Now that I've had my '06 MINI MCS 3 weeks and it's broken in, it's time to compare it to my other car, a 2003 E46 M3.

INTERIOR/ERGONOMICS
The M3 is old school lux/sports. Quality materials, low seating position, multi adjustable electronic sport seats. Ingress/eqress requires a step down of sorts, big doors help. Very roomy cabin, even back seat is useable, I have carried an entire set of wheels/tires (the MINI's) in the back seat/trunk. Fairly quiet at speed, nice sunroof can be left open on the highway without turbulence.
The MINI is all about style. Very high quality of materials for its price range, entry/exit is easier than the M, I like the firm upright seating position. I love the tiny steering wheel and shifter especially, both fall right to hand. Cabin is very roomy for the size of the car, that said it will be hard to fit 3 people and their gear in the car for a cycling trip as I have done often in the M. Both cars have great HK stereos, fine for anyone less than an audiophile. The MINI's inside, while quirky, is quite functional. The only car that comes to mind with a more stylish cockpit is the Audi TT.

PERFORMANCE
No contest here. The M3 has almost twice the horsepower and is stupid fast. Flooring it on perfectly smooth concrete roadways in 1st/2nd gears will flash the DSC light. Driving in the rain becomes a demonstration of throttle finesse. LSD, rear drive, ride is firmer than the MINI. Understeer, but can be corrected with more throttle. Clutch is heavier than the MINI, transmission is notchier, although missed shifts are rare in either car. The MINI has a smoother ride, although quite controlled, more body roll, more pronounced understeer. Steering is more precise on the MINI. Rear wheel drive is subjectively more user friendly, there's a reason why almost all race cars are RWD. On the other hand, chassis tuning and LSD have tamed much of the potential FWD nastiness out of the MINI. I know others will disagree but I think its power and handling are at a good balance, I'm not sure if some power modding might bring out a few gremlins. The MINI's forte is its lightweight nimbleness, where the M3 excels at highspeed control, each would have types of driving where it would be better than the other.

IMAGE/INTANGIBLES
Let's face it, right or wrong, both of these cars are icons that carry some baggage with them, both positive and negative. For many enthusiasts, the M3 is a dream car, extreme performance in a civilized four seater. To others it is an ulitimate symbol of the Yuppie ***** in his BMW. I have experienced both types of reactions from total strangers. The MINI is either a cool performance small car with heritage, or a girlie style show, depending on who you ask. I am old enough and established enough to drive both without worrying too much about what people think, but I understand the mystique that goes with both of them.

CONCLUSIONS
In a perfect world, every garage would have both of these cars. The MINI makes a great daily driver, fun, fast enough, decent economy. The M3 is an ubercar. This may be heretical, but my favorite use for it is highspeed travelling. It will go down the highway at 90 mph with three bikes on the roof, 3 people and their gear inside, and still get 19-20 mpg. Pass anyone at will, the S54 engine sounds like God's own chorus at 8K rpm. The MINI has an extremely high fun factor, I am extremely impressed with the fit/finish and feeling of quality, it is truly a premium small car. If all things work out, I hope to keep both. The MINI is paid for, the M has another couple of year's payments left. If one had to go it would be for economic reasons more than practicality, here's hoping that doesn't happen.

 

If you were to pick one of the cars to go on a mountain road drive, which one would you pick?

 

No

or

Not as much

or

No PERFORMANCE Difference

 

heh, I read it before he was done and was rather baffled as well

 

Ive got an E46 M3 as well and I will agree with you 100% on all of your statements.

If I had to chose one to swing around the mountains, I would chose the MINI just because its a bit more nimble. Dont get me wrong, the M is a monster in the mountains.... but if I HAD to chose only one to rip through the hills with for a day it would be the MINI.

That said, the M would be my clear choice to take to the track. No deer, no oncoming motorists, no bicyclists, just pure uninhibited speed. Though the MINI can rip through the hills, the M would obliterate it on the track. Its also a much more pleasant car to drive around town and just for general use.

To be fair though, my MINI is pretty modified and is very loud inside. No back seats, no battery box, and a straight through exhaust make for a loud ride. The M only has coilovers, the X&Y pipe sections of the exhaust, and K&N intake.

In the end, I love both of the cars. Both are great in their own way, and both have their downfalls. Overall, they are both awesome cars!

 

i would love to add an M3 to my garage...

 

They make such a great pair.
One difference is the valet parks the M3 up front in view, not my MINI.
They are both wonderful to drive.

 

....but i'd take a M3
.
i dont think i could compare a ///M car w/a MINI

 

Ever tried to change out springs/shocks on an M5? Aint a fun task. Gotta take out the backseats, the rear deck, and all that crap back there just to get to the top of the shock tower. And trust me, BMW doesnt make those simple tasks easy.

 

There's no way I'd take a Mini over an E46 M3. I'm just not able to comprehend that.

 

trust u me i know!!
i helped my homie do this chore...and boy wuz it a grand task & here i thought it wuz all the beer we pounded
but OH how sweeeet it l00ked afterwards

 

mmmm M3 and MINI... thats my dream garage. (Well, along with an e30 m3 and 2002tii too )

 

I read a post on the 'MC2 Magazine' forum.
He says that 'Winding road' is a good digital magazine.
Their top 3 of luxury cars are ;
1.-Ferrari F430
2.-Porsche Carrera S
3.-MINI Cooper

'MINI vs Ferrari F430 vs Porsche Carrera S'..
I am curious to know about the comparison of them..