Mini One or Seat Ibiza?

[gsm7]

Long time since ive used this forum but got some good advice last time so thought I would give it a go

My nephew is looking to buy a car, two notable ones he likes is a Mini One 1.2 Petrol and a Seat Ibiza FR 1.2 tsi which are both available locally at a decent price. Seat seems to have more tech but the mini seems a much neater car.

Both similar miles/age 2015 and 50k miles - wondered if anyone owns/owned one at any point and has anything to note in terms of reliability/day to day living. He wants to steer away from the usual corsa/fiesta and get something a bit different and travels for work so wants it to be fairly reliable but it would mostly be for running around

Did suggest the likes of an Up/Aygo but he wanted something with a little more space

[Pica-Pica]

Depends on how much money you have for the cost service and spares of a MINI. The 1.2TSi engine VW group engine in the SEAT is a great engine if it’s the 4cyl. I guess a lot of people will be badge-driven on this one!

[Trevor555]

Pica-Pica said:

Depends on how much money you have for the cost service and spares of a MINI. The 1.2TSi engine VW group engine in the SEAT is a great engine if it’s the 4cyl. I guess a lot of people will be badge-driven on this one!

+1

The 4 cylinder 1.2 Tsi is a great engine, I had it in a Fabia MC which would do over 60mpg on a careful run, and was nippy enough with 110bhp.

I was never tempted to update to the 3 cylinder after comparing them.

[JordanM200]

Out of those two, the SEAT.

[LightningBlue]

Seat out of these, the Mini One is poverty spec but the Seat FR will look quite sporty. If looking at Minis a Cooper would be a better option

[Canon_Fodder]

Both cracking cars OP - he has chosen well.

They're both good to drive and comfortable with great driving positions

I'd have the Mini if I was doing lots of B-road stuff and the Ibiza it it was more motorway work

[georgeyboy12345]

Either will be good buys, he should just pick the one he likes the most

[gsm7]

Pica-Pica said:

Depends on how much money you have for the cost service and spares of a MINI. The 1.2TSi engine VW group engine in the SEAT is a great engine if it’s the 4cyl. I guess a lot of people will be badge-driven on this one!

Thanks for the pointer regarding parts, I had heard they were more expensive but didn’t think there would be a notable difference but having a quick look it seems it

Thanks all for the replies so far - there really was nothing to split the two and not seen much info on the 1.2 petrol unit as i believe they were only around for a short while on the f56 before being replaced with a 1.5 unit

[Canon_Fodder]

gsm7 said:

Thanks all for the replies so far - there really was nothing to split the two and not seen much info on the 1.2 petrol unit as i believe they were only around for a short while on the f56 before being replaced with a 1.5 unit

I think the 1.2 was a smaller capacity version of the B38 which has proven to be pretty reliable. Current Mini One's use a detuned version of the standard 1.5L B38

[ScoobyChris]

gsm7 said:

Thanks for the pointer regarding parts, I had heard they were more expensive but didn’t think there would be a notable difference but having a quick look it seems it

Suprised by that - when I had my MINI in 2010 it was surprisingly cheap to service, especially with the 2 year/20k mile intervals, and there are so many parts available if you don't want to stick with OEM. My Skoda on the other hand cost me a fortune at every dealer visit (even for routine maintenance!).

Chris

[Jamescrs]

My wife is on her second Mini and I have found servicing costs to be surprisingly cheap usually.

Out of the two options I would go for the Ibiza FR as I think being FR spec it will be better equipped.

Has he checked insurance for both options?

[gsm7]

Jamescrs said:

My wife is on her second Mini and I have found servicing costs to be surprisingly cheap usually.

Out of the two options I would go for the Ibiza FR as I think being FR spec it will be better equipped.

Has he checked insurance for both options?

Yes, theres really nothing in the two - £47 difference on insurance and mini is £20 to tax compared to ibiza’s £30

I guess fuel economy will be similar but i doubt thats a concern, and yes the ibiza certainly has way more tech than the mini, which could be the decider

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd go for the FR out of those two but it'll come down to personal preference.

[SmithCorona]

Mini has a worse NCAP rating, and less useful space in the rear.

Considering he will be carrying mates and might have the odd prang, I'd go Seat.

[Mr Tidy]

SmithCorona said:

Mini has a worse NCAP rating, and less useful space in the rear.

Considering he will be carrying mates and might have the odd prang, I'd go Seat.

Worse NCAP rating for whom though? Passengers/pedestrians, etc.

[AlwynMike]

I'd go for the Seat.
Outside of enthusiasts, Minis get bought for their pose value and can be neglected - this is a generalisation, so you may have seen a good one!
Dealer service on Mini will be cheaper, but for a 2015 car, it will probably be outwith Dealer service regimes.
Seat has loads more room inside.
Mini will be a better nippy steer.
You could run the Seat on extended servicing which may be more cost effective.
2015 Ibiza is around face-lift year IIRC. The later type is nicer inside and a touch better styling at the front. Partner had the early, her daughter has facelift Ibiza. Very economical, quiet and will get on quick enough if needed. Only problems were turbo actuator and Air Con actuator. Both common problems it seems, but neither stopped the car from being driven. I think the later type car has a different position for the mirror adjuster on the door - the knob gets knocked as you get in the car, so breaks, which is an expensive fix as you have to buy the lot...didn't seem a problem on the early car though.

[biggbn]

I love my mini and it was certainly not bought for pose value. Mine is a 'poverty soec' one d, absolutely brilliant to drive, and all the better for being a base spec on sensible wheels. If I am buying a similar size car again in the future, it will be another mini but only once mine has fallen to pieces...

[Turtle Shed]

Mini, because it’s a Mini. All drivers should have owned a Mini at some point in their life.

Then an Alfa, then an Aston.