New to MINI - need some advice.

[BrianDromey]

Hi Guys,
First off, if this is in the wrong place feel free to move it, Im new to teh site.

OK, heres the thing. Im looking to spend in and around 15K on a MINI Cooper (maybe 500-1000 more if the car is my ideal spec), but Im torn between the original MINI and the newer model.

But I wonder if Im better off with the new or old mdel. I have driven both, and my first drive of the new one was brief, I loved it, much more refined, etc. Then I took it for a longer test and I was SO VERY disappointed, I dont think the new one is as sparkly or special to drive around town, but it is better on the motorways, etc. But the cabin of the new one is so much better....

What do others think of the New Vs Old debate?

Brian.

[minicabrio]

Hi, and welcome to MINI2

The two cars are both very good, and to be honest it does fall down to personal choice

The 1st generation car is in my opinion the better drivers car, but as you say is less refined. The engines of the 1st gen MINI (both in Cooper and Cooper S form) are much more vocal. The 2nd gen car is very well built, and BMW designed from the offset, which shows in its comfort levels.

With a budget of 15k, I'd be looking at an 05/55 plate Cooper S with a few extras, depending on the spec you'd like you may need to go older. Or if its a Cooper you're after, 15k will get you an 55/06 Cooper with a fair few extras on.

Bear in mind the majority of MINIs have the TLC pack which covers servicing up to 5 years/50k miles, so running costs will be low on any car.

Try them both at length, and go with whatever feels best

Best of luck,

Jon

Jon

[BrianDromey]

Thanks Jon,

I definately agree with all you have said, exept the Cooper S bit. I am only 20 (21 in June-but I doubt Ill wait that long), I do have a full licence and again by June 2 years No Claims. Im still worried that insurance would be prohibitive....

Cheers,
Brian.

[spongeandy87]

maybe best going for the cooper, i wanted an s but insurance was rediculace!! saying that my insurance on my cooper is 1000 quid a year but this is my first year on my own insurance was with my mums previously.

[minicabrio]

I was 20 when I got my Cooper Convertible

The Cooper is a fantastic car, and on a twisty back road chasing those S's is sooo much fun! Even more fun is watching them chase you

With the lower weight in the front end (no supercharger, intercooler - and no aircon on mine) the Cooper is thought among many to be the better drivers car over the S. To get the most from it, you have to work it hard, practice your heel and toe braking and be 100% comitted - but the overall experience is so rewarding

I'm 24 now, and don't regret chosing the Cooper

[MINI&MERCGUY]

Go fo the new model R56! Think of how much better residual values of the latest model will be compared to those of the old model, when you go to sell your car a few years down the line. IMO the R56 looks much better than the 2001-2006 model MINI - it's chunkier and sportier looking. I also prefer the R56 interior.

[BrianDromey]

Quote: Originally Posted by MINI&MERCGUY (original)

Go fo the new model R56! Think of how much better residual values of the latest model will be compared to those of the old model, when you go to sell your car a few years down the line. IMO the R56 looks much better than the 2001-2006 model MINI - it's chunkier and sportier looking. I also prefer the R56 interior.

Haha, another Irishman for sure. (Im from Cork, but have moved to Leeds for Uni). I was thinking about the residules, but Im going to keep this car untill I can afford something really nice, so a good 10 years anyway, hence why Im splasing out a bit and being picky about spec, so residules are not so much of an issue.

I agree with you about the interior though and I like the higher shoulderline of the newer car too, but I dont think the new one is as special as the old one to drive around town, from what I remember. That said the new car is superior in almost every other way, especially build quality.

Im still in two minds! I think Im gong to have to do another test drive of both.

Cheers for teh advice guys....
Brian.

[stuvoi]

I've had both the R53 S and the R56 S, so my experience is with these, I've driven the Cooper on a test drive and was a little disappointed with the new Cooper over the older one.

the R53 was a better handling car, but it did make you pay for it after a long drive, plus I had the AeroKit, and was forever bottoming the car out.

The R56 is a more comfortable car, so if you're going to be doing long journeys over normal roads it's likely to be the better choice, but if you like to go down country lanes a lot and want the car for it's "go-kartness" then you'll do better with the older mini.

I don't regret the move from the R53 to the R56 would have liked to have kept my old car when I got the new one though!!

Fuel costs are lower with the new car, I don't know if insurance groups are different, but worth looking at.

In the end though whatever you go for it will be because you get in the car and think, "this is the right one for me" and that's down to you.

Stuart