MINI Electric Buyers Thread

MINI Electric Buyers Thread

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MDifficult

Original Poster:

2,044 posts

185 months

Thursday 7th November 2019
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Thought I'd start a thread for anyone who's currently on the pre-order list.

I've just been contacted by MINI as it's now time to decide on spec... and I'm deep in choice paralysis.

https://www.mini.co.uk/en_GB/home/range/mini-elect...

The 'no quibble' walk away date is in March 2020 and I think I'm #8 on the pre-order list at my local dealer. That's the point at which I can test drive and walk-away with my deposit back if needs be.

So, anyone else going through the process? Going brilliantly basic or ticking every box?

GaryF

970 posts

253 months

Thursday 7th November 2019
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Hi, what's the real world expected range between charges on these? Range anxiety is one issue that most will want to confront.

Smart have gone fully electric and I saw real world figures of 57 miles quoted in test (no thank you).

I'm a Petrolhead, but I know things are changing and we will all be heading this way at some point. I hope you enjoy / go ahead when the time comes.

Speccing will be fun smile

GaryF

970 posts

253 months

Thursday 7th November 2019
quotequote all
Just seen the "up to 145 miles range †WLTP" quoted on the site

†Figures are for comparison purposes and may not reflect real life driving results which depend on a number of factors including the starting charge of the battery, accessories fitted (post registration), variations in weather, driving styles and vehicle load. They were obtained after the battery had been fully charged. The MINI Electric is a battery electric vehicle requiring mains electricity for charging. The electric range was determined according to a new test (WLTP). Only compare fuel consumption, CO2 and electric range figures with other cars tested to the same technical procedure.

MDifficult

Original Poster:

2,044 posts

185 months

Thursday 7th November 2019
quotequote all
GaryF said:
Hi, what's the real world expected range between charges on these? Range anxiety is one issue that most will want to confront.

Smart have gone fully electric and I saw real world figures of 57 miles quoted in test (no thank you).

I'm a Petrolhead, but I know things are changing and we will all be heading this way at some point. I hope you enjoy / go ahead when the time comes.

Speccing will be fun smile
Yeah, the 'hopeful' range is 145 miles but it doesn't really concern me too much. If I go through with it I plan to use it as my daily and my commute is only 18 miles each way. I have other car/motorbike options if I really need to do more than 100 miles so no bother.

If it was an only car then it might bother me more.

As for spec, there's two real choices I need to make:

A) Do I want it to look like an 'electric' MINI or look more like a 'normal' MINI.
B) Do I want some toys, more toys, or all the toys.

I'm still undecided on both laugh

watchnut

1,166 posts

129 months

Friday 22nd November 2019
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I was asking about the range to salesman/woman last week. I asked how much the range reduces once you have on the radio, heater, wipers lights, charging your phone/satnav/vibrator (just seeing if anyone is actually reading this smile )

They thought it would stay up as per the 140-145 miles per FULL CHARGE quoted in the book, but they are also not accounting for the weather (a/c on? heater?) or that most never check tyre pressures which can also effect rolling resistance. So actual miles per charge could go say to about 100 miles in cold weather?

Driving style is important....these cars are quick, and enjoyable off at the lights... a good thing...but heavy on the juice...range reduced

If you want a car to make a fashion statement about how "green" you are ..... then great if you do under 50 miles a day

I would like/want one as a learner car as i believe we are going to get taxed off the roads soon for diesel and petrol, so in 5-10 years most learners may only want "auto" lessons.....but it is an expensive car, but it has not the range for a days work.... they need to have the technology to have a range like the tesla in the region of 300 miles a charge

You have to also make sure you have a decent "tariff" with your electric supplier otherwise your cheap electric car could work out more expensive than a diesel run around like my current Mini on anything between 52-75 mpg

for car equipment to keep costs down i would go for level one, or level one with rear parking sensors

but what the hell for 2k more the level 2 looks the business

on irritating friends and family if they turned up asking to plug their car into your electricity....would you let them? And then when you drive around to their house hold out your hand and say......seeing you charged up at mine, my gaff, i used £10 worth of fuel to get here today.....cough up!

Have you been quoted for a "charge box" to be fitted ?

