[wlegge]

Hi Everyone

I am in the throws of ordering a new company car at the moment and I am basically down to two choices - either a VW Golf TDI130 (boooo) or a MINI Cooper. I know these two don't really go together too well but its going to be either a 'heart' or 'head' purchase I think. I don't need great practicality for my job, so thats not an issue really.

Obviously the VW will be more economical but many say that the Golf is uninspiring to drive. - *most* unlike the MINI that I drove 2 days ago! Wow - what an experience. I drove a Cooper with Chili Pack and Sport Suspension PLUS (16" wheels) - but I have some questions for you gurus...

1) Anyone have any complaints about the sports suspension PLUS in everyday use (I will be doing ~20000 miles/year for 3 years in this car!)

2) Anything wrong with this spec > MINI Cooper (Red/White) + Chili + MFSW + Heated Wingmirros/Washers + Xenon + Trip Computer + BOOST/CD + Auto Dim RVM/Rain Sensor

3) I presume the really stupid grin that I get on my face whenever I even see one (let alone drive one) is totally normal?!?

Cheers

Will.

[SoggyCornFlakes]

Hi Will - and welcome to MINI2

VW or MINI - and you're even having to think about it

1) I'll knock up about 16,000 in mine over 12months and decided to drop the Plus even thouhg i've got the Chili - normal Sports Suspension is just fine for me, and saves the teeth rattling too much on some roads

2) Great spec - best colour Add the ASC+T, if only for the toggle swicth, a blank one looks lousy - plus you'll be amazed how often it cuts in when you've got your MINI

3) Totally normal, just look at all of us

Let us know when you get one and join us on a meet or two

Bob

[zoooooom]

Quote:

Originally posted by wlegge
Hi Everyone

I am in the throws of ordering a new company car at the moment and I am basically down to two choices - either a VW Golf TDI130 (boooo) or a MINI Cooper. I know these two don't really go together too well but its going to be either a 'heart' or 'head' purchase I think. I don't need great practicality for my job, so thats not an issue really.

Obviously the VW will be more economical but many say that the Golf is uninspiring to drive. - *most* unlike the MINI that I drove 2 days ago! Wow - what an experience. I drove a Cooper with Chili Pack and Sport Suspension PLUS (16" wheels) - but I have some questions for you gurus...

1) Anyone have any complaints about the sports suspension PLUS in everyday use (I will be doing ~20000 miles/year for 3 years in this car!)

2) Anything wrong with this spec > MINI Cooper (Red/White) + Chili + MFSW + Heated Wingmirros/Washers + Xenon + Trip Computer + BOOST/CD + Auto Dim RVM/Rain Sensor

3) I presume the really stupid grin that I get on my face whenever I even see one (let alone drive one) is totally normal?!?

Cheers

Will.

I have a Cooper with sport plus suspension and I do 20,000 miles a year


The smiles never stop

[Mike Clarke]

I have a cooper with sports plus got it at the start of April and will have done 20,000 miles by the end of March.
We have some pretty rough roads over here and the ride is fine. I recommend the sports seats and agree with Soggy about the ASC+T.
The cooper is the way to go. Have fun and get used to the grin.

Mike

[Peter S]

Very similar spec. to my Cooper, though autodimming mirror etc was not available when I ordered last year. I did add A/C as well, and would reccommend it. Will you go for the red interior - I think it looks great!


I also have the SS+, and although great fun it can be irritating when the dash starts rattling... It'll definitely be more fun than the Golf though, but be aware that my Cooper does around 30 mpg (mainly A and B roads), whereas my company A4 (same engine as the Golf, but 4WD and much heavier) does around 50 mpg... Both driven in a similar manner, though the Cooper does around 15,000 miles per year and the A4 25,000.

Peter.

[zoooooom]

ASC+T is a lot of money to fill a blank hole,

I personally don't like it.

and if the hole bothers you that much buy a new switch panel its a lot cheeper.


But this is just my personal opinion

[Wul]

Coop is the way to go - no choice!

I'm using my coop for a company car (allowance scheme) and will do over 20K in it this year.

