Electric mini honest opinions

[ghost83]

Missus is interested in the level 2 or level 3

Honest opinions the the ev mini?

[paradigital]

Back in 2020 I took a test drive of one with the intent of ordering either a Level 3 or an i3S. Changes in circumstance ended up putting the brakes on the idea (as I now work from home 90% of the time), but I did manage to borrow one for a few days so that I could both test my commute, and charge the thing at both work and home.

So long as you only need a 90-100 mile range then it's a great little car in my opinion. If you are hoping to exploit nearer the theoretical maximum of 145 miles then I'd look elsewhere for something with a 200+ mile rated (on paper) range.

[Maracus]

We've just bought a 10 month old Level 2. It's my wife's car, she does anywhere between 20 and 40 miles a day, so it's perfect for this. The range looks to be 100-110 at motorway speeds and 120 for pootling about.

Personally think the Level 1 is a bit sparse and whilst the Level 3 is fully spec'd, she wasn't that fussed about the additional options. Although Adapative Lights would be nice.

We've been looking for the past 6 months to replace our aging Cooper S. Used prices started to rise around October, and have gone up again in the past 4 weeks.

I really like it, and it's an easy transition from a petrol Cooper S. We are now fully EV as I have a Tesla Model SR.

[ghost83]

Well she’s looking at new cars and with the fuel cost she said ooh what about a electric mini, she only drives to pick kids up from school and down to town so she does roughly 10/15 miles per day,

Her parents live 30 miles away so would occasionally go there but as long as it could do near on 100 mile we would be ok

[Maracus]

Sounds perfect.

As long as the range isn't an issue, then great. I'm pretty hopeful the demand for these will keep prices high

[IAINSMITH]

We've got one (Level 3) - great car as it is just like a mini cooper s, if you like mini's (and can live with the size etc) it is great for shorter ranges.

We get 100 miles range when it is full - never ever seen 140 as claimed

If you can charge it up at home as we do it is a really nice run-around

[Frimley111R]

ghost83 said:

Well she’s looking at new cars and with the fuel cost she said ooh what about a electric mini, she only drives to pick kids up from school ...

Don't forget it is only 3 door (when you're picking up kids).

[Mark-ri571]

Ordered a level 2 in early January. The build date is 30th May but suspect this will slip back due to wiring loom shortages/factory shut downs. Will just use for local journeys up to 40 ( at a push 50) miles each way. I ordered with an optional heated steering wheel but the factory have deleted this option due to chip shortages.

[Pica-Pica]

Mark-ri571 said:

Ordered a level 2 in early January. The build date is 30th May but suspect this will slip back due to wiring loom shortages/factory shut downs. Will just use for local journeys up to 40 ( at a push 50) miles each way. I ordered with an optional heated steering wheel but the factory have deleted this option due to chip shortages.

Heated steering wheels don’t heat the back of your hands anyway. If it’s that cold, you still need gloves IME.

[Mark V GTD]

Car mad mate of mine just got a Level 3 - they love it! Range 90 odd miles in reality apparently although may get better as weather gets warmer.

Edited by Mark V GTD on Friday 11th March 07:22

Edited by Mark V GTD on Friday 11th March 07:22

[anonymous-user]

ghost83 said:

Well she’s looking at new cars and with the fuel cost she said ooh what about a electric mini, she only drives to pick kids up from school and down to town so she does roughly 10/15 miles per day,

Her parents live 30 miles away so would occasionally go there but as long as it could do near on 100 mile we would be ok

If she only does a small mileage then a petrol Mini makes far more sense both in terms of cost and CO2 emissions surely?

https://www.volvocars.com/images/v/-/media/market-...

[gangzoom]

Mother in law has had one for a while, level 2 spec. She likes much more than her old Leaf or Zoe. It looks like her old petrol Mini and that's a very good thing in her mind.

