names.

2-3 months ago they brought it to the dealer and they replaced a coil and (something).  I thought it was a spark plug since I thought  they went with the coils... is there 1 coil and 4 spark plugs, or 1 coil per spark plug?  Anyway, the dealer recommended they replace all 4 because if one was bad the others must be at that point to, but they were honest (?) and told them they really only needed to replace 1 and can wait until the 3 are flagged by the computer or they notice issues with how it's running. 
I don't really know what I'm talking about though >.>

The car unfortunately has some scratches, and one big scratch/dent on the passenger side from someone hitting it.  I plan on getting that fixed though so I can be proud driving around in a beautiful car 

I was thinking maybe if I meet some people at a Mini Meetup they can recommend a place for the body work.