[claus]

Folks,
I would like to see some experience reports and discussion on using the Mini Diesel in everydays life. There should by now be some people around who use one.

To start I have written a small report which you can find at http://lewerentz.de/MODReport.htm

---Claus

[GOLDMINI]

Hello Claus
Thank you for the review of your time with the MOD so far (I like that abbreviation). I am sure others, like myself, will find it very useful and informative.

After picking up 'Growler' (yes, the first time we name a car, how sad ) just over 3 weeks ago he has now been run in and shows just short of 1400 miles. Over the last few hundred miles the engine and gearbox have loosened up nicely and fuel consumption is avering 51-53 mpg on the OBC.

After reading some earlier reviews on the MOD they made mention that it was a bit cumbersome compared to the petrol models. I have never driven anything apart from the diesel so can't make any comment here. But certainly in comparison to my previous cars, (Volvo S40, Freelander, Citroen Picasso - all diesel), the MINI is the sweetest of them all. Once you adapt to the car and get the revs round about 2000 then things run smoothly and with plenty confidence to overtake on the motorway, etc. If anything the biggest problem here is keeping the speed to 30mph on normal roads as the car seems eager for more acceleration (or maybe that's me!)

One of my biggest concerns was moving to a much smaller car after driving people carriers and larger saloons for the last few years. On a day to day basis so far though most of this has been unfounded.
The boot has been able to carry the shopping from ASDA, it just needs packed more carefully. On a motorway journey the two passengers in the back were comfortable all the way and that was with two six foot passengers in the front. In addition the car pulled along no problem at all, most of the time sitting in sixth gear with cruise at 70mph.
Sometimes wish I had another two doors on the car though, because trying to get elderly relatives out of the back can be a bit of a nightmare. My seven year old daughters legs are just too short for her feet to sit under the base of the front seats, so it means her shoes bang off the rear of the seats. But she likes to sit in the front with daddy anyway

Of course once you start to drive the MINI any doubts disappear. The handling on the MOD is excellent, not once have I felt unsafe or unsure of things when driving. Saying that, I'm not what you'd call a particularly speedy motorist anyway. But it's very nice to know that if you want to then the car will cope with the twisties without question.

Apart from a minor rattle coming from the rear seat latches that was fixed easily, build quality has been excellent and the car copes well with all types of road noise. The whirring of the fan can be a bit loud when stationery with the aircon on, but hey its a MINI, so people are going to look anyway

Three weeks in and the car enthuses me more each time I drive it. For the first time in years I now look forward to driving, and find myself looking for the route that might mean a longer way home. Well and truly a MINI addict and not complaining one bit

[Paul]

Have you read the two reviews in the "reviews" section?

[chancer]

I had a MOD last week on loan and was pleasantly surprised. Plenty of acceleration and all the usual mini handling.

i was expecting it to be a dog - but then i havent driven a D for about 15 years.

still sounded like a taxi though

[gibbon]

Thanks for your detailed report Claus. I've done 3500km so far (since 1st Aug) with my OneD & overall, I'm very pleased with it. Am setting off for a 750km drive down to Spain at the end of the week... with the return journey there'll be over 5000km on the clock, so I'll write a small report with some photos when I get back.

[JVP]

I fully agree with Claus. It is a very nice and complete rapport he made.

I also got the problems with some rattles on the passenger side but have also been able to solve it easily.

Also got the same odd experience with the fuel meter. At first it looks like you’re going to drive forever. In the end however the needle goes down from ½ to ¼ in 70 km.
On the average I drive at about 6,4 l/100 km, but have only done 2300 km so far.

I have installed a power box at 1500 km and the result is amazing. The car now drives the way BMW should have (been able to) build it. The extra Nm (216 Nm now) gives an extra push so that actually one can drive even more relaxed. However if you step on it the 90 Hp make also rev the engine more willingly to over 4000 rpm. Have been able to keep up with a Fiat Stilo JTD 115 HP. (from stand until 140 km/h).

I discovered the engine to idle irregular with airco on. Without airco it idles a lot smoother (and less noisy anyway ;-) )

[GOLDMINI]

Going by the posters on this thread the MOD is certainly multinational. Germany, Scotland, France, Belgium - what country will be next

[morrisminiminor]

Interesting report. Had I known that the MOD would be released as soon as it was, I'd have waited for it.
One question though is 6th gear any use or is it really an 'overdrive'?

morrisminiminor

[claus]

I think the 6th gear is a "real" driving gear as it provides reasonable acceleration and I only can reach the top speed in the 6th. Anyway I use it regularly ...

I'm not a car specialist who probably could give a more precise analysis ;-)

---Claus

[GOLDMINI]

I find 6th gear very usable in real driving conditions, on the motorway, etc. Use it quite a lot.

I'm in Denny for a wedding next month - maybe I'll give you a shot

[JVP]

6th gear is very usable in normal driving conditions. I use 6th as soon as I exceed 80 km/h.
I guess overtaking another car in 6th could be as fast, or even faster as overtaking with a Cooper in 5th.
Using 6th on the highway makes the car drive like a much bigger car since the engine noise is almost gone and still gives enough punch to accelerate. No need to shift down.

