Rover Mini Cooper Sports

About 60% of Mini Coopers registered in the '90s in Germany are black, with about 30% in green. I prefer the (much rarer) metallic red or blue colours (including the "Blue Star" model, limited to only 400 and with blue leather seats!), so spent quite some time searching the advertisements in the local papers, and on the internet (at www.mobile.de, www.autoscout24.de and www.ebay.de). I finally found a Mini Cooper with the specification that I wanted - and after I had driven a Mini Cooper for the first time in my live, I had to buy it immediately (on January 20^th 2002). Unfortunately, the previous owner had to clear his financing policy with his bank, so I had to wait until February 9^th before I could bring our new baby home.


In unmarked metallic nightfire red, with a white roof and bonnet stripes, front fog lamps and spot lamps, this Cooper had driven only 64,694 kms when I collected her.


The Sports pack includes 175/50-13 tyres on Minilite rims, sports suspension and a loud sports exhaust system.




Inside, partial leather seats, a leather steering wheel and gearlever knob, a drivers' airbag plus walnut dash and extra instrumentation complement the lively 65 bhp engine just in front. The alarm and immobiliser should ensure that only I will enjoy this lovely car!


I was lucky to get an suitable registration (for a Mini Cooper first registered in October 1997).








One of the first changes was to replace the loud sports exhaust system with this Supersprint system, which is very quiet until full throttle is applied, then it growls appropriately.


Partial leather seats - much more comfortable than full leather on cold or hot days.


The next changes were to replace the cream leather gearknob with a walnut item, and to fit a Blaupunkt Travelpilot RGS08 Navigation System (with the display monitor fitted in place of the ash tray).


Here is a close-up of the Travelpilot computer, loudspeaker and remote control unit ....


.... and the 5" TFT diplay for the maps (stored on CDs), and the scale can be zoomed in ....


.... or out ....


.... or a simpler arrow can be used for guidance.

FUEL LOG

Date	kms	Miles	Litres	Gallons	l/100 km	mpg	Average l/100 km	Average mpg
06.10.97	0	0	Herr		bought	Mini	Cooper	LDK-
	-----	-----	Herr		bought	Mini	Cooper	LM- 88
20.01.02	64694	40110	Filled up	when we	bought	Mini	Cooper	SU-MC 1097
07.06.02	65389	40541	51,93	11,42	7,52	37,81	7,52	37,81
12.06.02	65559	40647	11,28	2,48	6,64	42,82	7,34	38,70
12.06.02	65560	40647	sold	Mini	Cooper	to	Johannes	Hartmannsgrueber
08.07.05	???	???	Johannes	sold	Mini	Cooper	to	Holland

Unfortunately, although I had sold my Renault Clio Williams to make space in the garage for this Mini, my incompetent solicitor (Herr Lietzau in Siegburg) failed to enforce the sales contract in court, recommending instead that I accept an out-of-court settlement and keep the Renault Clio Williams (further details here).
After I had paid over Euro 1601 to repair the damage done to the Clio by Kai Schrödter on his attempt to set a new land speed record from Neunkirchen to Bönnigheim (plus my contribution of over Euro 180 towards the court costs), I had to decide whether to sell the Mini or try to find another buyer for the Clio. Both cars were advertised, and I had a lot of interest (especially from Spain !!) in the Mini.
However, Johannes Hartmannsgrueber bought the Mini on 12.06.02 - I wish he has a lot of trouble-free fun with this superb car in its new home in Koblenz !!

UPDATE


Johannes sold the Mini on 08.07.05, and it is now being driven around in Holland !!!

Back

Page created on: January 21, 2002

Free JavaScripts provided
by The JavaScript Source