How about the diesel? Probably would not appeal to the performance enthusiasts, however I would be a strong player for the Mini Diesel if Mini USA brings them to US.

 

I think that a car that gets as good of gas mileage as most hybrids with the mini cool look and fun factor would sell very well.

 

I might think about it if there was a turbo

 

I would if it had some more power. And if MINI decides to bring it to the US, then I bet it would be in Cooper trim and not One.

 

i think it is a turbo diesel. that would be awesome, I would even give my MCS up for that, because it puts more torque than the MCS, sweet. comes in Mini not Mini one

 

And then watch out! You can get performace out of deisles, you just need taller gears because they don't spin as fast.....

One of the Audi 8s in Europe has direct inject turbo diesel, and it hauls!

Matt

 

just the thought of having to have to look for a diesel pump seems to me a
hassle.

 

I definitely would.

 

I heard that the fuel economy was not that much better on the D, but according to Mini claims it should get 58 MPG (Imperial Gallon). The testers in the below article only observed 34 MPGs. However, since in some European countries the tax on diesel fuel is subsidized by the government, it makes sense to pay the premium over the base engine.

:: REVIEW
The MINI One D is an interesting proposition. For a start, it's a diesel powered MINI, something that in the marques' history of over 52 years has never been produced before. Secondly, the engine is a modified Toyota diesel, based on the d-4d common rail turbo diesel unit used to power their Yaris. The engine has received much praise in the Yaris, so despite the disappointment some feel about this not being purely a BMW developed diesel, hopes are still high.

First impressions of the MINI when taking collection outside the airport on the Isle of Man are good. As other journalists leapt into their MINIs, it became instantly noticeable that something didn't seem quite normal for a diesel engine. They were quiet, very quiet in fact. The distinct "tractor rattle" that still often accompanies even the better diesel engines was almost entirely gone. That was one aspect of this car that continually impressed during the course of the two day launch. The noise both inside and outside the car were surprisingly, pleasantly, subdued. The only times you were reminded audibly that this MINI was powered by a diesel lump was starting the car from cold in the morning, and when you took the engine over around 4,000 rpm during more spirited motoring.

So, it sounded good, and it looked good too. The exterior styling is slightly modified from the standard MINI One. The standard grille is a Cooper S style 3 slats top, 1 slat bottom affair, only finished in the usual MINI One matt black. This can however be upgraded to chrome, and with that fitting, looks extremely good. The front lower mesh area is also modified. It is larger and squarer in appearance to the standard MINI One, more similar to the Cooper S, increasing the volume of fresh air captured and passed over the front mounted radiator and intercooler. This styling change I was not so impressed by. The 'D' also gains the popular Cooper S side skirts, and a modified rear apron to hide the tailpipe. All the MINIs on the launch were fitted with 15" alloy wheels, and they suited the car well. The other obvious sign is the 'D' badge on the tailgate.

First driving impressions, however, were not so instantly satisfying. The One D has a particularly narrow power band, with everything pretty much starting, peaking, and stopping from just below 2,000 to just above 4,000 rpm. With maximum torque (180nm or 132 lb/ft) coming at 2,000 rpm, and max power (75 bhp) coming at 4,000 rpm, you really find yourself working the 6 speed box to keep everything feeling at all eager. When you are in the little sweet zone, things are all well and good, but when tackling the twists and hills of the Isle of Man countryside, it could become extremely frustrating to have to look for extra power by downshifting, when really you wanted to be focusing on blasting around the bends. I don't think we knew quite what to expect from the 1.4 Diesel unit, but I had hoped for a little more 'umph', with the fair amount of torque you have at your disposal from so low down in the rev range, I expected something that would tackle the hills and valleys with a little more ease, a little more zest, than this unit delivered. The car, while only 35kg heavier than the One, overall felt a loss less keen than the 1.6 petrol MINI One. For a premium over of £985 (uk), I had hoped for a little more.





In terms of chassis dynamics, BMW have pulled it off again to great effect. The car feels every bit as glued to the road as the MINI One, in fact, the suspension did feel slightly firmer than the MINI One I drive most weeks of the year. The steering too, despite being a different system, still offered fantastic feedback, and felt just as responsive as the steering system from the rest of the MINI range, if perhaps moderately heavier. The six speed box makes an interesting switch to the 'D'. The application is great in terms of 'feel', however, the practical use of all the ratios seemed a little flawed. When driving I often found myself shifting between third and fourth, third being the most useable gear most of the time. Fifth gear was rarely used, and sixth only used to 'see how it felt'. MINI themselves say this is an overdrive purely for economical cruising, and they're right. For all other uses, it's pretty pointless.

And what about fuel economy? The figures make for impressive reading, and if you're considering the 'D', this has to be a major attraction. MINI claim a particularly impressive 58.9 miles to the imperial gallon for the combined cycle, even the urban cycle records 48.7mpg. This means in theory a full 50 litre tank could take you over 600 miles. Our tests however, proved to be an entirely different story. While driving the car hard, harder than most would in real world usage, we managed to achieve less than 34 mpg. I have found driving 115bhp Cooper to similar levels returns around 31 mpg. So, if you want to play a lot in your MINI, for just £315 more, I would say the MINI Cooper could offer a more rewarding proposition.

