R56 Mini JCW v RS Clio?
Discussion
Just wondering what you guys would go for if the choice was an R56 Mini JCW auto (with an N18 engine) or a Renault Clio RS. Both 2013, same miles(ish), obviously both autos. And why?
And, for those that would choose the Mini, would you change your mind if the Mini was ‘just’ a Cooper S, not a JCW?
And, for those that would choose the Mini, would you change your mind if the Mini was ‘just’ a Cooper S, not a JCW?
Edited by BUG4LIFE on Tuesday 19th March 09:07
Matt_Zeus said:
Flip a coin I think.
Reliability wise they'll both be similar.
The interior on the Mini will be a much nicer place to sit if its a daily car.
That's why I'd be looking for an N18 as it's apparently a safe place to put your money than the earlier N14. I haven't read about any major issues with the Clio engine/gearbox...I'm sure there is some though!Reliability wise they'll both be similar.
The interior on the Mini will be a much nicer place to sit if its a daily car.
Out of the two I'd have the Clio.
It's a generation on from the Mini so would feel more modern. I'd be concerned over the reliability of the mini Prince engine, even the N18. The Clio has the advantage of being more practical and also IMO still remains good looking even with 5 doors. It's rarer and more interesting too.
I did sit in that generation Clio a while back and thought the interior was nice, better than my Fiesta. It was never that well regarded compared to the Fiesta ST and Pug 208 Gti because of the auto box being the only option. But if its auto you need then why not?
What's your budget?
You may not be far off an F56 Cooper S.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024011355...
Some feel they're a bit lardy but I'd take an F56 over the Clio.
It's a generation on from the Mini so would feel more modern. I'd be concerned over the reliability of the mini Prince engine, even the N18. The Clio has the advantage of being more practical and also IMO still remains good looking even with 5 doors. It's rarer and more interesting too.
I did sit in that generation Clio a while back and thought the interior was nice, better than my Fiesta. It was never that well regarded compared to the Fiesta ST and Pug 208 Gti because of the auto box being the only option. But if its auto you need then why not?
What's your budget?
You may not be far off an F56 Cooper S.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024011355...
Some feel they're a bit lardy but I'd take an F56 over the Clio.
ChrisH72 said:
Out of the two I'd have the Clio.
It's a generation on from the Mini so would feel more modern. I'd be concerned over the reliability of the mini Prince engine, even the N18. The Clio has the advantage of being more practical and also IMO still remains good looking even with 5 doors. It's rarer and more interesting too.
I did sit in that generation Clio a while back and thought the interior was nice, better than my Fiesta. It was never that well regarded compared to the Fiesta ST and Pug 208 Gti because of the auto box being the only option. But if its auto you need then why not?
What's your budget?
You may not be far off an F56 Cooper S.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024011355...
Some feel they're a bit lardy but I'd take an F56 over the Clio.
Yeah, the Clio is more practical, which should be the clincher [as I do cart around my two young sons to school etc]. However, I've been using my Mum's 2001 Ford Puma the last few months and we've been coping just fine with two doors and a lack of space! I imagine an R56 Mini has a tiny bit more rear space than the Puma and if I buy an auto I can slide the drivers seat further forward for the short journey to and from school.It's a generation on from the Mini so would feel more modern. I'd be concerned over the reliability of the mini Prince engine, even the N18. The Clio has the advantage of being more practical and also IMO still remains good looking even with 5 doors. It's rarer and more interesting too.
I did sit in that generation Clio a while back and thought the interior was nice, better than my Fiesta. It was never that well regarded compared to the Fiesta ST and Pug 208 Gti because of the auto box being the only option. But if its auto you need then why not?
What's your budget?
You may not be far off an F56 Cooper S.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024011355...
Some feel they're a bit lardy but I'd take an F56 over the Clio.
My budget is a tiny bit less than that F56.
Good thing with these Clio's is they weren't particularly well received, so they are quite exclusive. However, I don't think they deserve the stick they got. Probably because it moved too far away from the previous fast Clio's. They actually look like a good used proposition, as getting a good one that hasn't been chavved up is relatively easy. There's not alot of info on them because they don't seem to have too many common issues. Gearboxes are made by Getrag and are strong and the engine is a Nissan unit. They respond well to tuning too, if that's your thing.
Sai said:
Clio RS in Liquid yellow 
There is a couple of liquid yellow examples for sale on one of the Facebook groups...one of them has definitely caught my eye, I'm going to drop the guy a message [fingers crossed for a sensible number of owners and a folder of invoices]!!I'm surprised all of you guys have gone for the Clio. Not a bad thing at all as I really like the idea of owning one. It certainly ticks a lot of boxes [coming from a Jaguar S-type R].
Just to mix it up, I've also spotted for sale...
- a number of Jap import BMW 130i's; practical, great engine but perhaps not the mpg I want.
- a Volvo V40 T5; the one I've spotted is also a Jap import, so super clean, low miles and the importer is highly regarded but is it too boring and sensible, especially being the 2.0 T5, not the 5-cylinder version? Also doesn't have paddles shifts, which is a minor thing but I used the j-gate on my Jag quite a bit so kind of like the idea of paddles.
- and, something a little different, an E91 [touring] BMW 335d; still pretty 'sporty', very practical, and a ton of performance but it would be a good number of years older than the other choices with more miles and of course, it's a diesel!. I don't really need an estate but I do love them, hence the interest!
All of the above are roughly the same price....the 335d is an 08 pre-LCI currently up for just under £9k [I think I couple offer less]. 81k miles so quite low. A couple of the 130i's I've found dip under £8k, so IMO good value for money, but I've given myself an mpg target which these slightly dip under.
At that price, I think the bit extra to get something like the Clio is worth it. Will be cheaper to run, will have more tech, reliable, better on fuel, tax, still good to drive and a nice daily. I have an E92 325i auto and, while the car itself is cheap, the bills can quickly stack up. I keep wondering myself is it worth piling money into a car that isn't worth that much or just selling and plumping up a bit more cash for something like a cheap MK7 Fiesta ST. An auto is a bit of a must for me these days though and the Clio is much more than I'd want to spend, otherwise it would be a pretty perfect car for me.
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