[MINI-Morgan]

Quote: Originally Posted by JG.26 (original)

Finally an answer I can take seriously as the majority who have answered this thread have probably never even been in a Honda and of course the MINI is the only car to have. If I was choosing beween the New Honda Type R and the Supercharged S, then by a narrow margin it would be the S. Against the replacement S, it's no brainer. The Honda like most Japanese cars is built to Swiss Watch standards compared to the so called improved MINI, that for some strange reason seems to be build to the exacting standards of the Alegro BL days. The new MINI is poorly designed compared to the old model, is way overpriced for what you get, ie stingy equipment levels, the Honda scores by a mile. A friend has a Civic 2.2 diesel and what can I say it's a beautifully put together motor, something Honda has always been respected for. At the moment BMW are going backwards fast with the MINI and should be ashamed producing a car with wonky bonnets, poor finish and cheap looking and feeling interior parts. The only downside with the Civic is it's a shape that will date a little too quickly. The sooner the MINI is facelifted the better along with improved quality.

Umm thats your opinion though and not exactly fact. The new MINI engines are some of the most advanced engines on the market and some of the most powerful for standard cars so dont nock the whole cars design. They will give all the R50-53's a run for their money, well all the standard R53's anyway. Honda, yes they've never had a VTEC failure yet which is quite an amazing fact. The engine does drink fuel quite a bit and has no amazing amount of power lower in the rev range but you learn to drive it different. That lower VTEC band will no doubt be very welcome to all owners. And having owned 3 MINI's and one Civic Type-R I can easily say I feel safer and happier driving my MINI.

[KenL]

That thing about never a VTEC engine failure must be an urban myth. They must have produced millions by now, statistically it is almost impossible, surely?

[MINI-Morgan]

Quote: Originally Posted by KenL (original)

That thing about never a VTEC engine failure must be an urban myth. They must have produced millions by now, statistically it is almost impossible, surely?

Thats what they said.....but yes there must have been ones with problems somewhere. Although if the VTEC breaks I dont think the engine stops working. Like if the engines cold VTEC is disabled until the engine reaches a required temp.

[eggtruck]

Quote: Originally Posted by JG.26 (original)

Finally an answer I can take seriously as the majority who have answered this thread have probably never even been in a Honda and of course the MINI is the only car to have. If I was choosing beween the New Honda Type R and the Supercharged S, then by a narrow margin it would be the S. Against the replacement S, it's no brainer. The Honda like most Japanese cars is built to Swiss Watch standards compared to the so called improved MINI, that for some strange reason seems to be build to the exacting standards of the Alegro BL days. The new MINI is poorly designed compared to the old model, is way overpriced for what you get, ie stingy equipment levels, the Honda scores by a mile. A friend has a Civic 2.2 diesel and what can I say it's a beautifully put together motor, something Honda has always been respected for. At the moment BMW are going backwards fast with the MINI and should be ashamed producing a car with wonky bonnets, poor finish and cheap looking and feeling interior parts. The only downside with the Civic is it's a shape that will date a little too quickly. The sooner the MINI is facelifted the better along with improved quality.

Hey mate, cant you afford to buy an R56 Mini? Sounds like sour grapes to me... Have you been in an R56? Quality of materials is brilliant and engine is sweet - its only because it is bolted together in Oxford that you get a few miss-matched panels and doors hanging off.

I've not been in the latest gen Civic (partly because I would be too embarrassed) but I have a friend with an 05 Type R and quite frankly I'm appaulled with the cabin quality - and the ride is dreadful too.

I have never had anyone who has been in any of my Mini's who hasn't wanted to rush out and buy one themselves. Even Audi/BMW owners have been converted.

I would say the Civic is built to Seiko standards - its almost as well put together as a Swiss watch, keeps better time than a Swiss watch but at the end of the day just isn't a Swiss watch.

The Mini is as close as we will ever get to a British car these days and I'm proud to drive one. I guess some people just dont get it.

Everyone admires a Mini - Only Chavs and Retired people get Honda Civics!!

[Dazmac13]

I agree with 'mini morgan' on the comment regarding what 'JG.26' said. How anyone can say mini's arent well built i don't quite understand, as for the bonnet thing every all new designed car has the odd niggle at 1st, i'm sure the honda will to. As for overpriced, its not, add the chilli pack, sat nav, climate control, parking sensors, key-less entry and a few other gadgets and interior options (which the r doesn't have) and your looking at around £21500. The type r gt is £18600 base price, nav is £1400, wheel upgrade is just under £1000, parking sensors etc bring the car up to a similar £21500. Add in the factor of less depreciation, lower tax bracket, better fuel consumption, 5 years servicing for £150 and the MCS is by far the better value car.

Also, hondas have been respected for having well made engines and chassis but they have NEVER been respected for having well made interiors - they are pure plastic. The new MCS interior feels like any other german made interior (real aluminium, high quality leather), about time too, and now thankfully the MCS has an engine to match, an engine that in real world driving will knock the pants off a type-r because the torque levels are higher and are available in full from around 2000rpm, hence why many testers have been hitting 60 mph in 6.6-6.7 seconds. When i saw the new type-r in white at the motor show i thought it looked awesome but after seein ght efinal on the orad version in-side and out it jsut now where near offers the package the mini does.

[msh441]

Bottom line...

In 5 years, a Honda (R-Type or not) is just another Honda.

A MINI (of ANY type) will still be a desirable, unique, driver's car that deserves your love and affection.

[Michael]

Yeeks, its gettin a little heated in here.

Quote: Originally Posted by msh441 (original)

Bottom line...

In 5 years, a Honda (R-Type or not) is just another Honda.

A MINI (of ANY type) will still be a desirable, unique, driver's car that deserves your love and affection.

