Hi Everyone new to the board here but was wondering the thoughts on the following!


128i vs Mini Cooper S
Here in Canada 4 g exact difference! Looking for pros and cons of purchasing each. Thanks

 

128i was just boring to me. Felt sluggish and very much like a 3 series in size when driving. To me it says "Look at me, I have a BMW" more than "I like to drive".

 

4k difference? Interesting. Here in US I priced a comparative 128i model with the same features that I spec'd on my mini, was more like a $7k, almost 8k difference. I think the 1 series BMW's are so stupidly overpriced its not even funny. Basically, they just took the place of the 3 series in price and dropped performance. I say first of all, they are two totally different types of cars. If I was thinking about a 1 series Bimmer, I'd comparison shop Audi (though I think also overpriced) and especially an Acura TSX or TL. Having said that, go with the Mini and save on gas.

 

And no, I'm not a Mini fanatic or BMW hater (considering I'll be giving my money to BMW financial services anyway).

 

The only 1 series I would consider is the 135i. Anything else is not too exciting performance-wise.

 

135i STARTS at $34900. Again, total waste of money. Paying for the blue and white badge. Infinity G35 for that price and it'd be way more loaded.

 

135i vs Cooper S
RWD vs FWD
twin turbo vs single turbo
brand new (1st gen) vs v.2 (2nd gen)
starting price:
41,700 vs. 29,900 (both according to canada's sites)
300hp vs. 172hp
0-60mph:
4.8 secs vs. 6.5 secs
ultimate driving machine vs fun driving machine
lower stance vs 4x4 wheel gap

 

And it won't drive nearly as well. It's like comparing an MCS to a Civic Si and pointing to the Honda's lower price-point as reason to buy it. Of course you pay a premium for BMW cars (MINIs included), but by all accounts you get what you pay for in terms of driving dynamics relative to "comparable" cars.

Read the Winding Road comparo (below) on the 135i versus G37. It's not as simple as pitting two front-engine/rear-wheel-drive cars against each other then stacking up option packages and declaring the cheaper one to be the winner.

http://magazine.windingroad.com/wind...0805/?folio=66

 

Yeah and BMW's general are know to have sucky service records too. So add that into the mix. You'd be driving one less than an G37 because it'd be in the shop three times as often. Plus, dont forget gas prices also. I'm sure the Mini blows it out of the water in that department.

And besides, the comparison asked for was between 1 series and a mini. IMHO there is no comparison as they are two polar opposite cars and divided by a $10,000 price difference.

So again, that said, to me, there is no comparison. If you love BMW's and the 1 series just has that magical look for you (and I'm not being sarcastic in that because I know some cars just look perfect to some people and not others) and you have the cash, get one. If there is any amount of question, then it seems to be a no brainer decision for me.

 

Really . Only 4k Canadian difference for the same equipment on the 2 cars? That doesn't sound too bad, I think it's 6-7k more here. These 2 cars are going to be considered/compared by many because of their heritage and price and size. This will be the classic "subjective judgement call" as for preference. It'll be like iPhone vs Blackberry (or worse). 6 cyl RWD vs 4 cyl turbo FWD. Is it worth the extra money? If you have the money you should drive both cars probably more than once (because you'll be influenced by forum posts like this one and you'll get confused after the first round of test drives). If you're like most people you won't have much trouble deciding which side of the fence you're on. It's a problem many would like to have. I know I'd have drived the BMW if it were out when I bought mine. I had an 88 325is and it reminds me a LOT of my R56. I didn't consider the current 328 because it had gotten too big and too heavy. It's much more a luxury sport sedan now, like the Infinity and Lexus. More for guys in the Tommy Bahama shirts if you catch my drift.

 

I test drove the 128i and it was a great little car (not a MINI of course ). It does a lot of things well and one of those things to me was it felt (ride quality and acceleration wise) very much like the E46 330i (w/ sports package).

Left to right transitions were better than the e46 and turn in feel was just as crisp.

When comparing to my MCS, the only part the MINI lags slightly behind in is the turn in feel but except the obvious differences in size, I felt the two cars were quite similar.

I can't see how you can go wrong choosing one over the other IMO.

 

MCS turns more heads than a 1er.

