Mini Cooper SE (EV)

Ionised

The brochure explains it better than I could...

http://www.bmwbrochures.co.uk/BMW_i_Wallbox_SP_Brochure_IRE/#p=1

Wynner05

Ionised wrote: »

Has anyone ordered one of these yet?

I wandered into a Mini dealer last week to talk about a petrol Cooper S (I had been looking at BEV but nothing appealed to me in the current lineup). Once specced up the price was pretty mindbending (circa 47k). I mentioned I had looked at the Cooper SE and was surprised it was available to order and could be delivered before my Cupra needs to be gone. Once we did the maths a same spec Cooper SE gets delivered for 37k. Unlike the petrol version it just comes in three trim levels with no choice of options. I went with the top spec as I do like my toys and the seats are pretty class. FYI, ordered it in Moonwalk Grey, black roof, with more traditional black multi-spoke wheels rather than the hideous 'three pin plug' wheels. Also had the yellow mirrors and yellow grill bar removed.

Long story short, went in for a petrol Cooper S, came out having ordered a Cooper SE. Speculative delivery date July 1st but could be earlier.

It must be said I had a 'moment' driving home when I came to the realisation that I am currently driving my last ever petrol car having spent the last 35 years enjoying them. Looking forward to the new adventure and having to change up my habits a bit.

Also got some information on the BMW group home charger which seems pretty advanced compared to some I looked at as alternatives so have an order in for that too.

Thoughts and opinions welcome.

I’m very intrigued by this, I’ve been looking at the Mini SE and I also have a Cupra for trade in.
Are you happy with the trade? I think if the deal looks right I might go down the same route as yourself.

Ionised

Wynner05 wrote:

I’m very intrigued by this, I’ve been looking at the Mini SE and I also have a Cupra for trade in. Are you happy with the trade? I think if the deal looks right I might go down the same route as yourself.

Got a pretty good trade, at least one I was happy with considering the condition and miles on mine. Top spec Mini I reckon is a fair deal with the 10k discount. Less so without it.

unkel

Ionised wrote: »

Top spec Mini I reckon is a fair deal with the 10k discount. Less so without it.

Most EVs even after the 10k discount are poor value for money. The MINI EV is one of the few exceptions!

Marcusm

How is the Mini such good value. I’m a new Mini fan (in my third Cooper S) but I would never have seen them as offering value for money new. Great to see that turned on its head.

unkel

Marcusm wrote: »

How is the Mini such good value. I’m a new Mini fan (in my third Cooper S) but I would never have seen them as offering value for money new. Great to see that turned on its head.

Funny you mention that. It was the same for the BMW i3. Always ridiculously overpriced - although it does have some very high quality components like a carbon fibre body - but they kept the price about the same or lowering it over the years, while increasing the range. The current model is down to €36k with a range of over 300km. That's a lot of premium EV for your money.

beauf

Marcusm wrote: »

How is the Mini such good value. I’m a new Mini fan (in my third Cooper S) but I would never have seen them as offering value for money new. Great to see that turned on its head.

Is it not a basically a part bin special? Existing Mini with parts from the i3. So cheaper in terms of R&D. I don't mean this negatively. Its looks great fun. But thats how its cheaper. Same thing with the SEAT Mii Electric.

Also its very small the back seats with short range. So its not for everyone. I'd love one, but the size in the back is too small for us.

Ionised

Most of the value in the EV Mini is the 10k government subsidy.
Reviews generally very positive despite range comments.
I'm looking forward to delivery, if a tad anxious leaving the comfort of petrol after all these years.

unkel

Ionised wrote: »

Most of the value in the EV Mini is the 10k government subsidy.

That's a funny way of saying it. I feel most EVs are poor value despite the 10k government subsidy. MINI EV is one of the few exceptions. As is the BMW i3 (€36k), the eGolf (just reduced again to about €28k) and the Tesla Model 3 Performance (61k). Pretty much all other EVs are overpriced for what they are imho

liamog

Apparently today (March 1st) is the day the embargo lifted for the Mini Cooper SE test drives at dealers.
I was lucky enough to have a short test drive on Saturday.

