Potential MINI newbie question (or a DS3)
Discussion
I took a test drive in a MINI for the first time on Saturday and my word, I was very impressed. Wasn't expecting the ride and handling to be quite as good as it was.
I still want to test drive a Citroen DS3 but it'll have to bloody spectacular to make me change my mind about the MINI.
So this means I'm likely set to order a Cooper D as a new company car later this week.
My question to you lot is what are the absolute must-haves. It's only really for M4 bashing and I don't want or need fully loaded.
Will I be happy running a MINI for 3 years if I only spec it with air-con, 5-spoke alloys and a black roof?
Or (and I think I know the answer here) can I expect to be suitably impressed with a DS3?
I still want to test drive a Citroen DS3 but it'll have to bloody spectacular to make me change my mind about the MINI.
So this means I'm likely set to order a Cooper D as a new company car later this week.
My question to you lot is what are the absolute must-haves. It's only really for M4 bashing and I don't want or need fully loaded.
Will I be happy running a MINI for 3 years if I only spec it with air-con, 5-spoke alloys and a black roof?
Or (and I think I know the answer here) can I expect to be suitably impressed with a DS3?
I'd check the CHILI pack as this adds many options in one go and is a recognised step-up at resale.
The PEPPER pack is an absolute minimum; handsfree, auto aircon (much easier to set for personal comfort), extended storage (adds a 12V socket in the boot among other things).
If you're likely to do lots of night driving, the Xenons are far better than the normal headlights.
Multi-function steering wheel gives cruise control.
16" alloys give better turn-in than 15" (but worse fuel economy).
Set of 15" steel winter wheels & tyres come in at about £500.
The PEPPER pack is an absolute minimum; handsfree, auto aircon (much easier to set for personal comfort), extended storage (adds a 12V socket in the boot among other things).
If you're likely to do lots of night driving, the Xenons are far better than the normal headlights.
Multi-function steering wheel gives cruise control.
16" alloys give better turn-in than 15" (but worse fuel economy).
Set of 15" steel winter wheels & tyres come in at about £500.
Pulse said:
That was basically why I said MINI to you, even though I dislike them... They're meant to be fun!
That said, the DS3 is very popular, and it's easy to see why - it looks great. Worth a drive!
Is it a Cooper D you're looking at now instead?
I've not had a chance to test drive the DS3 but that MINI was just so good.That said, the DS3 is very popular, and it's easy to see why - it looks great. Worth a drive!
Is it a Cooper D you're looking at now instead?
I was afraid to admit that to you.
DS3 is not a bad car (really like it in the dark red with black roof), but price was similar to MINI for the spec I wanted, and (in my case) the dealer was further away. So I'm on my second MINI.
First was a Cooper (petrol) with basic A/C, 15" alloys, MFSW, heated windscreen (about 16K) and was very comfortable for the M40 on cruise control. Averaged about 50mpg, which I thought was great for a petrol, and the 120bhp was more than enough when needed. A little sluggish off the lights though unless given some intent (test drove a ONE; it was sluggish off the lights full-stop so stepped up to the Cooper).
Friend had a D and was getting high 60s on a motorway commute.
Pepper + MFSW should do you fine. As a Desert Island Discs' one luxury item, I'd pick the adaptive Xenons.
First was a Cooper (petrol) with basic A/C, 15" alloys, MFSW, heated windscreen (about 16K) and was very comfortable for the M40 on cruise control. Averaged about 50mpg, which I thought was great for a petrol, and the 120bhp was more than enough when needed. A little sluggish off the lights though unless given some intent (test drove a ONE; it was sluggish off the lights full-stop so stepped up to the Cooper).
Friend had a D and was getting high 60s on a motorway commute.
Pepper + MFSW should do you fine. As a Desert Island Discs' one luxury item, I'd pick the adaptive Xenons.
Did you drive the SD? I drove one back to back with the D and it was bloody hilarious. I ended up having the D, though, as it was intended to be a cheap company car (tax-wise) to commute in. The spec was:
Metallic paint
Chilli pack
Centre armrest
Cooper S wheels
Black roof
Anthracite headlining
Full leather
£255 / month to the company, about £90 in tax.
Wish I had gone for the panoramic roof and heated seats. Don't underestimate the importance of being able to change the colour of the interior lighting
60mpg is optimistic - mine's showing an average of 49 over 6000 miles.
Metallic paint
Chilli pack
Centre armrest
Cooper S wheels
Black roof
Anthracite headlining
Full leather
£255 / month to the company, about £90 in tax.
Wish I had gone for the panoramic roof and heated seats. Don't underestimate the importance of being able to change the colour of the interior lighting
60mpg is optimistic - mine's showing an average of 49 over 6000 miles.
miniman said:
Did you drive the SD? I drove one back to back with the D and it was bloody hilarious. I ended up having the D, though, as it was intended to be a cheap company car (tax-wise) to commute in. The spec was:
Metallic paint
Chilli pack
Centre armrest
Cooper S wheels
Black roof
Anthracite headlining
Full leather
£255 / month to the company, about £90 in tax.
