Bini or Abarth?
Discussion
Also try the up Gti, only reason I took the abarth over the up was vw finance offers were pants
The abarths are awesome though, I had 2. I think the Turismo is the sweet spot the 165 engine is notably quicker than the 145 but the 180 from the 165 is less notable increase so didn't justify the extra spend to me
As above the mini isn't a mini, it's a BMW 0.5 series
The abarths are awesome though, I had 2. I think the Turismo is the sweet spot the 165 engine is notably quicker than the 145 but the 180 from the 165 is less notable increase so didn't justify the extra spend to me
As above the mini isn't a mini, it's a BMW 0.5 series
Roboticarm said:
Also try the up Gti, only reason I took the abarth over the up was vw finance offers were pants
The abarths are awesome though, I had 2. I think the Turismo is the sweet spot the 165 engine is notably quicker than the 145 but the 180 from the 165 is less notable increase so didn't justify the extra spend to me
As above the mini isn't a mini, it's a BMW 0.5 series
I was the same with the UP GTI. I was happy to get this but the prices that they were asking and finance deals were awful. The abarths are awesome though, I had 2. I think the Turismo is the sweet spot the 165 engine is notably quicker than the 145 but the 180 from the 165 is less notable increase so didn't justify the extra spend to me
As above the mini isn't a mini, it's a BMW 0.5 series
I missed the boat by a year! A year ago you'd get a really good discount on a new UP. Then they stopped production and the dealers got greedy.
I've had both: 595 Competizione and Cooper S.
I think they are very different cars. Mini more grown up, Abarth a bit of a shouty hooligan.
Both great cars and would definitely have them again. I wouldn't want to do a 250 mile trip in the Abarth as it can get a bit droney. But a great car for blatting around in - for me it slightly edges it in the charcter stakes. Mini interior was nicer to my eyes, Abarth a bit scratchy plastic but maybe this has changed.
I think they are very different cars. Mini more grown up, Abarth a bit of a shouty hooligan.
Both great cars and would definitely have them again. I wouldn't want to do a 250 mile trip in the Abarth as it can get a bit droney. But a great car for blatting around in - for me it slightly edges it in the charcter stakes. Mini interior was nicer to my eyes, Abarth a bit scratchy plastic but maybe this has changed.
piddy44 said:
Hugo Stiglitz said:
Having owned both cars, the 595 is raw, more theatre. More for a driver looking for character.
A mini is for an estate agent or someone's first car. They are also bloody huge. The opposite of 'mini'.
A friend found his M3 boring - too 'sanitised'. Sold it & bought a Merc C-class AMG with the 6.something engine which he loves - says it's pure theatre & every drive is an event.A mini is for an estate agent or someone's first car. They are also bloody huge. The opposite of 'mini'.
That's my dilemma with the Bini - well built(ish), comfortable, nippy enough, but a bit 'generic, estate agent car'. The Abarth seems more of an event to drive but much less comfort & the design/build quality seems much more 'thrown together' than properly engineered.
Test drive time I think, though the dealers near me are reluctant to offer unless you're all but a pen stroke away from signing the purchase order. You'd think I was asking for their 16 yr old daughter's virginity!
My wife had a 595 Turismo (160bhp) and now has a 1.5 Cooper (135bhp) on the smaller wheels.
Having driven a fair few miles in both, for my money the Mini is just a better car full stop. Perfect driving position, good steering, characterful engine. Much more refined experience, perfectly acceptable for long motorway journeys and good at B roads as well. Great handling but not punishing in any way.
The Abarth was a little faster, a lot more shouty and it did have an appealing character but the driving dynamics were not in the same league. The steering was springy with no feel at all and the suspension was hard and tended to skip about (even with the trick Konis the Turismo comes with).
Saying that I can understand why someone would want to own an Abarth, it’s still a cool car and carries more credibility as an enthusiasts car at meets etc where a Cooper might be dismissed.
But to actually drive the Cooper is leagues ahead.
Best to test drive and see which approach you prefer!
Having driven a fair few miles in both, for my money the Mini is just a better car full stop. Perfect driving position, good steering, characterful engine. Much more refined experience, perfectly acceptable for long motorway journeys and good at B roads as well. Great handling but not punishing in any way.
The Abarth was a little faster, a lot more shouty and it did have an appealing character but the driving dynamics were not in the same league. The steering was springy with no feel at all and the suspension was hard and tended to skip about (even with the trick Konis the Turismo comes with).
Saying that I can understand why someone would want to own an Abarth, it’s still a cool car and carries more credibility as an enthusiasts car at meets etc where a Cooper might be dismissed.
But to actually drive the Cooper is leagues ahead.
Best to test drive and see which approach you prefer!
Edited by giveitfish on Sunday 10th July 13:57
Just to add from me - with the Abarth I always felt I was sitting on top of it, rather than in it with the Mini.
giveitfish said:
The Abarth was a little faster, a lot more shouty and it did have an appealing character but the driving dynamics were not in the same league.
And I would agree with this. Cooper is the better driver's car, Abarth a bit rarer and almost a cartoon car - which I saw as a positive! Edited by limpsfield on Sunday 10th July 14:32
Everyone is different but I find the faster that you go in a Abarth the more skill it takes and it's very very basic in many ways.
I found that appealing to me.
The mini like many modern cars is engineered to flatter you and your skill behind the wheel.
The Abarth will try killing you, for me it's the rawness of it that appeals.
Going back 15years+ I had a Subaru that was the same, drop your concentration and bang you'd be off the road.
I found that appealing to me.
The mini like many modern cars is engineered to flatter you and your skill behind the wheel.
