Would you buy a used SE without the benefit of a warranty?

  • Thread starter Thread starter gosjsgdi
  • Start date Start date
  • Replies Replies 80
  • Views Views 10K
yes, the i3 was far more spacious, but the Mini is a better car in every way IMHO. Had an i3 for 3 years, FYI.
I admire what you own/drive but I’m only own small cars and with my 2014 I 3 I beat any SE speed wise bc rear drive and 2600 lbs and as we love SE this is reality nobody want to admit as a proud SE owners as I own SE 9 months and I 3 6 years and 911 and 944 and race a cars in EU in 1970 sties I know what I’m talking about .
 
I’ll just quietly wait for @insightman
I closely followed @Tifosi's mods to his SE. If he says it is the least-fun car in his stable, it's not because he didn't try. Personally, I don't see how a 5,000-lb Q7 could ever be as much fun as his cornering-enhanced 3,100-lb SE.

Not only am I blessed to be one of the few MINI Cooper SE owners in the world, but I'm also blessed that I've never driven a car that's more fun. I just returned from a ribs-run and had a total blast--as usual.

@Tifosi, I hope your ankle is healing well and your primary platform soon regains its cornering ability.
 
well, its just a cleaner tech. This is pretty well accepted science. You can google as much as you want, but here are a couple articles:

Hydrogen-fueled cars have some advantages over EVs.
- They can run for 300 miles, and fueling up takes 10 minutes. EVs can go about 200 miles, and juicing up can take 45 minutes.
- EVs lose range in cold weather. But hydrogen cars do not.
- Most importantly, the exhaust gas from a hydrogen engine consists of pure water vapor. It is therefore emissions-free.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/kensil...reduction-act-will-fuel-both/?sh=30b78d734d01

"How do FECVs and BEVs compare in regard to environmental friendliness?
FCEVs are also the best option in terms of environmental impact, as fuel cells can be a 100 percent renewable and environmentally friendly energy system. In the absence of adequate recycling systems, the lithium-ion batteries used in BEVs are expected to cause a serious environmental crisis when they reach the end of their useful lives.

While driving, the car emits pure water vapor and filters ultrafine dust from the atmosphere. This fundamental feature of the FCEV has drawn a lot of public attention as the future of eco-friendly mobility. This technology may have a huge impact on our lifestyle in terms of sustainability due to the abundance of hydrogen on Earth and the production process itself being highly eco-friendly.

Overall, FCEVs are cleaner than BEVs and internal combustion vehicles, with additional room for improvement as hydrogen generation and distribution advances. FCEV production is also cleaner than BEV production due to fewer raw material requirements compared to BEV mineral mining and the consumption of heavy metals such as lithium and cobalt. FCEVs are also easier (and cheaper) to recycle than BEVs."
https://www.greenbiz.com/article/battle-over-electric-vehicles-could-hydrogen-win

EVs are horrible for the environment. All it does is shift emissions to unregulated countries like China were the rare earths are mined. Ever been to China? I have, many times. I am sure I am going to live 5 years less from the air I breathed while there! lol There are many data points that show clean burning fossile fule vehicles are far better overall for the environment (when looking at the FULL lifecycle). Its just that the media and talking head politicos are on a clean energy kick, without really disclosing all the "gotchas"
How the wipers from Hydrogen cars as water exhaust will do on cold climates which is 1/2 of USA on a roadways making roads as ice ?
 
I closely followed @Tifosi's mods to his SE. If he says it is the least-fun car in his stable, it's not because he didn't try. Personally, I don't see how a 5,000-lb Q7 could ever be as much fun as his cornering-enhanced 3,100-lb SE.

Not only am I blessed to be one of the few MINI Cooper SE owners in the world, but I'm also blessed that I've never driven a car that's more fun. I just returned from a ribs-run and had a total blast--as usual.

@Tifosi, I hope your ankle is healing well and your primary platform soon regains its cornering ability.

