Honest John MINI Cooper D roadtest

[mab01uk]

Interesting road test write up of the MINI Cooper D from Honest John website:-
Quote:-
Whatever was wrong with the MINI Cooper S we tested back in October, now they seem to have fixed it.
The Cooper Diesel I’ve just handed back was exactly how I think a MINI should be.
I guess in driving the pre-production cars we must have been guinea pigged. BMW was trying out various suspension and tyre combinations to find out which we would find most acceptable.
That would explain why MINI project leader Horst Radibojevic was anxious to cross-examine all of us at the coffee break half way through the test drive.
We spoke as we had found. The Cooper S we had been driving was extremely refined, for a MINI, but completely lacked the raw “go kart” like feeling of fun BMW had so accurately captured with its first generation of MINIs. We had appreciated the new car for its smoothness. But we hadn’t enjoyed driving it, and that, and the looks, are the main reasons for buying a MINI.
From what I’ve read by other people you’d be forgiven for thinking that the MINI Cooper diesel is the least fun of the new MINIs.
Yet I found it the most fun..........................................

Full report here:-

MINI Cooper D

[Paul]

I haven't read the full review, but I think very highly of the Cooper D, really good to drive.

[Harpo]

Now I have mine, the best bit about the review is that it (should) be congestion charge exempt from sometime next year.

[Goonery]

Thats what I think of the Dooper as too. Good write up

[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by Harpo (original)

Now I have mine, the best bit about the review is that it (should) be congestion charge exempt from sometime next year.

Yep, had that in our review too.

[Harpo]

Yes, but we expect that of you anyway Paul.

[Paul]

"Honest John" writes some good stuff, very, err, honest. Like a down to earth car journo.

[AndyParker]

have to say i do like honest john. he writes based on practicality for the situation, reliability and associated costs of owning the car, nothing to do with "perceptions" etc etc
Much as i love JC and top gear its a totally different kind of review from Honest John

[pantheon]

Good review

But on my test drive the diesel was not that noisey and the ride was more comfortable than for honest John!

[Paul]

I think it is noisy to be honest, but I like the ride. The ride is very subjective, I thought noise would be heard by all.