Going green in a Mini Cooper F55 5-door
Discussion
During 2021, I bought our family a Skoda Fabia as an urban runabout. Combined with a garage, this allowed me to get something a little more specialised for myself and so it was joined shortly later by a one-off dark green Audi RS3, which I am continuing to cover in its own thread Going green in an RS3.
As you tell from the title, this thread is now about the Fabia’s replacement – a 5-door F55 series Mini. One that has a similar colourscheme to the RS3:
Why a Mini?
The Fabia proved that a small automatic was ideal for our needs, and we decided to replace the Skoda because the RS3 and our beloved van Bus Blue were already in the extended maintenance phase at 7 and over 10 years age respectively. Our kids’ activities and parents care needs mean that we are often heading in different directions. So, the list of requirements came to:
- compact dimensions (4m length, minimum width) and auto ‘box, for city living
- decent performance and LED headlights, for night-time and rural driving
- low maintenance needs / proven tech
- potential to be driven by our kids as the grow-up
- …oh, and, ideally, green paintwork
Even with the recent consolidation of the small car market and up-spec’ing to inflate prices, the above combination is quite rare in the B segment. The main rivals were a high spec Polo, Fabia, A1 or Mini. In this segment, an engine above 1.0 litres is becoming very rare and decent lights are often an expensive add-on. Green is rarer still.
Having originally made a factory order for a Polo in October 2022, I cancelled in January as continued supply disruption meant that the spec of the car couldn’t be committed to – and the potential delivery date moved too far into the future.
Spec
We’ve had two R56 Minis in the past – a green Cooper and a later Highclass Grey “Mini Yours” spec Cooper S. Both were great, trouble-free cars… but became too small as our kids grew. For that reason, I initially wrote-off the F55 model 5-door. But I took another look and, as is often the case with Mini, sense was overtaken by my wife and kids’ “want” for one.
In the end, I managed to find the following second facelift (“LCI 2”) car in stock:
Cooper “Exclusive” base specification
1.5 litre 3-cylinder 136 hp & 169 lb/ft, and Steptronic transmission with double clutch
British Racing Green IV, MINI Yours Leather Lounge Charcoal
Navigation package: MINI Emergency Call, MINI Teleservices, ConnectedDrive Services, Real Time Traffic Information, Remote Services, Apple CarPlay preparation, MINI Connected, MINI Navigation System
Comfort Plus package: Electric Folding Door Mirrors, Comfort Access, Rear-view Camera, Rear-view Mirror with Auto dimming, Front centre armrest, Storage Pack, Front Heated Seats, Automatic Air Conditioning, Parking Assistant, Parking Sensors Front & Rear
Other spec notes: 17" Tentacle Spoke alloys, Black with Goodyear Eagle F1s (instead of 18” with runflats), Roof and Mirror Caps in Black, MINI interior surfaces aluminium, Digital Cockpit
^^ With huge local kerb stones to content with, I'm hoping that these painted 17s will be a better bet than the standard polished 18s.
Buying notes
This was an in-stock showroom car at a dealer about 2 hours’ drive from me. While it was registered new at sale, it seems that the car had been on showroom display for about a year and this meant I got about as good a deal as you can in early 2023. This is what happens when one of your main criteria is green paint!
The upside being that it’s a very high spec for a non-S Cooper, and that the usual 3-year warranty etc still applies from registration date. 2-year service intervals seem long but reasonable given that it’ll be a low mileage car.
Compared to the very latest Minis this one additionally has a digital dash (not available below JCW models as of now), front parking sensors, rear camera and self-parking. Not to mention being physically available at a lower price, having smaller non-runflat wheels and being in a colour that we wanted.
First impressions
I drove the car home on 2 hours of country roads, incidentally, being close to the run that my wife is increasingly doing to visit her parents.
It’s a big step up on a Skoda Fabia. Spec-wise, I am quite taken aback at how much more you get for the same price as a VAG product.