I'm sure somebody will get a longer test drive soon and give a more thorough review. The car I was driving was the Mini Cooper SE Level 2. The inside had a great fit and feel, typical Mini quality. The TFT floating binnacle was a really nice touch. The car felt very stable and planted, if you've driven an e-Golf I'd say it's very comparable. It has a rated range of 235km so I'm putting this in the bucket of approx 200km range cars.

I've been a fan of Mini's since childhood, I spent Sunday trying to figure out if I'd be happy buying one over the ID.3, the heart is saying buy the Mini, the head is saying get the ID.3. I appreciate I'm cross-shopping a 3 door supermini against a compact hatch, but I want the ID.3 for it's MEB tech rather than it's size.

The main downside I see for the Cooper SE is that I think within the next 2/3 years it will be replaced with a new model. The Cooper SE is based on the F56 Cooper S model which was launched in 2013. I suspect this is a stopgap measure until a dedicated electric Mini can be introduced. Mini have priced this model very aggressively and I think it will sell well in its current form. Apart from this, there were only 3 things I was disappointed with, 1. No ACC, 2. No Android Auto, 3. No coast mode.

Having lived with a 200km and a 100km range car for a couple of years now, I think anyone who purchases this will be extremely happy, it will be a great introduction to EV driving. Mini's generally hold their value quite well and given the price difference between this and current 2020 models, I think a replacement model won't cause too many depreciation issues.

MarkN

I was at the media launch of the car last week (did a short video on the levels/price/range if anyone is interested, didn't get to drive it but have it booked in for later in the year to do a full review) but was impressed at the price at 27k. Obviously level two is the sweet spot in terms of price / spec and that's just over 30. I think the range is possibly a bit low to convince sceptics but the four hour to 100% using even slower chargers is a big plus. A mere half a second slower to 60mph than a Cooper S too! :cool:

unkel

liamog wrote: »

I've been a fan of Mini's since childhood, I spent Sunday trying to figure out if I'd be happy buying one over the ID.3, the heart is saying buy the Mini, the head is saying get the ID.3.

Might be the last time you let the heart win for quite some time to come if you're starting a family in a few years time. Plenty of time for more sensible and practical cars then

KCross

liamog wrote: »

... but I want the ID.3 for it's MEB tech rather than it's size.

What tech are you expecting in MEB?
I dont think it has anything particularly innovative that other EV's dont already have... RWD?

Or are you just referring to the spec choice (ACC, Android auto etc) and not really MEB as such?

liamog

KCross wrote: »

What tech are you expecting in MEB?
I dont think it has anything particularly innovative that other EV's dont already have... RWD?

Or are you just referring to the spec choice (ACC, Android auto etc) and not really MEB as such?

Compared to the current Cooper SE it's miles ahead, the EV drivetrain and battery on the Mini is basically a BMW I3 94Ah from 2017. I think the packaging of the ID.3 takes the best of all the current affordable (i.e. sub Tesla Model 3) EV tech and puts it in a practical package. I can't help but compare the Mini with the e-208, if they'd managed to get similar battery size and charging ability in the same package, then I think my decision would have been leaning the other way.

celtic_oz

opportunity lost with such a small range IMO and others

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

Old diesel

Joe Achilles (I think) the youtuber - reckoned he was at 75 percent after 25 miles.

Based on that he estimated 100 miles real world.

Was 5 degrees and raining during his drive. Unfortunately that was on country roads.

unkel

The WLTP range of 234km is clearly not real world.

This site has it at 130km highway range (cold weather) as a worst case scenario. And combined cycle summer range of 210km. Both probably on the ball.

Linky

liamog

And for those who preferred Johnny, he's left Fully Charged.

unkel

Yeah, we haven't heard the last of that. Looks like he and the main video man split from the show back in January because they didn't like the direction the program was going in (more towards all things renewable and away from mainly cars?)

unkel

Jonny likes it

What I don't like is the Union Jack rear lights :eek: and the dash should light up a welcoming green, not red, when you drive the bollocks out of it in sport mode

I would buy this car in a heart beat, Liam. One of the few real good value EVs out there imho. And that list does not include any ID.3 cars...

KCross

unkel wrote: »

Yeah, we haven't heard the last of that. Looks like he and the main video man split from the show back in January because they didn't like the direction the program was going in (more towards all things renewable and away from mainly cars?)

I havent seen Jonny's explanation but Robert's explanation was that Jonny wanted to do more general car stuff (even pure ICE cars) and Robert didnt want anything being reviewed that didnt take a plug or have some renewable element to it.

