[Confused]

I tested the Cooper S and the Type R and and can't decide which one to choose. I worry about the fiability of the cooper S engine (made in Mexico) and the 2 years warranty. The Type R was fun to drive, but so noisy.
But it has a 5 year warranty or 150'000 Km.
Now which one will be the most pleasurable
to live with ???

[QQQ]

They're both cracking cars, but for me the MINI wins it on his (or her)looks. As for straight line performance (for what that's worth), you can't really compare the stock S with a CTR. Reliability....well we have to wait and see, but I trust that BMW's will not put its reputation at stake by putting it's name on an unreliable car.

My S came with a 3 years warranty BTW.

[Martin L]

It's a really tough choice as both are great cars but in so many different ways
You have to see which driving style you can put up with on a day to day basis.
I love the R-type to drive for weekends as it's very full on and manic, but as a day to day car, I preferred the MINI and thats what I've gone for
I'm sure if you choose the R-type you won't regret it.
The R-type also has a more "boy racer" image then the MINI and can't be fitted out with so many luxuries. It doesn't even have traction control

Good luck in makeing a decision, regardless which one you choose it will be a fine as both are great cars

[HarryHBMCC]

The engine is made in Brazil, not Mexico. In most locations it has at least a 3 year warranty, if not 4; are you sure it is just 2 years in your location?

Harry

[gvl]

Quote:

Originally posted by QQQ
.........

My S came with a 3 years warranty BTW. ......

How's that possible E.
I thought it was 2 years in the Netherlands....?

Ger

[Confused]

Well U see BMW didn't put its name on the car, It's a Mini not a BMW. no mention of BMW and in 3 or more year when u sell it, there won't be any warranty on it making it harder to sell because it has a compressor and these things need more maintenance than any athmospheric engine.

[minimart]

To quote a Honda dealer - "The Type R has a fantastic engine, but the Cooper S completely outclasses it"

Praise indeed!!

[QQQ]

Quote:

Originally posted by gvl




How's that possible E.
I thought it was 2 years in the Netherlands....?

Ger

Is it? I was presuming it was 3 years like in most other countries. Anyway, I trust you're right Ger, I didn't really dig into it (after all it is a company car). In a way it's good news for me, my main concern as to whether to get the digi-tec kit (with a one year warranty) or not was that it would reduce my warranty period considerably. That problem is gone now....what's gonna stop me now

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Quote:

Originally posted by Confused
Well U see BMW didn't put its name on the car, It's a Mini not a BMW. no mention of BMW and in 3 or more year when u sell it, there won't be any warranty on it making it harder to sell because it has a compressor and these things need more maintenance than any athmospheric engine.

Actually ... read inside the driver's side door and look on the doorplate. It says the car is manufactured by Baverische Motoren Werke, aka BMW. So, I would say that BMW has put its name somewhere. We got the same 4 years/50,000 mile warranty that we got on our BMW. And we got the full maintenance 3 years/36,000 mile warranty as well.

As for reliability, we'll have to see how the MINI holds up. Early on, I am not happy about all of the squeaks and rattles that have cropped up. Additionally, I am not happy with the fact that our dealer here in San Diego has a monopoly right now, as we can't take our MINI to any other dealer in San Diego -- because they are not authorized to work on MINIs.

[gvl]

Quote:

Originally posted by QQQ

Is it? I was presuming it was 3 years like in most other countries. Anyway, I trust you're right Ger, I didn't really dig into it (after all it is a company car). In a way it's good news for me, my main concern as to whether to get the digi-tec kit (with a one year warranty) or not was that it would reduce my warranty period considerably. That problem is gone now....what's gonna stop me now

Did you see the test in some German magazine already for the Digi-tec
Came out as the best to get

Ger

[10 Pence Short]

Quote:

Originally posted by minimart
To quote a Honda dealer - "The Type R has a fantastic engine, but the Cooper S completely outclasses it"

Praise indeed!!

I'd be interested to know which Honda Dealer told you that!

To be honest , as has been said on here before, both are good cars which will give you a lot of pleasure.

I chose the Type R because of the size of the vehicle (the MINI really is Mini inside!), the fact that I love the i-VTEC in the CTR, the handling is actually more capable in the hands of an experienced driver and the reliability of Honda is fantastic without question.

The MINI can be specced more luxuriously than a Civic, but at a price.

Try taking both for long test drives over a variety of different type roads before coming to a conclusion.

Also bear in mind that BMW plan to ditch the Chrysler unit altogether over the next 2 years or so, which in my opinion will harm the residuals of those cars fitted with the older engine.