If your car uses say £7 worth of electric every day to be topped up that's £49 a week... i would suggest most people use less than that on petrol/diesel, and have further range...... how "carbon neutral" is it to get rid of a car already made, for a new one, being charged up from a power station smile

The battery life is also only guaranteed for 8 years or 100k miles....how much would new ones be? and how do they dispose of the old ones in an environmentally friendly way?.....is it the next scandal for cars like the "diesel " one currently is?

MDifficult

Original Poster:

2,044 posts

185 months

Saturday 23rd November 2019
quotequote all
Hey Watchnut a bunch of interesting questions and thanks for taking the time to reply. Any debate on the value of electric cars seems to get lost in a sea of ‘averages’ so I’ll do my best to try to answer the ones I can using my own personal circumstances - hope it’s helpful..

watchnut said:
I was asking about the range to salesman/woman last week. I asked how much the range reduces once you have on the radio, heater, wipers lights, charging your phone/satnav/vibrator (just seeing if anyone is actually reading this smile )

They thought it would stay up as per the 140-145 miles per FULL CHARGE quoted in the book, but they are also not accounting for the weather (a/c on? heater?) or that most never check tyre pressures which can also effect rolling resistance. So actual miles per charge could go say to about 100 miles in cold weather?

Driving style is important....these cars are quick, and enjoyable off at the lights... a good thing...but heavy on the juice...range reduced
For me, it’s really doesn’t make any difference and an additional 100 or 150 miles of range in the car would be wasted on me - making the car both heavier and much more expensive. My commute is 18 miles each way and there’s charging points at work too. But let’s assume I just charge at home, with 36 miles of range required, I’m pretty sure I can drive to work and back flat-out with full lights, stereo, phone charger, heater and heated seats.

By my maths I could also plug in and operate a George Forman Grill for the enquire journey and still have plenty of charge to spare. I think I’ll be fine wink

watchnut said:
If you want a car to make a fashion statement about how "green" you are ..... then great if you do under 50 miles a day
This is the crux for me a bit. Do I want to make a statement about how ‘green’ I am? Not really. As an avowed petrolhead with two other cars and a motorbike, any statement about how green I am would be pretty disingenuous. That said, like a lot of other people, I’m starting to feel that burning lots of fossil fuels while grinding out a weekly commute is starting to feel a little uncomfortable. Especially as it’s something I currently do in an M5.

Am I thinking about an electric car for the daily-grind journeys as part of my green ego? I don’t think so. Am I doing it so that I feel a bit less bad about burning petrol for fun the rest of the time? Possibly.

watchnut said:
I would like/want one as a learner car as i believe we are going to get taxed off the roads soon for diesel and petrol, so in 5-10 years most learners may only want "auto" lessons.....but it is an expensive car, but it has not the range for a days work.... they need to have the technology to have a range like the tesla in the region of 300 miles a charge
Not really sure what point you’re making here? A 300 miles range Tesla would be much more expensive and wasted on me. I’d be dragging those big expensive batteries around every day for no good reason. The vast, vast majority of people commute less than 50 miles a day.

But, your point about learners etc is a really good one - my daughters and wife all drive, but don’t enjoy/understand the mechanical side of cars. An electric car that you operate more like an iPhone (plug in, use, plug in, use) is almost certainly going to be more suited to them than a traditional car.

watchnut said:
You have to also make sure you have a decent "tariff" with your electric supplier otherwise your cheap electric car could work out more expensive than a diesel run around like my current Mini on anything between 52-75 mpg
Ignoring the standing charge (because I pay that anyway), I’m paying 12.9p per kWh. That’s a flat rate throughout the day but seems to be a pretty good price - so I'm comfortable.

watchnut said:
for car equipment to keep costs down i would go for level one, or level one with rear parking sensors

but what the hell for 2k more the level 2 looks the business
We agree - I’ve gone for the Level 2. Parking sensors for the wife and kids, bum warmers and a classier looking interior for me thumbup

watchnut said:
on irritating friends and family if they turned up asking to plug their car into your electricity....would you let them? And then when you drive around to their house hold out your hand and say......seeing you charged up at mine, my gaff, i used £10 worth of fuel to get here today.....cough up!
This is a weird one that has literally never crossed my mind laugh I think it’s more about the relationship you have with your friends than something specific to electric cars. If a friend showed up at my house with a nearly empty petrol tank I’d gladly hand over my mower jerrycan. Same with charging their electric car if they’re in need, go for it.

