MINI Cooper vs Fiat 124
Discussion
On my third Mini (998cc, R56 Cooper manual, R56 Cooper auto) and as the latter is coming up to its fifth birthday I'm looking around. The current Mini range is uninspiring and the FIAT dealer is just next door. Temptation beckoned and I bagged a test drive in the 124 Lusso, so 140 BHP with the manual gear box, on a short loop around some B and unclassified roads.
It's easy to get in and out, even with the (manual) hood up, and the seats are comfortable. I would have liked a bit more lumbar support (that's quite common for me) but overall a very snug fit in the cabin for my scrawny 5'8" frame. Controls fall easily to hand, matching the Mini's layout with indicators on the left stick, and feel slightly less premium than the Mini but more direct. For example, where the Mini has the double action indicators and generated repeater sound, the Fiat has single action. What would I improve? The gearknob has a grey plastic insert with the gate layout that does it no favours as a contact point, and there's no digital speedo (I've come to rely on that in the Mini and it would take a while to go back to analogue dials, being absolutely paranoid about speeding).
There's more road noise coming from the back wheel wells; this is most noticeable with the hood up (I tried both). It is less cosseting than the Mini generally and, while I've not driven a modern MX5 for a direct comparison, it did feel more traditional although not as unrefined as the Midget I had about 20 years ago. Trying to remember how the 1.8 MX5 that I had 5 minutes in about 8 years ago felt; but probably not useful given the short duration. It's better, but then that was a pre-owned example. Steering is much lighter than the Mini; my driving skills are too poor to say if there's better feedback but it did cope with the very poor surfaces well in that there was no tugging on the steering wheel and less thumping over the ruts. I'd say it has much softer suspension than the Mini, maybe a little floaty on longer dips and crests but no lack of grip when accelerating so I assume there's more mechanical grip to go when cornering. I wasn't pushing it hard; as the salesman put it, very politely, "If that's how you drive normally, the extra £6000 for the Abarth would be a waste."
Compared to a Cooper S Roadster Auto I test drove about 5 years ago the 124 felt bigger, with the longer bonnet, and familiarity with the brand meant I was able to push the S harder so it's not an entirely fair comparison. Clearly down on power too, the Fiat felt more relaxed with a far less fidgety ride and I can understand why the Abarth exists in the range.
The 124's 140 BHP engine was smooth but needs 2000 RPM to avoid bogging down; I kept it mostly in the 2-4K region where it cruises happily in third to fifth using the flexibility of the power band. Again it reminds me of the 1.5 engine in the Midget where third gear covered quite a large speed range. Above 5000 it got raucous and I'd want to be more familiar with the car before pushing it meaningfully up there. Gearchange is absolutely fine despite my sclerotic left foot skills, (at least I didn't stall it) with a light clutch and well weighted bite point. Brakes were very similar to the Mini's, maybe slightly less powerful or more progressive so needing more pressure from me to reach the same stopping power. They did stop the car in plenty of time when needed.
In a post-Mini world, the 124 is well up the list. There's an auto coming to the UK sometime next year (Spring hopefully) and I've winter tyres ready to go on the Mini, so no immediate purchase as there's nothing intrinsically wrong with my current Mini filling its role as a commuter sloth (27 MPH average in 4.5 years) almost perfectly. Maybe I should get into hillclimbing to make the Abarth a 'sensible' purchase.
It's easy to get in and out, even with the (manual) hood up, and the seats are comfortable. I would have liked a bit more lumbar support (that's quite common for me) but overall a very snug fit in the cabin for my scrawny 5'8" frame. Controls fall easily to hand, matching the Mini's layout with indicators on the left stick, and feel slightly less premium than the Mini but more direct. For example, where the Mini has the double action indicators and generated repeater sound, the Fiat has single action. What would I improve? The gearknob has a grey plastic insert with the gate layout that does it no favours as a contact point, and there's no digital speedo (I've come to rely on that in the Mini and it would take a while to go back to analogue dials, being absolutely paranoid about speeding).
There's more road noise coming from the back wheel wells; this is most noticeable with the hood up (I tried both). It is less cosseting than the Mini generally and, while I've not driven a modern MX5 for a direct comparison, it did feel more traditional although not as unrefined as the Midget I had about 20 years ago. Trying to remember how the 1.8 MX5 that I had 5 minutes in about 8 years ago felt; but probably not useful given the short duration. It's better, but then that was a pre-owned example. Steering is much lighter than the Mini; my driving skills are too poor to say if there's better feedback but it did cope with the very poor surfaces well in that there was no tugging on the steering wheel and less thumping over the ruts. I'd say it has much softer suspension than the Mini, maybe a little floaty on longer dips and crests but no lack of grip when accelerating so I assume there's more mechanical grip to go when cornering. I wasn't pushing it hard; as the salesman put it, very politely, "If that's how you drive normally, the extra £6000 for the Abarth would be a waste."
Compared to a Cooper S Roadster Auto I test drove about 5 years ago the 124 felt bigger, with the longer bonnet, and familiarity with the brand meant I was able to push the S harder so it's not an entirely fair comparison. Clearly down on power too, the Fiat felt more relaxed with a far less fidgety ride and I can understand why the Abarth exists in the range.
The 124's 140 BHP engine was smooth but needs 2000 RPM to avoid bogging down; I kept it mostly in the 2-4K region where it cruises happily in third to fifth using the flexibility of the power band. Again it reminds me of the 1.5 engine in the Midget where third gear covered quite a large speed range. Above 5000 it got raucous and I'd want to be more familiar with the car before pushing it meaningfully up there. Gearchange is absolutely fine despite my sclerotic left foot skills, (at least I didn't stall it) with a light clutch and well weighted bite point. Brakes were very similar to the Mini's, maybe slightly less powerful or more progressive so needing more pressure from me to reach the same stopping power. They did stop the car in plenty of time when needed.
In a post-Mini world, the 124 is well up the list. There's an auto coming to the UK sometime next year (Spring hopefully) and I've winter tyres ready to go on the Mini, so no immediate purchase as there's nothing intrinsically wrong with my current Mini filling its role as a commuter sloth (27 MPH average in 4.5 years) almost perfectly. Maybe I should get into hillclimbing to make the Abarth a 'sensible' purchase.
Useful comparison thank you - although somewhat apples to oranges, but as someone who currently owns a 2011 MX5 and is thinking about moving over to a Mini Cooper S it was worth a read.
I owned a Mini R56 in 2011 but it had some engine problems so I outed it after 6 months. Loved the driving though.
Good luck with your new car - whatever it might be.
I owned a Mini R56 in 2011 but it had some engine problems so I outed it after 6 months. Loved the driving though.
Good luck with your new car - whatever it might be.
Just changing mini for 124 at the moment. It is due in a couple of weeks. Agree with your comparison. I was really surprised how reasonable the 124 is to insure...also there is a service package like tlc...see if the dealer will include it....well worth having.
Also decided to add the fiat accessories strut brace to deal with any body shudders. Will let you know how I get on.
Also decided to add the fiat accessories strut brace to deal with any body shudders. Will let you know how I get on.
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