oktapod
19th December 2011, 09:35 AM
Hi everyone.
We used to be members here way back (circa 2002-4) and took part in some of the runs etc., but in 2004 we sold our Cooper S and have been away driving other stuff (both interesting and not-so-interesting) ever since. Well, it's nice to be back (despite the byzantine registration process ;-) and it's a pity our old accounts seem to be gone but then it must be at least 6 years since either of us last logged on so understandable...
We're thinking about getting a Mini Cooper D (2011 model) on business lease as there are some good deals around. I wanted to ask a few questions about the 'D and also ask about the SD (which looks interesting) as an alternative. Due to company BIK tax rules and the like, I'm really only considering a diesel Mini right now. We could also buy the car outright but I'm tempted not to sink so much money into a car that really isn't mission critical, if you know what I mean...
So, to the questions:
1) How much 'fun' is the Cooper D compared to the 2003-era Cooper S (performance/handling/etc.)?
2) What about reliability - any major flaws to be aware of?
3) In terms of options, what are the 'must-haves'? (We'd be leasing a D on a Chili spec)
4) Can anyone comment on how easy the current shape Mini hatches are with regard to room in the back and access (as we have two kids, 5 and 2.5)?
5) Have they improved the rather awful stock stereo that we had in the 2003 Cooper S?
6) What about those impressive economy figures - anyone got any 'real world' actual figures?
Ummmm... I'm sure there are other things to ask about but for the moment this is me doing my research. My wife loved the Cooper S and we're currently running around in a 2004 Ibiza FR which goes very well for a diesel hatch but doesn't handle particularly well IMHO and I'm hopeful that the current Cooper D can equal the FR for poke but (naturally) out-handle it on the twisty bits. And be cheaper to run too... I can eek 54mpg out of the FR on a run, but it's probably only getting 40-42mpg for my wife's commute (largely due to her tendency to hold the gear in a petrol car sort of way). I'd settle for 65mpg (run) and 50mpg (urban) - which is more pessimistic than the claims but still better than the FR.
Next question is about the Cooper SD - any good? Tax is higher (in terms of BIK and of course it's in the lowish road-tax bracket rather than the £0 one) and economy is lower, but are these trade-offs worth it for the extra poke and the slightly higher stock Chili options list?
John (& Tahra) - formerly owners of 'Scooby' the silver-eared S.
We used to be members here way back (circa 2002-4) and took part in some of the runs etc., but in 2004 we sold our Cooper S and have been away driving other stuff (both interesting and not-so-interesting) ever since. Well, it's nice to be back (despite the byzantine registration process ;-) and it's a pity our old accounts seem to be gone but then it must be at least 6 years since either of us last logged on so understandable...
We're thinking about getting a Mini Cooper D (2011 model) on business lease as there are some good deals around. I wanted to ask a few questions about the 'D and also ask about the SD (which looks interesting) as an alternative. Due to company BIK tax rules and the like, I'm really only considering a diesel Mini right now. We could also buy the car outright but I'm tempted not to sink so much money into a car that really isn't mission critical, if you know what I mean...
So, to the questions:
1) How much 'fun' is the Cooper D compared to the 2003-era Cooper S (performance/handling/etc.)?
2) What about reliability - any major flaws to be aware of?
3) In terms of options, what are the 'must-haves'? (We'd be leasing a D on a Chili spec)
4) Can anyone comment on how easy the current shape Mini hatches are with regard to room in the back and access (as we have two kids, 5 and 2.5)?
5) Have they improved the rather awful stock stereo that we had in the 2003 Cooper S?
6) What about those impressive economy figures - anyone got any 'real world' actual figures?
Ummmm... I'm sure there are other things to ask about but for the moment this is me doing my research. My wife loved the Cooper S and we're currently running around in a 2004 Ibiza FR which goes very well for a diesel hatch but doesn't handle particularly well IMHO and I'm hopeful that the current Cooper D can equal the FR for poke but (naturally) out-handle it on the twisty bits. And be cheaper to run too... I can eek 54mpg out of the FR on a run, but it's probably only getting 40-42mpg for my wife's commute (largely due to her tendency to hold the gear in a petrol car sort of way). I'd settle for 65mpg (run) and 50mpg (urban) - which is more pessimistic than the claims but still better than the FR.
Next question is about the Cooper SD - any good? Tax is higher (in terms of BIK and of course it's in the lowish road-tax bracket rather than the £0 one) and economy is lower, but are these trade-offs worth it for the extra poke and the slightly higher stock Chili options list?
John (& Tahra) - formerly owners of 'Scooby' the silver-eared S.