The Abarth will try killing you, for me it's the rawness of it that appeals.
Going back 15years+ I had a Subaru that was the same, drop your concentration and bang you'd be off the road.
Hugo Stiglitz said:
Everyone is different but I find the faster that you go in a Abarth the more skill it takes and it's very very basic in many ways.
I found that appealing to me.
The mini like many modern cars is engineered to flatter you and your skill behind the wheel.
The Abarth will try killing you, for me it's the rawness of it that appeals.
Going back 15years+ I had a Subaru that was the same, drop your concentration and bang you'd be off the road.
Try taking an Abarth on a wet Donington park, i managed a 'lift off over steer half slide' at the bottom of the craners one damp December morning once, was fun to be honestI found that appealing to me.
The mini like many modern cars is engineered to flatter you and your skill behind the wheel.
The Abarth will try killing you, for me it's the rawness of it that appeals.
Going back 15years+ I had a Subaru that was the same, drop your concentration and bang you'd be off the road.
You could try a mk7 Fiesta ST?
Out of the Mini and Abarth my head would say Mini but heart Abarth which is no help!
Comments about the Mini being huge make me laugh. Still only 4m long. My mate hated Minis for years complaining that they were far too big. He now owns an R56 Cooper and loves it!
Out of the Mini and Abarth my head would say Mini but heart Abarth which is no help!
Comments about the Mini being huge make me laugh. Still only 4m long. My mate hated Minis for years complaining that they were far too big. He now owns an R56 Cooper and loves it!
ChrisH72 said:
You could try a mk7 Fiesta ST?
Out of the Mini and Abarth my head would say Mini but heart Abarth which is no help!
Comments about the Mini being huge make me laugh. Still only 4m long. My mate hated Minis for years complaining that they were far too big. He now owns an R56 Cooper and loves it!
Exactly, my mini is under 1200kg, much the same as a Fiesta or the like I'd imagineOut of the Mini and Abarth my head would say Mini but heart Abarth which is no help!
Comments about the Mini being huge make me laugh. Still only 4m long. My mate hated Minis for years complaining that they were far too big. He now owns an R56 Cooper and loves it!
Current owner of a 595 Competizione, coming up 4 years of ownership from new. Use it as a 2nd car for a bit of fun, but still managed to do almost 25k. Longest journey was a round trip of circa 250 miles, and whilst it wasn't as comfy as other cars it was fine with only a little aching when I arrived home - I'm 6'3 and around 16.5 stone for reference.
Previously owned an R56 Cooper S and whilst it was a great car, it always felt a little 'numb' and I rarely drove it 'just because'. Every single drive of the Abarth puts a smile on my face, and gets positive responses wherever it goes.
I'd say if it was for a daily and to be used to commute longer than maybe 30mins each way, the Mini may just edge it due to comfort. But for all other tasks, I'd still choose the Abarth every single time. It just isn't getting much use at the moment sadly as SWMBO is pregnant and finds it too uncomfortable thanks to the aftermarket suspension etc.
Previously owned an R56 Cooper S and whilst it was a great car, it always felt a little 'numb' and I rarely drove it 'just because'. Every single drive of the Abarth puts a smile on my face, and gets positive responses wherever it goes.
I'd say if it was for a daily and to be used to commute longer than maybe 30mins each way, the Mini may just edge it due to comfort. But for all other tasks, I'd still choose the Abarth every single time. It just isn't getting much use at the moment sadly as SWMBO is pregnant and finds it too uncomfortable thanks to the aftermarket suspension etc.
Thanks guys. Loads of great advice on here. My car has taken a sizeable drop on WBAC which the Mini dealer seemed to be using as the basis for his trade-in value (he was looking up WBAC on his phone). The Mini I was considering has also taken a sizeable hit on WBAC however there's very little negotiation on the advertised retail price the dealer is looking for. Similar at Abarth, the dealer thinks their prices are great but they're really low-balling me on a trade-in price.
I'm undecided on which one I want and suspect it'll be a simple case of seeing what car has the better deal on it in a few months time. I would have bought in the last few days but no matter how good a car is, it would always grate if I didn't feel the deal had been right for me. I reckon it'll be a spur of the moment decision when the time & deal is right.
I'm undecided on which one I want and suspect it'll be a simple case of seeing what car has the better deal on it in a few months time. I would have bought in the last few days but no matter how good a car is, it would always grate if I didn't feel the deal had been right for me. I reckon it'll be a spur of the moment decision when the time & deal is right.
piddy44 said:
Thanks guys. Loads of great advice on here. My car has taken a sizeable drop on WBAC which the Mini dealer seemed to be using as the basis for his trade-in value (he was looking up WBAC on his phone). The Mini I was considering has also taken a sizeable hit on WBAC however there's very little negotiation on the advertised retail price the dealer is looking for. Similar at Abarth, the dealer thinks their prices are great but they're really low-balling me on a trade-in price.
I'm undecided on which one I want and suspect it'll be a simple case of seeing what car has the better deal on it in a few months time. I would have bought in the last few days but no matter how good a car is, it would always grate if I didn't feel the deal had been right for me. I reckon it'll be a spur of the moment decision when the time & deal is right.
Sounds like a sensible approach, as mentioned I was preferring the Up Gti bit went with the Abarth as they offered a much better finance deal I'm undecided on which one I want and suspect it'll be a simple case of seeing what car has the better deal on it in a few months time. I would have bought in the last few days but no matter how good a car is, it would always grate if I didn't feel the deal had been right for me. I reckon it'll be a spur of the moment decision when the time & deal is right.
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