MORE INFO
Rivals
Peugeot 208 GTI,
Volkswagen Beetle
On sale
2006-2014
Best resource
http://www.theminiforum.co.uk
Parts
Oil filter: P1,200/
piece (OE)
Air Filter: P1,500/
piece (OE)
Ball joint: P5,500/
per side (OE)
Front Brake pads:
P9,600/set
*Prices indicative of range
Top contact
British United
Automobiles
QUICK FACT
The original Mini
was a rally legend,
winning the presti-
gious Monte Carlo
Rally thrice in the
’60s. The modern
Mini ALL4 team has
won the even more
rigorous Dakar rally
four times.
RUN-FlATTER
If your secondhand
Mini no longer has the
original run-flats, good.
S FOR SUPER
Later turbocharged cars
like this packed over
180hp under the hood.
TIghT FIT
Comfortable for two,
the Mini Hatchback is a
tight fit for four.
CAPITAl IdEA
The white roof keeps
the car cooler during
the day. A godsend.
CRACKlE
The rorty exhaust note
and backfire of the
Cooper S entertains.
ShEll gAME
Scoop is cosmetic only.
The intercooler sits
behind the bumper.
1 2 3 4 5 6
osition because of its longer wheelbase
and added space.
Engine
The R 56 used a direct-injection turbo-
charged motor shared between BMW
and Peugeot (which uses it in the 208
GTi and the RC-Z). This produces up to
208 hp in John Cooper Works variants.
The engine is mated to either a six-speed
manual or a six-speed automatic, both of
which put power to the ground through
a standard limited-slip differential.
When test-driving older year models,
check the oil and listen for that distinc-
tive timing-chain rattle that signals the
previous owner has driven the car a bit
too long on low oil pressure. For manual
transmissions, also check for vibrations
that may signal a need to change the
(somewhat) pricey dual-mass flywheel.
Automatics require regular fluid chang-
es, so ask for service records if the car
has more than 40,000km on it.
Driving impressions
Anyone who says “front-wheel drive
sucks” has never driven a Mini in anger.
The short wheelbase and light weight
mean effortless direction changes, with
a sprinkling of lift-off oversteer if you’re
so inclined. While not as tactile as the
steering in the first-gen car, the R 56 ’s
electric power steering is one of the best
out there, with a rack-mounted electric
motor allowing a lot of feedback through
the wheel.
Cooper S variants come with Sports
mode, stiffer suspensions and bigger 17 -
inch wheels, making for better handling
on the racetrack at the expense of some
ride comfort. JCW models dial things
up to hardcore, but often struggle to put
that extra power down to the ground.
Many owners replace the standard run-
flats with regular tires to smooth out
the ride. While there are kits to mount a
spare tire under the body, these can’t be
mounted to the turbocharged cars due
to the center-exit exhaust. Which means
you’ll need a can of fix-a-flat and a com-
pressor in the trunk for emergencies.
Verdict
The original Morris Mini was an icon,
and the new Mini hatchback lives up
to its reputation. These little cars are
pricey, but they provide an immediacy
and urgency at the wheel absent from
most cars nowadays. And thanks to their
fuel economy and small footprint, you
don’t have to feel guilty about giving
them the beans every now and then,
either.
We can’t get enough of
cool personal touches like
this Union Jack mirror
IN dETAIl
WWW.topgear.com.ph TOP GEAR PHILIPPINES 101
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