[chemicalmini]

[FONT Hi my name is Ian and I am a driving Instructor in Northern Ireland. Took delivery of my Mini D in July , I find that the vehicle is very easy to teach in. the observation is limited through the rear window but this is not a big problem, the engine has more than enof power especially with the six speed box although not may pupils use all six, the control with the clutch and brake doing manovers is excellant and the style of the vehicle means that i have no shortage of pupils to teach. I intend to replace the vehicle next year due to the high miles that i do and will def get another mini D

Regards and best wishes

Ian Kinloch =Arial]

[Lurcher]

Hi Ian,
Glad to see u are pleased with the One D. I"m waiting del of mine later this month after useing the Mini One for the last 12 months as a Driving School car.
Take ityou"ve removed the rear headrests,lol.
Am I right in thinking that the manouevers can be done in the diesel with no gas.

Regards

julian

[GOLDMINI]

Wish the MINI was out when I took my driving lessons - had to make do with a Corsa

Just had a thought, going to start a new thread - what made you pick the MOD for teaching in?

[Harpo]

Hi Claus, and all fellow D'ers,

At the risk of sounding boring, my D has recently covered 2000 miles, and I can report that the running of the car is faultless. Inside I have had to have the gear knob replaced, as the first one lost contact with the gearstick - very disconcerting, and the drivers seat sometimes locks in the down position - but what a great excuse to have the car to yourself, eh?

I too have just returned from Tuscany, and I have to admire your bravery. My D was locked away in the garage for more than two weeks. Some of the roads out there defy belief - one phrase immediately springs to mind - Third World!

And all the time I was there I was thinking 'this would be great in the Mini'. Except that I would have had to use the gearstick all the time, such is the design of the torque delivery.

In Italy, my steering wheel was worked far harder than the 'stick. You see, we took our Toyota Corolla 2.0 litre diesel, and driving in the mountains, I could keep the car in 3rd or 4th for most of the day, far more relaxed than the Mini would have been.

But who wants to be relaxed.......?

[ONED]

Weve got 4000+ miles on ours now since end of July!!!! and are really happy with the car. We have both drive diesels for years now and I had expected the car to be less lively than it is. I have been really surprised by the performance on both minor roads and motorway, giving us 50mpg+ and good acceleration. The ride is great giving the "Mini" sensation without the bumps and rattles. I would rather drive it now than my 3 series BMW. It has BMW build quality and comfort. The only downer I can find is that at low rev's lifting off, eg at trafficlights or junctions, the car can be very easy to stall (more like a petrol engine) it needs just that wee bit extra revs.

[Graomi]

Only had mine a week but have done 500 miles in it and I agree with the last post, I am still finding my feet on pulling away and have stalled it a couple of times.

I must admit I now enjoy driving so much, I had a Citreon Xsara2.0 HDi which was all very nice but sooooo boring and now I have my dream car at last with the good mileage I need. Thank you Mini.

If I ever win the lottery I am going to buy a fleet of mini's!!!

G

[MINIMEDE]

Attn JVP please tell me what is a "Power box" that you fixed on your MINI ? And is it on a Diesel or on a petrol one ?

I've had my MOD (in BRG color) since June 2003 and I am delighted with it ! I come from a much bigger Mercedes 300TD Break but did not need a large car anylonger and I fell in love with the new MINI design... So when they came out with the D in Belgium, I tried it, and adopted it right away. I have done several trips to France and have now around 12 000 Km.
I just love it: it is fun, smooth, agile, good looking, and economical (even though I cannot manage to get anywhere near the 4.8l/100 announced !!! I am more around the 6.5l/100).

I learned about the 2004 improvements as from september build MINI's and would like to know if there are any retrofit possibility for the Rev counter, OBC, and door lock ? Anyone can comment ?

[JVP]

Hello Minimede,
Good to hear about your great experiences with the MOD.
A powerbox is a little box that is plugged into the engine wiring. With that box you get about 90 HP and 215 Nm. I had mine installed last month and have posted a report on the results in the 'chip enhancment' section (http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...6&page=2&pp=15).
I only have good results so far.
As for the fuel cons. I agree also on a realistic 6,5 l/100 km in every day conditions. (I rather step on it)

[Blue Flash]

Hi all
Had my MOD since it came out in the UK. I live in the north of Scotland, where we have excellent smooth A roads with little traffic, few traffic lights, no traffic jams, save the odd tractor - great for driving on. I am getting about 62mpg in my MOD; that is doing a steady 60-65mph. The worst I have had is about 58. 6th gear is really only useable above 45 or so, although pulls from 30, albeit very slowly.
I previously had a 1.4TDi Polo, with a 3 cylinder turbo intercooled engine. It developed 144lb/ft of torque, as opposed to the MODs 134 ish. I found the Polo a bit quicker at accelerating in top from 60-80 than the Mini. Would be great if MINI did an upgrade to the top end torque figure to match the VW Polo engine - anybody any experience of a chip?? Still a very good car, with an excellent finish.