Article Comments - 2008 BMW 128i vs. 2008 Mini Cooper S Clubman

19 messages, Last post on Nov 21, 2009 at 8:09 PM

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Comparison Test: 2008 BMW 128i vs. 2008 Mini Cooper S Clubman - Season the Mini with a few options and it costs about the same as the BMW 1 Series. Both are known for being fun to drive and both are designed to hold two people comfortably but can accommodate four if the need arises. (more)

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#3 of 19 Re: Article Comments - 2008 BMW 128i vs. 2008 Mini Cooper S Clubman [KarenS] by bpf Aug 12, 2008 (6:38 pm)
Replying to: KarenS (Aug 12, 2008 10:46 am) Very interesting comparison. Although I am not a professional auto journalist with access to handy dandy test measuring tools for that objective data, I can "one up" this article and speak to a Mini Clubman S I rented for a week in Florida compared to the 2007 Audi S4 I own. Compared to the Clubman S I drove that week, sure, the Audi is undeniably the faster better handling machine dynamically. It goes about it's business in a stoic Germanic demeanor, never breaking a sweat. It's almost boring to drive routinely day to day. To get any form of excitement you need to drive ridiculously fast to gain any sensory input. Consequently, the S4 feels almost souless. The Mini? Hands down the better driver SUBJECTIVELY. Is it perfect? Hell no, not even close. (torque steer, weak AC, crummy sounding upgraded radio option, weird operating turn signal, barn doors that restrict visibility etc etc.) But the car undeniably has a soul and personality that I would take any day over the S4 (and over a 128i). It's fun to drive at any speed and truly a driver's car with terrific build quality and materials - obvious a BMW...and phenomenal economy to boot. I "get" it........as only a true driving enthusiast would. A Mini is in a class by itself and to compare it to any other car just ain't right. So Edmunds, as much as I enjoy your web site and articles, I give this comparison test a BIG thumbs down, if an S4 can't beat a Mini's charms neither can a 128.....try again.
#4 of 19 by mpowerf1 Aug 13, 2008 (8:17 am)
This comparison really should have been very interesting but the execution was incredibly annoying. I really don't understand what the author was trying to say when comparing the "surge-filled" acceleration of the MINI to the "smooth" power of the BMW. In my book, smooth power may be nice in a Toyota but an engine that is so linear in its power delivery is boring and anti-climatic. While reading the whole thing, it is hard to think that this author was doing anything BUT present an unbiased review. You can sense the giddy enthusiasm to finally destroy the MINI legend. One thing you did report incorrectly on: the MINI does have the same iPod/USB connection that the 128i has as optional equipment. But enough of the nit-picking with this article, in my own experiences, the 128i was sedate, soft, and numb in comparison to the Cooper S. All the urgent responses in a MINI allow you to take advantage of the chassis in ways that the 128i doesn't even want to bother with. It's the difference between a softened 3er and a proper driver's car. Maybe you don't want a proper driver's car at which point the 128i may have some appeal. But after reading so many glowing reports in the new 1er and then being immensely disappointed after my own test drives, there is no way on this planet would a 128i end up in my garage over a MINI.
#5 of 19 by dtmh Aug 13, 2008 (8:42 am)
I love the Mini but why can't a US manufacturer build a vehicle as fun looking and driving as the Mini but with a smaller price tag. As far as the 128i, I would never even think of this vehicle if I was comparison shopping for the Mini. The 128i is extremely bland inside and out. I guess it's a little more fun to drive but the gas mileage is almost 8 mpg's less than the Mini. I have a feeling the 128i doesn't compete with very much..... except the bmw 328, especially factoring in the price tag. I , personally, would rather buy the 328, stripped to nothing but std. features, than the 128i fully loaded. But many people like all those bells and whistles and may decide to down to the 128i in order to afford all the bells and whistles.
#6 of 19 The choice for me is very simple by longhorn31 Aug 14, 2008 (9:28 am)
My daily driver is a 2003 330Ci, manual, sport package. I love it. I'm 55 YO and have owned many BMW's, starting with a 1979 528i that was a lot of fun. My wife and daughter drive Mini's (both Coopers with automatics) and I've spent many hours driving them. I have a 2009 Cooper S Clubman on order. Here's why: 1. Gas mileage. I have a long commute. 2. Back seat access and comfort. I want to be able to haul four people around without problems. The 330 and the 1 series just don't cut it... 3. Fun to drive. The 330Ci has two personalities. On my commute, I drive relatively sedately. On other occasions, I drive for fun. The 330 is so fast that it's hard to find those occasions (other than track days). The Mini is more fun to drive because there is more driver involvement...so I can have more fun on my commute - get my "fix". Also, the Mini takes me back to my Austin Healey and Triumph days..... 4. Hauling capacity. I haul my road and mountain bikes and other gear in my 330. The Mini will be just that much larger and handier. No complaint about the 330 though, and I assume the 1 series would be okay, but would be slightly smaller than the 330, so it would not work as well. 5. Ergonomics. The 330 has some problems here. The clutch: lonooooong throw (have an aftermarket pedal), clutch delay valve (removed), self adjusting so the engagement is very fuzzy. The accelerator pedal: my large foot hits the panel above, the pedal is way too sensitive - no back pressure, the mapping is just too uneven for me. The shifter: super notchy and very long throws (I have a short shift kit, but that made it even notchier). All of these things are manageable, particularly with my modifications, but they still are a barrier between the driver and the car and thus detract from the fun. I know that some of these issues have been fixed in recent years, but not all of them, so the 1 series probably has some problems. I've always wondered why very few reviews mention these issues. The Mini has some of the same faults, but not to the same degree for some reason. I agree with the concern about a domestic manufacturer not producing a car like the Mini.....but even if one of them did, it would have to be fantastic for me to switch. I really like the communities that have grown around BMW's and Mini's. I'm a long time BMWCCA member.
