Thinking of going from a 2001 BMW 323i to a 2003 MINI Cooper S. Advice wanted please!

[unshavenyak]

I recently finished my Master`s degree and have been working for 3 months now. Since that time, I have had to return the 2003 MINI Cooper that I was previously borrowing to my father and had to purchase a new car of my own.

After much teeth gnashing, I settled on a 2001 BMW 323i with the sports package. I contemplated a few other vehicles (Golf GTI, Rabbit, used Infinity G35) but our family knows the BMW dealership here and they gave me a stellar deal on the car ($16,000 CAD).

After driving the car for 3 months, there are a few things that bother me compared to the old Cooper:

1) It consumes fuel like crazy.

2) Finding parking spots is really annoying in crowded Downtown Toronto streets.

3) Attitudes from other people; I cannot count the number of times people have pulled up beside me thinking I`m game for a race and then utter choice words at the next light or have someone make a snide comment about how my ``Mommy must`ve boughten that for me``.

4) The shitter feels incredibly sloppy.

So, I`m interested in dumping the 3-series in favour a of a Cooper S. Can anyone who has driven both or understands vehicles well contrast the two in terms of fuel consumption, power, acceleration and handlingÉ

A regular Cooper is out of the question as it really does just feel gutless compared to the 3-series, although I do miss how the handling feels. I know 3-series are supposed to have superb handling, but I really think the Cooper felt much better planted in sharp turns and bends in the freeways. I suppose I`ll also miss the extra cargo space, but that just means we will need an extra driver for golf or camping excursions.

[Drewski]

nothing worse than a sloppy shitter

Get the mini

[..Blackadder..]

4) The shitter feels incredibly sloppy

Entrocalm will sort that that out, or a good bit of bung

Oh ditch the beemer and get the S you know it makes sense.

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

If fuel economy is important to you, bear in mind that the S will be about 5mpg down on the Cooper that you used, even more if you drive in town a lot.

I borrowed a 3 Series when my Cooper was in for service in 2004 and I was expecting it to handle as well as the MINI and it turned out to be a complete duffer The steering had no feed back to speak of and was pretty vague after the MINI, not what I was expecting at all

Definitely MINI, just don't expect to save huge amounts on fuel, unless your 323 is an auto...

[unshavenyak]

Thank you everyone for the replies! The 323i is most definitely manual, but I had the opportunity to take both a Cooper and Cooper S out today and they both felt very nice! I missed how much fun those things could be when you got them above 4k RPMs.

I am definitely leaning towards a Cooper S, but we`ll have to see how badly the insurance companies want to hit me for one...even with a perfect record, not even parking violations or anything of the sort, my insurance is still $1800 per year for the 323 !

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Any news?

Tigger.