Thursday 23rd June 2005

Pay more for a diesel Mini

And you might go slightly quicker

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A bit quicker but more costly

BMW is boasting that it's hiking the power and speed of the Mini One D -- but it's also adding a higher-than-inflation price jump.

The car will be 20 per cent more powerful from September, increasing its power output by 13bhp and knocking nearly two seconds off the 0-62mph sprint, said BMW.

But don't hold your breath. The current, £11,695 Mini One D 'sprints' to 60mph in a leisurely 13.5 seconds, propelled by a 75bhp diesel engine with 133lb-ft of torque. Two seconds off? You'd hardly notice. Top speed's a bit quicker too but you don't want to know.

The stronger four-cylinder power unit has been thoroughly revised with new engine management systems. It offers the same economy as its predecessor, the combined fuel figure being 58.9mpg giving a range of up to 600 miles.

Interior tweaks

All Minis get more kit from the autumn. Single CD, radio boost and passenger airbag de-activation will be added to all models. White indicators will become standard on Mini Cooper S and Mini Cooper S Convertible.

Also, hyper blue metallic paint, previously only available on MINI Cooper S, will now be an option across the range while the price for satnav and Bluetooth falls by £210, to £1440 and £840 respectively.

And the price? That goes up by an average two per cent across the entire range apart from the One D, to which a 4.7 per cent increase will apply "to reflect the more powerful new engine", according to BMW.

That's the price for being a style icon, one would suppose.

[cdp]

I think it's a reasonable gain. Pity they don't have an diesel that would bring it down to around 8 seconds. Their own diesels are powerful enough, but I guess they don't fit. I imagine if BMW still owned Rover they would have a small diesel by now.

[errek72]

...or be bankrupt as well.

[goo-goo-gjoob]

Is that Ringo driving?

[old fogey]

two seconds quicker to 60? i think you'd notice that .. who writes this stuff? have they actually driven the cars back to back or just making controversial copy? sticking to the facts would be nice and I would rather like to know the top speed thanks, just for interest .. lmao.

i think it's a fair price for a style icon that averages 60mpg near enough ..

[Adrian W]

My Girlfriend is in the proccess of bying a mini diesel (or she was) Firstly the Dealer doesnt seem to care if they sell cars or not, when i think about it their just like BMW dealers.

Everything on the car is an option, you cannot buy the car for the published price, and the best two are...............half tank petrol £30, number plates £20.

Anyway on Monday she spec'd the car and we asked if there are any changes or facelifts coming and you guessed it we were told none, so she ordered the car and gave them a deposit.

On monday night i find out that there is a new model announced, you cant have a black Mini Diesel any more, or a rear spoiler and the price has gone up and delivery has gone out.

Well Mr BMW/mini you can shove your car right up your **** we're getting a Seat.

[xxplod]

Surprising BMW are so far behind the game with the diesels, especially when you think how good their new 2.0L diesel is. 88 bhp is pretty poor these days, when you consider what VAG get out of their 1.9L units. I believe the new hot Seat is 160PS with the 0-60 dash in 7.6 seconds.

[matopping]

Just read an article in the CSMA magazine about a trick box for the Mini D. For £499 you get 20php. The test was done back to back and the reviewer was amazed at the value for money the conversion offered.

sadly I had to leave the magazine in the hospital waiting room so I can't remember the name of the outfit.

[Farmer]

nought to sixty is not a fair test for a Derv car the limited rev band means extra gear changes . better to compare peak tourque and tourque curve charrackterristickssssss to get a better feel for a car's livliness . and we all know how relevent top speed is

[grandadboats]

How much petrol can you buy for the additional cost of a diesel?

[cdp]

xxplod said:

Surprising BMW are so far behind the game with the diesels, especially when you think how good their new 2.0L diesel is. 88 bhp is pretty poor these days, when you consider what VAG get out of their 1.9L units. I believe the new hot Seat is 160PS with the 0-60 dash in 7.6 seconds.

It's the Toyota Yaris Diesel. That's why I made that comment that it's a pity BMW haven't build their own. But the mini isn't buit in sufficient volume for it to be worthwhile.

[dift]

[redacted]

[top brake]

matopping said:

Just read an article in the CSMA magazine about a trick box for the Mini D. For £499 you get 20php. The test was done back to back and the reviewer was amazed at the value for money the conversion offered. sadly I had to leave the magazine in the hospital waiting room so I can't remember the name of the outfit.

absolutely - get the existing one remapped OBD tuning for approx £300! pm me for more details