MINI2 - MINI Forum - View Single Post

MiniMayhem · Jan 11th, 2002, 06:41 AM

I only saw the second half of Driven last night, and being an Alfa 147 (1.6, 3 door) owner myself this test was particularly interesting. I have considered the MGF in the past but the build quality of early models seemed to be shockingly bad - even the Rover 25 was subjectively better built (though the MGF has probably improved since then!) and I haven't driven an MGF so cannot comment on its handling.

From my experience the Alfa 147 1.6 is a good car but is subjectively duller to drive in terms of both acceleration and handling compared with the Cooper but more practical if you have loads of luggage. The standard Cooper (Pepper pack) handling seems so much more direct compared with the standard suspension Alfa and when the engine is run in properly the Cooper feels far livelier than the 147 (1.6), so in driving terms the Cooper wins. On paper the 147 1.6 is halfway between the One and the Cooper in terms of performance, though as mentioned before a well run-in Cooper feels much livelier. I would certainly have ordered a MINI instead of the 147 if it had been available a year ago, and I had to change my car at that particular time - I knew the MINI was coming in six months but couldn't wait any longer for a car anyway.

Jan 11th, 2002, 06:41 AM	#18
MiniMayhem MINIless MINI2 Master Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: A long way from Jenn Local Time: 03:42 AM Posts: 883 Offline	Alfa 147 versus MINI Cooper I only saw the second half of Driven last night, and being an Alfa 147 (1.6, 3 door) owner myself this test was particularly interesting. I have considered the MGF in the past but the build quality of early models seemed to be shockingly bad - even the Rover 25 was subjectively better built (though the MGF has probably improved since then!) and I haven't driven an MGF so cannot comment on its handling. From my experience the Alfa 147 1.6 is a good car but is subjectively duller to drive in terms of both acceleration and handling compared with the Cooper but more practical if you have loads of luggage. The standard Cooper (Pepper pack) handling seems so much more direct compared with the standard suspension Alfa and when the engine is run in properly the Cooper feels far livelier than the 147 (1.6), so in driving terms the Cooper wins. On paper the 147 1.6 is halfway between the One and the Cooper in terms of performance, though as mentioned before a well run-in Cooper feels much livelier. I would certainly have ordered a MINI instead of the 147 if it had been available a year ago, and I had to change my car at that particular time - I knew the MINI was coming in six months but couldn't wait any longer for a car anyway.