Mini cooper S or wait for 135i

[BForbes]

Originally Posted by fishbulb

R53 with 15% pulley owner here. Drove the R56 and a base 335 sedan last night (auto, no paddle shifters, no sport package). very good windy road followed by some highway.

Drove R56 first - but with two other people in it. Not bad, not blow my socks off either. Defiantly much more refined, like they filed off some of the rough spots of the R53. Easier to find torque coming out of corners. Would like to try one by myself. Its good - but I don't feel the need to ditch my R53 for it.

Two words for the 335: FREIGHT TRAIN. That car pulls like madman everywhere. The car felt nowhere near the 500+ LBS heavier than the MINI that it is. It just didn't matter. Very easy to drive hard - does exactly what you tell it with no drama.

And the engine - ahh, the engine. It really is amazing. I have been from build muscle cars to turbo Miatas and ended up in an R53. Driven E30, E36 Ms, worked integras, WRX's, etc. I can not think of a power plant that was more willing & flexible than this. Granted, this is all with my Rose colored 135i glasses on, but i was more than impressed by the base 335....

YMMV!

-jac

Finally!!! Someone on here who has actually driven a 335i!! I'm coming from a high reving sports car and I was just as impressed as you!!!!! I had two people in the sedan I drove too. This 135i is going to BOOGIE!! End of story. Great Post man!

[Lips]

Onehots2k, I think you have convinced me to set up a test drive this weekend over at Fields. I need to know what all the uproar is about. Then after I drive it I will know that the 135 will drive even better...scary.

[BForbes]

Originally Posted by Lips

Onehots2k, I think you have convinced me to set up a test drive this weekend over at Fields. I need to know what all the uproar is about. Then after I drive it I will know that the 135 will drive even better...scary.

If I could convince one person, then my life if complete!!! Do it man! I want a full post of your review too! :biggrin:

[Lips]

haha, will do. I probably should just do it after work one day considering I work out in Maitland and fields is litteraly around the corner.

By the way this post has gotten way off topic and I appoligize to the original poster. I choose 135 over mini cooper because I personally like the looks of the 135 and looks is my top priority when choosing a car, performance comes in at a close second for me.

Lips

[DCMotorer]

I was surprised to see so many NAMers here starting up the MINI v. 135i discussion. I currently own an 06 Cooper but I would like more power. The 135i or the 128i both intrigue me because I'm not entirely a fan of the new styling on the R56. However, I do like the Clubman because it is almost stationwagon-esque (my first car was a Volvo 740 Turbo Wagon). I'll have to wait until the 1er comes out so I can test drive it and then I can make a decision as to what I will get as my next car.

[imported_mega]

Originally Posted by DCMotorer

I was surprised to see so many NAMers here starting up the MINI v. 135i discussion. I currently own an 06 Cooper but I would like more power. The 135i or the 128i both intrigue me because I'm not entirely a fan of the new styling on the R56. However, I do like the Clubman because it is almost stationwagon-esque (my first car was a Volvo 740 Turbo Wagon). I'll have to wait until the 1er comes out so I can test drive it and then I can make a decision as to what I will get as my next car.

there's even more 2002'ers doing the same thing, I own one of those too

[HVYWGHT]

As a current MINI Cooper driver, this feed intrigues me.

Firstly, I love my Cooper more than anything. The car is always fun, always ready to play, and handles like no other. I'll never get rid of him.

That said, I've been a BMW fan my entire life, growing up on E30s and then learning to drive on my parent's '93 325i which they still have, now with 262k miles! When it came time for me to buy my own car, the MINI stood out as affordable fun- which it has upheld completely.

I drove the R56- both Cooper and Cooper S, and they were nice, but too refined, no longer as instantly entertaining. Actually, they seemed like jr front wheel drive Bimmers... which was sad for me. Also, the Cooper S is hitting the threshold of too much power for the front wheels, although I didn't try it with the LSD. I left the test drive loving my R50 Cooper more than anything, and at most considering a second MINI but this time an '05-'06 R53 Cooper S.

Then, BMW goes and posts pics of the new 1 series coupe- a small, driver focussed Bimmer. Back to hopefully what was great in the '80s-'90s. So, now I don't know what I'd do. A green 128i w/6speed manual looks like the ticket, and if the base is near $26k, and all I have to add are heated seats...well we might have a winner.

Test drives are always the final verdict. If the 128i doesn't hold up the promise, then I can rest easy for awhile without the unabatable need to own the 1er.

[BForbes]

I cannot hate on a MINI Cooper. But i am not one to argue against twin-turbos. They both are fun in their own way.

[RXC135i]

I had the pleasure of my local Military Sales Agent setting up a 335ci with paddle shift for my driving pleasure. All I can say is WOW! I haven't driven alot of high power cars but ride motorcycles and was excited by the pull the N54 has. What I loved was how tame and predictable it was when it needed to be but the instant you dared to unleash it, you were finding the back of the seat and grinning ear to ear:biggrin:. I do need to go drive a MCS though just for the thrill of it as everyone says it is like driving on rails. I always fall back to the build quality of BMW too, they sound and feel solid and being here in Germany you see 15-20+ year old Bimmers that are still solid and eating up the Autobahn.

[imported_sbw]

Very interesting question! Mini Cooper S or BMW 135i! It will be really interesting to see how they perform around the corners. I owned a Mini Cooper S and it sticks like glue! But my BMW 330i with sport package and 18-inch tires also sticks like glue, but has more power than the Mini.

[mikeo]

The new '07 turbo MCS is much faster than the older R53 S. But still not as refined, handling wise, as a BMW. The MINI has a LOT of torque steer, but is still a blast to drive.

