A Tale of Two Minis [updated]

"functionoverfashion" (functionoverfashion) 06/21/2019 at 10:43 • Filed to: mini, mini cooper NOT s

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My kids LOVE Legos, and so do I. For my birthday my wife got “me” the Mini Rally set and I only just got around to messing with it yesterday. The three of us put together the first bag of parts which produced this:

So then my wife comes home from dropping her car off at the dealer and lo and behold, what kind of loaner did they give her?

Just needs rally wheels, rally lights, roof rack with spares, and... oh yeah not to be a base model 2019 with an automatic.

The kids were amused to NO END. They also noticed “It’s not an S it’s just a Cooper!!” Impressive for ages 4 and 6 - or am I turning my kids into badge snobs?

I didn’t get to drive it (yet) but I will over the weekend. It’s a 2019 but looks exactly the same as the 2015 (maybe even 2014?) models. It has some kind of “idrive” or whatever that my wife doesn’t like.

Fingers crossed that all goes smoothly and our warranty (that expires tomorrow ) covers whatever’s up with the other one.

U pdate, Good News!   D ealer just called, bottom line The Internet was right, my google searching led me to believe we’d be getting a new radiator and in fact, we are. All covered under warranty, for one last time. Great! Until next time...

Shane Moore > functionoverfashion 06/21/2019 at 10:50

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The s May be faster but that turbo 3-cyl has a whole lot more character than the 4-cyl. We are on our 3rd mini. 

functionoverfashion > Shane Moore 06/21/2019 at 10:54

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Interesting, I am excited to drive it just because I like driving just about anything with wheels. But I do quite like the turbo  4-cyl in the S, so now I’m really curious to compare.

Arrivederci > functionoverfashion 06/21/2019 at 10:55

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Hah - the Lego Mini is awesome.  Gotta give Forza a little credit - they did a great job recreating it in the game.

functionoverfashion > Arrivederci 06/21/2019 at 10:58

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They recreated the Lego version? Or a vintage Rally Mini like it? Either way, cool I guess! 

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > functionoverfashion 06/21/2019 at 11:04

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Ha! - w hat a great little model. Are those rubber bands? 

functionoverfashion > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 06/21/2019 at 11:14

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Yes, the “straps” holding the spares down are tiny white Lego(tm) rubber bands. That was acutally a PITA to get just right, unlike everything else Lego that goes together brilliantly. 

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > functionoverfashion 06/21/2019 at 11:14

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Doesn’t the US get the Union Jack taillights? The EU spec ones got them since 2018 I think

Also, I love that Lego Mini, but haven’t bought it yet because I don’t really like the Dakar Mini that comes with it, and makes the set more expensive :(

Arrivederci > functionoverfashion 06/21/2019 at 11:15

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Yep - they just added a Lego expansion. The rally Mini is fun to bomb around in:

functionoverfashion > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer 06/21/2019 at 11:30

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Maybe the Union Jack taillights are an option?

I like the Dakar Mini because I’ve been watching the Dakar pretty regularly for years now and they’ve been impressive.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > functionoverfashion 06/21/2019 at 11:38

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Might be the first time I’ve seen a rubber band used in a LEGO set that wasn’t related to a moving part/car suspension/etc. 

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > functionoverfashion 06/21/2019 at 11:51

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Ah that could be!

I’m a Dakar fan as well, but for some reason I don’t like the new Mini buggy, maybe I’ll change my mind and still buy the set haha

smobgirl > functionoverfashion 06/21/2019 at 12:12

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I can relate to being happy to drive anything new. One of the rentals I was most excited to try was a Mirage, and it was just as hilariously awful as I expected - w hich was much better than the boringly awful Versas.

Brickman > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer 06/21/2019 at 12:45

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I’ve seen some new Minis with them, so yes. Looked more like two arrows pointing inwards, but then realized its half of the U.K. flag.

functionoverfashion > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 06/21/2019 at 14:29

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For sure. I thought they would be for the suspension on the Dakar Mini. Maybe there are more...

functionoverfashion > smobgirl 06/21/2019 at 14:31

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I had a Versa in Montana, it was horrible on the wide open roads out there. But I remember it. It really is fun just driving different stuff.

MiniGTI - now with XJ6 > functionoverfashion 06/21/2019 at 14:34

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Yes they are an option, part of an appearance package I think.