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

[CO2000]

R53 Mini but a facelift one & not running runflats

[300bhp/ton]

acer12 said:

but are you really going to buy any?

I think my current 'garage' shows I'm rather good at buying cars

[HustleRussell]

doogz said:

Does the 46 compact have the old rear suspension?

Or was it just the 36 that did?

Yeah it was the E36 compact that got the old style suspension- the E46 compact got the same layout as the E46 saloon.

[white_goodman]

I thought that you hated FWD hatchbacks 300 but as my daily, I would want something fairly modern, so out of that list the R53 Cooper S.

How about an EP3 Civic Type-R though (possibly one of the last great 4-cylinder NA engines) and tougher/more reliable than the MINI. MG ZS180/ZT190. Not sure about reliability but dirt cheap and fun to drive.

Or a newer Impreza WRX? I used my "Blobeye" as a daily and it wasn't too bad on fuel (better than a classic) and very easy to live with. I'm not sure if anything else offers so much "bang for your buck".

[crofty1984]

MR2.
The mini wouldn't feel special enough for me, and I don't like the E46 BMW. Mine's rubbish.

[Mafffew]

What about the JCW GP Mini? Feels a bit more special than the standard S.

[anonymous-user]

Can't speak for the BMW but my MR2 cost significantly less to run than my friend's Cooper S. Was quicker too, and handled better. And that was a stty old £1000 Rev 1 N/A.

The BMW is really just a slightly exec'd shopping/family car, IMO. The Mini is a fashion statement. The MR2 was built from the ground up as something sportier.

[daemon]

Surely a 330i must be in budget too?

[s m]

CO2000 said:

R53 Mini but a facelift one & not running runflats

Good advice - mine was a facelift and definitely better on normal tyres ( I had Continentals - miles better than the Dunlop run flats ) - LSD is worthwhile too if it comes down to a choice with/without. It's the same diff as in the Mazda MPS 3

[300bhp/ton]

daemon said:

Surely a 330i must be in budget too?

I think for the money I'd get a better 325i and marginally better mpg too. Not against a 330i, but I think I'd rather a tidy 325i over a ratty 330.

[Hoofy]

Everyday, no matter what and reasonable running costs? I'd probably go for the Mini even if that isn't my first choice for a fun car that doesn't have to be everyday. I'm thinking those rare days it snows or you have a downpour. Or you need to drive for miles on the motorway.

[Ali_T]

TREMAiNE said:

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

So would I. A PZ should be available for the price...but I may have laboured the rotary point a bit so I wasn't going to mention them...

This looks great. 39,000 miles, though I'd replace the coil packs to be safe.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Edited by Ali_T on Tuesday 6th October 17:27

[daemon]

300bhp/ton said:

daemon said:

Surely a 330i must be in budget too?

I think for the money I'd get a better 325i and marginally better mpg too. Not against a 330i, but I think I'd rather a tidy 325i over a ratty 330.

In my experience of them, i wouldnt assume that.

To me the 323i / 325i are in no mans land - economy of a 3 litre, performance not much better than a 2 litre four pot.

Whats your budget?

Edited by daemon on Tuesday 6th October 17:30

[anonymous-user]

300 just get a 318i. You're on record on PH stating that there is not really any difference between that and a 330ci.

[TREMAiNE]

PGNCerbera said:

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

Indeed, grow a pair!

Being st on fuel is actually a good thing... Because they get the same MPG no matter how you drive them it just gives you an excuse to drive spiritedly!

[loose cannon]

Buff Mchugelarge said:

BMW. Because sideways.

Are you going to weld the diff up then ? My 330i doesn't go sideways unless you put it on full lock and pull the handbrake
The tyres are to wide and even if you do manage to break traction it will only spin up one wheel, a sideways machine it is not !

[Leins]

Mafffew said:

What about the JCW GP Mini? Feels a bit more special than the standard S.

Love mine, but if you've had enough of them being the previously mentioned fashion statement and go give them some stick, then this happens:





Edit: They weren't assembled in Oxford though

Edited by Leins on Tuesday 6th October 17:47

[aks7297]

its got to be the Mini...

[300bhp/ton]

white_goodman said:

I thought that you hated FWD hatchbacks 300

Hate? Certainly not. Don't really hate any cars bar maybe stetch Limo's.

I don't always have much love for some, but never hate.

The MINI I genuinely like the look of, I like that it's supercharged and I've not thus far owned anything with a supercharger. I also like the fact they were assembled in Oxford, as I currently work in Oxford and live only 30 miles or so away.

white_goodman said:

How about an EP3 Civic Type-R though (possibly one of the last great 4-cylinder NA engines)

Honestly, I just don't like the look of them. I can respect them and I'm sure they go very well, but just not for me really. I do like the DC2 ITR, which if I'm honest would be what I'd want if going down this route, and driving an EP3 would only remind me of having not bought the car I wanted.

But DC2's are all high mileage, not a huge number for sale, all seem to be suffering rot in the rear arches and most have or have had gearboxes issues it seems. Not that any of this would be enough to put me off. But they are more money than the other cars I'm looking at and really beyond the scope of what I want to spend.

white_goodman said:

MG ZS180/ZT190. Not sure about reliability but dirt cheap and fun to drive.

My brother had a ZS180, it was brilliant and 100% reliable. But it's a bit been there, done that sort of thing. And he only seemed to get middi'sh 20's out of. I like them, just not a car I'd consider. Really the MINI is probably the only FWD I'd really consider and that's mostly down to looks plus the other positive attributes of the car.

white_goodman said:

Or a newer Impreza WRX? I used my "Blobeye" as a daily and it wasn't too bad on fuel (better than a classic) and very easy to live with. I'm not sure if anything else offers so much "bang for your buck".

This would seem a logical option I agree and I have no real rational rejection. Only that I'm not too keen on the look vs the classics, and it would seem silly to have two Impreza's.

[Mr2Mike]

300bhp/ton said:

That aside, yes the smart Roadster is IDEAL as I truly love mine. But I've been using it for 5 years now and 75,000 miles, so I feel like a bit of a change. Also the Roadster needs some TLC, such as a new clutch, complete suspension overhaul and maybe some engine work.

I completely rebuilt the engine on my wife's roadster coupe (new pistons, rings, valves, cam, cam followers, hydraulic tappets, oil pump, timing chain, sprockets and tensioners, bearings and seals, breather, sump etc.) plus a new clutch, new brakes, new tyres and about a zillion other things and then some dozy bugger drove a Toyota Aygo down the side of it, damaging most of the panels on the offside before catching the rear wheel and bending all the rear suspension, which then punted it into a parked car damaging panels on the nearside. To say I am gutted would be an understatement.