[DCMotorer]

Originally Posted by HVYWGHT

I drove the R56- both Cooper and Cooper S, and they were nice, but too refined, no longer as instantly entertaining. Actually, they seemed like jr front wheel drive Bimmers... which was sad for me. Also, the Cooper S is hitting the threshold of too much power for the front wheels, although I didn't try it with the LSD. I left the test drive loving my R50 Cooper more than anything, and at most considering a second MINI but this time an '05-'06 R53 Cooper S.

I'm in the same boat. I too drive a R50 and a couple weeks ago went to the dealer and drove an R53 and R56 Cooper S and Cooper. I had the most fun in the R53 although the speed of the R56 S was impressive. The R56 Cooper was good but felt cheaper than my R50. I too came away with a renewed love of my 06 Cooper, however eventually I'll want something faster.

I'm not entirely sold on the R56 S as my next car and I'm very tempted to get a 1 Series instead. Sounds like I need to go test drive some current 3 Series to at least get a feel for the engines.

[mikeo]

Although I'm down for a 135i and its twin turbos due to living at 7000ft. and having a 300hp modded M3 that never getting to enjoy but about 230 of those horses believe me, the 128i is going to be a great little car. Crappy sentence, but you get my meaning.

[SoulBladeZA]

Allow me to shed some perspective on this seeing as I'm currently the owner of a BMW 130i M Sport and my bro has a Mini Cooper S JCW (the previous supercharged version). We also have a 335i Coupe in the family.

The 130i simply destroys the Mini in a straight line and the 335i makes the 130i seem like it's looking for parking. So imagine how fast the 135i will be...

The Mini is fun to drive and is very chuckable for sure, I love every second of driving it. Here's the clincher though: my 130i with the M suspension is even more chuckable. This is reinforced by my attending lots of local BMW Club gymkhana events, I've yet to be beaten by a Mini and the 130i easily matches the heavier E36 and E46 M3s around a tight gymkhana. It really is a superb handler and with RWD antics it's more fun to drive than the Mini too.

The 135i will be more of the same. Those of you saying "refined, comfy" etc. are in for a nasty surprise. The 130i with the full M Sport pack has a hard ride. It's VERY tailhappy. It always communicates it's intentions to you though and the engine note is to die for. No 4-pot 1600 will EVER sound nearly as good as a BMW 6.

Is the 135i worth the extra over a Mini Cooper S? You bet your ass it is! Hell, even a 128i with the M pack will be my pick over the Mini. To each his own though.

[SoulBladeZA]

Mini-review I did for a local motoring forum:

http://www.petrolheads.za.com/showth...highlight=130i

2006 BMW 130i with 40 000km.

Likes:

- Handling, simply awesome, little understeery at the limit but easily remedied with some throttle.
- Looks (see under dislikes too). Looks the part and even though it has some odd angles, gathers many admiring glances from myself and others.
- Build quality. Only one rattle, the emergency toolkit in the boot. Keeps coming loose after some spirited driving. The rest of the car, especially the interior, still looks brand new.
- Interior look, feel and quality. Really gets you in the mood for driving and has everything you need. The sport seats with the inflatable side bolsters are the best I've ever sat in.



- Now for my favourite part of the car; the engine. Simply the best in class for power, response and sound. I don't care what the R32 boys say Has torque everywhere and keeps power all the way to redline. And the SOUND. After 30 000km it just became manic, love it. Nice boom at low revs, becomes nice and raspy and finally turning into a perfect straight 6 roar at 5000rpm+. VERY addictive and my fuel bill reflects this.

The masterpiece:



Now for the dislikes:

- Looks. Has some odd angles, but the styling has grown a lot on me since the first 120i's a few years ago. The M kit really looks the business though.
- Ride quality. Usually very nice and comfy, but potholes can really cause some painful shocks through my own and the car's body. Suppose this is the trade-off for the sublime grip and handling.
- Interior space, carrying passengers in the rear can be a bit of a pain sometimes, but then I didn't buy the car to cart around freeloaders.

That's about it, covers all the major + and - of the car, IMO.



I have a 135i on order, arriving in January. Will be sad to see the 130i go, has been the best car I ever owned :frown: Expecting great things of the 135i though.

[mikeo]

Thanks, SoulBladeZA, we'll be watching for a comparo after you get your 135i.

[kurichan]

If you can wait, wait. Better to have more information and options before you decide.

[DCMotorer]

Question: Is the engine in the current 130i the same engine that will be in the 128i?

[imported_MPower]

Originally Posted by DCMotorer

Question: Is the engine in the current 130i the same engine that will be in the 128i?

Slightly different. It is the same block, but BMW tweaks with the ECU and exhaust/intake to lower the power. Still, 230 horsepower and 200 lb.ft. of torque is pretty impressive but it is annoying that they couldnt just give us the full-fat N52.

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by MPower

Slightly different. It is the same block, but BMW tweaks with the ECU and exhaust/intake to lower the power. Still, 230 horsepower and 200 lb.ft. of torque is pretty impressive but it is annoying that they couldnt just give us the full-fat N52.

I'd be all over it if it was.

[SoulBladeZA]

Originally Posted by kurichan

If you can wait, wait. Better to have more information and options before you decide.

The Mini will also never sound this good:

:biggrin:

[imported_MPower]

Originally Posted by SoulBladeZA

The Mini will also never sound this good:

:biggrin:

True, but the MINI just sounds different. I actually like the sound of my MINI. It reminds me of a 60s rally car with the it snorts. You get a good sense of the sound in this clip (@ 3:11 in the clip):