[Pglenning]

I have found this review on the MINI one on the internet, it a great report from Jeremy Clarkson


BMW MINI
The return of a legend

THE NAME FOR THE ENTRY LEVEL MINI DOESN’T SOUND LIKE IT SHOULD HAVE CAUSED MUCH HEAD SCRATCHING, BUT RUMOUR HAS IT THAT BMW EMPLOYED A SQUILLION’S WORTH OF CONSULTANTS FOR A YEAR TO GENERATE THOUSANDS OF POTENTIAL MONIKERS. AND THEY CAME UP WITH MINI ONE.

TUTTING ABOUT ALL THIS, I SAT IN WHAT I EXPECTED TO BE AN EXPENSIVE AND UNFULFILLING NICHE MARKETING EXERCISE. THERE’S BEEN SO MUCH ‘HERITAGE AND GLORY DAYS’ HYPE, I THOUGHT BMW WAS PLAYING A JEDI MIND TRICK ON A WORLD DESPERATE TO RELIVE A TIME WHEN CARS WERE WORSE THAN WE REMEMBER THEM. WITHOUT THE RAZZLE-DAZZLE OF A COOPER BADGE, I RECKONED THE MINI ONE WAS ABOUT TO EXPOSE THE WHOLE CHARADE.

WELL, THAT LASTED FOR ABOUT A MINUTE BECAUSE, EVEN IN ITS BASIC FORM, THERE’S NO MISTAKING THE QUALITY OF THE MINI. IT’S SO GROWN-UP FOR ITS SIZE AND PRICE THAT THE RIVALS IN ITS CLASS MIGHT AS WELL START MAKING LITTLE WHITE FLAGS.

EVEN WITH THE SPORTY SUSPENSION, AND WITH THE SPARKY POWERPLANT, IT STILL RETURNS THE SORT OF DRIVE THAT ALREADY LOOKS LIKE THE BARGAIN OF THE CENTURY. THE CHASSIS IS STIFF ENOUGH TO TAKE ON TRICKY CORNERS AT EVEN TRICKIER SPEEDS AND THERE’S SO MUCH GRIP THAT WITHOUT REALISING IT YOU KEEP DRIVING FAST AND FASTER.

BEND AFTER BEND IT ARCS THROUGH WITH SUCH AGILITY YOU’RE TEMPTED TO GET OUT AND CHECK THE BOOT BADGE. MUCH EFFORT HAS BEEN TAKEN TO MAKE THE STEERING AS DIRECT AS POSSIBLE AND THE RESULT IS A FINELY WEIGHTED RACK THAT DARTS THE NOSE JUST WHERE YOU WANT IT.

BUT THE REALLY CLEVER PART IS THE RIDE. CARS THIS SIZE CAN BE FUN TO DRIVE BUT THERE’S USUALLY A PAYBACK IN THE FORM OF SPINAL COMPRESSION. NOT ANY MORE. THE LITTLE MINI RIDES LIKE A BIG CAR.

THE ONE HAS A MODEST 90BHP FOUR-CYLINDER ENGINE. TAKING 9.9 SECONDS TO REACH 60MPH FROM A STANDSTILL AND THE TOP SPEED OF 115MPH. BUILDING UP ANY SORT OF PACE THROUGH CORNERS AND IT’S MUCH HANDIER THAN THE STATS SUGGEST.

THE BLISSFULLY SMOOTH AND JABBY FIVE-SPEED MANUAL GEARBOX HELPS, AND IT’S WORTH PAYING AN EXTRA 50 QUID FOR THE STEERING COLUMN-MOUNTED REV-COUNTER. NOTHING ABOUT THIS CAR IS MUNDANE.

AND NO LONGER WILL THE SUPERMINI DRIVER SUFFER FROM MOTORWAY THROAT; AT HIGHER REVS THE NOISE IS SO WELL DAMPED THAT YOU CAN EASILY HAVE A CONVERSATION WITHOUT THE VEINS IN YOUR NECK BULGING. AND THE ONLY THING RATTLING IN THE WELL BUILT CABIN WILL BE YOUR NERVE. THE MINI IS SMALLER THAN IT APPEARS IN PICTURES BUT THERE’S BARNFULS OF SPACE INSIDE. IT’S GOT FOUR INTELLIGENT AIRBAGS AND SO MANY SAFETY GADGETS IT PROBABLY WON’T LET YOU OUT ON YOUR OWN AT NIGHT.

QUITE HOW THE COMPETITION WILL REACT TO SUCH AN UPSTART IS A MYSTERY. SO FAR, IT’S MINI ONE – REST OF THE WORLD, NIL.


FACT FILE
MODEL THREE-DOOR HATCHBACK
ENGINE 1598CC, 90BHP
PERFORMANCE 0-60MPH IN 9.9SECS, MAX SPEED 115MPH
PRICE £10,300
ON SALE IN THE UK NOW
LIKES PRICE, HANDLING, RIDE
DISLIKE, CRAMPED REAR


Any other reviews?, I have got about 30+ mags with reports on the MINI. Each time I see a mag with the MINI in I have got to buy it.

I LOVE my MINI, I have done 1500s miles now and I have enjoyed them ALL, The MINI one is the best car on the road for it price!!!

Paul.

[MiniBloke]

Quote:

Originally posted by Pglenning
IT’S GOT FOUR INTELLIGENT AIRBAGS AND SO MANY SAFETY GADGETS IT PROBABLY WON’T LET YOU OUT ON YOUR OWN AT NIGHT.

Jeremy is the man !!! thanks for posting that Paul, I only found it today although its been lurking on the board for 6 months

[Pglenning]

Yep!, A good review from our Jeremy C ,

He does like the MINI!!

[Ginger]

This is quite a compliment from a man as harsh as Clarkson!

[Zippy]

Just goes to show that you don't have to spend a fortune on a car to have lots of fun.
By the way, has anyone read this months EVO magazine. It features the Cooper 'S', well worth a read just to see what stiff competion it beat. EG: Porche933, both Scooby's etc.etc.

[Minimonkeyboy]

I have just joined the forum so hello all, I have just bought a new mini one and must say I think Im in love, everytime I see one I have to smile to myself, Has anybody stuck a set of 17" alloys on yet cos this will be my first project

[Minimonkeyboy]

I have just joined the forum so hello all, I have just bought a new mini one and must say I think Im in love, everytime I see one and have to smile to myself, Has anybody stuck a set of 17" alloys on yet cos this will be my first project

[Pglenning]

Yep!! it is a great car, Happy motoring

[Pglenning]

For all you New (and old) MINI one owners have a look at what Clarkson says, enjoy

[Pglenning]

For all the latest new MINI one owners

[Pglenning]

Bump, for new ONE owners

[*Vikki*]

excellent review ONE's rule!

[Yellow/Black OneD]

We will have to get the insurers in soon to take a look at this thread, it has had so many bumps!!

Great review though. I remember when Clarkson tested the MINI One on Top Gear. He said he would not buy a MINI Cooper, but buy a One and put the Cooper chip on it, and save the cash, he is a legend!