I would like to see diesel cars take off in America, but until the diesel prices come down, there's no point. I don't know what prices are like across the US, but here in Seattle, diesel is almost $1 more per gallon than regular (station near my house is $3.21 for regular and $4.02 for diesel. So you are spending a similar amount of money, might as well get a hybrid in that case.

 

We hired a Cooper-D in France last year. It averaged 40.1 mpg (US), mostly on autoroutes at about 80.

 

Chevy just put a diesel in the Cruze. It only comes in an auto (so disappointing) but overall I actually really like it. And I believe it puts out slightly better numbers than the Jetta TDI. A MINI D would be so awesome in the states.

 

I am reminded the book tells us to use premium gas in our MCS. Not a great difference between diesel and premium gas prices here in Florida.

 

I have an 06 V-dub Beetle TDI with 121K that regularly gets 42-46 mpg, soon to be my daughter's car.

~30 mpg on this German review of the Cooper SD (not good at all!)

 

True, but the difference here is between premium and diesel is still ~$0.50/gal or more depending where you look.

 

I think diesel motors are good to drive but if we want high speed mini then we should by a petrol mini.

 

The video and review was of the SD as opposed to the D so it should be expected to get less fuel mileage than the D. I was just surprised the reviewer only got 30mpg, even in the SD. I thought the mpg would be a bit higher.

Not to get off track but I think that is what makes the gas/petrol version Cooper S a very balanced auto. More than adequate amounts of mpg and horsepower for what you get.

 

My real life mpg in a Cooper SD over 15,000 miles is 48mpg - but that's in big British gallons, so it would be 40mpg in lil' American ones. That's a mix of 80+mph cruising and back roads that make the Dragon look straight.

In gentle driving it just does 60mpgUK (50mpgUS) but where's the fun in gentle driving? Though actually my experience of US driving is that it is much more 'gentle' than in Yurp, with fewer bends and fewer stop/starts, so 50mpgUS is probably what most US drivers would get close to.

I live in an area of deserted high-speed twisty back roads and on one trip I got under 30mpgUK (25mpgUS) over 20 miles - but that is driving an 'accelerate to 90 and break to 40' cycle one or two times per mile. Not surprisingly, I get through brake pads at a fair rate too......

225 ft-lb in a small car means it accelerates well, despite the high gearing, though the very soft power delivery and throttle response of the diesel means it never snaps your head back so some wouldn't think it feels fast. It arrives at the next bend at an almighty speed though, so it definitely ain't slow.

 

Now that's what I would have expected. Sounds like a great fast, fun and economical MINI. That torque is awesome. Thanks for sharing your real world experience. The video reviewer may have been heavy footed and he did say it was a cold morning to get much lower mpg. I would like to see more diesel options in the US.

 

As soon as it's possible (after the 25 year mark) I intend on importing a MINI One D or Cooper D here to the states. I know it will be an old British car by then but I'd love to have something unique to bring to MINI events plus I enjoy the rattly sound of a diesel. Imagine going on MTTS- I wouldn't have to wait to fuel up behind hundreds of other MINI's! The diesel pump would be open just for me!

Val