Mini Cooper SD or BMW 118d Coupe?
Discussion
all the additional extras you can imagine and quite a good car. Why anybody buys the 118d I don't quite know :/ The 120d is just as efficient (aboug 2mpg difference) and its quite a lot quicker. 118d = pointless car IMO.My mate has a black 3 door 118d M-Sport with the 18" alloys, xenons, electric leather seats etc. It's a good looking car. I think the interior's very nice - well made, modern, and sporty, I particularly like the seats with the adjustble side bolsters etc. The interior's definately a step up in quality from my Z4 Sport. The engine seems to go well enough aswell.
I've been in a couple of R56 Mini's, a Cooper S and a Cooper D, and I do like them, but I'd go for the 1 series.
I've been in a couple of R56 Mini's, a Cooper S and a Cooper D, and I do like them, but I'd go for the 1 series.
if you're looking at BMW cars in this price range, have you thought about the mini coupe (contreversial styling, but worth a look for something a little unusual) or the 'new' 1 series hatch? I'd have thought the 1 series would have improved quite a bit with 6 years of development? worth poking around/testing all four
As said before, if you do go for the Mini do not get sports suspension, 17" wheels and runflats as its an awful combinaton. I had a MCS for about 2 months (2 months too long) before I got the 123d, what a difference for the better. I can't comment on the 118d but even if its not that powerful I would take it everytime over a Mini, which I absolutely hated.
Not read the whole thread, but Mrs Ramses went from a Cooper to a 1-series. Move was solely due to the birth of RamsesII - she would have kept the Mini otherwise, but needed 4/5 doors.
The Mini is more fun, but the 1-series is a better car. Personally I prefer the 1-series, I love the MSports Suspension and find it a very balanced, controllable car. The Mini was a very fun drive though and very chuckable. I love the firm ride of the Sports+ and Big Wheels.
Mrs Ramses still prefers the Mini though - and is currently looking at a Countryman.
The Mini is quirky and the trim is harder, funky, different, and almost more agricultural, but not in a neagtive way.
The 1 series is a lot better finished, more luxurious, more quality orientated and a lot better place to be.
If it is the NEW 1-series (i.e. that came out last month) - 1-series no question.
If it is the 1st gen 1-series (I don't know model numbers E/F whatever) then its a tough call. I would probably still go BMW, but a younger person could well prefer the chuckable 'just jump in a hoon' nature of the Mini.
The Mini is more fun, but the 1-series is a better car. Personally I prefer the 1-series, I love the MSports Suspension and find it a very balanced, controllable car. The Mini was a very fun drive though and very chuckable. I love the firm ride of the Sports+ and Big Wheels.
Mrs Ramses still prefers the Mini though - and is currently looking at a Countryman.
The Mini is quirky and the trim is harder, funky, different, and almost more agricultural, but not in a neagtive way.
The 1 series is a lot better finished, more luxurious, more quality orientated and a lot better place to be.
If it is the NEW 1-series (i.e. that came out last month) - 1-series no question.
If it is the 1st gen 1-series (I don't know model numbers E/F whatever) then its a tough call. I would probably still go BMW, but a younger person could well prefer the chuckable 'just jump in a hoon' nature of the Mini.
I was in a similar position to you earlier in the year and ended up going for a Cooper S petrol, which I much preffered to the SD, as the refinement and power delivery seemed better to me. As others have said avoid run flats and big wheels, I've got a base car that I specced up similar to Chilisport spec (but with 16's) and it rides well and surprisingly my lease came in at a lower price.
I'm getting c40mpg in mixed driving and very happy with it as an overall package. The big thing that put me off the BM was (heresy I know) it is RWD, having just come out of a 5 series and it being almost undrivable in snowy conditions, I was determined to go with either front or FWD. If your driving round the hills in winter it might be something you need to consider and yes, you can get winter tyres, but I can't be bothered with messing round.
I'm getting c40mpg in mixed driving and very happy with it as an overall package. The big thing that put me off the BM was (heresy I know) it is RWD, having just come out of a 5 series and it being almost undrivable in snowy conditions, I was determined to go with either front or FWD. If your driving round the hills in winter it might be something you need to consider and yes, you can get winter tyres, but I can't be bothered with messing round.
wezo said:
I was in a similar position to you earlier in the year and ended up going for a Cooper S petrol, which I much preffered to the SD, as the refinement and power delivery seemed better to me. As others have said avoid run flats and big wheels, I've got a base car that I specced up similar to Chilisport spec (but with 16's) and it rides well
Not many people go for 16s - makes a big difference with proper performance tyres and the LSD. Car really flows on the B-road twistiesGassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff