Mini One Review

Good Points
Looks, Excellent handling and steering response, Superb interior and the best "feel-good factor" of any small car. Fun image that appeals to all ages and classes. Looses very little of its value. In everyday driving it is rarely slower than the more expensive Cooper. Excellent servicing deal for UK owners.

Bad Points
You will need lots of expensive optional extras to make it look like the versions in the brochure. Some colours may look good now, but may make it hard to sell later. Engine not quite the usual BMW quality. Rear not suitable for adults, small boot. Not that quick

General Comments
The BMW Mini One has been a deserved success, unlike other "lifestyle" cars (such as the VW Beetle and Tigra) it offers more than a fancy body on standard hatchback. As a driving experience it stands head and shoulders above them and the steering, brakes and handling all inspire confidence.



Many have commented that it is not the true successor to the Mini because it not truely innovative and it is too large to be called a Mini. I thought this was true until I started driving it and the Cooper version. It takes most of the fun parts of driving the old mini and then adds in safety, refinement and comfort.



The real cost of getting a Mini One on the road is around £11,200 This gives you Alloys, Metallic Paint and the Salt Package (Foglamps, Revcounter and the glossy interior finish) as used in almost every photo.



A lot of the safety equipment such as traction and dynamic stability control are optional extras too. It would not be difficult to push the Mini One up to £14,000 - £15,000 if you chose all the options.



You could regard the Mini as an expensive small car or a cheap route into a stylish, and classy motoring world where journeys are made just for the fun of driving. This car has that rare "x factor" that will mark it a future classic.



BMW/Mini even convinced me to part with my money for a new car - a unheard of event.