Which of these would you enjoy driving more as a daily?

[TREMAiNE]

I'd have an RX-8 at that price point.

[HustleRussell]

The Bini is indeed a nice car to drive and feels solidly made, however I'm not sure it should enjoy as good a reputation for reliability and durability as it does. I've known a few people to get quite frustrated with niggling problems on theirs- exhausts which rust away prematurely, electrical faults and suspension issues.

[acer12]

What about a peterbuilt 379?

300bhp/ton said:

Wow you are so original... you must be wetting yourself at your cleverness (tip: try reading some of the earlier posts )

Kinda hard to keep up with you 10 random new threads every day....

[300bhp/ton]

TREMAiNE said:

I'd have an RX-8 at that price point.

So would I, if they weren't so rubbish on fuel. But as they are, they simply aren't even on the extended list.

[KaraK]

doogz said:

The noisiest electric power steering pumps in the world!

Aint that the truth! I think it's a case of "they all do that sir" as that seems to be "normal" for them - every time I hear one reverse parking I expect there to be a 'clonk' noise and something to fall out of the engine bay Oddly I've had a couple of cars that have had PAS pumps fail and they have never been that noisy

[Bradley1500]

Mini Cooper S R53.

I'm using one currently while my Civic Type R is in for work, and am thoroughly enjoying it. The supercharge whine is addictive, plus the one I'm using has a fruity exhaust so you get lots of lovely pops and crackles on the overrun.

It’s comfortable for a small car, if you’re sitting up front that is, rear seat passengers have very little room; although I suspect if you’re coming from a Smart Roadster this won’t be an issue.

My only gripe with the car is the build quality isn’t what you’d expect from a car made by BMW. Some of the interior plastics rattle and the driver’s window whistles above 90MPH. Admittedly these could be issues specific to my car.

[PGNCerbera]

300bhp/ton said:

So would I, if they weren't so rubbish on fuel. But as they are, they simply aren't even on the extended list.

Pah. Man up 300 and grow a pair.

YOLO

[Leins]

Bradley1500 said:

Mini Cooper S R53.

I'm using one currently while my Civic Type R is in for work, and am thoroughly enjoying it. The supercharge whine is addictive, plus the one I'm using has a fruity exhaust so you get lots of lovely pops and crackles on the overrun.

It’s comfortable for a small car, if you’re sitting up front that is, rear seat passengers have very little room; although I suspect if you’re coming from a Smart Roadster this won’t be an issue.

My only gripe with the car is the build quality isn’t what you’d expect from a car made by BMW. Some of the interior plastics rattle and the driver’s window whistles above 90MPH. Admittedly these could be issues specific to my car.

Get a GP1 and all those issues disappear - no rear-seat passengers to complain, and the engine & drivetrain make more noise than the rattles can cope with

[s m]

Leins said:

What about an E46 325ti? Check this thread out for reasons why: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Some people don't like the looks, and I can sort of understand why, but they've always appealed to me

Good call Leins. I recently had to decide which one of my cars to change, 55 plate R53 MCS owned from new, 325ti Sport Compact. Both great cars for and I chose them both on their merits

It was the Mini that went as for me, the 325ti was just more fun/enjoyment on the roads where I live - twisty back roads and fast B roads. If it had been my old E46 330/320 saloons that were in the mix instead.... I'd have kept the Mini.
The Compact is just a lot more agile and 'pointier' than the E46 saloons I had - it also was quite a bit lighter



I've not had an MR2 to compare ( 2 seats aren't that useful for me ) so can't really give an opinion

[300bhp/ton]

s m said:

The Compact is just a lot more agile and 'pointier' than the E46 saloons I had - it also was quite a bit lighter

Thanks for the info and feedback. Appreciated.


As for the Ti. I wonder if it's just how it looks that makes you 'think' it feels different? Or do they run a different suspension setup (camber/toein)?


I say this, as the compact and full e46 have identical wheelbases, widths and tracks. All the things that would make a car feel different and more pointier.

And as per the links above, the Compact is only 5kg lighter, not enough to physically notice in a car of this weight. The only real difference is a bit of visual styling and a little bit longer boot, all behind the rear wheel.

[egor110]

0llie said:

Biased, but R53. Love mine, it's not going anywhere. Although don't think they're cheap to run/maintain, they aren't!

I did have an E36 323i for a bit, but I didn't fall in love with it. Lovely engine, but really needed more power, and wasn't huge fun to drive as standard.

Edited by 0llie on Tuesday 6th October 13:11

What is it that makes them expensive to run/maintain?

I've got a clio 172 cup but often think if I was going to get another go kart it would be a r53 just due to the super charger noise.

[HustleRussell]

I don't believe the Carfolio data which says a compact is only 5kg lighter than the equivalent saloon. I'd suggest it's probably getting on for 100kg lighter, with shorter overhangs and therefore a more centralised polar moment of inertia.

[Leins]

^^^ Neither do I, as I seem to remember a figure closer to 1400kg

[egor110]

300bhp/ton said:

Thanks for the info and feedback. Appreciated.


As for the Ti. I wonder if it's just how it looks that makes you 'think' it feels different? Or do they run a different suspension setup (camber/toein)?


I say this, as the compact and full e46 have identical wheelbases, widths and tracks. All the things that would make a car feel different and more pointier.

And as per the links above, the Compact is only 5kg lighter, not enough to physically notice in a car of this weight. The only real difference is a bit of visual styling and a little bit longer boot, all behind the rear wheel.

You say you want fun and low cost so you should add a clio 182 to your list to compare alongside the r53.

The clio's get really good mpg even just pottering around town in traffic.

Cambelts are expensive but it's only every 5 years, electrics are French but there not that bad, more mischievous.

ie. took my parents to the station on a Friday, inlaws to the station on Saturday and the boot opens fine, pick them up Monday and the bloody boot won't unlock.

[s m]

HustleRussell said:

I don't believe the Carfolio data which says a compact is only 5kg lighter than the equivalent saloon. I'd suggest it's probably getting on for 100kg lighter, with shorter overhangs and therefore a more centralised polar moment of inertia.

Yes, you're about right Russell - about 100kg difference when I weighed
mine. The ti has stiffer ARB/suspension/shorter gearing than the saloons/coupes as standard and less overhang as you say. It was originally intended to be the M3-lite of the E46 range ( rather like the 1 series tii concept that didn't materialise for the 1-series range ) - intro of stiffer bushes, faster steering ratios etc but in the end a lot of the Krusche changes weren't seen through....maybe to save embarrassment of the 330 coupe.

[MrBarry123]

I'd opt for the Mini too.

[s m]

Best way- drive them all..........





Pick the one you like best

[Innowaybored]

If you don't mind the crashy ride and the noise then the Mini is the winner. If you want something that will be comfortable and get you from A to B quickly enough the BMW wins.

[300bhp/ton]

s m said:

Best way- drive them all..........





Pick the one you like best

I agree that is the best way. Although not quite as practical an option for used cars. New cars and main dealers are always happy to let you have a good drive. But private sales it's a bit more of a piss take if you aren't actually planning on buying yet.

[acer12]

300bhp/ton said:

I agree that is the best way. Although not quite as practical an option for used cars. New cars and main dealers are always happy to let you have a good drive. But private sales it's a bit more of a piss take if you aren't actually planning on buying yet.

but are you really going to buy any?