Thanks for the nice words, ankle is good! back on the bike! lol

Yes, the Q7 is not more fun, but faster, more comfy, better stereo, and easier to get in and out of for sure! lol

I am way jaded. I was the chief instructor at a Ferrari racing school as well as road raced for 15 years. I have driven a lot of epic cars, including a Ferrari GP car from 1954, twin turbo Lambo GTR race cars, Michelotto 360 GT champion cars, RUF's of many iterations, etc.
 
Pitting hydrogen against electric is falling into the FUD being driven by entrenched big oil interests. Gets the better technology camps tearing at each other to slow the switch away from ICE.
we need to slow it as there is no infrastructure to support the pace at which the tech is being pushed. CA is already telling EV owners NOT to charge on some hot summer days! lol
 
Pitting hydrogen against electric is falling into the FUD being driven by entrenched big oil interests. Gets the better technology camps tearing at each other to slow the switch away from ICE.
Puppethead drive in MN Hydrogen car as you need more ice on your roads as they spilling water from exhaust pipes - joke .
 
we need to slow it as there is no infrastructure to support the pace at which the tech is being pushed. CA is already telling EV owners NOT to charge on some hot summer days! lol
As I’m Living in NY is not a issue yet to charge EV but I will not be surprised if this come here soon as all over a country once we close a spigots on all energy just only green which can’t do it for next 50 years if we not get technology from out of this WORLD
 
Thanks for the nice words, ankle is good! back on the bike! lol

Yes, the Q7 is not more fun, but faster, more comfy, better stereo, and easier to get in and out of for sure! lol

I am way jaded. I was the chief instructor at a Ferrari racing school as well as road raced for 15 years. I have driven a lot of epic cars, including a Ferrari GP car from 1954, twin turbo Lambo GTR race cars, Michelotto 360 GT champion cars, RUF's of many iterations, etc.
I'm so lucky to have progressed from an Austin-Healey 100-6 to a Fiat-Abarth OT1000 (stroked Fiat 850 convertable), a Porsche 914 2.0, a Mazda RX-7, 2 consecutive Honda CRX Si's, then 2 consecutive gen-1 Honda Insights. I enjoyed every one of those cars more than their predecessors and the MINI Cooper SE tops them all. I don't know how you cannot be bored with anything remotely affordable after the amazing cars you've driven.
 
I had a 86 CRX Si, with full Jackson Racing mods. it was so fun! Great car. First car I auto-x'ed in! Wish I still had it!

I am bored by modern cars, they take away the driver's job IMHO. All the modern safety features, paddle shifters, etc. Cars are faster and safer, but way less fun.
 
well, its just a cleaner tech. This is pretty well accepted science. You can google as much as you want, but here are a couple articles:

Hydrogen-fueled cars have some advantages over EVs.
- They can run for 300 miles, and fueling up takes 10 minutes. EVs can go about 200 miles, and juicing up can take 45 minutes.
- EVs lose range in cold weather. But hydrogen cars do not.
- Most importantly, the exhaust gas from a hydrogen engine consists of pure water vapor. It is therefore emissions-free.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/kensil...reduction-act-will-fuel-both/?sh=30b78d734d01

"How do FECVs and BEVs compare in regard to environmental friendliness?
FCEVs are also the best option in terms of environmental impact, as fuel cells can be a 100 percent renewable and environmentally friendly energy system. In the absence of adequate recycling systems, the lithium-ion batteries used in BEVs are expected to cause a serious environmental crisis when they reach the end of their useful lives.

While driving, the car emits pure water vapor and filters ultrafine dust from the atmosphere. This fundamental feature of the FCEV has drawn a lot of public attention as the future of eco-friendly mobility. This technology may have a huge impact on our lifestyle in terms of sustainability due to the abundance of hydrogen on Earth and the production process itself being highly eco-friendly.