Chilli pack and std sports suspension is fine for me - but i'd ditch the rain sensor in exchange for the CD Changer in the boot - there isn't really too many places to store a CD wallet safely (although you will presumably get the glove box)

BTW the golf diesel isn't getting too good a rap at present too - i know at least three people who have had endless trouble with the engines and ECU's so no choice my man!

"New" golf drivers don't grin and wave at each other...Mini drivers do....constanlty

[Monsta Mo Mini]

Not that I'm biased .......

I've got my Coop as a company car and I doubt any other car that costs so little every month will be as much fun and give you as much satisfaction. It brings a smile to my face every time I get in it. At the end of the day when I got the nod to go and order a Cooper I went for the highest spec I thought I'd get away with, ie 17" S-Spokes, CD Boost....... it worked!

I've got the SS+ and even though Edinburgh has loads of potholes and cobbled streets I don't find it too uncomfortable As for the ASC+T, it has saved my bacon a couple of times and it's nice to know it's there. You can always switch it off!

GO FOR THE MINI!!!!!

[allcoopedup]

The MINI must win...I chose a MINI Cooper over a Alfa 147 as my company car, the only problem is having to wait three years before I get my Cooper S (at least I can save for Sat Nav)

[Tonyt3]

My opinion:
You don't need:
Trip Computer - (it lies)

BOOST/CD - Fit your own aftermarket, much better (suggest Blaupunkt Woodstock DAB radio/mp3 for £320)

Auto Dim RVM/Rain Sensor - use your brain/hands

Sport Suspansion + - Why? Handleing on Mini is great, doesn't need extra money spent on it...

These are useless expensive extras that won't be worth anything on resale (I know its a company car but you really should think about going for an allowance and then owning the car after three years anyway).

If I were you I would definetly spec either sunroof or manual aircon (not sure, does this come in the chilli pack now?).
Does the Alarm come as standard now? Definalty worth fitting if not.
If you have kids, or tend to eat a lot in the car, then leather is desirable and a good resale extra.
ASC - When you are sitting in a ditch, tell me its a waste of money. It can always be turned off.
Stripes and driving lights make the red/white combo even better. Don't bother with white wheels with your milage.

Tony
DS/B MCS Chilli (mine) Leather ManAir Sunroof PUMPING STEREO
EB/B MCS Chilli (her-in-doors) Leather AutoAir Sunroof MFSW

[bobnobski]

I'd purely gage it by benifit in Kind.

Mini Cooper - List price £14500 - Co2 168 = 15%
Golf - List price dont know? Co2 dont know?

If you are a 22% tax payer you will only be asessed 15% of 14500

I do know that if you have a diesel you have to add 3%

I would personally do my sums on the tax issues and go from there.

I have looked at having mini for company car and from the tax aspect no other car could touch it!!

[Ratty]

I had a company car (Golf GT TDI) but opted out of the scheme because of tax reasons and bought my Cooper instead. Although perhaps I did not get configuration quite right I am much happier with the Cooper. Also owning your own car again and being able to tinker with it has it's benefits (particularly as I still lget the allowance - I can't loose !).

Go for the Cooper or Cooper S, choose the options carefully as you only get one chance with the factory only options.

Cheers,

John

[oopsdy]

MINI!

[wlegge]

Wow - what a response!

Thanks guys - thats great advice - I expect that I will stay with all of the options that I have specified as I am a real 'toy' person.

The 'allowance' thing or 'company car' does not really affect me as they both work out cost neutral over the next 3 years for me - its complicated but i can sum it up in one word - NHS.

Ref ASC+T - I have had both a 318iSE and a 523iSE both with ASC+T and yes, it proved useful - however I cannot see it being such an advantage on a front wheel drive car, on both of my previous BMWs it has saved me on a damp cold roundabout or two.

I had a go in a Cooper S too and was not that much more impressed over the normal cooper - yes its faster but its it does not give the same kind of thrill of driving my fiancees Pug 106 GTI (thats just damn dangerous). Kind of *too* safe if you know what I mean...

MPG issue - well I know the Golf will be better on the fuel but in my eyes worse MPG = more fun - so argument over!!

Thanks for responses guys - now to go and get the paperwork signed....