The first sensations are of a familiar heft at the steering wheel, akin to more powerful cars and a memory from earlier Minis. It’s not what you expect of a small car, but it’s a one-off adjustment.
Inside, it feels a bit like an Edwardian / HG Wells vision of the future: all high-quality but borderline odd if you aren’t used to its various shapes, contours and steeply raked windscreen. Compared to what else is available at the price, I think it absolutely blows them out of the water with high-quality materials and switchgear. Visibility is good at the side and rear, though it has a high front end. The infotainment will take some time to adjust to, with functions accessible via either screen, infotainment wheel and some via steering wheel.
The 3-cylinder 1.5 engine feels quiet and tight, with decent performance (c.8s 0-60) being readily available with a distant but characterful warble. It’s has a stiff primary ride for a little car, though overall it handles actual bumps and imperfections better than some cars that have a softer initial capability.
Overall, it does leave me wondering slightly what’s the point of my RS3? – other than the noise, sense of occasion and 3 times the power... The performance of this Mini is more than adequate, and if it weren’t for the fact that we need two cars then I’d seriously consider just having this as a satisfyingly good daily.
The main downside is going to be the inevitable scuffs and marks from urban and family use, which is something I am just going to have to get my head around (and, again, my illogical need for a pristine car will be served by my garaged RS3).
Next…
The drive home left the car looking rather dirty and while I've done a first pass, it's going to need some better prep. Other jobs include fitting some custom clear film to protect the boot lip and door handle areas, plus a fitting a boot mat.
I’ll keep the thread updated.
As you tell from the title, this thread is now about the Fabia’s replacement – a 5-door F55 series Mini. One that has a similar colourscheme to the RS3:
Why a Mini?
The Fabia proved that a small automatic was ideal for our needs, and we decided to replace the Skoda because the RS3 and our beloved van Bus Blue were already in the extended maintenance phase at 7 and over 10 years age respectively. Our kids’ activities and parents care needs mean that we are often heading in different directions. So, the list of requirements came to:
- compact dimensions (4m length, minimum width) and auto ‘box, for city living
- decent performance and LED headlights, for night-time and rural driving
- low maintenance needs / proven tech
- potential to be driven by our kids as the grow-up
- …oh, and, ideally, green paintwork
Even with the recent consolidation of the small car market and up-spec’ing to inflate prices, the above combination is quite rare in the B segment. The main rivals were a high spec Polo, Fabia, A1 or Mini. In this segment, an engine above 1.0 litres is becoming very rare and decent lights are often an expensive add-on. Green is rarer still.
Having originally made a factory order for a Polo in October 2022, I cancelled in January as continued supply disruption meant that the spec of the car couldn’t be committed to – and the potential delivery date moved too far into the future.
Spec
We’ve had two R56 Minis in the past – a green Cooper and a later Highclass Grey “Mini Yours” spec Cooper S. Both were great, trouble-free cars… but became too small as our kids grew. For that reason, I initially wrote-off the F55 model 5-door. But I took another look and, as is often the case with Mini, sense was overtaken by my wife and kids’ “want” for one.
In the end, I managed to find the following second facelift (“LCI 2”) car in stock:
Cooper “Exclusive” base specification
1.5 litre 3-cylinder 136 hp & 169 lb/ft, and Steptronic transmission with double clutch
British Racing Green IV, MINI Yours Leather Lounge Charcoal
Navigation package: MINI Emergency Call, MINI Teleservices, ConnectedDrive Services, Real Time Traffic Information, Remote Services, Apple CarPlay preparation, MINI Connected, MINI Navigation System
Comfort Plus package: Electric Folding Door Mirrors, Comfort Access, Rear-view Camera, Rear-view Mirror with Auto dimming, Front centre armrest, Storage Pack, Front Heated Seats, Automatic Air Conditioning, Parking Assistant, Parking Sensors Front & Rear
Other spec notes: 17" Tentacle Spoke alloys, Black with Goodyear Eagle F1s (instead of 18” with runflats), Roof and Mirror Caps in Black, MINI interior surfaces aluminium, Digital Cockpit
^^ With huge local kerb stones to content with, I'm hoping that these painted 17s will be a better bet than the standard polished 18s.
