I’ve had many proper “classic” Minis over the past 25 years, at the time this was filmed I had a 1998 Paul Smith Mini and I can assure you that it was no where near as slow as old Dracula makes out, granted it wasn’t as quick off the mark as my MG Metro swapped (at the time) 89 City, but it would happily sit at 80+ on my “private motorway” and once caused a young Herbert in a 1.4 SRI Nova to pop his engine during a traffic light Grand Prix session on a road named after the MP who was responsible for the 70MPH speed limit in the UK.
I had my Mini Mayfair close to 100mph on a motorway hill. I may have hit the ton but I could only glance at the speedo and everything was shaking so much that I could barely read it.
I bought one when I left school, learned on an Austin metro which I didn't like so ended up learning on my own mini Clubman saloon and passed my driving test in it in 1987.
Comparing the classic mini to any kind of modern car, is apples and oranges IMHO. The mini was an institution in and of itself. Nothing else compares to it, cos nothing else was ever produced that it could be compared to. ;)
Modern classic mini, if one can say that, can be retrofitted with the comfortables 10" tires at the cost of changing the front brakes to 7.5" disks. You then put in a 3.44 Final drive instead of the 2.76, which exists only to improve MPG but castrates the little A series. If you really want more "humpf", a Kent 266 cam and an HIF44 SU carb will do nicely to provide you with 80bhp and more torque all around (provided you went with the metro derived A+ 1275cc engine). If you have money to spare, an A series engine can be daily driveable at 90 to 100bhp. More than that and the engine feels a bit too "cammy". But believe me, a 10" wheels mini with 90 bhp and a proper 3.44FD is no sloutch and will take you to 60 MPH in 8s. If you want top speed, 100 MPH is no problem if you are not scared of noise...
All i can say is that anyone that has not owned a mini does not know what a mini is about. Much better than these ridiculous re-badged BMW wannabees. Puts the fun back into driving when driving a real mini. Love the quirks it has. You drive the mini not the mini drives you. The most fun you can have on four wheels.
@@ToffeePlays19 Exactly, the modern BMW in Mini Clothes is not a Mini, It's way too big on the outside and small on the inside. I bet I can fit behind myself in a Classic Mini but I know I don't fit behind me in a modern Mini. I was at the 2020 Toronto Autoshow and when I put the seat to where I was comfy, the seat back was nearly touching the back seat, completely useless backseat
And then BMW stole the mini brand from rover left rover to die and made this horrendous mini line up we have to day were mini is the only word that can't describe it
@@TheRealJackDonaghy ya me too, but you can't deny that the name is a bit ironic. Exterior dimensions are almost those of a family car, interior is cramped as hell. It's a swollen car.
Авто/Мото
I never realised how much Clarkson took his Presenting style voice from Quentin Wilson
I’ve had many proper “classic” Minis over the past 25 years, at the time this was filmed I had a 1998 Paul Smith Mini and I can assure you that it was no where near as slow as old Dracula makes out, granted it wasn’t as quick off the mark as my MG Metro swapped (at the time) 89 City, but it would happily sit at 80+ on my “private motorway” and once caused a young Herbert in a 1.4 SRI Nova to pop his engine during a traffic light Grand Prix session on a road named after the MP who was responsible for the 70MPH speed limit in the UK.
MG Metro. PMSL
"old Dracula" lmao
Kate humble in a mini lifes all down hill from now on
I had my Mini Mayfair close to 100mph on a motorway hill. I may have hit the ton but I could only glance at the speedo and everything was shaking so much that I could barely read it.
I want a Classic Mini SO MUCH, I feel it would be perfect for the busy streets of Toronto
Did you get one yet??
@@kevinv3442 Nope…
I bought one when I left school, learned on an Austin metro which I didn't like so ended up learning on my own mini Clubman saloon and passed my driving test in it in 1987.
Comparing the classic mini to any kind of modern car, is apples and oranges IMHO. The mini was an institution in and of itself. Nothing else compares to it, cos nothing else was ever produced that it could be compared to. ;)
6:59 is that, a renault bloody twingo?
I adore my '06 R50 BMW Mini Cooper. Truly a worthy successor to the original. 👌🏻
That downshift at 5:53 tho
Quentin never lets me down. I ALWAYS expect him to talk shit
Modern classic mini, if one can say that, can be retrofitted with the comfortables 10" tires at the cost of changing the front brakes to 7.5" disks. You then put in a 3.44 Final drive instead of the 2.76, which exists only to improve MPG but castrates the little A series. If you really want more "humpf", a Kent 266 cam and an HIF44 SU carb will do nicely to provide you with 80bhp and more torque all around (provided you went with the metro derived A+ 1275cc engine). If you have money to spare, an A series engine can be daily driveable at 90 to 100bhp. More than that and the engine feels a bit too "cammy". But believe me, a 10" wheels mini with 90 bhp and a proper 3.44FD is no sloutch and will take you to 60 MPH in 8s. If you want top speed, 100 MPH is no problem if you are not scared of noise...
There's some debate as to how much BMC/BL etc lost on the Mini.
All i can say is that anyone that has not owned a mini does not know what a mini is about. Much better than these ridiculous re-badged BMW wannabees. Puts the fun back into driving when driving a real mini. Love the quirks it has. You drive the mini not the mini drives you. The most fun you can have on four wheels.
I seriously want a Classic Mini but they are a bit hard to find here in Toronto
I have the London 2012 edition and it is brilliant to drive. comfort and style. whats not to like
That's not a mini
@@ToffeePlays19 Exactly, the modern BMW in Mini Clothes is not a Mini, It's way too big on the outside and small on the inside. I bet I can fit behind myself in a Classic Mini but I know I don't fit behind me in a modern Mini. I was at the 2020 Toronto Autoshow and when I put the seat to where I was comfy, the seat back was nearly touching the back seat, completely useless backseat
😎😎😎👍
6:58 merci twingo
meanwhile what BMW did to the Mini is .....
They fuckin gangraped it to bits!
The Mini clubman looks like a bloody prolapsed anus
Suzuki swift
And then BMW stole the mini brand from rover left rover to die and made this horrendous mini line up we have to day were mini is the only word that can't describe it
thanos mousios I think the current mini lineup is brilliant!
@@TheRealJackDonaghy ya me too, but you can't deny that the name is a bit ironic. Exterior dimensions are almost those of a family car, interior is cramped as hell. It's a swollen car.
@@miaugato93 Yeah they're way bigger than they used to be, but the three door hatch is still one of the smallest premium cars you can buy!
don’t make me laugh 🤭😆😂 The new lineup of the bmw minis are a croc of shit I will keep to my classic mini
Mark Ellis the first line up of minis they produced were nice. Petrol one was tragic. Mini one d was the best for reliability
Awful car, noisy, terrible ride and an absolute nightmare to service.
and yet after youve removed all the skin from youre knuckles it still makes one smile
LOL thats a stark contrast to what those two are saying lol
I still want one
it's hard to service if you're damaged that's for sure
awful car? what a laughable statement