I was wondering why people prefer the Mini as opposed to cars like the Alfa 147, the Peugeot 206, Citroen XM (?), etc...

 

I moved this question over to MINI talk as I thought it is a great general discussion item.

Just FYI I put this site together initially to serve those of us here in North America (I'm actually in Colorado). As the site has developed I'm seeing lots of participation from other countries, especially European, that are bringing some excellent information to the forums. I'm looking forward to getting a S and then contacting John Cooper Garages for the upgrade that will net 203-204HP. :smile:

As for the original question I'm interested in the perspective from our european members regarding the choices that compete with the MINI. Thoughts on the 206 and others?

 

Easy answer - I'm a brit living in France (well, I'm in Chicago at the moment but moving 'home' to France in a few months) and driving a Citreon or Pegeot (see can't even spell the words!) isn't even an option! SO COMMON.....

 

First of all the Mini is a classic car, made in 1958 and stopped production in 2001. Then BMW took in over and made it more modern and more powerful but it can't corner aswell as the classic mini. If you watch the film the 'Italian job' you may understand the appeal of the classic mini. When my dad came home with a mini for my first car it was a dream, a mini 30 Limited edition,iam 19 years old and have modified it now 2 a street racer. A Turbo engine with everything including a stage 5 performance kit that kicks out over 170 BHP, 0-60 in 5 secs, that cost me £5000, It has 12" alloys wheels,majic body kit, impreza bonnet, majic spoiler and mirrors. Inside there is a alloy dashboard with racing gauges, bucket seats with harnesees, full rollcage and a banging ice system. 2 12" subs, 4 sets of 6x9 speakers, 2 amps and door speakers. Up2 now it has cost me £10,000 and is worth every penny when at the traffic lights i can burn off Escort cosworths, 206 GTI's, Impreza's and Evo's. here is a website for the owners of the new mini in america, this is an impressive body kitBMW Mini Body kit

And thats my sort of answer to the question 206's dont be silly! if the new bmw was in WRC they would whoop there ***!

 

I agree with you on the car. To me it's a classic. Just like the original.
Just wanted to add that I love your car!! Looks very good.
How hard was it to add the turbo? Just curious....
Also were there any other mods that proved to be difficult?
Again congrats on the sweet mini!!
And welcome to the site.
SW

 

the turbo engine came out of a car called a metro which is just a bit bigger than a mini and i got my local mini place 2 fit it cause i wouldnt know where 2 start. All the other mods i did with my dad like fitting a playmini twin exhaust and the rollcage etc. This month im taking it 2 the track 2 have some fun and also watch the pro's in action which are the mini 7's and mini miglia racing cars (www.mini7.co.uk). Are there many old style mini's in america. It makes me laugh thinking of a mini pulling up next to a mustang lol. I bet mini's get quite alot of attention across the pond i would love 2 cruise thru america in mine!
thanks alot

 

if your wondering my car is the old style mini not the new bmw one, the pics of the mini on this page are similar 2 mine but mines in metalic cherry redMy mini sort of.....

 

I live in the US, but spend a considerable time in Europe (I am here right now), and I drive a Peugot 206, while I am over here (I have a MCS at home). While it is a more base model with 110hp, it doesn't even compare. The Peugot is nice, but doesn't have the flair or overall performance that the Mini has. Maybe the WRC edition of the 206 is a lot nicer. Not many of the people that I know of take the Peugot's or Citroen's too seriously here. They are nice economy cars, that have a lower quality. Maybe this is just the people I hang around with. The numbers look good on paper, but no one gets really excited about them. The Alfa 147 looks great, but I haven't driven in one.

 

The Alfa is a Fiat in drag...why would anyone want to buy a POS from a company that is slowly going into bankruptcy? We are tempted by the 206, specially the hard topped convertible but you know.....French cars ALSO have a 'flavorful' reputation. Ware moving to Paris in the fall.....we will keep the MINI, keep the All Road and possibly buy either a 206 or a Smart.......
Back on topic, British elan and tradition with German engineering is, IMHO an unbeatable combination.....and even then, the dramas displayed in these pages due to quality control makes one wonder if the choice should not have been a good ole Pontiac Sunfire or something.....