Mini Cooper OR BMW 525 Diesel ?

CoClare

Hello everybody !

A rather broad question for you all !
My husband is going to work in Cork and we live in Clare, so he is going to go up and down every day and we therfore need a second car since we are going different directions.

We are looking at the following but dont know what is the most reliable and fuel efficient, can someone help?

1. BMW 525 E60 Diesel Aut. Year 2003 or 2004.
2. Mini Cooper. Year 2003 or 2004.

Which one would you recommend, or do you have any other suggestions ???

Thanks :-)

mick.fr

Hum

You are asking to choose between a very small car and a large saloon.
How do you want us to choose for you? It is up to you to decide if you need a small or a big one.

Mini are not for men anyway. Not this kind at least if you ask me.

My 2 cents

Berty

Well a 525 is a much bigger engine than your AVERAGE Mini Cooper so the mini would get much better mileage if it was a diesel but its not.

The 525 will easily get better mileage and would be a nicer car for a bloke to drive unless your husband is a hairdresser.

Owen

The MINI Cooper will return around 34Mpg with real world driving, and is generally bulletproof - apart from the power steering pump which spontaneously dies for no apparent reason. Other than that, they're rock solid.

CoClare

Thanks for your feedback.

We are mostly concerned about the fuel efficiency and how reliable the two cars are, since he will be doing LOADS of miles.

We need to make sure that he gets from A to B every day, the looks of the car is third down the list since its going to be our second car.

Cionád

Why don't you get an Octavia TDI or something?

I can't see why you have such a narrow choice...

Mr Benevolent

See there's a balance here. Loads of miles = 525. Fuel efficiency = Mini. In reality the fuel efficiency difference will only be about 2 mpg based on PD's figures above, so you're better off going for the 525. Far more comfortable, stylish and masculine (if you care about that sort of thing).

Go for the 525, but if it's going to be an '03 I'd nearly say go for the older version (E39) as it's better looking and slightly more reliable.

Anan1

If I were going from Cork to Clare every day i'd want something big, comfortable and safe - i'd take the E60 every time. Didn't they only come out in late 04, though?

BnA

Who is going to be driving the second car. If it is your husband, for munching miles between Cork and Clare, then it is without a remote shadow of a doubt, the BMW.

If it is yourself, and you are not going to be doing too much miles, then, it doesn't make too much difference. It's just a matter of taste.

What I would reccomend is buy a good mile munching diesel mile muncher like a 02, 03ish Mondeo or Passat or something like that and drive it into the ground. There is no point in buying something too nice to put huge milage on it. Keep the other car then as the good car.

partyguinness

A rather strange choice. But it would have to be the 5 Series for me. I have a diesel 3 series (E46) and I drive 300 to 350 miles per week and the fuel efficency is fantastic.

Sqaull20

This will eat the miles and is fun to drive for a diesel.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Skoda/Fabia/VRS-TDi-/200927194462671/advert?channel=CARS

Against your mini:D

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Skoda/Fabia/VRS-TDi-/200927194462671/advert?channel=CARS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbsgaSmFILE

Wossack

CoClare wrote: »

Thanks for your feedback.

We are mostly concerned about the fuel efficiency and how reliable the two cars are, since he will be doing LOADS of miles.

We need to make sure that he gets from A to B every day, the looks of the car is third down the list since its going to be our second car.

tbh it sounds like the first on the list is the badge

Anan1

Wossack wrote: »

tbh it sounds like the first on the list is the badge

There are other reasons than the badge to prefer an E60 to a Fabia, particularly on long runs.

yellow012

CoClare wrote: »

Thanks for your feedback.

We are mostly concerned about the fuel efficiency and how reliable the two cars are, since he will be doing LOADS of miles.

We need to make sure that he gets from A to B every day, the looks of the car is third down the list since its going to be our second car.

To be honest if your husband is going to be commuting between Cork and Clare everyday then comfort and safety will become his top priorities. Fuel economy will be down the list.
I had to use a '08 mk2 Skoda Fabia 1.4 for 3 months commuting between Athy and Dublin every day a round trip of 150km and I hated every minute driving it. Sure it was economical but small cars (like the Mini) are primarily suited for city driving.