If you really think this is a big reason not to get an electric car, you might want to look into getting some different friends! laugh

watchnut said:
Have you been quoted for a "charge box" to be fitted ?
I have. Thankfully, my electric meter and distribution box are all in the same place as the charger will be fitted. That means I can get a 7kw (the best you can get on a single-phase domestic connection) for about £299-£499. You can spend up to £1500 but you’re paying for looks/design really. Technically they’re relatively much of a muchness as far as I can see.

watchnut said:
If your car uses say £7 worth of electric every day to be topped up that's £49 a week... i would suggest most people use less than that on petrol/diesel, and have further range...... how "carbon neutral" is it to get rid of a car already made, for a new one, being charged up from a power station 🙂
Okay, this is the big question really. How cheap is it?

Firstly, let’s compare to doing it every day in my M5 (I appreciate it a non-typical example but it’s both real world for me… and hilarious).

Based on my daily journey of 36 miles and my electric price of 12.9p kWh the MINI costs £1.28 per day.

The BMW costs £9.41 to do the same journey. That’s ignoring Tax, insurance, purchase cost, servicing and everything else. Pure energy cost I’d be saving £8 a day moving to the MINI. laugh

The only real way to compare is on energy cost. If you start including buying new vs used, or servicing, tax etc it skews it all. But, for the sake of comparison, let’s compare to a more comparable car. Let’s say a Diesel version of pretty much the same car - the 1.5 Diesel Mini Hatch… £3.74 to do the same journey. So I’m still saving £2 per day and I don’t have to drive a hateful, slow, clattery, sooty diesel.

One thing I know for sure, it’s doesn’t matter which shower-of-ste wins the General Election in December, the price of Diesel and Petrol is only going one way. I’m sure electricity will get more expensive too, but I think the gap between them will continue to grow.

watchnut said:
The battery life is also only guaranteed for 8 years or 100k miles....how much would new ones be? and how do they dispose of the old ones in an environmentally friendly way?.....is it the next scandal for cars like the "diesel " one currently is?
This is a good question. The easier answer is to simply not worry about it. I typically keep cars (usually bought used) for about 4 years, so I’ll be shot of it long before it becomes an issue for me personally.

But what about the planet (I agree, what happens to the batteries is a concern). However, though my work I have gained a small amount of insight into how the world of recycling works and the economics are really interesting. Recycling a small amount of something is expensive and non-economic, so it tends to go to waste. But, the more of something you have, the more sense it makes to recycle it, so the more you invest in recycling methods, which reduces the costs, which makes the end product more valuable, which means you recycle more of it, creating a virtuous cycle.

i.e. Once there are far more old electric cars, there will be more old electric car batteries, which will make them more interesting to recycle, which will make people invest in recycling methods, which will reduce the cost of recycling, which will make the end products lower cost (or more ‘valuable’) which will further spur recycling.

I appreciate that there’s a lot of ‘hope’ in that and I’m certainly no expert, but I refuse to believe that we’re going to reach a point where electric car batteries are just buried in the ground - the value of the components inside mean the economics of throwing them away just don’t stack up.

I hope this was all helpful stuff - I'm still very much undecided as to whether I'll go ahead with the purchase at the 'walk away' point, but it'll come down to whether I enjoy the driving experience rather than any concerns about electric cars per se.

watchnut

1,166 posts

129 months

Saturday 23rd November 2019
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Mdifficult....can't say I disagree with anything you have said there......but I would choose the "M" sport over a Mini anyday just for the "Fun" smile

I teach driving in a Mini Diesel, it is far from smoking at the moment on 161k (first clutch still) cheap to run, and convenient for it's job.

I agree that electric or hybrid is the way the world is going, and I hope that the government (which ever bunch of morons get in) don't make it very expensive for diesel/petrol drivers because many just can't afford to change their vehicles. If they do it will add to inflation etc... the vehicle manufacturers are being encouraged to engineer cleaner vehicles, but, it is expensive at the moment.

