Mini Cooper S ICE, Mini Cooper SE or Hyundai I20N?

[lusopiston]

I’m a lifelong petrolhead and my 2 drivers cars were the R53 Mini Cooper S which I bought at launch in 2002 and then, after 6 years, moved on to a Porsche Cayman S which I owned for 10 years. Loved both cars, amazing memories and experiences.

Meanwhile due to life changes (kids and other responsibilities) that took a back seat in life, so no more fun car for a few years. I’m now thinking about buying a new, drivers fun oriented smaller car so hoping some can give my their 2 cents and opinion!

After some research my requirements are very simple but strict:

- 4 (or 5) seats: because two kids and some luggage space
- compact hatch segment: because I don’t like or need bigger cars, sedans, and want something more economical to buy and run
- probably a company car so second hand most likely ruled out


Things like the Honda Civic Type R, Toyota GR Yaris, etc, look amazing but are way expensive. So this leaves me with only 3 viable options so far, with the plus and minus for each one:

- Mini Cooper S
- Hyundai I20N
- Mini Cooper SE

The ICE Cooper S and Hyundai I20N

plus points: 
- both ICE cars, which is a big plus regarding driving enjoyment for me. Acceleration is nice but chassis dynamics is way more important to me than the acceleration kick that EVs give.
- range: self-explanatory, although most of my driving is doable on a shorter range EV, I would have to leave the EV behind on bigger leisure trips

minus:
- due to government tax rebates, ICE are much more expensive now
- more expensive to run (fuel…)
- Mini: approaching end of life with new generation coming in 2023?

The Mini Cooper SE

plus points:
- much cheaper to buy ( almost 8000€ tax rebate)
- much cheaper to run because electricity (got a garage to charge at home)

minus:
- no ICE fun
- range: 160 kms on highway rules out most of the longer range fun trips
- not as engaging to drive as the ICE cars above?
- approaching end of like with new generation coming in 2023?

I want a car that I look forward to drive every time, I’m afraid EVs will struggle to offer me this.

Anyone been through some similar decision process? Appreciate your input!

[Canon_Fodder]

The new gen electric Mini will take it even further away from your R53 MCS. But it will also take you further...

If you can, I would wait for that launch and then decide as the current SE is very limited in range (as you say)

[F1GTRUeno]

Trust me when I say the i20N every day of the week.

I'm biased cause I've had mine for nearly a year now but it's an amazing thing. There's plenty of space in the back too. After every drive, even if just to the shops, I look back at it and smile. Astonishingly capable on a country road, sounds fantastic, comfortable, lots of kit, 5 year warranty, cheap monthly's.

Photo the day I got it with said mate's Cooper S to the right.

Edited by F1GTRUeno on Saturday 10th September 20:16

Edited by F1GTRUeno on Saturday 10th September 20:17

[finlo]

F1GTRUeno said:

Trust me when I say the i20N every day of the week.

I'm biased cause I've had mine for nearly a year now but it's an amazing thing. There's plenty of space in the back too. After every drive, even if just to the shops, I look back at it and smile. Astonishingly capable on a country road, sounds fantastic, comfortable, lots of kit, 5 year warranty, cheap monthly's.

Photo the day I got it with said mate's Cooper S to the right.

Edited by F1GTRUeno on Saturday 10th September 20:16

Edited by F1GTRUeno on Saturday 10th September 20:17

That Mini is some bloater!

[wong]

Have you considered the Fiesta ST?

[F1GTRUeno]

finlo said:

That Mini is some bloater!

It is. Yet I dunno if the angle is a trick cause the i20N is wide, don't think I've done a direct comparison with the MINI up close yet though despite seeing it every Monday night most weeks. Mine looks really narrrow in the shot but it's usefully wider than the ST next to it for sure, the back end is particularly 'thicc'.

1727mm wide for the MINI vs 1775 for the i20N according to the web at least.

EDIT - The ST is 1978 apparently! Guess with it being a three door you just feel it inside.

Edited by F1GTRUeno on Saturday 10th September 20:42

[Dynion Araf Uchaf]

Seconded for the international 20 namyang.

Also had mine a year and it’s a great bit of kit, handles well, lots of presence and a track day warranty.

And yet it’s basically a 5dr supermini.

Great bit of kit with strong residuals.

[lusopiston]

F1GTRUeno said:

Trust me when I say the i20N every day of the week.

I'm biased cause I've had mine for nearly a year now but it's an amazing thing. There's plenty of space in the back too. After every drive, even if just to the shops, I look back at it and smile. Astonishingly capable on a country road, sounds fantastic, comfortable, lots of kit, 5 year warranty, cheap monthly's.

Photo the day I got it with said mate's Cooper S to the right.

Edited by F1GTRUeno on Saturday 10th September 20:16

Edited by F1GTRUeno on Saturday 10th September 20:17

Yes, a lot of rave reviews, seems an awesome car, hence on my shortlist. The Mini still has a slight edge (for my personal taste) in looks and character but I can imagine the Hyundai stole Mini's thunder regarding pure handling.

[lusopiston]

wong said:

Have you considered the Fiesta ST?

Yes, another great car but there's some chemistry lacking between us :-D I'm going to book a test-drive anyway.

[ChrisH72]

If you're going to carry the 2 kids regularly then I'd suggest going 5dr. To me, that rules out the mini as the 5dr just looks wrong. Up to you though.

Definitely drive the Fiesta as well as the Hyundai because why not?

I love small hot hatches and can't really see the benefit of paying more for the next size up. Maybe a touch quicker in a straight line but they're bigger, heavier and more costly to buy and run which defeats the object IMO. Unless you really need the space I suppose.