Buying notes
This was an in-stock showroom car at a dealer about 2 hours’ drive from me. While it was registered new at sale, it seems that the car had been on showroom display for about a year and this meant I got about as good a deal as you can in early 2023. This is what happens when one of your main criteria is green paint!
The upside being that it’s a very high spec for a non-S Cooper, and that the usual 3-year warranty etc still applies from registration date. 2-year service intervals seem long but reasonable given that it’ll be a low mileage car.
Compared to the very latest Minis this one additionally has a digital dash (not available below JCW models as of now), front parking sensors, rear camera and self-parking. Not to mention being physically available at a lower price, having smaller non-runflat wheels and being in a colour that we wanted.
First impressions
I drove the car home on 2 hours of country roads, incidentally, being close to the run that my wife is increasingly doing to visit her parents.
It’s a big step up on a Skoda Fabia. Spec-wise, I am quite taken aback at how much more you get for the same price as a VAG product.
The first sensations are of a familiar heft at the steering wheel, akin to more powerful cars and a memory from earlier Minis. It’s not what you expect of a small car, but it’s a one-off adjustment.
Inside, it feels a bit like an Edwardian / HG Wells vision of the future: all high-quality but borderline odd if you aren’t used to its various shapes, contours and steeply raked windscreen. Compared to what else is available at the price, I think it absolutely blows them out of the water with high-quality materials and switchgear. Visibility is good at the side and rear, though it has a high front end. The infotainment will take some time to adjust to, with functions accessible via either screen, infotainment wheel and some via steering wheel.
The 3-cylinder 1.5 engine feels quiet and tight, with decent performance (c.8s 0-60) being readily available with a distant but characterful warble. It’s has a stiff primary ride for a little car, though overall it handles actual bumps and imperfections better than some cars that have a softer initial capability.
Overall, it does leave me wondering slightly what’s the point of my RS3? – other than the noise, sense of occasion and 3 times the power... The performance of this Mini is more than adequate, and if it weren’t for the fact that we need two cars then I’d seriously consider just having this as a satisfyingly good daily.
The main downside is going to be the inevitable scuffs and marks from urban and family use, which is something I am just going to have to get my head around (and, again, my illogical need for a pristine car will be served by my garaged RS3).
Next…
The drive home left the car looking rather dirty and while I've done a first pass, it's going to need some better prep. Other jobs include fitting some custom clear film to protect the boot lip and door handle areas, plus a fitting a boot mat.
I’ll keep the thread updated.
I recently bought my sister a facelift Cooper S, so the one previous to this.
It’s got the 2.0 engine, so approx. 200bhp, and that thing is a riot to drive.
Not as high spec as yours, but still came with led lights (refused to entertain any cars without them) and the pro nav.
No parking sensors, but the compact size, and that the back of the car is essentially the rear window makes it really easy to use.
Wished it had a few more toys, but the price was right, and most importantly, Apple CarPlay.
You’ll enjoy it, and like you said, the ride seems a bit firm initially, but handles bumps better than other things.
That chassis really is fantastic imo.
It’s got the 2.0 engine, so approx. 200bhp, and that thing is a riot to drive.
Not as high spec as yours, but still came with led lights (refused to entertain any cars without them) and the pro nav.
No parking sensors, but the compact size, and that the back of the car is essentially the rear window makes it really easy to use.
Wished it had a few more toys, but the price was right, and most importantly, Apple CarPlay.
You’ll enjoy it, and like you said, the ride seems a bit firm initially, but handles bumps better than other things.
That chassis really is fantastic imo.
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