For many years MINIs have been as much of a mainstream success as they are cult favourites. It takes a fine production team to create vehicles that are so widely appreciated and sought after.
If you are looking for a small vehicle that has heart and soul, modern MINIs are among the best in terms of providing an exciting and memorable driving experience.

One crucial part of MINI ownership is the importance of maintaining your vehicle with genuine MINI parts. Aside from the fact that you know you are getting parts of the highest quality, you also get a two-year warranty on every part purchased from MINI. There are some fake products on the market, but anyone who looks closely will be able to tell if you have gone for the cheaper alternative. Resale value can plummet immediately once you start placing non-genuine parts on or in your vehicle, as well as the fact that the distinctive aesthetics associated with the vehicle will inevitably be compromised.

Obviously the appearance of the vehicle is very important, but compromising on internal components is a whole different kettle of fish. Non-genuine parts are far more likely to corrode and break than the real deal. They can have a long-lasting and damaging effect on your car and in some cases fake parts can cause irreparable damage to your vehicle. The cost associated with these problems means that it is never worth taking a chance.

Relying on people you can't speak with face-to-face with on services like eBay can be risky as you can never tell where the parts have come from or whether you are getting something with the necessary build quality to last.

With such an immense following, there is a true sense of responsibility amongst the MINI community for keeping their vehicles maintained with real parts.

There are events celebrating MINI ownership occurring countrywide on a regular basis - click here for more information from the British MINI Club website - and that is not just related to the classic models there is a great buzz around the current range of MINIs available too.

Elizabeth Dee, an artist from East Grinstead recently became the proud owner of a 2005 Cooper S and she says that it is a great time to be a MINI owner.

"The community is so welcoming. I was always a fan of the cars in my younger years but I had no idea that there was such a strong bond between the people who own them."

"It is always fun to meet other MINI enthusiasts. You can see how much people love to own them and drive them."

When asked about the possibility of her opting to purchase non-genuine parts, she expressed concern.

"I'd probably feel most comfortable sticking with genuine parts. Not for any sentimental reason but just in case you end up with something breaking and it costs you even more to replace."

Paul McShane - 18 Oct 2013