MINI One D - any good?

[Lucie W]

I will be buying a new car at the end of the summer, in preparation for moving in Cornwall and doing long motorway drives. At the moment the two cars in contention are the Audi A3 TDi and a MINI. I would love a Cooper but the whole idea of getting a new car was to get a more economical one. However, I would be getting a Cooper for the looks of a MINI, whereas I would get the A3 for economy and comfort.

I stumbled across a One D (03/04/05ish)and I wasn't aware they did a diesel model that early on. Are they any good, they're not turbo'd are they? Would it equal the economy of an A3? Are they slow/ Good on motorways but rubbish around town?

Dilemma - please help!

[Lucie W]

There seem to a few about, for example -

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

The Cooper D is out of my budget, else that would be ideal.

[Lucie W]

Accelebrate said:

Petrol Cooper?

Mines the newer engine but it returns ~50mpg on the motorway, and I don't have to put up with driving a diesel the rest of the time.

Ideally...but Ive heard that the economy isn't very good. My friend has a 52 plate ONE and her economy isn't that great, no better than my 1.6 Civic really, and I expected a Cooper to be more juicy. Is the old engine a lot less economical or not?

[Lucie W]

I'm looking at about £5500 ish. A3 is the most realistic but for that money they are quite leggy.

[Lucie W]

okgo said:

HereBeMonsters said:

Long motorway journeys but you're considering a MINI and an A3?

Get the right tool for the job - something big and comfortable. A6 sort of size I would say, at least.

a6 at least?????? they're huge, a 3 series sized car would be fine, as would a hatch.

Why is an A3 not up to the job? I've heard they're very economical. An A6 would surely be much less economical?

I originally was looking at e46 320d's but the insurance is £800 more than on an A3 or a MINI.

And I know, Mini's aren't economical but I've just got an itch for one. Probably go with an A3 though. As for a Focus, I don't think it is much of a step up from my Puma, I want something that looks good as well (call me vain, well I probably am, female and 21).

[Lucie W]

V said:

Why not look at Golfs or Leons? Same car underneath as the A3 with the same engines, will drive indeticaly. May not have the four-rings but you get more for your money.

I may well end up looking at a Golf, but I guess I just wanted something different to the norm. Around here the norm is a Golf or a KA or a Corsa. I guess you can't have something different, something economical and something good looking all at the same time for my budget. Hmm.

[Lucie W]

V said:

How about a Merc C-Class Sports Coupe? I wouldn't have thought the C200 CDI would cost much more to insure over an A3 TDi. Quite a few on the used market at sensible prices given it came out nearly 10 years ago now.

This is a VERY good call... I'm liking it a lot! I'm just going to check out the insurance now.

ETA - insurance is £770 a year (compared to £500 for the MINI or A3). Definitely a contender - will be keeping my eye on these. Thanks!

Edited by Lucie W on Tuesday 6th April 18:51