My Mk7.5 ST3 is a 3dr and whilst we occasionally use it with the family (3 of us) I would want rear doors if we did it more often. Plus maybe a bit more refinement which I hear the Mk8 delivers.

[lusopiston]

ChrisH72 said:

If you're going to carry the 2 kids regularly then I'd suggest going 5dr. To me, that rules out the mini as the 5dr just looks wrong. Up to you though.

Definitely drive the Fiesta as well as the Hyundai because why not?

I love small hot hatches and can't really see the benefit of paying more for the next size up. Maybe a touch quicker in a straight line but they're bigger, heavier and more costly to buy and run which defeats the object IMO. Unless you really need the space I suppose.

My Mk7.5 ST3 is a 3dr and whilst we occasionally use it with the family (3 of us) I would want rear doors if we did it more often. Plus maybe a bit more refinement which I hear the Mk8 delivers.

My philosophy is the same as yours, don't like or need big cars. I have 2 kids but I can live with 2 doors, I have to get out anyway to get them to school, no biggie sliding the seat forward :-) Mini 5 door is not for me definitely.

[CrippsCorner]

I like your thinking. The amount of people that say they need a huge SUV or estate with their first child is crazy. We had a KA for our first kid, a Jazz with 2, and now a C'eed with 3 lol... although we do need something bigger soon simply to fit them all in the back.

I was at a car show over the weekend and I do love the i20N - Maybe partly because they're much rarer than the ST (or MINI)

[PrinceRupert]

I had a Mini Cooper JCW hire car over the weekend. Went well enough but the ride was AWFUL. Extremely jittery and uncomposed. So definitely try before you buy.

[JNW1]

PrinceRupert said:

I had a Mini Cooper JCW hire car over the weekend. Went well enough but the ride was AWFUL. Extremely jittery and uncomposed. So definitely try before you buy.

I agree and it often surprises me how many people buy based purely on things like magazine or online reviews. We're all different and what some may think is great others may regard as poor - your example of ride quality is a very good one as one person's idea of firm and sporty could be viewed as harsh and uncomfortable by somebody else. Neither is right or wrong, it's a matter of personal preference and IMO you only find out what suits you by having a decent test drive.

[chrisch77]

The MINI SE will be just as much fun to drive as any of the alternatives you listed, the only thing you might miss is the noise (particularly if antisocial pops, bangs and farty noises are your thing).

BUT don't think of buying any 'low range' EV if it is going to be the only car in your household. If you have another petrol/diesel vehicle for longer trips and preferably off street parking so you can charge at home then go for it!

We have an SE that replaced both an F56 Cooper S and an R55 Clubman D in our household, and it is great fun for daily use. Can't beat an XC90 for the big family trips, but I have done a few longer journeys 'solo' in the MINI where I need to rely on public charging.

[lusopiston]

CrippsCorner said:

I like your thinking. The amount of people that say they need a huge SUV or estate with their first child is crazy. We had a KA for our first kid, a Jazz with 2, and now a C'eed with 3 lol... although we do need something bigger soon simply to fit them all in the back.

I was at a car show over the weekend and I do love the i20N - Maybe partly because they're much rarer than the ST (or MINI)

Exactly, although with 3 kids Mini is no longer an option, you'd need a Civic Type R or something like that. Kids are so expensive :-D

[lusopiston]

F1GTRUeno said:

Trust me when I say the i20N every day of the week.

I'm biased cause I've had mine for nearly a year now but it's an amazing thing. There's plenty of space in the back too. After every drive, even if just to the shops, I look back at it and smile. Astonishingly capable on a country road, sounds fantastic, comfortable, lots of kit, 5 year warranty, cheap monthly's.

Photo the day I got it with said mate's Cooper S to the right.

Edited by F1GTRUeno on Saturday 10th September 20:16

Edited by F1GTRUeno on Saturday 10th September 20:17

Awesome! Is it your first performance car or did you have any previous favourite and if so how does it compare?

[lusopiston]

JNW1 said:

I agree and it often surprises me how many people buy based purely on things like magazine or online reviews. We're all different and what some may think is great others may regard as poor - your example of ride quality is a very good one as one person's idea of firm and sporty could be viewed as harsh and uncomfortable by somebody else. Neither is right or wrong, it's a matter of personal preference and IMO you only find out what suits you by having a decent test drive.

For me, as a drivers car being stiff is a feature not a bug :-D My Mini CS R53 and the Cayman S were both firm cars but I found them both very engaging to drive and not tiresome at all in long journeys. Being in a boring, numb car for a long time tires me much more than the physical aspect of a car being stiffly sprung. As you mention something that depends on preference obviously.

[kurokawa]

Never own a i20N could not comment on it.
Had a Kona as courtesy car.
Had a R56 JCW then F56.
Had FK2 and 2.0 NC.
R56 is the most fun car IMO. F56 isn’t far it is bigger but handling still sharp and very good steering feedback, only the NC beat it in handling and feedback, but NC feel lacking power compare to Mini.
In your list MCS for me, but if it is a i30N then I think I could pick the i30N

[PrinceRupert]

lusopiston said:

For me, as a drivers car being stiff is a feature not a bug :-D My Mini CS R53 and the Cayman S were both firm cars but I found them both very engaging to drive and not tiresome at all in long journeys. Being in a boring, numb car for a long time tires me much more than the physical aspect of a car being stiffly sprung. As you mention something that depends on preference obviously.

There is sporty and then there is firm and uncomposed for the sake of it. A poorly riding car does not mean it is sporty. Reminded me of my old FN2 Type R, which rode appallingly on the 19" alloys.