Do not know much about the Minis (expect I was unimpressed when I tried the Cooper S) but I can tell you about the 1.5L Turbo in the i8, this thing has pep and you wouldn't believe such a small 3-pot engine can deliver so much, especialy in a lightweight car.

I am very impressed with what engineers accomplish nowadays with downsizing (and I am a die hard V8 fan) but only time will tell how long these low emission engine will last before needing replacement...

Nice colors and specs btw.

Enjoy. l=Oo\________/oO=l l:OolΞΞΞΞΞΞΞloO:l

Current
RANGE ROVER Vogue 4.4L SDV8 - 2013 - Indus Silver, on Almond.
RANGE ROVER Vogue 4.4L V8 - 2002 - ex-2003 G4 Challenge Event Vehicle, Stage 3: Australia
RANGE ROVER HSE 4.4L V8 - 2004 - one-of-one Overfinch
RANGE ROVER P38a 4.0L V8 - 1999 - ex-2000 TReK Event Vehicle: South Africa

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RANGE ROVER Vogue 4.4L TDV8 - 2012 - RANGE ROVER 3.6L TDV8 x3 - RANGE ROVER Td6 x1 - RANGE ROVER Classic 3.5L V8 x1

I bought a 3 door Cooper for my son to drive around in. I've driven it a few times. A very nice thing indeed. Lots of pep, goes round corners like a wombat on heat, feels solid and well-built. The infotainment system makes the Rangie (even the L405) look antediluvian.

Tempted to buy a convertible for the daughter except she rarely uses a car.

If that is the same engine as PSA use in their 1.6turbo petrol vehicles you might want to keep an eye on cam issues and keep in mind an extended warranty if you keep it past the warranty period

They are revvy little engines though so make quick darting about fun  FFRR MY06 facelift With TDV8 Alloys Zeros/ATR's
Mantec Sump Guard, Rigid Load liner, MY10 BT upgrade.

Don't think its the same engine as PSA use. Its the BMW B38 engine and as far as i know its only used in BMWs and minis  Paul

2014 Range Rover vogue se 4.4sdv8 Loire Blue
1992 Range Rover Vogue LSE 4.2 Ardennes green

The PSA engine was used in the R56 MCS whereas the engine in the newer F56 is entirely different.

We chose the 500s but the mini was on our list. Usually just SWMBO is in the car with the kids so it's big enough. Nice looking car the Mini though, 1.5 turbo sounds like a chirpy little blighter  Is this where I put the car details and a bit about myself ?........

Ahh cool, fingers crossed its a bit more reliable

They are great revvy engines but id still love an SC under the scoop instead of a turbo i think for such a lightweight fun car  FFRR MY06 facelift With TDV8 Alloys Zeros/ATR's
Mantec Sump Guard, Rigid Load liner, MY10 BT upgrade.

Ours is only the normal cooper. The new version of the cooper S has a 2.0 4cylinder turbo and 190bhp whereas our has a 1.5 3cylinder turbo with 136bhp

Yep unfortunately the old supercharged "S" had a shocking reputation for reliability  Paul

2014 Range Rover vogue se 4.4sdv8 Loire Blue
1992 Range Rover Vogue LSE 4.2 Ardennes green

SWMBO loves Minis. She's now on her third; started with the Cooper, then the Cooper S and has just changed to the JCW.

I think they're brilliant cars. We've never had any reliability issues. Performance is v good, and the driving feel is brilliant fun. I really enjoy driving it.

I was at Zurich airport, on Monday picking up the Focus that my PA had booked for me. It was not to the spec that we'd had ordered. A bit of nifty negotiation saw me upgraded to a Mini Cooper S convertible. Before the hottest September day on record.

So much win.

It was a nice thing. I had it top-down for every cm I drove.

It was auto (oddly with no paddles) but was really easy to drive as a sequential semi-manual.