Overall, FCEVs are cleaner than BEVs and internal combustion vehicles, with additional room for improvement as hydrogen generation and distribution advances. FCEV production is also cleaner than BEV production due to fewer raw material requirements compared to BEV mineral mining and the consumption of heavy metals such as lithium and cobalt. FCEVs are also easier (and cheaper) to recycle than BEVs."
https://www.greenbiz.com/article/battle-over-electric-vehicles-could-hydrogen-win

EVs are not great for the environment. All it does is shift emissions to unregulated countries like China were the rare earths are mined. Ever been to China? I have, many times. I am sure I am going to live 5 years less from the air I breathed while there! lol There are many data points that show clean burning fossile fule vehicles are far better overall for the environment (when looking at the FULL lifecycle). Its just that the media and talking head politicos are on a clean energy kick, without really disclosing all the "gotchas"

A few points:
  1. hydrogen is cleaner tech only if it isn't generated from fossil fuels.
  2. With respect to recycling LI-ion batteries, as a result of the IRA, all of those Chinese batteries will be recycled into American made batteries. (So, recycled Li will then be American and will qualify for a federal tax credit.)
  3. This company, https://graphenemg.com/energy-storage-solutions/aluminum-ion-battery/, claims to be working on a better battery that doesn't use rare earth metals.
  4. This URL, https://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/electric-vehicle-myths#Myth2, shows that EVs are better for the environment than ICE vehicles, even if you include the manufacturing. So, yes, while we're outsourcing our EV manufacturing pollution to China, they are still better for the environment than ICE cars. And lastly,
  5. If you think the EV charging network is bad, just look at the hydrogen gas stations all around. I would consider purchasing a Toyota Mirai, but there's a dearth of places to fill up in Texas. At least I can charge my future SE at home, which is powered remotely by solar and wind energy.
 
I enjoy driving. Currently have these: e46 M3 Cabrio 6-spd CSL Clone, 85 Euro 500SL AMG, 99 996, 2000 328ci 5-spd (kiddos ride) and the 17 q7 (sq7 spec), e36 m3 PTG widebody Track car (with e90 m3 v8) and... the MINI. You can see I like cars of a certain "age" - when cars were made for drivers, some dont even have cup holders!

M3 - is way more fun in all ways
SL - unique and awesome cruiser
996 - loaner from my mom to my kid while his car is in the shop (lucky kid)
328ci - super analog manual for a teen to learn what a car is, slow and handles awesome
e36 M3 - track car, nuff said
q7 - tows 7700 lbs (race trailer, boat, etc) seats 7, 500lbs torque, can cruise at 150mph+* (not that I know this), super comfy for 5 and can hold 7. Great in the snow for ski trips.
Mini - fun electric toy, too small inside for more than 2 people, can only go 90 miles

The mini is light years better than the i3 it replaced. But it is what it is. Its not a sports car. Its not a good car for hauling. It wont tow anything. But its great to go the 15 miles to the office or take me to the trailhead to go biking.

Man, what a list! For those of us with much more modest means, the SE represents a whole lot of fun for not a whole lot of money.

The only car I’ve owned that rivals it was a 2004 Honda S2000. I’ve never raced nor autocrossed, nor do I care about cruising at 120MPH. I live for the twisties. That thing would tear through them. The SE isn’t bad either ;)


Sent from my iPhone using Inside EVs
 
Man, what a list! For those of us with much more modest means, the SE represents a whole lot of fun for not a whole lot of money.

The only car I’ve owned that rivals it was a 2004 Honda S2000. I’ve never raced nor autocrossed, nor do I care about cruising at 120MPH. I live for the twisties. That thing would tear through them. The SE isn’t bad either ;)


Sent from my iPhone using Inside EVs
S2000 is a killer car!
 
Now that's a reasonable price for a used car. Factor in the $4k tax credit, and it's a really good deal, at least in the present market.

Alas, it appears to be a base model (I want my MTV...er, moon roof).

Now down to $25,250. I have to admit that’s pretty darned tempting. Anyone have any idea what it costs to have car delivered from OK to VA? [Edit: Decently rated transporter has it quoted at $909.] Feels like I could get it delivered to me and still come under the price point I was looking for. I’d just have to cope with the idea of buying it over the interwebz.

What’s the defining feature that relegates it to base model status? The lack of moon roof? Probably no upgraded HK audio? Either way, it seems like it’s still coming pretty well equipped (heated steering wheel, adaptive cruise control, the bigger touchscreen, self-parking, roof rails).
 
Last edited:
Back
Top