That seemed like a reasonable editorial position for Robert to take imo (it is called Fully Charged after all!), but thats just one side of the story, so who knows.

liamog

When I was speaking to the dealer, he has a workaround for the Union Flag lights, he can fit replacements at cost price, and I'd get to keep the Union Flag ones.

Now that I've watched Johnny's review it's swinging me back the other way.
I guess what I really want is an Audi A1 E-Tron on the MEB platform

beauf

I thought the Brexit rear lights were a option, not standard?

Jonny a car guy, though hes a bit quirky. Roberts more of a tech/environmentalist. Two channels to watch now, everyone's a winner.

unkel

KCross wrote: »

Robert's explanation was that Jonny wanted to do more general car stuff (even pure ICE cars

More general (non EV) car stuff? As you say that wouldn't make much sense given the name and the spirit of the show. Also Jonny kept his own channel, he could do ICE reviews there separate from FCS

KCross

unkel wrote: »

More general (non EV) car stuff? As you say that wouldn't make much sense given the name and the spirit of the show.

Yes, non-EV stuff... but that's Robert's view of how it played out. I think Jonny disputes it.

unkel wrote: »

Also Jonny kept his own channel, he could do ICE reviews there separate from FCS

That's what I was thinking too. That would have been the best of both worlds.

FC needs someone with a car brain. Robert doesnt have it. Jonny was a nice fit. Water under the bridge now anyway by the looks of it.

beauf

KCross wrote: »

... I think Jonny disputes it.....

Where did you see that?

unkel

Nikki was hinting at a fight and "two sides of the story" so I'd say KCross is reading that right, wherever it came from.

KCross

beauf wrote: »

Where did you see that?

I didnt see it myself.... someone said on this forum in another thread that Jonny disputed it on twitter or facebook... cant remember which.


Sorry liamog for derailing your Mini vs ID.3 conundrum!

Mini-e sounds like a great car if you don't need the rear doors and about 200 km of range is sufficient for you needs. It's good to get one what looks like truly drivers' car offering in the group FWD or not. It does give an impression of a stopgap car alright and I bet the next offering will be a bespoke BEV platform.

The "Traveler" version would be sweet for extra luggage capacity but that's not even available anymore as an ICE version. The coutryman is bit of a tank in comparison.

adunis

Just drove one.
Absolutely no rear space whatsoever,unexpected but then I've never even sat in mini before.
Drives like a strangled i3,similar tide handling refinement
Not as "go kart" like.
BMW build quality and finish.
In short buy a couple of year old i3 it's got seats
And is just slightly more polished.

quokula

adunis wrote: »

Just drove one.
Absolutely no rear space whatsoever,unexpected but then I've never even sat in mini before.
Drives like a strangled i3,similar tide handling refinement
Not as "go kart" like.
BMW build quality and finish.
In short buy a couple of year old i3 it's got seats
And is just slightly more polished.

Yeah the rear space is kind of part of the deal with the Mini. My partner won't drive any other car though, we've had an ICE mini for years and will be replacing it with the SE.

What you lose in internal space you gain in ease of manoeuvring and parking around town with an extremely short car. Without kids, and with the ability to fold the back seats down if you've got bulky luggage, space has never been a problem.

If / when we need more rear space it'll probably be an upgrade to a Countryman.

liamog

Today was crunch day. I love my e-Up! but want to upgrade to a car where I can forget to charge it on a winters night without having to worry about the 2nd half of my commute. The e-Up! was originally purchased as an interim car until the Kona was available.

I've been a day 1 reservation holder on the ID.3, as I think it's going to be a great car whose range I'd be happy with for around 5/6 years. However, after last Saturday's Mini test drive, I started to really question why I wanted it. I'm a big fan of small darty cars, so I started to review what was available in the Supermini class.

Available this year, I put the list as

1. Renault Zoe
2. Peugeot e-208/Opel Corsa-e
3. VW e-Up!, SEAT Mii electric, Skoda CITIGO e-IV
4. Mini Cooper SE
5. Honda e

The VAG triplets aren't available here, I removed the Zoe from the list, as I didn't like it at the time I purchased the e-Up!. From the videos of the Honda e, it looks fun but is just a little bit too Japanese for my liking.
So that basically left me to decide between the e-208, the Mini Cooper SE, and keeping the ID.3 reservation.

