mini-petrol/diesel? R/F or normal tyres?manual or automatic?
Discussion
Hi Guys, Having owned and driven mini's in the late 60's and 70's I now the opportunity of taking delivery of a brand new mini within the next couple of months. I am at a loss as to what to select. I only do about 8,000 miles per year. Petrol/diesel manual or automatic????? I feel that I would like a cooper with chili pack. I believe that normal tyres are an option rather than run flat - having seen the info. on this site about flat tyres would normal tyrs seem a reasonable choice??? I was also thinking of going for 17 inch wheels with normal tyres. Would 16 inch wheels be a better choice? Would be grateful for any advice on the above queries. Looking forward to getting some help from you mini guys.
Cheers,
Dougie W
Cheers,
Dougie W
Edited by dougie w on Saturday 4th July 13:20
I just bought a diesel, manual with run flats.
I chose diesel because I do 20k miles a year commuting into London and wouldn't benifit from the extra bhp of a petrol whilst sat in a traffic jam.
I was going to get an auto because of the stop-start nature of the commute, but test drove a manual and it was so fun much that I chose the manual and haven't regretted it. It's a hoot to drive, even at low speed, but I think this would be massively diluted with an auto box.
I went with run-flats because that's what they come with, but will re-assess this when it comes time to replace. The run flats feel a bit harder than normal tyres which stiffens the ride a bit and makes the car a bit skittish, but I got used to it in a day or two and don't really have a problem with them. My decision to change will based on price weighed against the pain-in the arse factor of roadside wheel changes when I get a puncture.
I chose diesel because I do 20k miles a year commuting into London and wouldn't benifit from the extra bhp of a petrol whilst sat in a traffic jam.
I was going to get an auto because of the stop-start nature of the commute, but test drove a manual and it was so fun much that I chose the manual and haven't regretted it. It's a hoot to drive, even at low speed, but I think this would be massively diluted with an auto box.
I went with run-flats because that's what they come with, but will re-assess this when it comes time to replace. The run flats feel a bit harder than normal tyres which stiffens the ride a bit and makes the car a bit skittish, but I got used to it in a day or two and don't really have a problem with them. My decision to change will based on price weighed against the pain-in the arse factor of roadside wheel changes when I get a puncture.
Edited by m3psm on Saturday 4th July 15:36
For what you have said, I would buy a manual cooper petrol.
The auto box is crap, like really bad. And the D is not worth the extra for your mileage, especially when the two fuels are so close at the pumps. And in reality you will get 40mpg out of the petrol car, you won't get much more than 50 out of the D. So its not worth it.
Plus the d engine runs out of everything at 100 mph.
Re tyres, I personally think they look smart with 17", but would get normal tyres.
The auto box is crap, like really bad. And the D is not worth the extra for your mileage, especially when the two fuels are so close at the pumps. And in reality you will get 40mpg out of the petrol car, you won't get much more than 50 out of the D. So its not worth it.
Plus the d engine runs out of everything at 100 mph.
Re tyres, I personally think they look smart with 17", but would get normal tyres.
Edited by okgo on Sunday 5th July 10:36
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