AUSTRALIAN NEW CAR & SUV BUYER’S GUIDE | 109T
he third-generation Mini
(since 2000) showcases a
fuel-effi cient engine family
developed by owner BMW.
The Cooper runs BMW’s
1.5-litre three-cylinder
turbocharged engine with 100kW
of power and 220Nm of torque.
A 141kW/300Nm 2.0-litre
four-cylinder turbopetrol
powers the Cooper S and, with
170kW/320Nm, the John Cooper
Works hotrod.
The Mini Cooper range starts at
$30,250 for the three door manual.
The Cooper S is $40,700.
Gearboxes are six-speed manual
and optional ($2500-$2700) seven
speed dual clutch with paddle
shifters. You get more boot and
rear seat space in the longer,
taller Mini fi ve-door, which adds
$1250 to Cooper and Cooper S
prices. The John Cooper Works
is $50,400; with an eight-speed
automatic, it’s $53,350.
Cooper convertible starts at
$41,400. Cooper S is $48,700
and the John Cooper Works is
$58,400.The convertible gets a power-
operated electric soft-top with a
sliding function as well.
The star engine is the Cooper’s
1.5-litre turbopetrol triple. It’s
fl exible, frugal, refi ned and
particularly strong through the
mid-range. The seven speed DCT
transmission works smoothly and
effi ciently with the engine.
Mini makes much of its “go
kart handling”, but the same
Cooper fi ve door model, tested
in 2015 with optional adaptive
suspension and stickier
Continental tyres, walked the Mini
walk much more convincingly.
The current model, tested
with less adhesive Hankook
tyres and standard suspension,
pushed its front end harder in
corners, exhibited more body
roll and lacked the clarity of
feedback and steering precision
of its predecessor. Mini used
to be one of the best handling
small cars. Not now.
A mid 2019 update rectifi ed
Mini’s appalling lack of driverassist safety tech, but it’s still
underdone. Many cars around the
$25K pricepoint now have more
comprehensive specifi cation.
Mini has a camera-based
forward collision alert and low
speed autonomous emergency
braking. Lane keep assist and
blind spot monitoring are still
missing.
Infotainment is BMW’s iDrive,
with digital radio, navigation,
traffi c information, voice control
and Apple CarPlay.
The Mini Connected app lets
you play besties with your car by
phone if you’re in boring company.
Mini’s interior still has a
wow factor like no other, if
only because it’s so different to
everything else, with a complete
indifference to ergonomic
effi ciency and logical thought.
The driver’s seat could
use angle adjustment for the
fl at cushion, but is otherwise
supportive, and tall drivers
aren’t cramped for legroom.
Back seat passengers do ittough, though, and boot space
is also tight.
That won’t dissuade buyers
of the Mini. Despite its many
idiosyncrasies and compromises,
reliability issues and ambitious
pricing, it inspires great affection
in some. And a comparable
degree of loathing in others.THINGS WE LIKE
A retro design that works
21st-century engines with strong
performance and outstanding
effi ciency, plus a refi ned DCT
Surprisingly comfortable ride
THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE
Minimal driver assist safety tech
Space-saver spare or aerosol
can – useless
Dash layout still a dog’s breakfast
Overpriced
Squeaks, rattles and other
potential sources of grief
SPEX (Cooper)
1.5-litre three-cylinder
turbopetrol/seven-speed DCT/
front-wheel drive
100kW of power from
4500–6500rpm/220Nm of torque
from 1480–4200rpm
0–100km/h in 8.1 seconds (claimed)
4.9L/100km highway; 6.3L/100km
city/95 octane premium/CO 2
emissions are 123g/km
Warranty: Three years/unlimited
kilometres
Standard: Six airbags, stability
control, electronic differential
lock, Bluetooth, smartphone
connectivity, navigation, 16-inch
alloy wheels, rear camera
Redbook future values: 3yr 52%;
5yr: 40%Safety
ANCAP
PerformanceHandlingQuality and reliabilityComfort and refi nementValue for money
Overall
STARS
compare with ...
Audi A1, BMW 1/2 Series, Fiat 500,
Renault Clio, VW PoloMINI FROM $30,250