 

Incorrect.
http://www.jdpower.com/autos/ratings...tings-by-brand

You brought up the Infiniti.

My wife has a Cooper S (our third). I sold mine recently and bought an '06 M3 ZCP. Between a 128i and a MINI Cooper S? MCS, without hesitation. But if price isn't an object and my choice is 135i or MCS? Bimmer all the way.

 

I saw a 128I model recently on BMW's lot and I thought the interior was very ugly. The car did nothing for me. Now, the 135I is something all together different but it is $$$$$

 

I'm just about to trade in my 335i coupe in for a MCS. We had a 03 MINI and had a blast with but had to get rid of it because it was out of the warranty. We have missed the heck out of that car. With gas prices and the US economy in a stupor I am looking forward to getting the MINI. It is just a different kind of fun than that of the BMW. Imho

 

I thought about the same question before recently buying my Mini. The one thing that bothered me about the Bimmer (and my current Bimmer is going back on lease for the new Mini) is the rear wheel drive. I'm also in Canada and to me, it's just not worth it. I'd much prefer a front wheel drive car that can get by in light snow with all seasons than having to bother with tire/rim changes, still slugish in snow, etc. Plus there's just something about the entry level Bimmers that I don't like. My 320i doesn't even feel like a Bimmer. And when you start dressing it up, the price difference gets bigger.

 

any one else?

 

As I said in my reply on 1Addicts, go for the MCS. The 128i is just too boring.

 

the 1 series is overprice...

 

I was on the same boat and test drove both 135 and MCS. 15K premium similarly configured 135 was hard to justify for marginal increase in fun factor. I do not track cars (so far) and would not be able to take full advantage of 135i performance. Also cannot avoid considering MPG with 4+ gas prices.

If I wanted just a BMW for the brand, then I would get 128i/328i and pay 5-8K premium.. But it would definitely make me sad at the gas station

Also you have to consider the new concepts that BMW is introducing which may find their way into 1-series (tii???, 4-cyl gas and diesel models). I would rather wait 3-4 years to get a BMW.

So, I ordered a MCS to have fun while I wait. Hope this helps.

 

I'm also in the same boat, I used to drive a '05 mc convertible, lease ended and just have been driving a loaner for a few months til i decide what to get next.

bmw 128 and mini cooper S are top on my list, i have driven both and still can't decide :(

gas prices may be the deciding factor, I am buying soon, I think i will have to go back to the dealer and drive both again, at least bmw/mini share dealerships here in Ontario so its easy to drive both back to back in a short time frame.

One thing I like about the 128 is the look (i like the body styling), i find the seats with sports very comfortable, and the stereo is pretty good, and handling is great.

the MCS is so quick and sporty in-town it is just so fun to drive, where the 128 is a lil more luxury than just plain fun.

I also drove the 135, and i didn't find it 10k better than the 128, lots more torque if you love the 0-60 stomp at stop lights, other than that, overall driving experience was very simliar to the 128, except I had to hit the brakes constantly in town to stop from smashing into people in front of me (lol).

 

I think the 1 series is just plain butt ugly. The 3 series has become a bloated boat. My '06 M Roadster has 330hp that I rarely get to use AND it sucks the gas like there is no tomorrow....but it puts an evil grin on my face when taking it through the twisties up in the mountains. The MINI Cooper S put a smile on my face the same way the M Roadster does! Who cares about 0 to 60 times...its the handling and uniqueness that has drawn me to the Mini Cooper S. I will soon have the best of both worlds.... :D Im placing an order for a SS/B Cooper S soon!

 

I don't know if any of you have actually driven the 135i, but you cannot even compare that car to a Mini. Car and Driver did a road test of the 135i, and they said it performed better than last year's M3. They recorded 0-60 time of 4.6 seconds, which is corvette territory. The best I have seen for the MCS is around 6.2 seconds. That is a huge difference. I don't doubt that the Mini is just as fun around the twistys, but you pay for the horsepower -- both in the price of the car, and at the pump. The 135i is easily the best performing car on the market for less than $50k, except for perhaps the Lotus Elise.

 

I'd love the 135i

 

If people are going to keep bring up the 135i instead of the 128i, shouldn't we add the new JCW MINI into the mix? Surely it's a slightly better comparison to the 135i than a standard MINI S.