If it was my choice I'd go the Beemer route or look at a diesel Mondeo/Octavia/Suberb/Passat/Avensis.

Zonda999

Odd choice indeed, the 525d by a country mile though. A mini would be very uncomfortable over that many miles, much of them over boring main roads and dual carriageways at which you'll be cruising at 100kph.

I'd also second the opinion that a mini cooper is not a mans car, a cooper s works, maybe but definitely not a normal cooper.

Anan1

Zonda999 wrote: »

I'd also second the opinion that a mini cooper is not a mans car, a cooper s works, maybe but definitely not a normal cooper.

A bit OT, but only a very insecure man would be swayed by that particular argument.

I think we're all agreed that the E60 is the better choice, though.

Zonda999

Anan1 wrote: »

A bit OT, but only a very insecure man would be swayed by that particular argument.

I think we're all agreed that the E60 is the better choice, though.

Fair enough, just have'nt seen too many men driving the cheaper mini's(The ONE and cooper)

An E60 525d would, by all accounts, be a nice car for a long daily commute

iwanagofast

Drive both of them and see what you prefer. What do you want from the drive of the car. If its comfort then go for the BMW if its a fun drive and value retention then take the MINI. Both are good/safe cars. If either of them have run flat tyre then ditch them asap.

I think the BMW would be the better buy for a lot of miles though I recently did Galway to Silverstone in my Cooper S, though I have the JCW recaro seats in mine.

On another note saying that a mini is not a mans car is a bit OTT. Most cars can't keep up with me on a twisty (Including a RS4) or straight road. I am not a hair dresser but I am a rugby player who moves oil rigs for a living. I got into the new one through the classic mini scene and I know loads men how drive coopers/ones.

Owen

iwanagofast wrote: »

On another note saying that a mini is not a mans car is a bit OTT. Most cars can't keep up with me on a twisty (Including a RS4) or straight road. I am not a hair dresser but I am a rugby player who moves oil rigs for a living. I got into the new one through the classic mini scene and I know loads men how drive coopers/ones.

Totally agree Rob. The MINI is a drivers car, pure and simple. In every single country except backwards old Ireland, the MINI is driven primarily by men. In the states, the MINI modding scene is huge, but for some reason people here think small hatch - must be a girls machine.

I challenge anyone to take a spin in my works and tell me it's a girl's car.

[EDIT] Sorry for going off topic. To the OP, the only way to decide for certain is to drive both. Also calculate the space requirements you will need. If the car will have only one driver, and needs storage space, you can buy a rear seat delete kit for the MINI for about 100 Euro which turns it into a very practical 2 seat van. Weigh up all your options, and take it from there.

NewApproach

HMMMMM......



Id go for the 525, much more comfortable for commuting

VolvoMan

Anan1 wrote: »

Didn't they only come out in late 04, though?

They came out in late '03.

colm_mcm

surely something in the middle, like a 320d would be good?

galwaytt

CoClare wrote: »

Hello everybody !

A rather broad question for you all !
My husband is going to work in Cork and we live in Clare, so he is going to go up and down every day and we therfore need a second car since we are going different directions.

We are looking at the following but dont know what is the most reliable and fuel efficient, can someone help?

1. BMW 525 E60 Diesel Aut. Year 2003 or 2004.
2. Mini Cooper. Year 2003 or 2004.

Which one would you recommend, or do you have any other suggestions ???

Thanks :-)

CoClare - don't forget tax and insurance - on a car that age - big difference on the tax front.

cpoh1

Regarding reliability, the mini isint as bullitproof as people make out, its almost italian like in its mechanical flaws. Gearbox before 05 is a major problem, my sisters power steering pump had been replaced twice under before she bought. It had its thermostat, thermostat housing and coolant resevoir replaced under warranty too. Have a look on any mini forum and you'll realise how often they are off the road for work.

In saying that its only a fool would say the mini is a girls car, even the basic 1.6 cooper is a hoot to drive. I had a little play in my dc5 with a mate in a jcw and he wasn't too far off the pace either.