Exactly

[JG.26]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mini-Morgan (original)

Umm thats your opinion though and not exactly fact. The new MINI engines are some of the most advanced engines on the market and some of the most powerful for standard cars so dont nock the whole cars design. They will give all the R50-53's a run for their money, well all the standard R53's anyway. Honda, yes they've never had a VTEC failure yet which is quite an amazing fact. The engine does drink fuel quite a bit and has no amazing amount of power lower in the rev range but you learn to drive it different. That lower VTEC band will no doubt be very welcome to all owners. And having owned 3 MINI's and one Civic Type-R I can easily say I feel safer and happier driving my MINI.

Yes that is my opinion and yes I was stating facts and I'm perfectly entitled to knock the cars design if I so wish, the engine may well be advanced? but I don't quite understand why BMW are unable to screw the car together properly? which is why at the moment I will be hanging onto my current S

[JG.26]

[quote=eggtruck;2881183]Hey mate, cant you afford to buy an R56 Mini? Sounds like sour grapes to me... Have you been in an R56? Quality of materials is brilliant and engine is sweet - its only because it is bolted together in Oxford that you get a few miss-matched panels and doors hanging off.

I've not been in the latest gen Civic (partly because I would be too embarrassed) but I have a friend with an 05 Type R and quite frankly I'm appaulled with the cabin quality - and the ride is dreadful too.

The Mini is as close as we will ever get to a British car these days and I'm proud to drive one. I guess some people just dont get it.

Not sour grapes (mate)? but frustration that the new model does not live up to my expectations and what I was hoping for in changing my current S, my pennies are still sitting in the bank after a test drive of the new S. Yes some of the interior materials are an improvement but some are dire so I'm not quite sure how comparison can be made with the Honda in this respect . Anyways by the by, I will be looking at the new Audi A1 with interest .

[Olly.]

Quote: Originally Posted by JG.26 (original)

but I don't quite understand why BMW are unable to screw the car together properly? which is why at the moment I will be hanging onto my current S

MINI are perfectly capable of screwing a car together properly

Its leagues ahead of the old model, and i'm speaking from experience of both here

[KenL]

Quote: Originally Posted by Olly. (original)

MINI are perfectly capable of screwing a car together properly

Its leagues ahead of the old model, and i'm speaking from experience of both here

I agree Olly. My 02 ONE really was a total joke, and not a funny one at that. My R56 is WAY better than it in every respect.

I actually went along to a launch not expecting to think much of the R56, I wasn't even thinking of changing my car until the end of this year. I was well impressed by the interior of the R56 so booked a test drive. After that, there was no way back and I had placed an order within a couple of weeks.

[Mini Vikki]

you'll also find the rear visibility in the Civic is horrendous. Blind spots all over the place. Ugly as sin too, way too Captain Kirk for our liking.

[Paul]

I'm with KenL and Olly in terms of general "well put-togetherness" of the new V old MINI, the new MINI is in most senses a better practical comparison to the likes of the Civic Type-R.

I'm the only person I know from my friends and family that like the look of the new Civic, but I do think it will look very dated in about 5 or 10 years.

[Silver Bullet06]

dude..

stick with a mini mate.. the civics are rele nice and my mate has one.. i prefer thewm to the look of the new s.. but tbh there aint much between them at all..

if i was u stick with ur mini

cheers
craig

[KenL]

Quote: Originally Posted by KenL (original)

I agree Olly. My 02 ONE really was a total joke, and not a funny one at that. My R56 is WAY better than it in every respect.

I found this old thread detailing my experience with the ONE I had.
http://www.mini2.com/forum/mini-one/...highlight=kenl

[Restyle]

Quote: Originally Posted by Dazmac13 (original)

...The new MCS interior feels like any other german made interior (real aluminium, high quality leather), about time too..

OK I give up, Ive been trawling though my pics of the the R56 interior & cant find any "Real Aluminium" ... not that I think its all that Valuable

[mister.t]

We had the same choice. Well, a 1.8 EX Civic or a Cooper. It wasn't the foregone cpnclusion you might have xpected, but IMO, get an S

[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by Restyle (original)

OK I give up, Ive been trawling though my pics of the the R56 interior & cant find any "Real Aluminium" ... not that I think its all that Valuable

The brushed alloy dash on the new MINI is brushed alloy, as opposed to the old one where it was a print/pattern.

[caesar]

Honda Civics are assembled in Swindon except the engines and gearboxes, which are made in Japan. The Swindon plant exports them all over the world......much as BMW with the Mini.

Therefore the Civic and Mini have much in common....made in Britain by British people but under the supervision of Honda and BMW respectively.

Both companies have an enviable reputation of innovation and reliability.....especially in the case of Honda who have come top in reliability for the past two years in the Top Gear user surveys.

To use this forum as a base for comparing the Honda Civic Type-R and the Cooper 'S' is inane as this is a Mini forum, likewise would apply if this was the Civic Type-R forum.

The majority of the criticism voiced here about the 'R' is made by people who have never owned one, or would not have the ability to even drive one. It is an enthusiast's car designed to be driven hard not a push-chair on wheels.

The 'R' and the 'S' have much in common, but the 'S' is a compromise compared to the original two 'R's .

The new 'R' is also a compromise compared to the two previous versions.

Not many Honda's have the Red Honda Badge which denotes Honda Racing, but the Type-R does have one.

[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by caesar (original)

The majority of the criticism voiced here about the 'R' is made by people who have never owned one, or would not have the ability to even drive one. It is an enthusiast's car designed to be driven hard not a push-chair on wheels.

You base that on what?! And from that are you saying the MINI is a push-chair on wheels?

There's no need for baseless personal remarks or being so dismissing of other people's views just because you've made the assumption they aren't capable drivers.