I have driven a Tesla, and they are brilliant fun and bloody quick, but sooooo expensive there is no way i could afford one to teach in, no one would be willing to pay an hourly rate for me to turn a profit.

I look forward to hearing about your life with the Mini electric, post how you get on on this means please a "real" life relationship/review with a vehicle works far better for me than a salesman/womans pitch

I have been completing one on my Mini on the "wessex car club" site....that no doubt has bored everyone smile

great choice for the level 2

GaryF

970 posts

253 months

Saturday 23rd November 2019
quotequote all
All very interesting chat chaps. I'm not ready to make the move to electric yet myself but I've just read the evo article on the new Porsche Taycan. They are embuing the top-of-line varient with the 'turbo' moniker. Plonkers.

Look forward to hearing how you get on with the leccy Mini in the real world.

MDifficult

Original Poster:

2,044 posts

185 months

Saturday 23rd November 2019
quotequote all
watchnut said:
Mdifficult....can't say I disagree with anything you have said there......but I would choose the "M" sport over a Mini anyday just for the "Fun" smile
Cheers. I consider myself extremely lucky to be in the position to have both. As well as the M5 I’ve also got a MINI GP2 and I love ‘fast things’ in general. For fun times though, on UK roads, I’d take my GP over the M-car every time - I promise you, it’s a lot more fun at a lot less speed. laugh

In fact, one of the big attractions for the electric MINI for me is that I hope it’ll be a great drive - lots of torque, very low centre of gravity, quick off the line and the usual ‘entertaining’ MINI handling. Test drive in Jan will see if that’s true or whether the added weight or lack of noise ruins it.

watchnut said:
I teach driving in a Mini Diesel, it is far from smoking at the moment on 161k (first clutch still) cheap to run, and convenient for it's job.
Sounds like you’ve got a belter and taken good care of it. The last new car I bought was a Ford Puma so I’m totally in agreement that, for bang for buck, there’s nothing to beat a used car - I normally go that way every time. I guess I could wait 3 years for there to be a used MINI electric but I’m hopeful it’ll hold its value really well and offset the need to wait. Fingers crossed! laugh

watchnut said:
I agree that electric or hybrid is the way the world is going, and I hope that the government (which ever bunch of morons get in) don't make it very expensive for diesel/petrol drivers because many just can't afford to change their vehicles. If they do it will add to inflation etc... the vehicle manufacturers are being encouraged to engineer cleaner vehicles, but, it is expensive at the moment.

I have driven a Tesla, and they are brilliant fun and bloody quick, but sooooo expensive there is no way i could afford one to teach in, no one would be willing to pay an hourly rate for me to turn a profit.
Back to my main point really - the benefit of electric vehicles is just like any other purchase - they’re not universal. It comes down to both personal circumstances and preferences. If you drive for a living then internal combustion is really the only option right now.

But, if you’re a ‘typical’ urban commuter, with a mix of motorway, A-roads and traffic jams, it seems really hard to look past an electric car at this point. Especially if you have another option for the big jaunts.

watchnut said:
I look forward to hearing about your life with the Mini electric, post how you get on on this means please a "real" life relationship/review with a vehicle works far better for me than a salesman/womans pitch

I have been completing one on my Mini on the "wessex car club" site....that no doubt has bored everyone smile

great choice for the level 2
Cheers - If I go through with it I’ll make sure you update a little here (assuming others join in) and in more detail on my current readers cars thread.

I’ll be very honest - there’s a bit of me that’s buying it because it fascinates me technically, and a bit of me that’s buying it because it’s a huge watershed car for a brand I really love. The practicalities, green and financial benefits are partially just the icing on the cake.

MDifficult

Original Poster:

2,044 posts

185 months

Saturday 23rd November 2019
quotequote all
GaryF said:
All very interesting chat chaps. I'm not ready to make the move to electric yet myself but I've just read the evo article on the new Porsche Taycan. They are embuing the top-of-line varient with the 'turbo' moniker. Plonkers.

