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mab01uk · May 12th, 2007, 02:40 PM

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 · May 13th, 2007, 05:43 PM

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

Harpo · May 13th, 2007, 06:58 PM

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

Goonery · May 13th, 2007, 07:04 PM

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

Paul · May 13th, 2007, 07:10 PM

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 · May 13th, 2007, 08:59 PM

Yes, but we expect that of you anyway Paul.

Paul · May 13th, 2007, 09:02 PM

"Honest John" writes some good stuff, very, err, honest.

Like a down to earth car journo.

AndyParker · May 13th, 2007, 09:10 PM

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 · Jun 4th, 2007, 02:58 PM

Good review

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

Paul · Jun 4th, 2007, 03:08 PM

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.

May 12th, 2007, 02:40 PM	#1
mab01uk MINI2 Master Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: London Local Time: 10:04 AM Posts: 761 Offline	Honest John MINI Cooper D roadtest 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

May 13th, 2007, 05:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
Paul Trained Monkey My Classifieds Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Bedfordshire Local Time: 10:04 AM Posts: 40,345 Online	I haven't read the full review, but I think very highly of the Cooper D, really good to drive. Our trials and tribulations living in a "bleeding edge" eco house... Oxley Woods Living

May 13th, 2007, 06:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
Harpo Havin' fun... My Classifieds Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: ...on the run. Local Time: 10:04 AM Posts: 4,629 Offline	Now I have mine, the best bit about the review is that it (should) be congestion charge exempt from sometime next year. The Return of The Ridgeway - Sunday May 25th 2008 The Arctic Circle Run - Summer 2008

May 13th, 2007, 07:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
Paul Trained Monkey My Classifieds Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Bedfordshire Local Time: 10:04 AM Posts: 40,345 Online	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. Our trials and tribulations living in a "bleeding edge" eco house... Oxley Woods Living

May 13th, 2007, 08:59 PM	#6 (permalink)
Harpo Havin' fun... My Classifieds Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: ...on the run. Local Time: 10:04 AM Posts: 4,629 Offline	Yes, but we expect that of you anyway Paul. The Return of The Ridgeway - Sunday May 25th 2008 The Arctic Circle Run - Summer 2008

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May 13th, 2007, 07:04 PM	#4 (permalink)
Goonery 6X therapist My Classifieds Join Date: Aug 2003 Local Time: 10:04 AM Posts: 13,658 Offline	Thats what I think of the Dooper as too. Good write up

May 13th, 2007, 09:02 PM	#7 (permalink)
Paul Trained Monkey My Classifieds Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Bedfordshire Local Time: 10:04 AM Posts: 40,345 Online	"Honest John" writes some good stuff, very, err, honest. Like a down to earth car journo. Our trials and tribulations living in a "bleeding edge" eco house... Oxley Woods Living

May 13th, 2007, 09:10 PM	#8 (permalink)
AndyParker MINI2 on order! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cardiff Local Time: 11:04 AM Posts: 118 Offline	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

Jun 4th, 2007, 02:58 PM	#9 (permalink)
pantheon MINI2 Regular Join Date: May 2007 Location: Staffordshire Local Time: 11:04 AM Posts: 50 Offline	Good review But on my test drive the diesel was not that noisey and the ride was more comfortable than for honest John!

Jun 4th, 2007, 03:08 PM	#10 (permalink)
Paul Trained Monkey My Classifieds Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Bedfordshire Local Time: 10:04 AM Posts: 40,345 Online	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. Our trials and tribulations living in a "bleeding edge" eco house... Oxley Woods Living

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