Today I took the e-208 out for a test drive, well actually I took it out twice, the first garage had a local electricity issue so their car only had a low state of charge. I won't blame the garage, as I hadn't phoned ahead to book in.
I'd let the salesman know that I was comparing the e-208 and the Mini. He took us out on a nice varied route, I'd called out that I wanted to take it around some tight roundabouts and streets with speed bumps, as a lot of my city driving involves those types of roads. Honestly it very comfortable, but just didn't have the same peppiness as the Mini, to be honest, the acceleration felt muted between 0-40km, which is the one area my e-Up! shines in. I felt a bit of roll in the e-208 on the tight roundabouts.

We then drove back down to the Mini garage, the same guy that had been dealing with me on Saturday took me out for a longer drive. This time I asked him to take me around a few more twisty roads to give me a good feel for how planted the car is. The driving dynamics and the punchy speed of the Mini are way above the e-208. By the time we switched drivers to allow wifey to drive, I'd basically made up my mind.

For anybody considering the Mini versus the other superminis, I think the decision will come down to what you want out of a small car. None of these are motorway cruisers, but all come with enough range to make our charging network tolerable. The e-208 was a softer more comfortable ride, and will likely suit a lot of people. The extra range will help EV virgins but for me, the difference between 285km and 185km of estimated real-world range (ev-database.org) is basically a charge every 3rd day versus charge every 5th day, wifey still has her eyes set on the SEAT El-Born, so the need for a range monster has diminished.

Having just finished the Ioniq PCP, I'm happy to buy either car on a PCP deal. Comparing the e-208 GT Line, versus the Mini Cooper SE Level 2, the purchase price is approximately the same, but the GMFV is making a huge difference. I'm basically looking at an extra €130 a month to take the Peugeot. So today I've cancelled my ID.3 reservation and put down a deposit on the Mini, it's looking like a July delivery.

MarkN

Level 2 is deffo the sweet spot. HUD etc is nice but not worth the extra 5k especially when there’s no difference in output / range.

So you felt the Mini did actually handle very well?

liamog

I did yes, it felt well planted when throwing it around roundabouts and a chicane, I'm comparing it to other EVs so those people who are more used to premium drivers cars may feel it's a little looser, but compared to any of the current EV supermini's it handled much better. I've haven't test drove an I3 as it's looks are offputting to me, we should really get Mad_Lad to test drive one!

MarkN

I've driven an i3, wouldn't have said it was full of body roll but I would imagine the Mini is more planted alright.

KCross

liamog wrote: »

So that basically left me to decide between the e-208, the Mini Cooper SE, and keeping the ID.3 reservation.

I'll be making a similar enough decision myself in the second half of this year. Probably not the mini though.

Leaning towards ID.3 for the RWD and the larger space as the kids wont be getting smaller.... it'll be down to the price when both cars are spec'd to my liking!

liamog wrote: »

Today I took the e-208 out for a test drive, ...Honestly it very comfortable, but just didn't have the same peppiness as the Mini, to be honest, the acceleration felt muted between 0-40km, which is the one area my e-Up! shines in. I felt a bit of roll in the e-208 on the tight roundabouts...The driving dynamics and the punchy speed of the Mini are way above the e-208...

Was the e208 in sport mode? I think it needs to be.
The 0-100km/h times are very similar between Mini and e208.. Mini edges it by 0.6s, so not much in it, but maybe they have retarded the e208 at lower speeds to limit wheel spin?


A few things on the Mini... looking at mini.ie it looks like it is limited to 3.7kW AC charging or 11kW if on 3 phase? Did you check/confirm that? Would that matter to you?

And also limited to 50kW DC... that'll be a step down from the Ioniq. Does that matter to you? I guess your comparison is against the eUP, not the Ioniq?

Does the Mini have a more premium feel interior to the e208... I'd expect it does?

liamog wrote: »

So today I've cancelled my ID.3 reservation and put down a deposit on the Mini, it's looking like a July delivery.

Best of luck with it.

beauf

What's the difference in range between the mini and the eUp?

Unfortunately for me if I was choosing one I'd need one with more interior space. The more practical of these seems to be the Zoe but probably the least interesting.