I find it hard to sum up the MINI One D. I'm sure BMW know what they're doing, but for the premium it costs, and the extras you get (6-speed, ASC+T, Rev Counter, and some styling changes), coupled the compromise in performance you make for the benefit of economy, I'm not sure who will be buying this MINI. On continental Europe, especially France, diesels are already very popular, Christopher Macgowan, Chief Executive of The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) commented that "Diesel sales have increased for 30 consecutive months since September 2000;" and that, "They are expected to account for one third of all new cars in 2003.". So you can see why MINI are keen to add the diesel to the range. It's a good engine, and a great car. For me though, I'm not so sure this really is the happy marriage we had all hoped to witness.

Review by: Paul Mullett

 

I'd get a second MINI in an instant if I could get the diesel version, especially if it comes with the new-for-next-year engine.

 

Great info!! Personally....all things being equal....yes, I'd be all over a One D. So a big from me.

I know there are complications w/ fuel quality and availability, but simply on the basis of having all the things we love about our MINIs...plus better fuel economy. Yup, thats' my thing....one of the reasons I have a Cooper and not an MCS. I'm definitely one of those willing to make compromises to achieve (or at least take a swing at:smile: ) a greater good.

They are re-chipping One Ds to good effect across the pond, too!!!

 

Today is my last day living in Italy. I am flying home in a few hours. (My Mini will join us in August or Sep :-(

Anyway, during my time here, I've had the pleasure of driving numerous CDi equipped rentals, such as Fiat Stilo, Opel Vectra, VW Polo, Golf, Peugeot 307. I was amazed at the sprightly performance of these little turbos, and the great efficiency which they offer. Gotta' keep them revs up, but what's wrong with that?

I am a believer too: I'd go for a diesel or hybrid Mini as well.

 

I believe that review is from 2003 when the diesel was first released...

But here's the rub, the MINI ONE D uses low-sulfer diesel which while required overseas, isn't expected to hit the US for several more years... Which means a new engine just for the US market... Doesn't sound too economical...

 

I would buy one in a heart-beat. Do you guys think we should bombard Mini USA with e-mails? Just to pull attention?

 

Yes I would Very easy to find Diesel pumps here.

 

I'd only consider it if they offered more Biodiesel here. Would be better yet if they opimized the engine for it so there was no hp difference at all.

Random googled info on Biodiesel:

http://www.globalstewards.org/biodiesel.htm
http://thayer.dartmouth.edu/other/th...enbus/WVO.html

 

If you ever had to live with a diesel, you might think again. Fuel smell, engine clatter, exhaust smell (better hope they don't bring out a convertable), fuel problems in the winter (oops, I just filled up with summer diesel and it's 10 below). Diesel ecconomy isn't what it used to be with fuel prices at near gasolene, and you will only see the big MPG if you drive VERY conservatively, push a diesel and the fuel mileage goes down. I personally am waiting for the turbine version with at least 25000 Lbs of thrust.

 

I would buy the MINI D for long trips and to drive to work. Then have a car for sporty driving.

 

I'm not ready for a MINI diesel quite yet... but after the new low sulfer standards are applied in the U.S. for 2006 I would consider it. I think MINI could significantly improve the driving charactoristics of a MINI diesel... if driving enjoyment was one of the design parameters. Most diesel cars are economy vehicles. Sport was not a design factor.

The newer generation of small diesel engines are simply astounding in their improvement over past diesels. The torque makes normal driving quite pleasant and satisfying given the great fuel economy. The complexity of the diesel drive train stays comparitively simple versus hybrids and fuel cell technology... and biodiesel could make diesel engines a 'renewable resource', closed carbon cycle, technology long before other contenders. When you consider 'end to end' energy cost and carbon load for the various future engine technologies, diesel is going to be very tough to beat.

For sport, for now, I'll stick with a small gas automobile. Soon, for the 'family' car, I can see a diesel in my future... if for no other reason that we have to.

 

After being stationed in Germany for the past 6+ years, I have the chance to drive many diesel cars. Everything from a VW Golf TDi to my mother-in-laws Mercedes S500 Diesel. I even test drove a Mini One D when I was first toying with the idea of purchasing a Mini. The one thing that just always drove me crazy was the lack of power in first gear. Not to mention that pathetic groan that everyone of the engines put out. Now, I understand the cleaner burn and better mileage per gallon, but I doubt I'd ever change over.

 

Before I bought my MINI I was actually looking at diesels. A little bit. I'm guessing that gasoline is going to become harder to get, and homegrown biodiesel will become more available, and diesels will be good to have.

But I bought the Cooper, it's a heck of a good car, and I'll stick with it as long as I can.

 

All this talk of biodiesel makes me wonder... Is the MINI a flexible fuel vehicle? Can we use the Ethanol mix that's being sold in the Midwest for approx $0.20/gal less than unleaded? Or will it corrode the engine seals...

 

If I'm remembering the manual right, 10% ethanol is OK (presumably more is not ok).

 

Winter temps shouldn't be a problem; after all a large number of vehicles in the US routinely operate in cold-temp areas. We have a friend who works security on the Alaskan pipeline and his daily driver is a Ford F-250 Power-Stroke diesel.

 

I've always been an advocate to bring the MINI D to the states. That would be cool. Would I get one? Yep.