[Dave S]

I had a 2001 Acura Integra GSR until April... when it was stolen and stripped. The car had a redline of 8200 RPM and was a dog unless you drove it over 4500 RPM. It was one of the worst cornering FWD car's I've ever owned... but it was one of the quickest cars I've ever owned too (quicker than my 91 300ZX).

The Mini outclasses it in every category except for acceleration. The drive is better, the handling is better, the interior is better... everything is better. Its just not nearly as quick.

Dave

[HarryHBMCC]

Quote:

Originally posted by 10 Pence Short

Also bear in mind that BMW plan to ditch the Chrysler unit altogether over the next 2 years or so, which in my opinion will harm the residuals of those cars fitted with the older engine.

The earliest that engine might be introduced is the 2005 model year but it is likely that it won't be introduced until the 2007 model year when they bring out the successor to the MINI as it would be a lot of work to redesign the engine bay to accomodate a different powerplant. The new engine hasn't even been completely designed yet so I doubt quite highly that we'll see it in two years.

As for depreciation, what will happen with the next Type R comes out? Will the old one old its value as well? This is a problem for all cars.

Harry

[10 Pence Short]

As far as I'm aware the PSA petrol units will replace the Chrysler units BEFORE 2005. To be honest I'm not sure what BMW have planned for the next gen. MINI.

As for the 'next type-r', if you follow the Type-R brand you will know that there is a long product life, usually with very little mechanical difference over the life cycle. This ensures that residuals remain steady over a long period of time.

I'm sure that the MINI will continue to depreciate slowly, but I strongly believe that in a few years time the Chrysler engined cars will become the ones to avoid.

[QQQ]

Quote:

Originally posted by gvl


Did you see the test in some German magazine already for the Digi-tec
Came out as the best to get

Ger

Yep, read them both. The Digi-tec kit really seems good value for money. I'm however awaiting the introduction of the Hamann MCS kit. I was informed by Hamann that it will be available as from early November. Hamann claims 195 HP/251 Nm and 0-62 in 6.9 secs. Have to wait and see.

[AidenL]

Quote:

Originally posted by HarryIndiBlue
The engine is made in Brazil, not Mexico. In most locations it has at least a 3 year warranty, if not 4; are you sure it is just 2 years in your location?

Harry

I year warranty here in Ireland.......boy, we do get shafted here !

[Wensleydale]

I also liked the Type R a lot, except for its generic Japanese styling. But do you really want to have to wind it to 6K before getting the engine to cook? I'll admit that I was concerned when I got my MCS that the engine might be disappointing but I've been very pleasantly surprised. That supercharhed torque is always there and it's smoother than I expected. No way I'd trade Nigel for a Type R now.

[Confused]

Well I have to say u have a point here. Driving your car and having to keep the rev high up to engoy it might be fun for 5 minutes mabye 10 then u get tired even if the gear box is ideal.
I am almost convinced. I think I will order my MCS in red. I just have to be a little patient because I won't have it before april 03

[Wensleydale]

Then you have until April of '03 to decide for certain. I had a deposit down on Nigel (my MCS) as well as the new 24-valve VW GTI VR6 and simply couldn't decide between them. I knew that handling was my top priority and that the VW handles like a cow. But the VW has a great engine and a beautiful interior, both of which I thought I'd miss with the MINI. The MINI happened to arrive first so I took a deep breath and took a chance on it. As it's turned out, I don't miss the VW engine or interior a bit, but the ace up my sleeve was that I knew if I ended up deciding on the Vee Dub I could turn the MCS over to someone in the queue in a minute, perhaps even for a profit. So what's to lose? By next April the MINI will have that more more of a track record to inform your decision. But you can't have mine...

[myluplymini]

Hi! We have both a MCS and a CTR in our household. Both are really great to drive & both have looks which are liked by some & hated by others. "the new mini looks ugly" & "the civic looks like an MPV" are 2 comments I've had.

Quote:

I also liked the Type R a lot, except for its generic Japanese styling. But do you really want to have to wind it to 6K before getting the engine to cook?

One of the most enjoyable things about the CTR is the noise it makes when it does hit over 6k revs. The engine is so free reving & the gears are so slick that it's really no chore to keep it on boil. It's also as easy to drive at 2/10ths as it is at 8/10ths - never tried it 10/10ths as I might kill myself!

Anyway, although we love both cars the momment of truth comes when me or my parner need a car - the mini keys are always the 1st ones we grab.