James L

Really having a hard time on which one to get.

The mini has been extra tuned to 250bhp and the r26 will be as it comes.

Just sold my S2 111s Type 25 and need a fun replacement

views please.


my short list:
nissan 350Z GT
silvia s15 R spec
E46 m3
Gtr R33 V-spec

Terminator X

iTrader: (7)

Why no Mini or Megane on your short list

TX.

James L

because they are on my very short list

ScoobaSteve

iTrader: (2)

http://www.mini2.com/forum/2nd-gen-faults-fixes/

Just to give you an idea of the problems the new gen mini has

SPEN555

Does what it says in your location below your username tell you what to get

F1 CJE UK

iTrader: (8)

James L

Had an impreza for about three years. Spend £££ on it.

SPEN555

Well do it again, otherwise why are you still posting on this BBS???

Go on, you know you want to really

James L

now lets not get into a debate about none scooby owners posting.....
I know there are lots who have sold there scoobs and still continue to use the bbs.

Monkeybone

The megane can be had for 15k pre reg from buymynewcar.co.uk, so if money is a factor then it'll work out a lot cheaper than the Mini.

Depends if the cash difference matters or not

scooby_300

megane 225 inferno red
















my mum is selling her 54 plate megane 225

MY93WRX

But the new megane is one of the ugliest cars on the planet. The previous megane coupe's were lovely (owned one) but i still hink Renault lost the plot with the monstrosety they produc now. If you get the BMW Mini you will have no trouble selling it when you decide to ge another scooby .

silverspeed

just think french... no money when you come to sell it..and and and, think french reliability.!!!! I'd try celica 205 gt4... loads of change to.!

terryb

The R26 is currently the best hot hatch money can buy and one of the best of all time. I'm sure it could be tuned up in the future too. Also there are too many Mini's around and it's hard to tell a full blown one from a standard one.

If it were my money I'd go with the R26 - mind you a Clio 197 would be a good bet too

Have you tried the new Fiat Panda 100HP - you'll be very surprised - give it a go - lot of fun for £9k new OTR

Snazy

The current R56 mini cooper S is a great starting point.
Away with the old supercharger and in with a potent turbo, its the far better drive than the old mini for sure, having driven both hard. Much nicer to get on with too.

Interior build is nice and solid, good standard spec with a multitude of great options, and power upgrades

Megane or Mini, mini for me any day.

jaydut

mini will hold its value better than a renault

Snazy

The standard current Cooper S is £15,995 so really not that much in it at all NOT p-re registered either, so not been sitting about for months.

James L

only looking to spend £16K on a hatch.

the mini is £250 bhp had lots done and it looks good with the ac shnitzer body kit. The megane on the other hand is at a high discount. At £15000 plus £360 for black paint and £500 for xenon lights.

Will give the mini a test drive tomorrow. If it does not live up to my expectations then I know a place that has a R26 to test out.

If them two are not that good... then a r33 gtr v-spec ii should do the job

Snazy

For 16k you can have a late charged one, with power upgraded up to 210 already, or buy a boggo standard R56 mini turbo.

For ultimate drive and fun, its got to be the mini.

You can pick up a Cooper S on a 53 and above for about 12, and then you have 3k change to make it YOURS !!



And added stopping power...


As for the Schnitzer kit.... on a Mini. Got any pics. The JCW kit looks angry as hell

SKYMAN

I have just ordered a brand new, unregistered Ultra Blue R26 with Xenons and spare wheel from a UK main dealer. It is due for delivery in early June; price agreed is £15,500 compared with list price of £20,450. This discount certainly helps to offset the initial depreciation. Great car - head and shoulder above the Mini (I have had two) and for sheer fun compares well with my Lotus Exige S. By far the best of the current crop of hot hatches.

BUG4LIFE

Let me know if you go for the GTR James L [though I don't think you can get a V-SpecII R33, they only came in standard and V-Spec - and a number of special editions like the LM], because if I haven't got £24k[ish] to spend on a second hand Litchfield Type-25 this time next year, I may look to get an R33 GTR for about £15k? I'd like to know where you get it from etc [I'd like a UK R33, though there were only 100 sold back in 97/98], though reckon you should stretch to an R34 - I love those cars sooooo much!

Have you tried a 350Z? They wicked cars to bud.

The Trooper 1815

iTrader: (31)

Isn't the new Mini's Turbo and engine hiding some French DNA????

Snazy

Yup the engine is shared development between BMW Mini and Pug.
The Mini coming apparently with a twin scroll turbo, and I believ delivering a little more punch than the Pug

silverspeed

peugeot have never had problems with engines... just everything electrical.! didn't the french cars fair well in the top gear customer satisfaction servey.?

paul2070

Definately the Renault if you can get a good discount on it.

It's had 3 or so years constant development by Renault,and with every new incarnation,it get's better and better,culminating in the new R26 which everyone that has tested it has said what a great car it is,whereas the new Mini has not had this.

Also,don't forget,that a £15,995 Cooper S is in a spec you and everyone else would not want,so by the time it has a few decent options plus the TLC pack added,it will be far removed from that start price.

The only possible drawback with the Renault,if you're that way inclined is that it can be quite difficult getting anymore power out of it.I beleive there is only one company (RS Tuning)that has succesfully developed a remap,and even with this,an exhaust,air filter and front mount intercooler it is still only doing about 290bhp(Megane 225 Trophy base car),so "only" 60'ish bhp for £2000.

SKYMAN

Well said. For £15,500 the R26 is a no brainer. Mine comes in early June.

James L

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I have taken the plunge and fell in love with this cooper s.
Very similar to this one:

2003 AC Schnitzer Mini Cooper S - Front Angle - Park - 1280x960 Wallpaper

251 bhp. Handles like its on rails with a continuous surge of power upto the redline 7500rpm. Feels like a cross between the elise and a impreza. Addictive go-kart handling with lots of grunt throught the entire rev range.

I'm just counting the smiles per hour.

paul2070

Watch the economy though mate.......................i had a standard Cooper S last year and that would not top 22mpg no matter how you drove it,so i only kept it 3 weeks(and bought an E46 M3,but thats another story ).

James L

I know what you mean about the mpg. The computer says it can do 400 miles on a full tank at a constant 80 ish. It is a different story in the city. I think I will only get around 20mpg at best.

The thing is, that supercharger noise is so addictive. Sound like a cross between a screaming cat and a eclectric milk float