325 and 330 vs. MINI Cooper S

Current car is a 2004 MINI Cooper S, loaded. The lack of refinement on this car, the rattles, the S/W bugs, no rental, etc.. is driving me crazy, so I test drove 2 cars today:

325i auto vs. MCS:

Pros 325i:
- very refined compared to my MINI, very solid
- very quiet compared to the MINI, much quieter
- better safety, compared to the MINI
- more luxury than the MINI's spartan interior
- better trunk (geez, since when do I care about that)
- better back seat, nice air vents, cup holders, etc...
- nice 2-zone climate control

Cons 325i:
- suspension not as solid as the MINIs
- wasn't even remotely as fun or nimble as the MINI in the curves
- I wasn't able to read the radio display with my sunglasses on, strange polarization effect?
- turn signal was initially annoying, but I'm sure I'd get used to it, no big deal.
- flooring it at 60MPH seemed less responsive than I had expected, but part of the disadv. is the auto for me

Overall impression: Hard to tell, I wouldn't normally drive an auto. I disliked the auto-artifacts, but that is expected. I was actually pretty surprised at how much more fun and nimble the MINI seemed. That was disappointing for me, I had really planned to place the order this week.

330i 6-speed sport (no active steering) vs. MCS 6-speed:

Pros for the 330i:
- all of the above
- super good brakes, better than my MINI

Cons:
- better suspension (sport) compared to the 325i, still probably not as stiif as my MCS
- still wasn't as nimble as I'm used to...
- shifter throws seem very long
- shifter seemed loose compared to the MINI when it is in Neutral
- clutch seemed more on/off compared to my MINI, this might just be the new clutch stiffness
- probably, due to the shifter, it just didn't *seem* as fast.

Overall impressions: I think I was disappointed. I really thought I would place the order this week, but the fun factor just wasn't there compared to my MINI. Ahhh...Perhaps I need to test drive again, I'm still in denial.

I was hoping it would be a bit easier. I wonder if the 3-series w/active steering would seem more nimble?? Probably. I wonder how the 325i manual is? I wonder what a short-shift kit could do for this, the throw distance and feel of the shifter was horrible...I used to think the MINI shifter wasn't that great, compared to an S2000, for instance...Lots of room for improvement here.

It comes down to priorities. Safety, Luxury, Refinement (E90) vs. Fun and nimbleness (MINI)...Memories of my old 3-series come to mind and, while the refinement wasn't there, the E90 seemed more isolated..

-Mark

Reply » 325 and 330 vs. MINI Cooper S

My experiences are similar, but slightly different. I went from an MCS to a 5 series. Of course the 5 series is a lot more car, but I miss the fun of daily driving in the Mini. It brought a smile each time I drove it. Now fast forward to my 325iA test drive. I was very pleased to find that the 3 offered similar performance (fun factor) to the Mini, yet also offered some luxuries of the 5. For me, it's a good compromise after driving the 5, but if I was going straight from a Mini I might feel the ame as you.

Sounds like you got one of the bad Mini's. I never really experienced any of the problems you mention with my 03'. I still think it's one of the most fun cars you can buy and to this date, conetemplate buying another one.

Reply » 325 and 330 vs. MINI Cooper S

I think you might be disappointed with ANYTHING based on "fun factor" after driving a Mini. I had a first generation GTI and I am still missing that car.

If you can live with a roadster, try a Boxster S. My co-worker has one and it is a LOT of fun. You can get a nice used one for $35K or so.

I am afraid that you might have to give up some fun to drive a 4 door sedan. Maybe the new 1 series will be a good choice when it comes out. You might also consider the A3 DSG Quattro with 3.2 L engine when it comes out next year. Even the FWD version of the A3 with DSG and 2.0T was really a nice drive.

Reply » 325 and 330 vs. MINI Cooper S

Quote:

I was hoping it would be a bit easier. I wonder if the 3-series w/active steering would seem more nimble?? Probably.
-Mark

The answer is no, you're comparing apples to oranges, the mini is a lightweight small fun car, the three is a heavier (by almost 800 lbs) "sport luxury sedan".

The 3 is better built, and safer, yes, but it will never feel as tossable as a Mini (or like variant); it is what it is.

Reply » 325 and 330 vs. MINI Cooper S

I'm not sure why someone who currently owns a MINI would go test drive a new 3er...if you can answer that question, you may have found what you are looking for...you mention lack of refinement, rattles and software bugs: So, shouldn't you be looking for a car with MINI "fun to drive" quotient, but in a rattle free ride with no software bugs?

Z4?

Miata?

Boxter?

Just trying to understand why you think a 4D sedan is going to offer the same driving experience as a MINI...

Reply » 325 and 330 vs. MINI Cooper S

You should definitely test drive an E90 with a manual transmission and the sport package. It's a much larger car than the mini but it should provide more fun factor with this set up.

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