However she refuses to use it for any journey beyond 30 miles, but then again She still doesn't believe we can drive from Leicester to Cardiff none stop in our EV, 5 years now and every time we trun up at the door she still assumes we need to stop for a charge .

[wolly88]

My mrs has just got a level 2 and it’s perfect for the 10/15 miles a day she does, fun to drive too

[S600BSB]

I think there are better small EVs. I'd look at the Peugeot 208 / Vauxhall Astra.

[SWoll]

S600BSB said:

I think there are better small EVs. I'd look at the Peugeot 208 / Vauxhall Astra.

Define better? They're slower, not as fun to drive, not as nice inside etc. but have more range and are cheaper. Pick your priorities basically.

For me the obvious competitors for the Mini would be either an i3 or Honda E.

[Maracus]

SWoll said:

S600BSB said:

I think there are better small EVs. I'd look at the Peugeot 208 / Vauxhall Astra.

Define better? They're slower, not as fun to drive, not as nice inside etc. but have more range and are cheaper. Pick your priorities basically.

For me the obvious competitors for the Mini would be either an i3 or Honda E.

The only other small EVs that we looked at when my wife replaced her MINI Cooper S were an i3S and a Honda E!

[SWoll]

Maracus said:

SWoll said:

S600BSB said:

I think there are better small EVs. I'd look at the Peugeot 208 / Vauxhall Astra.

Define better? They're slower, not as fun to drive, not as nice inside etc. but have more range and are cheaper. Pick your priorities basically.

For me the obvious competitors for the Mini would be either an i3 or Honda E.

The only other small EVs that we looked at when my wife replaced her MINI Cooper S were an i3S and a Honda E!

Yep, the more interesting small EV's. The i3S would be my pick as not only very funky and a definite future classic but also has 170-180 miles of range. Not to everyone's taste though.

[Maracus]

SWoll said:

Maracus said:

SWoll said:

S600BSB said:

I think there are better small EVs. I'd look at the Peugeot 208 / Vauxhall Astra.

Define better? They're slower, not as fun to drive, not as nice inside etc. but have more range and are cheaper. Pick your priorities basically.

For me the obvious competitors for the Mini would be either an i3 or Honda E.

The only other small EVs that we looked at when my wife replaced her MINI Cooper S were an i3S and a Honda E!

Yep, the more interesting small EV's. The i3S would be my pick as not only very funky and a definite future classic but also has 170-180 miles of range. Not to everyone's taste though.

I wanted her to get the i3S, but she doesn't like them. Range isn't an issue as it will never need to cover more than 50 miles a day.

[SWoll]

Maracus said:

SWoll said:

Maracus said:

SWoll said:

S600BSB said:

I think there are better small EVs. I'd look at the Peugeot 208 / Vauxhall Astra.

Define better? They're slower, not as fun to drive, not as nice inside etc. but have more range and are cheaper. Pick your priorities basically.

For me the obvious competitors for the Mini would be either an i3 or Honda E.

The only other small EVs that we looked at when my wife replaced her MINI Cooper S were an i3S and a Honda E!

Yep, the more interesting small EV's. The i3S would be my pick as not only very funky and a definite future classic but also has 170-180 miles of range. Not to everyone's taste though.

I wanted her to get the i3S, but she doesn't like them. Range isn't an issue as it will never need to cover more than 50 miles a day.

My wife wasn't convinced at first when we had our i3 back in 2019 but by the time we swapped to the Tesla she was hooked and misses it a lot more than the Model 3 which has also since departed.

Plan to downsize from the current eTron at some point soon to an i3S and spend the difference on something silly that's powered by dinosaur juice.

[theboss]

Bought a L3 mini recently for my wife as a first car and a joint runabout and its excellent, the fun factor overrides relative impracticalities and its also efficient and fast to recharge. Interestingly my new next door neighbour also has one and gave it the same appraisal. I don't see how range is an issue for anyone going in eyes open as an Nth household car for local duties