Mini diesel ownership?

[Muffster]

Hi folks, this must be the best place to ask questions on Mini ownership so here goes. I'm tempeted my a 1.6 diesel(i do lots of motorway miles)with a budget of around £10k. So what do i look for? Which is the better model, i.e. should i look for a cooper rather than a Mini one. Which extras can i expect, do i need one with a chilli pack etc. Should i look for a particular year, after a facelift and what are the common faults/problem.
Your experience and advise will be a great help.
Many thanks,

Muffster.

[rfn]

The Mini One Diesel, is an R50 (2001-2006) and has a 1.4 engine (ran from 2003 onwards IIRC).
The Mini Cooper Diesel, is an R56 (2006+) and has a 1.6.

You can probably just about get into an R56 Cooper D for your budget (though it might be a high-miler).

They're pretty good cars, economical, certainly. If it was me I'd look for one with as many options as possible, Chilli is generally spec'd on many and some would consider it "vital" for resale - but that's debatable.

Edited by rfn on Wednesday 31st March 22:20

[DrainTheSpuds]

Just to add to RFN's post above, the One D had a power boost in September 2005 from 75 bhp to 88 bhp, which lowered the 13.6 second 0-60 time by nearly 2 seconds. If you're doing lots of motorway miles, the 75 bhp version will be hard work.

The R56 Cooper D is a much better proposition, with 110 bhp and 192 lb ft of torque (on overboost). The combined mpg is also notably better than the One D too.

[Muffster]

Thanks for the replies fellas.
My current motorway car is an A4 TDI 130 which iv'e had for 4 years and it has been bulletproof. It feels well made and sure footed which gives a confident feeling when i get in it and i know iv'e got to get from A to B. Having never driven an new Mini, will i get the same experience from a much smaller car?
Also the Audi, being a 130bhp diesel has lots of low down torque which is great for motorway speeds and overtaking. How does the Mini compare to this. As it is not a turbo, is their a comparable trade off as the mini will weigh a lot less?
Obviously i need a test drive! but what do you guys think.
Thanks for the advice.

Muffster.

[rfn]

Your A4 is a 1.9 TDi, with 128bhp, 285Nm of torque and a 0-60 of 9.6 seconds (assuming 00-04 saloon).
The One D is a 1.4 TDi, with either 75bhp or 88bhp, and respectively 180Nm of torque and 0-60 of 13.1 secs, and (for the 88bhp model) 190Nm of torque and 0-60 of 11.5 seconds.

The Cooper D is a 1.6 TDi engine (shared with PSA) with 110bhp, 240Nm of torque and a 0-60 of 9.6 seconds.

I'd say that the One would feel more sluggish than the A4 in either specification, whereas the Cooper D is a much better prospect. All the Mini Diesels have Turbocharged engines, and they feel very surefooted to drive, though the suspension on the first shape can be a little harsh at times.

[Muffster]

Ah so the cooper D is a turbo, excellent thanks for that.
Muffster.