#7 of 19 Scoring Goof Fix by jjacquot Aug 14, 2008 (5:44 pm)
I regretably goofed in feature scoring on this test. As MpowerF1 says above, the Mini does offer an iPod specific connection as an option -- one which our test car didn't have. This option gives it one more point in in our feature scoring which isn't enough to change the overall result of the test. Josh Jacquot Senior road test editor
#8 of 19 test drove a clubman S today by edward78 Aug 16, 2008 (6:03 pm)
i wanted to drive a cooper s but the clubman was all they had... based on all the critical acclaim i was expecting more... i wasnt really impressed by the power... maybe it was because the ac was or maybe its the linear delivery of power... i just did not feel like the car was quick (and i have driven some slow cars as of late)... inside the components felt kind of cheap disappointing
#9 of 19 by bahollings Aug 18, 2008 (12:19 pm)
I test drove both vehicles and unlike the writer of this article, came to a different conclusion. I was leaning towards the BMW until driving them both. I purchased the Clubman S and couldn't be happier.
#10 of 19 Re: Article Comments - 2008 BMW 128i vs. 2008 Mini Cooper S Clubman [KarenS by ltq Aug 21, 2008 (8:22 am)
Replying to: KarenS (Aug 12, 2008 10:46 am) Generally well-done article. But once again, it's obvious that it's subjective on which car is "better", because there are so many factors that are weighted differently for each person. To me, great fun and so much power 28mpg for the Mini canNOT be matched by anything else on the market, and BMW1 doesn't come close. Rear seat room for adults is also a big factor for me, BMW1 loses again. But what it comes down to, is the old idea of a "sports car". A "sports car" does NOT need to be fast, and enormous fun can be had at low speeds - for example the old Fiat 124 Spyder (abominable by the objective numbers) was an incredible "sports car" for many. In this example, a drop top makes absolutely no sense by ANY numbers, losing on all categories except headroom. By the numbers just doesn't cut it. By this criterion, like the 3-series, the 1-series is fast & efficient, but NOT a "sports car"; but the Clubman is!!! The fact that it has acceptable mpg (soon, any car that isn't capable of around 30mpg will be a negative image and embarrassing to be seen in - what!!??! Pay that much $$ to be embarrassed in a Bimmer?), reasonably practical, and fun at LOW speeds makes it an easy winner in this comparison. Replies to this message: roadburner (Aug 21, 2008 4:22 pm)
#11 of 19 Re: Article Comments - 2008 BMW 128i vs. 2008 Mini Cooper S Clubman [KarenS [ltq] by roadburner Aug 21, 2008 (4:22 pm)
Replying to: ltq (Aug 21, 2008 8:22 am) (soon, any car that isn't capable of around 30mpg will be a negative image and embarrassing to be seen in - what!!??! Pay that much $$ to be embarrassed in a Bimmer?) Both of my current track rats(a 1995 3 Series and a 2007 Mazdaspeed 3) get reasonably good gas mileage, but I would never select a car based on whether it offends the sensibilities of the tree-hugging eco-weenies. As a matter of fact I'm currently looking at several cars that pack at least 330 bhp under their hoods. IIf I buy one I'm getting a vanity plate that reads "12 MPG" and a bumper sticker that reads "Hybrid Vehicle: Burns Gas AND Rubber"...
#12 of 19 Invalid Comparison by beemerhead Aug 22, 2008 (10:23 pm)
I actually have owned members of both models. I currently own a BMW 128Ci and I have owned three Mini's. I just sold a 2007 base Mini hardtop. The only way this comparison is valid is if you are deciding which to buy with your $30k+ money. Having owned three Mini's the Clubman is simply the model that makes the Mini more practical if you have more than two passengers and some gear. That also means you don't autocross your Clubman. You buy a regular S or JCW to do that. So doing extreme accelerations and comparing an I-6 with an I-4 is really invalid with such a gas miser as a Mini. Mini's and 1-series are bought for different feels and purposes. I bought my 128 convertible as a practical cross-country roadtrip car that handles well, gets good mileage and has the topless joys of a convertible. It would be inappropriate to compare the 128Ci to a loaded, ready for track 135. Different cars with different goals. If you buy a Mini, you are purposely buying a car with loads of personality which is reflected in the two tone exteriors, interiors, switches instead of knobs, mulitcolor interior lights, dish sized speedometer, etc. And even if they're a bit annoying, that's why you got it...to be distinct. It's a different car. In fact, it's the most cheerful car I've ever owned and I miss them to be honest. Having said that, I love my 128Ci and have a stellar review of it here on Edmunds. It is a wonderful car with a different purpose. In the end, this comparison is rather invalid. If you're interested in both, then you have to take a hard look at what you want the car to do and the very subjective but most satisfying aspects of the "feel" you want to have in the car and from the car. Personally, as an owner of both models, you can't go wrong unless you mismatch your purposes and car, including the options you order, e.g., don't hope for a comfortable Mini cruiser and get a sport supsension. Get an automatic with regular suspension. Both cars are quality and will hold their value wayyy better than American cars and most others. Compare the 1-series to Audi A-3 or 4's and the Mini to...well there's nothing really like it, lol! Replies to this message: tslbmw (Aug 29, 2008 8:03 am) bodble2 (Aug 29, 2008 1:22 pm) tslbmw (Aug 29, 2008 3:31 pm) bodble2 (Aug 29, 2008 1:35 pm) beemerhead (Nov 21, 2009 8:05 pm)