As a second car without those concerns the mini seems to be hard deal to beat.

liamog

KCross wrote: »

Was the e208 in sport mode? I think it needs to be. The 0-100km/h times are very similar between Mini and e208.. Mini edges it by 0.6s, so not much in it, but maybe they have retarded the e208 at lower speeds to limit wheel spin?

Yes, the e-208 was in sports mode, it's not that it wasn't fast, it's just I didn't feel like it gave the same kick that came with the Mini, I suspect it's probably just a muted acceleration 0-30km to discourage slippage. The Mini is a more powerful car, it has a 135kW motor versus the 100kW on the e-208 and weighs about 100kg less.

KCross wrote: »

A few things on the Mini... looking at mini.ie it looks like it is limited to 3.7kW AC charging or 11kW if on 3 phase? Did you check/confirm that? Would that matter to you?

My understanding is that the Mini has the same 3 phase 16A charger as the I3 94Ah, it's capable of using 32A on a single phase. It could be that they are supplying a 3x16A cable. I'm not particularly fussed, I'll be keeping my 32A coiled cable and will just see what happens. So long as the car can get a decent charge in 8 hours we'll be OK. It's very rare that both cars need to charge in one night.

KCross wrote: »

And also limited to 50kW DC... that'll be a step down from the Ioniq. Does that matter to you? I guess your comparison is against the eUP, not the Ioniq?

You nailed it, the Mini is replacing my car, we'll be getting an El Born in 2021 which will have a better range and charging speed.

KCross wrote: »

Does the Mini have a more premium feel interior to the e208... I'd expect it does?

A very noticeable difference, the Mini felt much more premium inside.

If you need the space then I'd avoid the Mini, it's probably the perfect car for us DINKs, and would suit as the second car people will fight over when not taking the kids!

ainsyjnr

test drove this at the weekend and thought it was great fun. doesn't feel overweight due its battery so handled quite nicely. ride was a little hard but ok.

i am trying to find out if it has adaptive cruise control as the standard driver assistance pack has it, but in the mini electric marketing it refers to this pack but does not mention 'active ' cruise control. does anybody know?

i may go back at the weekend but there was nothing obvious on the steering wheel

Ionised

I have a level 3 on order. I asked about the ACC and was told it was not available on the Mini ev.

liamog

Yeah, I was given the same info, for whatever reason the Mini EV only comes with regular cruise control.

liamog

Bit of a mad video, Cooper S vs the Cooper SE around a go-kart track.

The SE was 1.75s faster

unkel

There you have it. Significantly faster round a track than the MINI Cooper S (turbo petrol). Even though it has less power, even less torque (!!!) and on paper has a slower 0-100km/h acceleration.

Typical for an EV. They are much faster than the figures on paper would suggest. The old comparisons should go onto the same scrap heap of history that the ICE cars themselves are going on to

liamog

TFL Car have been doing some testing of the Cooper SE vs a 2010 Cooper JCW
They seems to be having some decent fun with the Cooper SE.

unkel

For anyone not watching, the MINI SE (electric), though on paper quite a bit slower, is in fact quicker both in a sprint and round a track compared to a MINI John Cooper Works!

liamog

unkel wrote: »

For anyone not watching, the MINI SE (electric), though on paper quite a bit slower, is in fact quicker both in a sprint and round a track compared to a MINI John Cooper Works!

I'd say the Mini GP could probably take it, and I'm sure if you compared a 2020 John Cooper Works against the Cooper SE they'd probably be very similar. I just tried to spec one up, to get a similar level to Cooper SE Level 2 at €32,000 has a list price of around €45,000

Ionised

I just hope they can deliver mine before the end of August. There have been very few negative reviews that I have seen, range whinges excluded

liamog

I sent my dealer an email today, I just want to get an idea of how long extra we'll be waiting. The longer I wait the more likely I jump up to the L3 for the worlds most expensive sunroof!

Ionised

It's the Level 3 I'm waiting on. Trying to go easy with the front tyres on my Cupra as they are getting close to the wear limit. I'd prefer not to have to buy new tyres for a couple of months use.

liamog

I caved in and have upgraded my order to the level 3, the delays have put me in a better financial position.


I've ordered the British Racing Green with the Roulette spokes. I'm also going to put some white bonnet stripes on it. Dealer is currently indicating a September delivery.