BMW 320D SE v's Mini Cooper D - Any opinions
Discussion
Due to a change in job, the DC2 has to move on, to be replaced with something a bit more economical.
Almost narrowed it down to 2.
A 2007 (56) BMW 320d, 163 BHP, full leather, sat-nav, etc...
A 2007 (57) Mini Cooper D.
On the test drives, they both drove well, obviously the BMW felt more luxurious and has more space, whereas the mini felt like it might be more fun on a spirited b road blast, but obviously has very little space, after the front seats.
On paper the BMW should get 60 mpg where as the cooper will get 70+ on a motorway journey. However on the test drive the BMW was sitting at 50mpg, with the cooper about 60, is this normal? Or could it be that it just needs me to perfect my diesel driving skills.
Anyone know much about costs of upkeep etc..?
Or just any basic comments welcome, to try and help me decide
Almost narrowed it down to 2.
A 2007 (56) BMW 320d, 163 BHP, full leather, sat-nav, etc...
A 2007 (57) Mini Cooper D.
On the test drives, they both drove well, obviously the BMW felt more luxurious and has more space, whereas the mini felt like it might be more fun on a spirited b road blast, but obviously has very little space, after the front seats.
On paper the BMW should get 60 mpg where as the cooper will get 70+ on a motorway journey. However on the test drive the BMW was sitting at 50mpg, with the cooper about 60, is this normal? Or could it be that it just needs me to perfect my diesel driving skills.
Anyone know much about costs of upkeep etc..?
Or just any basic comments welcome, to try and help me decide
Both are them are expensive when they go wrong, but they shouldnt go to wrong, to often. My girlfriends mini makes me laugh, at some of the bills it has come out with from sytner.
Its hard to compare them, i guess thats up to you. They are two totally different cars except they have four wheels and a engine that runs on diesel.
I think the mini will be worth more in comparision to the purchase cost, than the 3 series due to the demand from young girls/city women wanting to look good etc.
Ive also driven the 3 series (best mate has one, all be it m-sport), and again its a nice car. But thats all thats it to it really; A nice, functional car and just does what you expect it to do. Nothing special.
Its hard to compare them, i guess thats up to you. They are two totally different cars except they have four wheels and a engine that runs on diesel.
I think the mini will be worth more in comparision to the purchase cost, than the 3 series due to the demand from young girls/city women wanting to look good etc.
Ive also driven the 3 series (best mate has one, all be it m-sport), and again its a nice car. But thats all thats it to it really; A nice, functional car and just does what you expect it to do. Nothing special.
As for the economy ignore the book figure's you'll struggle to achieve them, but given the figures you got on your demo's they sound ok. What sort of route for the test drive, did the engine get to max operating temperature, etc etc?
Regarding the car, if you're doing a lot of miles I'd imagine the 3 series is the more comfortable place to be.
Also and I'm sure this will annoy many but the 3 series wont look like your driving your girlfriends/wifes car.
Regarding the car, if you're doing a lot of miles I'd imagine the 3 series is the more comfortable place to be.
Also and I'm sure this will annoy many but the 3 series wont look like your driving your girlfriends/wifes car.
It's a tricky decision. Presumably you're not too bothered about RWD vs FWD; cause if we can get that out of the way then it's an easier comparison. With that out of the way, I'd choose the BMW for a bias of long journeys, carrying things around and comfort; or the MINI for more chuckable fun.
Regarding MPG, I run a 2007 320d SE and get 50 odd mpg on the motorway at normal speeds, high 40s driving here and there, and mid to low 40s with a heavy right foot. 60 is possible, but you'd need to do 60mph down a motorway to manage it (or whatever the optimum speed for economy is for the car).
Personally, I'd go for the BMW because I don't like FWD, but that's just my personal opinion.
Regarding MPG, I run a 2007 320d SE and get 50 odd mpg on the motorway at normal speeds, high 40s driving here and there, and mid to low 40s with a heavy right foot. 60 is possible, but you'd need to do 60mph down a motorway to manage it (or whatever the optimum speed for economy is for the car).
