MINI vs BMW, I know

but is anyone who is interested in the R60 now that it's being hyped up going to give the BMW X1 a chance when it comes out?

It's not that bad looking of a car but every article I read just bashes it immediatley for being a soccer mom car. IMO people can say the same about mini in some respects, it's all about your style on the car and how you drive it and how it makes you feel when you drive it. So, with that said, the BMW X1 is rumored to get just over 200 horsepower. Good (mature) alternative to a JCW'd R60 ?

http://www.bmw.com/com/en/newvehicle...xperience.html

 

I was interested in it until the R60 info release. My major reason for leaning over to the R60 is price. I think the X1 will start at 30k.... I definitely want xenons, heated seats, and nav. That will probably put the X1 over 40k while maybe the R60 will be in the low 30's.

 

I believe you can get the new 335i's engine in it.

but what I would do is get that 300hs engine and walk right pass 4 wheel drive and just go rear wheel drive. :D

 

There will be people purchasing it. There are always people out there just wanting the status symbol of BMW

 

I view this platform as being more of a BMW than a Mini. It's likely to have more power and a better interior. I also think it looks nicer than the R60. BMW also has a much bigger dealer network (& better IMO) versus the Mini. I would probably have an x1 instead of my Audi Q5 right now if the X1 came out sooner (even though the Audi is quite nice). For the BMW detractors, some of us enjoy them and it's not about the label. I am sure that some (like BMW) buy a Mini just because of the image.

 

I imagine with the new XC60 and Audi Q5, it will be a great contendor.

If, it does come with the 335I motor, than I will have to rethink the countryman...


And save up a lot more money

 

I won't purchase either cause I don't like SUVs they are the most useless vehicles out there

 

That's a broad statement.

But I can see why you say that living in Jacksonville. Unless you had to deal with heavy rains and flooding from hurricanes.

 

Come live where I do and say that.

I have three small kids and I live 3 miles off the rural highway. We get snowstorms here all winter long, starting in November and going through until early April. A bigger AWD/4WD vehicle is very useful here.

I love my Mini, but there's no denying the utility of our CX-9 in the winter.

 

I think both are made in Austria, at least the bodies are...

 

Although I don't mind the R60 and think it just looks like a Cooper on Mark McGuire's vitamins, I just can't justify a MINI starting at 30 grand and with options, upgrading to the S model and AWD near the mid to upper 30's. The car is priced atleast 5k too high. For example the Cooper starts at 18,550, Clubman 20,200 and the Crossman 30,000???

In my opinion they could have just added all wheel drive as an option to the next generation of their current lineup (Cooper and Clubman) and called it a day.

 

The X1 will not start at $30K, I'd be supprised if it starts below $34K. It is only going to be 2.5 inches smaller than the current X3 which will grow. I had an X5 then 2 X3's. I would only be interested in the X1 if you can get a 2.0 liter diesel (which doesn't sound like it will happen) or a 2.0 gas turbo. My X3's did not get good milage, about 17-18 around town. It will be several hundred pounds lighter but the initial engine for the US is the same 3.0 gas engine and the initial estimate I saw was 18 city and 25 highway. There will probably be a $4-5,000 spread between a Countryman and X1. The X1 is essentually a 328 wagon with a different body so you'll be lucky to get one below $36-38K with any options.

 

I was referring to the R60 (code for the MINI Countryman) starting at $30k, but you are definitely correct. The X1 will not stark at $30k.

 

fwd:


ATTN: BMW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Where did you read that the R60 is going to start at $30K? Everything I've read, including Euro pricing, has it landing somewhere between the respective Clubman and Cabrio.

http://www.motoringfile.com/2010/02/...cing-released/

Based off the (already announced) Euro pricing, I did the following bit of number-running:

 

What engine will the R60 be getting?

 

You are referencing an old post (Jan 23rd). Pricing info did not come out until later. In his MotoringFile interview, MINIUSA's Vinnie Kung said:Same as the other MINI models. See the UK press release (except diesel won't be available in the US):

 

there is hope for the 2.0 gas turbo, BMW are talking about bringing the engines to the states, assuming it is to help bringing up avg. mpg for the fleet (2014 deadline)

we have an X3 2008 now, better mpg with the new 6 spd, but still 17-18 town.

Now if I have more joy than sense, I would totally buy a Countryman and augment it with the 4.0 M3 engine

Supposedly Great Britain only getting Diesel versions of the X1

 

Really? Seems pretty underpowered if you ask me.

 

You are right, it will be WAY more expensive if they put the n54 in it. Look at a 135i with nav, premium, and comfort access (which for me are the bare minimum items to keep the car in the near luxury class it is intended to fill).

 

The Countryman will be about 200 lbs heavier than the coupe or about 100 lbs heavier than the Clubman or convertible. Enough weight gain to make a difference, but if it's underpowered then you'd have to feel that the current coupe has only borderline adequate power as well.

 

By the way, someone above mentioned the competition for these vehicles which includes the XC60. I happen to have one (wifes kid hauler) and I have a 335i as well (for sale) so I have gotten x3's and x5's multiple times as loaners. I'm a big BMW guy, and if you count my JCW Clubman then this is my 4th, and I have to say there is no comparison, the Volvo is a MUCH nicer vehicle compared to the x3. I'm not sure how they did it but they totally hit the sweet spot for performance, ride quality and handling/road feel. Plus the build quality, leather seating, interior design is all top notch. On the downside, the mileage of the turbo engine is crap, and the navi controls are awkward and no voice control.

But if you are looking in this segment you should definitely test-drive the xc60 because it is pretty high up there on my list of best in class. We also tested the GLK and Q5 which we also liked quite a bit, the audi more than the benz, but the Volvo stood out from the pack for us.

 

All I can say is if they put the GM6 AT transmission in the X1 don't get near it. Read the sticky on the Bimmerfest sticky under X3.

It is as dangerous as the Toyota problems, but exactly the opposite. It stops dead when you need it.

It is why I will be looking to the Mini if they don't make a MT X3 come 2012