Comments on: 2009 Mini Diesel – First Steer

By: Colin

Colin — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 08:17:31 +0000

An added word about the automatic. Amit, the 3.9 litres per 100km for the manual is achieved with the unique but possibly annoying engine cut-out feature. The marginal difference for the auto doesn’t deter me at all.It remains a highly economic vehicle. Can’t wait for mine to arrive.

By: Sue | Used Cars

Sue | Used Cars — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 07:34:05 +0000

This has become a very popular little car it unbelievable that this car has been around for 50 years, the only thing that I don’t like about this car is the dial that is in the middle of the dash board, but I suppose one does get used to it eventually.

By: Cupid Stunt

Cupid Stunt — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 13:31:09 +0000

Hear Hear Will – Reckless is waffling sh1t again. I’ve driven many deisels for 21 years now never had ANY diesel related problems….apart from missfuelling!!

The Mini D is much better now BMW have dropped the hopeless Toyota diesel they once used. Twas gutless rubbish. The 1.6PSA engine is a bute, not the fastest but a nice drive. (Drove a 1.6HDI 308 two weeks ago)

By: will

will — Sun, 24 May 2009 03:31:55 +0000

Reckless1, I have been operating diesels for 40 years, currently own 1 truck 2 utes, 3 tractors and a harvester, and never had any troubles with a DPF, or a growth of algae. Do what CAT say on their fuel caps, “buy clean fuel and keep it clean”

By: D

Wed, 20 May 2009 23:15:26 +0000

Realcars,
You can’t get the supercharged engine anymore. It’s now a twin-scroll 1.6L petrol turbocharged engine, shared with the Peugeot 207 and 308. It was introduced in 2006.

This 1.6L Mini D diesel is also shared with the Peugeot 207 and 308 (although Peugeot won’t have the stop-start function in production until 2011 even though they launched it in 2004).

By: Neo Utopia

Neo Utopia — Wed, 20 May 2009 22:33:42 +0000

Very nice, Australia is finaly wanting small, highly efficient, modern diesel engine technology which Europe has been enjoying for the past few decases. So this car can acheive hybrid fuel economy without needing arguably unsustainable/expensive battery technology, a no brainer really.

If the majority of people in Australia and America began driving small cars like this instead of large (high embodied energy and resources) gas guslers a couple of decades ago then there would be more oil and slightly less climate change, duh.

By: Amit

Amit — Wed, 20 May 2009 10:42:57 +0000

Wow!!!
I love it. Interior of the car is really fantastic. It will be great fun while driving.

Alex – Thanks for your suggestion. I will be getting the manual Mini D.

By: Alex

Alex — Wed, 20 May 2009 09:27:25 +0000

Hate to rain on your parade Realcars but you can’t have black stripes with a white top, only white with white or black with black.

I’ve got one of these back home. Fantastic little car that I bought for the city basically because it’s got class leading economy. It’s also absolutely great fun to drive, as fun as the Cooper and almost as fun as the Cooper S. The highest MPG I have gotten out of it was when I was in the UK a few weeks back, on the motorway, I got 91 MPG. I think that’s the highest I’ve gotten anyway. To be fair, I was right behind a truck so the car had no air to push against but still, 91 MPG. Very happy with it and I keep taking it on long trips because although I have so many bigger cars to choose from, I keep wanting to beat my economy! It gets addictive but I actually drive carefully and economically because you would have no idea how good it feels to go over 80 MPG, let alone 90! I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this car to anybody. Just make sure you get a manual; I was going to get an automatic because I mainly wanted it for town but I think you lose about 20 MPG off the quoted economy if you get an automatic. Mini should really get it’s act together and bring us a double clutch gearbox.

By: Jo

Jo — Wed, 20 May 2009 08:27:17 +0000

I like it but it seems a little pricey for what it is…

By: realcars

realcars — Wed, 20 May 2009 08:19:56 +0000

I love these Minis would have to be one of the best retro knock offs of recent times. Agree Reckless I think I would prefer the pizzaz of the supercharged petrol engine.
Cooper red with white top,black stripes,classic.

By: Simon

Simon — Wed, 20 May 2009 03:15:44 +0000

NacaYoda, perhaps because of the automatic start-stop in city driving, higher demands are placed on the battery and starter motor. Rather than put bigger battery and/or alternator in, the regenerative brakes help provide the power.

By: NacaYoda

NacaYoda — Wed, 20 May 2009 02:37:47 +0000

How does the car utilise the regenerated power from braking? I’d estimate an overcharged battery would be common if all it was used for was accessories and starting the car.

Once your battery is 100% charged, is this power lost?

Otherwise, what a lovely little car. Pricey… but if you can afford it I’d imagine it will make you happy. Is there a 4-door version?

By: Jimbo

Jimbo — Wed, 20 May 2009 00:11:34 +0000

I have been critical of this car in the past but I must admit it does actually seem like a very fun alternative to a Prius.

Or I guess another way of putting it is: The Mini Cooper D is the “thinking mans poser car”.

If your not a poser I think a better idea would be buying any one of the other city car diesels either already on the market or soon to be. They will be almost as economical and vastly more practical and $10k cheaper.

That said though, as far as Mini’s go the diesel may end up being the most enjoyable on account of all that extra torque.

By: Reckless1

Reckless1 — Wed, 20 May 2009 00:06:50 +0000

Modern diesel cars rock – until you have to replace a DPF, or you get a growth of algae.

At that point you will have completely blown away all your savings from the diesel’s meagher thirst for fuel.

By: Jazrod

Jazrod — Tue, 19 May 2009 23:48:08 +0000

LOVE IT! love it in that creamy white too, and that interior looks awesome!

diesel cars rock! =]

By: Simon

Simon — Tue, 19 May 2009 22:41:09 +0000

The fact this car offers so much for so little will mean it should sell well. The plus side is there should be a lot more of them to choose from when they go for resale!