Personally, I'd go for the BMW because I don't like FWD, but that's just my personal opinion.
I want from a 55 325i SE touring to a 58 Cooper Clubman.
If you can live with the space, I would go with the Mini everytime. Much more fun, and I can still (and regularly do) run 400miles in a day without any aches or pains. Just stay away from the big wheels on the mini, they do ruin the ride IMO. Try and find one with sports suspension.
BTW, I average 43mpg on the petrol Cooper.
If you can live with the space, I would go with the Mini everytime. Much more fun, and I can still (and regularly do) run 400miles in a day without any aches or pains. Just stay away from the big wheels on the mini, they do ruin the ride IMO. Try and find one with sports suspension.
BTW, I average 43mpg on the petrol Cooper.
My uncle has a 320d (2006). On the way down to my parents house in France he stuck to about 75-80 all the way down. He then did a little bit of running around.
He still averaged 74.2mpg (on the trip). It's not a ba place to be either. His only complaint is that the RFT howl once they're low-'ish' on tread.
Can't help anymore.
He still averaged 74.2mpg (on the trip). It's not a ba place to be either. His only complaint is that the RFT howl once they're low-'ish' on tread.
Can't help anymore.
a few questions you need to answer.
1. You planning a family? If so no Mini
2. You buy lots of stuff shopping? And you prefer it to be out of sight rather than on the back seat ? Don't buy the mini
3. Fwd or Rwd ?
4. Mini c100bhp BMW c170bhp what's more important
5. If you were rear ended at 60mph mini would have other cars bonnet possibly into the front two seats. BMW 3 series would have to go through the boot then the rear seats before the front sears so it's a safer car.
6. Which do you prefer to drive?
1. You planning a family? If so no Mini
2. You buy lots of stuff shopping? And you prefer it to be out of sight rather than on the back seat ? Don't buy the mini
3. Fwd or Rwd ?
4. Mini c100bhp BMW c170bhp what's more important
5. If you were rear ended at 60mph mini would have other cars bonnet possibly into the front two seats. BMW 3 series would have to go through the boot then the rear seats before the front sears so it's a safer car.
6. Which do you prefer to drive?
Stedman said:
My uncle has a 320d (2006). On the way down to my parents house in France he stuck to about 75-80 all the way down. He then did a little bit of running around.
He still averaged 74.2mpg (on the trip). It's not a ba place to be either. His only complaint is that the RFT howl once they're low-'ish' on tread.
Can't help anymore.
Are you sure?!He still averaged 74.2mpg (on the trip). It's not a ba place to be either. His only complaint is that the RFT howl once they're low-'ish' on tread.
Can't help anymore.
RobM77 said:
russy01 said:
My opinion would be to get something completely different, see far too many of both of these.
What a strange statement. You appear to be basing your buying decision on how unpopular a car is. Isn't unpopular likely to be proportional to crap? I for one don't think I'll buy that because there are lots of them on the road, I obviously take into consideration the standard factors of looks, performance etc, and I'll probably then choose the one I see less off. Why would I want to look like every other Tom dick and Harry, I want to be me.
Sorry I have an opposing opinion, sorry for the interruption op.
(these BMW fanboys are easily upset.)
cotter said:
Anyone know much about costs of upkeep etc..?
Or just any basic comments welcome, to try and help me decide
Despite the 320d being hailed as the greatest thing in the world by a couple of people IME they are not that reliable. Coilpacks and turbo's on two cars we run at work have failed with fairly monstrous bills for their replacements. Make sure you do your homework!Or just any basic comments welcome, to try and help me decide
As for the drive it depends if it bothers you if you prefer an average RWD car to an average FWD one?
yonex said:
Despite the 320d being hailed as the greatest thing in the world by a couple of people IME they are not that reliable. Coilpacks and turbo's on two cars we run at work have failed with fairly monstrous bills for their replacements. Make sure you do your homework!
As for the drive it depends if it bothers you if you prefer an average RWD car to an average FWD one?
If you want to post stuff like this, it helps your credibility if it isn't blatant bullsAs for the drive it depends if it bothers you if you prefer an average RWD car to an average FWD one?
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