1000km Road Test - Mini Cooper

The original Mini was a revolutionary car in its style and engineering. The 2002 remake, under BMW's ownership, is more about marketing, fashion and introducing well heeled Gen Ys to their local BMW dealer.

Value for money

Pricing

The Mini Cooper costs $32,650 with a five-speed manual gearbox, or $34,850 with a continuously variable automatic transmission.

Warranty

Two years/unlimited kilometres, which is below the industry standard of three years.

Standard features

Standard equipment includes air conditioning, an in-dash CD player, power front windows and mirrors, trip computer, remote central locking, six airbags and a low tyre pressure indicator. You can also order your Mini's roof in the body colour, black or white as a no-cost option.

Retained value

The Mini is brand new, so there is no resale history as yet. Long term, it is difficult to predict. Retro cars can be either very good or very bad, but it's worth noting that the market for these automotive fashion statements is relatively limited.

Design and function

Ergonomics

On initial acquaintance the Mini´s cabin and dash layout seems toy-like and chaotic. The traditional Mini high roof/thin pillar design creates an impression of great space from the front seat.

A height adjuster is provided for the driver´s seat; the wheel is also height adjustable. Forward vision, through the bubble style screen, is clear.

A small speedo sits on the steering wheel housing, while an enormous tachometer occupies the centre of the dash, where the original Mini's speedo used to be. Switches and controls come in many different varieties. Hard, high gloss silver plastic and glass are everywhere.

The metal toggle switches are easy to use, the trip computer display is simple to call up and scroll through, while the audio and air conditioning controls are efficient and intuitive.

However, like the Beetle, the Mini's highly stylised nature creates some functional compromises. Vision out of the small rear window is restricted, partly due to the small, oval shaped interior mirror.

The speedo is very close to the wheel itself, and its face has a small, fine font that is difficult to read at a glance, especially at night. Short-sighted drivers may have a real problem with it. High beam is also relatively dim. No covered oddment storage space is provided. AM reception is poor.

Innovation

Recreating a 1960's icon is not particularly innovative or original, but the Mini has its fair share of high tech BMW componentry, including optional skid sensing and correcting technology. The tyre pressure indicator is useful, while the continuously variable auto is outside the mainstream. Its electronics feature state of the art multiplex wiring and CAN bus networking.

Safety

The Mini has not yet been independently crash tested. Six airbags are provided.

Security

Remote central locking and an immobiliser are standard.

Comfort

The driver's seat, upholstered in optional leather for the test car, has plenty of travel, a long cushion and substantial bolstering. I found it very uncomfortable. The cushion was too steeply angled, lumbar contouring was excessive, and the lower backrest bolsters were painfully squeezy on the kidneys.

Space and practicality

It's a Mini, so these features are low on the priority list. The back seat has tight, clumsy access, a hard, unsupportive cushion, and precious little leg room. Tall occupants up front restrict the seat's usefulness to children only. Head room is sufficient for occupants up to 185 cm. Two child restraint anchors are on the back of the seat.

The small boot can be extended with the 50/50 split fold rear seat back. No spare is provided - a puncture is fixed (perhaps) with an aerosol sealant instead.

Build and finish quality

The Mini might be built by BMW, but its quality standards don't approach those evident in cars which carry BMW´s own badge.

The test car had an incessantly squeaking driver's seat, a mysterious clunk somewhere in the rear end and inconsistent fit and finish in the cabin.

When driven on rough roads, there were also plenty of interior creaks and chirps, and evidence of questionable body rigidity.

On the road

Fuel efficiency

The 1.6 litre four used 6.7 litres/100 km on the highway, and 7.8 litres/100 km in town, which is average for this capacity. Regular unleaded is fine, but it prefers premium.

Performance

The 85 kW 1.6 is surprisingly tractable and responsive, with sufficient midrange punch to easily slice through traffic or run in a relaxed fashion on the highway.

Outright performance is not what it´s about - the 120 kW supercharged version in the Cooper S delivers on this front.

The base engine cruises at 2900 rpm in fifth at 100 km/h, and pulls without hesitation from only 1500. There's a bit of extra punch, and a nice sound, near the 6,750 rpm redline.

It has long service intervals of 25,000-30,000 km.

The five-speed manual has a heavy action, with some resistance at each gate, and is quite precise and smooth. The cool chrome feel of the lever is a pleasant change from plastic.

Ride

A short wheelbase and minimal suspension travel contribute to a relatively hard, jostly ride, with plenty of thump and bump reaching the cabin.

On a long drive, this becomes annoying and uncomfortable; add excessive engine, wind and road noise and a full day in the Mini becomes a test of endurance.

Handling and steering

The Cooper's handling ability exceeds its performance. Though front heavy, it is extremely agile, with pin sharp, quick, tactile steering using electrohydraulic power assistance. Few other cars provide a more direct and enjoyable connection between you and the front end. Steering effort required at parking speeds is high.

The Goodyear tyres (on optional 16-inch alloy wheels fitted to the test car) start to slide very early, pushing the front wide in tight corners.

On rough roads, the Mini is reasonably secure and composed for such a short, small car. The firm suspension provides disciplined wheel control, and there's very little body roll.

Braking

The disc brakes have ABS, electronic force distribution, and sensors which monitor and correct rear end instability when braking hard in corners. They are adequate rather than inspiring.

Smoothness and quietness

As mentioned previously, the Mini is not a refined drive. Engine, wind and road noise levels are relatively high.

Summary

Who cares what the critics think? If you're in love with the Mini concept, you'll buy one anyway.

Test by Bill McKinnon, July 2002.

The writer of this report does not necessarily represent the views of the NRMA and this report is provided for you as an alternative to our own NRMA car reviews.

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