Look forward to hearing how you get on with the leccy Mini in the real world.
Cheers Gary,

It’s funny, the idea of something like a Taycan really leaves me cold - stupid naming or not. Watching all these reviewers desperately try to imbue some excitement into this huge, silent, absurdly fast monstrosity is almost embarrassing. But, someone will love it I’m sure.

As per the above, I’m pretty much convinced on small electric cars for urban commuting. Electric seems entirely beneficial in those circumstances.

But, in this world where big fast cars are becoming even bigger and faster, electricity just seems to make them even pointlessly bigger and faster while removing anything that actually makes those cars fun - noise and excitement/fear!

But, no doubt they’ll sell like hot cakes laugh

MDifficult

Original Poster:

2,044 posts

185 months

Wednesday 29th January 2020
quotequote all
Well, the first drives/reviews are in and largely seem to be as expected.. not the best range but a really enjoyable drive. Ideal second car.

Shame the launch was in Miami and urban focused, but shouldn’t be too long before they’re back on UK roads for UK-biased reviews.

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/mini/electric...

https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/mini/electric

https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/mini/mini/108925/new...

Still no confirmed date on my pre-order test drive but should be imminent I guess.

Anyone else in the queue?







chirst

32 posts

84 months

Thursday 30th January 2020
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Yes, order number 4893938. Mini messed up the pre-registration system on their web site, as I registered around 3pm on July 9th, but they missed my details off when they sent them out to my dealer. They tell me this has been sorted and I should be up for one of the earlier cars, but will wait and see.

This is purely a second car for us, as most of my milage is 5-10 miles and I even almost went for one of the run-out previous Smart ForTwo EQ's, but felt their 90 mile range was just too little, given the colder weather and hilly terrain where I live and my intention to keep it for the longer term.

I like the idea of buying a car at least assembled in the UK and have always had a soft spot for Mini.

Going level 2. A larger info screen would be nice, but actually I don't often use it other than to select music, as for example I don't use SatNav.
Also the glass roof on the level 3 would make inside the car a lot brighter, but as I said for the short distances I do it is not that important.

SimNugget

580 posts

170 months

Thursday 30th January 2020
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I’ve got one on order, quite looking forward to it. I’m leasing it through work for the tax benefits.

I’ve got level3 in the white silver with yellow accents and Corona wheels - gotta let everyone know it’s electric!

Delivery currently scheduled mid April.

S

MDifficult

Original Poster:

2,044 posts

185 months

Thursday 30th January 2020
quotequote all
Excellent - good to know I’m not the only one on PH buying one!

I settled on a spec between the two of you... going for the silver, accents and corona wheels (I.e. the Ad spec) but went level 2 in the end.

Have either of you decided which home charger you’re going for?

SimNugget

580 posts

170 months

Thursday 30th January 2020
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I already have a PodPoint 7kw so will just use that. Supplying wall chargers is a real money spinner so be careful.

cc3

2,795 posts

116 months

Friday 31st January 2020
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My order is level 2 currently shown as due at dealer w/c 27 April

kevs

33 posts

119 months

Saturday 1st February 2020
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This has many options, IE weather, road condition, headwind play many many more and could help with rage/charge point questions https://abetterrouteplanner.com

MDifficult

Original Poster:

2,044 posts

185 months

Monday 3rd February 2020
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cc3 said:
My order is level 2 currently shown as due at dealer w/c 27 April
Just had confirmation of mine.. week 21 which is week beginning 18th May. Still forever away.

chirst

32 posts

84 months

Monday 3rd February 2020
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Told last week in March for mine, so assume in reality this will be first few days of April, unless they playing April Fool on me :-)

Still not managed to decide what home charger to go for though.

Has anybody seen if the Connected App allows you to schedule charge times, as if it does then a "smart' meter that provides this has little value and I would I assume get the simplest/cheapest I can. Currently I don't even need this feature, but at some point I may get a electric tariff that provides cheaper off-peak rates and so would want to use this if I can.

All new meters covered via the install grant have to be "smart", in that the grid must be able to suspend charging in needed to protect supply, but other than that I probably can live with the basics I think and am more bothered about length of warranty and install cost.





JohnBRG

368 posts

171 months

Saturday 8th February 2020
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Does anyone know the lead time on these, if I ordered one tomorrow?