Wish I had gone for the panoramic roof and heated seats. Don't underestimate the importance of being able to change the colour of the interior lighting
60mpg is optimistic - mine's showing an average of 49 over 6000 miles.
Just out of curiotsity has your auto stop/start given up the ghost? Metallic paint
Chilli pack
Centre armrest
Cooper S wheels
Black roof
Anthracite headlining
Full leather
£255 / month to the company, about £90 in tax.
Wish I had gone for the panoramic roof and heated seats. Don't underestimate the importance of being able to change the colour of the interior lighting
60mpg is optimistic - mine's showing an average of 49 over 6000 miles.
Pints, are there other cars on the list? We should have a coffee to discuss I reckon!
Our A1 for example, whilst a bit dynamically-challenged, is an absolutely fantastic car for punting down the motorway in. I drive mine very slowly (65mph) but do get 60mpg on the A419 (to Gloucester) and about 65-70mpg on the M4 (to Taunton).
Our A1 for example, whilst a bit dynamically-challenged, is an absolutely fantastic car for punting down the motorway in. I drive mine very slowly (65mph) but do get 60mpg on the A419 (to Gloucester) and about 65-70mpg on the M4 (to Taunton).
Pulse said:
Pints, are there other cars on the list? We should have a coffee to discuss I reckon!
Our A1 for example, whilst a bit dynamically-challenged, is an absolutely fantastic car for punting down the motorway in. I drive mine very slowly (65mph) but do get 60mpg on the A419 (to Gloucester) and about 65-70mpg on the M4 (to Taunton).
Very long list of cars. I'll give you a call this evening.Our A1 for example, whilst a bit dynamically-challenged, is an absolutely fantastic car for punting down the motorway in. I drive mine very slowly (65mph) but do get 60mpg on the A419 (to Gloucester) and about 65-70mpg on the M4 (to Taunton).
miniman said:
Did you drive the SD? I drove one back to back with the D and it was bloody hilarious. I ended up having the D, though, as it was intended to be a cheap company car (tax-wise) to commute in. The spec was:
Metallic paint
Chilli pack
Centre armrest
Cooper S wheels
Black roof
Anthracite headlining
Full leather
£255 / month to the company, about £90 in tax.
Wish I had gone for the panoramic roof and heated seats. Don't underestimate the importance of being able to change the colour of the interior lighting
60mpg is optimistic - mine's showing an average of 49 over 6000 miles.
I only drove the D, not the Cooper D. Metallic paint
Chilli pack
Centre armrest
Cooper S wheels
Black roof
Anthracite headlining
Full leather
£255 / month to the company, about £90 in tax.
Wish I had gone for the panoramic roof and heated seats. Don't underestimate the importance of being able to change the colour of the interior lighting
60mpg is optimistic - mine's showing an average of 49 over 6000 miles.
For the Cooper D with Pepper pack, heated windscreen and upgraded 15" alloys (no metallic paint) it's £113 cost to company and £76 BIK over 3 years.
I own a Cooper cabriolet and a DS3. For driving fun - mini all the way. For practicality - the DS3 (just - back seats are awkward to get into but the boot is useable). The DS3 is a year old and already squeaks and rattles like a bd. The Cooper is 4 years old and seems much better screwed together.
The DS3 is strangely geared - at 70-80mph it is up at 3.5-4k rpm which can make it noisy and sometimes quite tiring on long journeys on bad motorway surfaces. I also find the seats can be uncomfortable in the DS3. Not sure I'd have another DS3 but would have another mini.
The DS3 is strangely geared - at 70-80mph it is up at 3.5-4k rpm which can make it noisy and sometimes quite tiring on long journeys on bad motorway surfaces. I also find the seats can be uncomfortable in the DS3. Not sure I'd have another DS3 but would have another mini.
"60mpg is optimistic - mine's showing an average of 49 over 6000 miles."
I was getting 49mpg on the Cooper petrol with mostly urban driving and the occasional 65MPH m-way drive (after which the auto start/stop worked for a few days until it decided the conditions were non-optimal again). My average speed was a less gratifying 28mph Reckon the 17" alloys you have are drinking it; 15" are more economical. I hardly ever turned on the A/C which probably helped too.
P.S. Heated windscreen is ace in winter, clears internal misting quickly (far earlier than the A/C could) and makes ice-scraping so easy. Just wish they'd add it to the side windows.
I was getting 49mpg on the Cooper petrol with mostly urban driving and the occasional 65MPH m-way drive (after which the auto start/stop worked for a few days until it decided the conditions were non-optimal again). My average speed was a less gratifying 28mph Reckon the 17" alloys you have are drinking it; 15" are more economical. I hardly ever turned on the A/C which probably helped too.
P.S. Heated windscreen is ace in winter, clears internal misting quickly (far earlier than the A/C could) and makes ice-scraping so easy. Just wish they'd add it to the side windows.
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