Ok, I currently have an 09 GE8 Fit and I have about 32k miles on it already (my daily commute is long ;)). Anyways I have a chance to get a real good deal on a new 2010 JCW mini cooper and I'm wondering if I should get it. I have been thinking of the pros and cons and wonder if you guys have anything else to chime in, especially if your a mini owner. Here what I'm thinking so far.

Cabin/Road Noise
I really like the fit and its been real good to me but the only thing that is bugging me in the fit is road noise. I'm on the fwy for about an 1.5 hrs a day at an average of ~70mph and the road noise is pretty bad. I'm hopping the mini will be quieter. Also the mini does have bluetooth which is a must here in CA.

Space
I know I will loose the space in the fit but I barely use it anyways since its just a commuter car, plus I could always use my SUV if I need to haul something.

MPG
I currently average 36mpg on the fit with its epa rated 33mpg. It seems like the mini is not far behind with an epa of 34mpg but it uses 91. I also checked the mini forums and it looks like if you can do better depending on how you drive it. And the mini has a 13 gallon tank compared to the 10 the fit has. It's not a big difference between the two but its still something to think about.

Power
Well no real comparison here. The fit's 117hp iVtec vs. the mini's 208hp twin scroll turbo. It would be nice to have the extra power of the mini especially on the fwy on ramps.

Reliability and Maintenance
Well we all know that the fit is a real reliable car. The mini is ok but not as good as the fit. Also the fit is going to be cheaper over all to own but I don't mind paying a little extra for the mini.

Overall
The fit is a great car and I'm pretty satisfied with it. The mini is tempting and seems to be more fun to drive and I think I would enjoy it a lot.

 

I used to be in a similar boat like you; but it involved the GD3 and the R56 Cooper S. A year ago one of my friends had gotten a R56 MCS and of course I was in envy; that is until I considered driving the thing daily and maintaining it.

Downfalls on the Cooper:
For starters, both the JCW and Cooper S both require 91 octane where as the Fit uses 87 and I have noticed around here there are 50-60 cent gaps between 87 and 91 octane.

Both get approximately the same MPG on the highway, but in the Cooper S and JCW your city mileage will suffer due to the how quick the turbo spools up.

The Cooper also has run flats standard which gives a firmer ride than my GD (many have complained about this) and I am not 100% but I do not think that the S model even has a spare.

The 6 speaker audio system sucks, period. The 10 speaker or an aftermarket system is the way to go.

Way less space to store stuff inside the car.

Alarm doesn't come standard and you may get it confused with the comfort access (my friend did LOL); you have either a traditional alarm ($500 for '08 R56) or shock sensor type ($1000 for '08 R56).

The R56s are lower than our Fits so they require more caution around speed bumps.

All of the vital information is in the center speedo like the fuel gauge.

The black plastic trim always had water streaks on the sides of the hood above the S fender badges.

For the black plastic pieces in the grill, front, and rear bumper all trap water. (These can be fixed with using Turtle Wax Ice though)

And some other things that I'm sure I'll remember later.

The Fit's downfalls:
Doesn't handle as well, torsion beam rear FTL.

Smaller selection of tires if you stay with OEM size.

No driving aids aside from ABS and VSA on GE8 Navis.

One less forward gear.

Very little factory accessories available compared to the R56.

Have to pay for your vehicle maintenance from the start opposed to 4 Year/ 50k miles free of charge.

No complementary road side assistance.

No comfort access function. (Which is still frickin' awesome if I do say so)

No push button start.

No steptronic trans, if you decide to get an auto but want to physically move the shifter for each gear.

No Bi-Xenon headlights and definitely none with the turning function.

No rear fog lights or center exit exhaust. (For GEs at least)

And once again, I'll think of some more later.

 

as far as performance it will do circles around your GE8...but, if it's going to be your
only car i suggest you keep your GE8 for sure. :) MINI's are great as fun cars but not
for daily drivers especially if you dont have another car. carrying people and cargo will
become very old very quickly. might i suggest you check out the JCW clubman? :)

 

Alright, I'm 2007 Super charge Mini before then switch to Turbo......and I have the GD3 too.... Road noise is usually due to the tires of the car...and the Mini is worst because they run on Run flat tires( which is also pain in the ass Highly recommend to switch out tires.....) and there no room for spare....like others said yes there different in power but just remember it this DD power should never come in mind...and also the those number are brake horse power not wheel Horse power.....maintain wise yea BMW dose cover the first 4 years/50k whatever come first...and beinga DD car probably the you will racking up miles a lot and after that service is going to arm and leg..... every time I fill up it about $50 fill up comparing to $32 fill up for the fit.....it will add up....it I drive the mini like the fit I would spending about $200 a month comparing to $100 a month...... for bluetooth it $300 add on and compare to a $30 headset.....

From owner stand point I would recommend keeping the Fit for your DD, but don't get me wrong the mini is awesome..that why I own one for weekend driving and when i'm bore driving the fit....hehehe

 

Yea I was thinking about keeping the Fit and just get the JCW for a weekend car. And maybe drive it to work once in a while to reduce the miles I put on the fit. As for getting the clubman I don't really like how the back of the car looks. I got about a month to think it over.

 

I think its no question, if you can swing it financially I'd go for the Mini in a heart beat.

 

there you go, get both

 

i honestly hate the center gauge....i would not buy the mini just because of that..it's so annoying to me.

but it seems like you have already made your decision with your first post in wanting a mini. do what your heart desires. you only live once.

 

that's a great idea! :) yah, im kinda split on the clubman's appearance too. if you get the black roof (black tail light surround racoon pieces) it looks pretty good on a dark colored car...like blue, chocolate, black.

the center guage is actually pretty good. unlike the
pos center guage on yaris's you dont have to look 'over there' on the 1980's cheezo boombox guage for everything.

 

I don't mind that the spedo is in the center just as long as the tach is in where its supposed to be ;)

 

 

My friend works at a mini dealer and he told me he could get me one for a little over invoice, which is a great deal since most people are getting them for MSRP.

 

well, they depreciate very fast these days so im not surprised.

 

I've never owned a Mini Cooper but from what I hear they are expensive to maintain.

 

you're like at the farthest ends of the car world pole
considering a pos yaris or a car enthusiat's MINI...


i drive yaris's all the time since canada doesn't like
me and they keep giving me a pos car to use during
business. :D hahaha. ;)