aye, who wants a FAKE mini anyway, proper mini's all the way

It was more to highlight that diesel is just as good as petrol.

So they put a 1.6 NA engined car up against a totally different make of car with a 1.9TDi?

Surely if they were trying to compare the two they should've gone for the same displacement and turbocharging and in two cars that were at least the same make and model?!

Rob.

Personally, I think Clarkson just wanted to wind up a few more Mini Cooper owners

Chris

don't we all ,

the reall test would be to take a Fabia vRS down the M1 with a camera in it and see how many suit wearing plonkers you can out run

I agree with Scooby Chris. I think Clarkson is pointing out that the new MINI is all about image and being cool. The average MINI driver is the self same who rubbish any Skoda. The comments I got when I swapped my wife's Integra R for vRS Fab - disgusting car and awful thing were the most frequent from the female posers.

Having owned 2 deeply disappointing MINI Cooper S's before my exceptional Fabia vRS, I have to say that I have been equally disturbed by fellow MINI owners views of my decision to move away from MINI once and for all.

For example, MINI2.com's http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56099 thread that I set-up. Take a look. They seem to think that any other car than a MINI is "wrong", with only the MINI being the "right" choice.

I can honestly say that I never had this sort of distorted view of the motoring world and what makes it tick. Owners of them really do seem to be developing a self-centered, egotistical (dare I say BWM), whollier-than-thou atitude to other cars. Which I think is awful.

That's my 2p's worth...

They seem to think that any other car than a MINI is "wrong"' date=' with only the MINI being the "right" choice.

[/quote']

Think it probably happens on most motoring forums though!

Rob.

Wayne, just been reading some of the comments in there! Defensive lot arn't they! Don't even like the RX8 ! I've been in one,and would have one if I could jump the que,and didn't have a family! Oh and 20k would be a slight obstacle too.

Really don't like that imitation of a proper little car anymore thanks.

Can't believe some of the comments on that thread. This is a Mini forum so go away. Thats nice. Some of the comments about Mini being better than others seem a little paranoid. Or is it just me? The Mini has a huge number of engineering faults that EVO recently documented due to its shape. The clam shell bonnet needs extra engineering to stop vibrations and the rimless windows require an extra motor adding cost and weight.

A mate owns a cooper which is a nice car. Car does seem a little plasticly inside, and the central speedo annoys him. Run Flat tyres aren't good either, but that can be changed. The car is great handling wise round corners, but the car seems to get upset a little more on bumps than the Fabia. I suspect it was set up that way and is very pointy. My Fabia can also beat it in a straight line.

The forums motto is "Fuel for your Mini obsession". Judging by some comments 'Obsession definatly'!

mini's are ok, still prefer the skoda but its mini owners that I really hate

The forums motto is "Fuel for your Mini obsession".

And I guess that fuel is definitely not diesel

Chris

mini's are ok, still prefer the skoda but its mini owners that I really hate

I don't hate them...bar one but feel a bit sad that they are so venomously protective and blinkered :(

One point nobody has mentioned yet is that it was a single lap. On a track over several laps the overworked (and inferior) brakes and suspension (and eventually tyres) of the heavier fabia would go off and over the subsequent laps the mini would win! Out in the real world where bends cant be 'door handled' as often, the mini would struggle to keep sight of the fabia. Where do we do most of our driving?

One point nobody has mentioned yet is that it was a single lap. On a track over several laps the overworked (and inferior) brakes and suspension (and eventually tyres) of the heavier fabia would go off and over the subsequent laps the mini would win!

Depends how many laps were done as the Mini would need refuelling long before the Fabia

Chris

True, wonder how many tyres per gallon the fab does on track though??

True, wonder how many tyres per gallon the fab does on track though??

Well so far my furby's done over 7K since march. This includes 1 track day and 1 handling day. Still got plenty of tread left. The tyre walls are looking like they've seen better days. Just goes to show how hard the compound of the Michelins are.

Mines 2 weeks old and has Conti Sportcontact 2s are they an improvement then? It also has 'only' 33mph /1000rpm in 6th, thought it was supposed to be nearer 40 like the beezer...

Mines 2 weeks old and has Conti Sportcontact 2s are they an improvement then? It also has 'only' 33mph /1000rpm in 6th, thought it was supposed to be nearer 40 like the beezer...

Looks like all the new vRS are fitted with Conti Sportcontact 2s. Not a bad tyre. Much better then the michelins :thumbdwn:. Their is a rumour that the new vRS are also fitted with a different gearbox. Don't know if this is true. From what I remember mind does about 37mph/1000rpm in 6th.

...Run Flat tyres aren't good either, but that can be changed...

They cost a fortune (

How many other MINI deserters are on here? I gave up on mine when BMW couldn't make it run properly. 3 attempts, and it still wouldn't pull from 20mph in 2nd gear when cold. Oh, and 30mpg from a modern car (normal Cooper) that can't pull the skin of a rice pudding is not acceptable. Neither is dumping all the power steering fluid over my drive, or a front seat that squeaks like a whore's bed, or a boot that is sometimes reluctant to shut... Build quality? Mr 4rse!

As for the handling (mine had 17" alloys & sports+ suspension) - fine on a smooth road, lousy on anything with bumps. There are roads near me where my wifes old 1.0 micra was quicker - at much over 60, the MINI feels as though its about to go through the hedge. Not clever! Think I may post this on MINI2, and get flamed again!

Most of the people on MINI2 are very agreeable - I went on 3 runs with them, and all seemed pleasant. Most are all to aware of the MINI's shortcomings; the rest either stick their heads in the sand, or are just trying to get a rise. The number of people on there who are on their 2nd or 3rd car due to problems is an eye opener!

As for the handling (mine had 17" alloys & sports+ suspension) - fine on a smooth road, lousy on anything with bumps. There are roads near me where my wifes old 1.0 micra was quicker - at much over 60, the MINI feels as though its about to go through the hedge. Not clever! Think I may post this on MINI2, and get flamed again!

So the furby might beat the mini on the road round bends too! IMO the only thing the mini has then is looks and that is fading as I now see one almost every time I venture on to the road.

Might? On some of my local roads, it would stuff it, unless the MINI driver was incredibly brave! There are a couple of unclassified roads that are great fun - the Micra would do them end-to-end at 70, the MINI got scary much over 60, and a 1.6 Focus I had while my MINI was being fixed easily touched 90 along the straights, completely immune to the surface underneath....

You've basically got to be made of money. And when you look at the pictures in that wrenny's gallery' date=' you begin to see why people who own these cars don't care... THEY'RE NEARLY ALWAYS LOADED!!!

[img']http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/wrenny/july_033.jpg[/img]

Oh well. I wish them all the best no matter

And what's wrong with being loaded?

And what's wrong with being loaded?

Thought that was obvious - you'll go and buy a Mini

Chris

Thought that was obvious - you'll go and by a Mini

Chris