Owen

cpoh1 wrote: »

Regarding reliability, the mini isint as bullitproof as people make out, its almost italian like in its mechanical flaws. Gearbox before 05 is a major problem, my sisters power steering pump had been replaced twice under before she bought. It had its thermostat, thermostat housing and coolant resevoir replaced under warranty too. Have a look on any mini forum and you'll realise how often they are off the road for work.

That's surprising. I run a MINI forum, and there's hardly ever any mechanical complaints. And I sold them for over 7 years and they were a joy to sell - you'd rarely get complaints back.

The pre 04 facelift gearbox was by Midlands, and the only fault we had with them was the crunch into reverse. It sounds like your sister's was a bit of a lemon, but the majority of MINIs are hassle free motoring.

cpoh1

PaintDoctor wrote: »

That's surprising. I run a MINI forum, and there's hardly ever any mechanical complaints. And I sold them for over 7 years and they were a joy to sell - you'd rarely get complaints back.

The pre 04 facelift gearbox was by Midlands, and the only fault we had with them was the crunch into reverse. It sounds like your sister's was a bit of a lemon, but the majority of MINIs are hassle free motoring.

Lemon? Not at all, the power steering pump went after 3 months and again at 18 months. Thermostat and housing were replaced under warranty after 12 months. For a practically brand new car that is shocking! Gearbox is fine as its a post 04 model. After plenty of research it appears these are all practically gauranteed failures on minis. BMW uk will pay for the cost of the pump on any mini failure regardless of year/mileage in acknowledgement of the design flaw.

Check out www.mini2.com and have a good root around, there are some serious threads with owners unhappy with the minis reliability.

Id still take it over the 5 series though for driving pleasure alone.

Henry Ford III

If you want diesel economy why go for an automatic?

p.s. I reckon a 320d might be ideal for your hubby

CoClare

Hi Folks,

Thanks very much for your feedback ! Its good to get so many different opinions.

Beside the BMW 525 D. Aut. Sport, the Mini, we are also now looking at Mercedes E220 CDI ( New Shape ).

Any advice on the mercedes E220 CDI ???
Heard they can go on forever.

Bring it on :rolleyes:

galwaytt

CoClare wrote: »

Beside the BMW 525 D. Aut. Sport, the Mini, we are also now looking at Mercedes E220 CDI ( New Shape ).

Any advice on the mercedes E220 CDI ???
Heard they can go on forever.

Bring it on :rolleyes:

We bought a diesel estate in Mar 08. On the list, and in top spot, was an 04 E220Cdi. Drove, loved it. Got an opinion from a Merc mechanic on it (W211), and he told me not to touch it with a barge pole, for two reasons:

1. Gearbox issues (auto only, btw). The oil cooler for the transmission is in the same housing as the radiator. It can happen - that's a 'can' btw, not a 'will' - the rad can leak, or split, and you get coolant transferred into the oilcooler (in the same housing, remember...)..and therefore, coolant gets pumped through the gearbox :eek: Not good !. Gearbox failure the result, and a 6k+ bill to fix, as well. :eek: :eek: He'd changed 6 gearboxes on them over that issue. The model is anywhere from 02-06 W211.

2. Some have had electric brake-assist probs, and other elec niggles.


When I heard of 1, I walked away. Pity - I loved the car.........

Henry Ford III 'If you want diesel economy why go for an automatic? '

Not such a big penaly on auto's these days. In the context of the nicer car, 1 or 2mpg would be worth the auto.

JHMEG

Everyone is bringing up the potential for trouble with the cars mentioned.

If reliability is the priority then the makes mentioned should not be at the top of the list for consideration.

The Top Gear 2005 owner satisfaction survey is here.

In terms of owner satisfaction:

Mini is ranked 25th (Reliability score is only 3 out of 5)
BMW 5-Series (June '03 on) is ranked 49th
E-class is ranked 139th.

Note this is an owner survey, and while a huge number of people were polled, it is still a survey and subject to flaws. Nonetheless it is indicative.

ninty9er

If not the Beemer, one of these would be worth looking at.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volvo/S60/D5-AUTO/200926194439718/advert?channel=CARS