Potential MINI newbie question (or a DS3)

Potential MINI newbie question (or a DS3)

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Pints

Original Poster:

18,444 posts

193 months

Monday 8th October 2012
quotequote all
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?

sad61t

1,100 posts

209 months

Monday 8th October 2012
quotequote all
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.

Pints

Original Poster:

18,444 posts

193 months

Monday 8th October 2012
quotequote all
Thanks for the reply. Pepper was the one I'm looking at. Really don't want to go for more than I need.
Not much night driving will be done - almost entirely motorway during winter months.

Pulse

10,922 posts

217 months

Monday 8th October 2012
quotequote all
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?

Pints

Original Poster:

18,444 posts

193 months

Monday 8th October 2012
quotequote all
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.

I was afraid to admit that to you. hehe

Pulse

10,922 posts

217 months

Tuesday 9th October 2012
quotequote all
You should definitely try the DS3, if only to assure yourself of the right decision.

You were looking at a One D before though... Is it now a Cooper?

sad61t

1,100 posts

209 months

Tuesday 9th October 2012
quotequote all
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.

Pints

Original Poster:

18,444 posts

193 months

Tuesday 9th October 2012
quotequote all
Pulse said:
You should definitely try the DS3, if only to assure yourself of the right decision.

You were looking at a One D before though... Is it now a Cooper?
yes

I think I need the extra 22bhp.

Pulse

10,922 posts

217 months

Tuesday 9th October 2012
quotequote all
Pints said:
Pulse said:
You should definitely try the DS3, if only to assure yourself of the right decision.

You were looking at a One D before though... Is it now a Cooper?
yes

I think I need the extra 22bhp.
MINI all the way then. How much more would an SD be?

Pints

Original Poster:

18,444 posts

193 months

Tuesday 9th October 2012
quotequote all
sad61t said:
Friend had a D and was getting high 60s on a motorway commute.
That's the sort of info I like to hear.

I've provisionally specced a red pepper (haha) with the heated windscreen, 5-spoke alloys and black roof.
Should do me just fine.

miniman

24,827 posts

261 months

Tuesday 9th October 2012
quotequote all
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 hehe

60mpg is optimistic - mine's showing an average of 49 over 6000 miles.

miniman

24,827 posts

261 months

Tuesday 9th October 2012
quotequote all
Also - the cupholders are very handily sized.


Luke.

10,944 posts

249 months

Tuesday 9th October 2012
quotequote all
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 hehe

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?

miniman

24,827 posts

261 months

Tuesday 9th October 2012
quotequote all
No but I wish it would!

Pulse

10,922 posts

217 months

Tuesday 9th October 2012
quotequote all
Pints, are there other cars on the list? We should have a coffee to discuss I reckon! hehe

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).

Pints

Original Poster:

18,444 posts

193 months

Tuesday 9th October 2012
quotequote all
Pulse said:
Pints, are there other cars on the list? We should have a coffee to discuss I reckon! hehe

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.

Pints

Original Poster:

18,444 posts

193 months

Tuesday 9th October 2012
quotequote all
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 hehe

60mpg is optimistic - mine's showing an average of 49 over 6000 miles.
I only drove the D, not the Cooper D.
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.

rednotdead

1,214 posts

225 months

Wednesday 10th October 2012
quotequote all
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.

nickfrog

20,871 posts

216 months

Wednesday 10th October 2012
quotequote all
Cruise.

sad61t

1,100 posts

209 months

Wednesday 10th October 2012
quotequote all
"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 frown 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.