[sav112]

Ok that’s me been out in a Mini Clubman D ( Its the only D they had) and a Cooper.

Thing is apart from the reported high MPG I just found the cooper the same drive. I suppose on an open country road there must be a difference but in town they were exactly the same to me. I did have the Clubman on the motorway and it did have the power but I don’t expect the cooper to be any less powerful...


I think I should just make it even more difficult and take a S out…..only kidding!


Granted I don’t do a lot of miles but I’ve never been a speed freak –guess it’s the tight arse in me that keeps my speed down.

Positives
Road Tax £20
Insurance cheaper on the D group 8
MPG probably averages 15+ MPG more than the cooper.
Reported power mid range similar to an S 40-70 MPH.


Negatives
Sounds a bit rougher being a D engine
Diesel Model more expensive by 1-2K
Diesel more expensive on the forecourt by 10p a litre up here.
Rare as can be and hard to source that second hand one just right….



Big factor is my Budget of 15K plus my old Car worth around 1K, I could nearly spec my preferred new cooper for that with everything I want or get a nearly new D that’s close to my spec and travel down south for it.


What made you swing to a D……

[supa-dupa-cooper]

I chose the D over the Petrol as it was more fun to drive, had far more character than the Cooper, doesnt lack power in the gears whereas the Cooper did. I couldnt justify an S at the time, so the D was the perfect one for me!

Who cares its noisier, its a Diesel its going to be, and lets face it when your in the car you wouldnt know any different, and at cruising speed its like any other MINI! The Petrol MINIs arent exactly quiet on start up and sound like tractors themselves

Its personal choice at the end of the day, but if your not going to go for an S i'd go for the D

[Harpo]

I may have paid £1,000 more 'up front', but I'll get more than my thousand back when it comes to resale time.

And another thing... in October it becomes free to drive it to Ken Livingstones manor.

[sony]

Come resale time the Mini Cooper is the only car that'll keep it's value as much as the dooper.
The cooper is a grand cheaper so does make a difference- and on paper is faster than the dooper-
That grand goes a long way on extra kit!!!

[Lolance]

Lower tax band, extremely good consumption, better character in the diesel than the petrol Cooper (SDC +1 ).

Also, not many around...people are coming up to me in the forecourts, telling me that they didn't realise there were diesel MINI's around. And also enquiring about MPG, I love their faces when I tell them!!

[Red D]

It was mainly the mpg and extra torque for me.........pulls alot better on the motorway, and is easier to spy those overtaking gaps Having had diesels before I just prefer how they drive.

I must admit though, having borrowed a petrol Cooper they are alot more fun to drive (more the classic mini feeling) the front end is lighter and the steering seems sharper as a result.....but how often do you get the chance to through a car around the country lanes now a days - with a speed camera van parked around every corner

[andrewcregan]

You gotta love that Diesel growl . As Red D says - torque and MPG are great. Having driven the Cooper, it is faster from a standing start and lighter at the front, but on the Motorway that extra torque of the Dooper is superb . Also the nose of the Dooper is more aesthetically pleasing

[Lolance]

True, I've got a bit of a nose fetish too

[KenL]

Quote: Originally Posted by supa-dupa-cooper (original)

I chose the D over the Petrol as it was more fun to drive, had far more character than the Cooper,

[KenL]

Quote: Originally Posted by Harpo (original)

I may have paid £1,000 more 'up front', but I'll get more than my thousand back when it comes to resale time.

Not according to Glasse's Guide and What Car depreciation index you won't.

[supa-dupa-cooper]

Quote: Originally Posted by KenL (original)

Yes?

[David King]

Quote: Originally Posted by sav112 (original)

Road Tax £20

I strongly disagree with this cheap road tax, they say its because its an 'environmentally friendly car' but thats not what road tax is for, its to pay for the road systems. A car doesnt use less of the road because its environmentally friendly.

Nothing against D owners, same with all the low tax cars. If they dont get the money from you from road tax, the government will get it another way.

[andrewcregan]

Quote: Originally Posted by David King (original)

I strongly disagree with this cheap road tax, they say its because its an 'environmentally friendly car' but thats not what road tax is for, its to pay for the road systems. A car doesnt use less of the road because its environmentally friendly.

This Road Tax did encourage me to get rid of my gas guzzling 4x4! I was also lead to believe that most Road Tax doesn't actually get spent on the roads anyway

[David King]

Quote: Originally Posted by andrewcregan (original)

This Road Tax did encourage me to get rid of my gas guzzling 4x4! I was also lead to believe that most Road Tax doesn't actually get spent on the roads anyway

I agree thats probably true, doesnt make it right! Government is still loosing revenue from this low road tax band, and theyll recoup it somehow.

[andrewcregan]

New 10p tax band maybe The Government generally requires the same amount of money, so if they cut from somewhere, extra money has to be raised elsewhere.

Why is Diesel so expensive now

[Mejy Poo]

Quote: Originally Posted by KenL (original)

What exactly is it that you are rolling your eyes at?

Quote: Originally Posted by KenL (original)

Not according to Glasse's Guide and What Car depreciation index you won't.

Where did you exactly find this on Glass's Guide please?


As for the original question - I have been a ONE D driver for a while now (which i loved) and fancied something a bit newer and with a bit more oomph - Cooper D rang all the bells! Alongside, I drive a lot of miles to and back from work so the high mpg is a must. The low road tax and insurance are bonuses! Plus I have a great looking car

I guess if i didn't travel so much I would have opted for a slightly older Cooper S, but i'm incredibly happy with my purchase

[KenL]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mejy Poo (original)

What exactly is it that you are rolling your eyes at?

The statement that the Cooper D was "more fun to drive, had far more character than the Cooper."

I thought all MINIs were fun to drive

Quote: Originally Posted by Mejy Poo (original)

Where did you exactly find this on Glass's Guide please?

See my post #84 here: http://www.mini2.com/forum/general-d...u-think-5.html

[Tunster]

Quote: Originally Posted by KenL (original)

The statement that the Cooper D was "more fun to drive, had far more character than the Cooper."

I thought all MINIs were fun to drive

They certainly all are, but I guess the Dooper suits some people's driving styles and circumstances better than the others. That's why they go for a diesel, rather than the petrol equivalent.

I wanted raw power, so that's why I bought a brand spanking new Cooper S. My Dad wanted a Dooper because he want a fun cruiser. The Dooper ticks those boxes!

[JP1611]

It was always going to be a diesel, the question was which one. My previous car was Megane 1.9 dci 120 and as a replacement i was considering a Honda civic or Volvo c30. I ended deciding on the Mini Cooper D as it appeared to have lower running costs such as road tax, improved fuel economy over the 44 mpg i got from the Megane and TLC servicing, looks good and is fun to drive, the only negative was low level of standard equipment and the high list price.