Mini Cooper/Audi A1 Compared

Hodge · Post by **Hodge** » Wed Aug 10, 2011 5:56 pm

Had 2 courtesy cars back to back recently just a quick review

Mini -Good

Fantastic handling refined at higher speeds, Spacious cabin Quality feel, Retro look, Thrill a minute

Mini -Bad

Switchgear all over the place, Tiny boot,

Audi -Good

Powerful turbo grunt, Granite like build feel, Intuitive layout, Fair boot, Sharp modern look,

Audi -Bad

Bit short of rear headroom

Summing up with some stats-

Mini 1.6 Petrol, List approx 14,500,120bhp, 30-50mph 6.1sec, 0-60 10sec

Audi 1.4TFSI Petrol, List approx 15,750,120bhp, 30-50mph 4.9sec, 0-60 9.2sec

The Mini as is well documented is a hoot to drive without compromising comfort, it has such a go-kart feel through the steering, the Audi cannot match this but still manages to feel able to turn in sharply(for an Audi)

Where the A1 beats the Cooper is in the feel of build quality, the cabin is a far more luxurious place , soft plastic, stitching and a far better dial layout, the Mini (BMW) orange LED style looks very dated compared to Audi's full colour LCD displays. The A1 came with MMI and the Cooper with Media package, the siting of the Coopers as with all the switchgear is very low but the Audi as per range is set high in the dash and was easier to use, I may be biased here as I am a regular user but you can't fault the Audi interior layout

The A1s performance was far more beefy than the Mini as at this price the Mini lacks a Turbo, so this is more of a price for price comparison rather engine for engine

As with all things its a personal choice, being in the A1 feels similar to sitting in an A8 it has a real big quality feel and looks the modern part, the Mini makes you smile every time you turn a corner and the interior "looks" great, but trying to ape the position of the original switchgear could baulk for many.

Can't imagine this review will help anyone and bare in mind I only reviewed the 2 because they are similar priced quality and appeal to the same image concious buyers, and were given to me as courtesy cars

Cheers

Hodge

Araf · Post by **Araf** » Wed Aug 10, 2011 6:26 pm

Does the Audi have the turbo and supercharger? If so, it's the same engine as the Fabia VRS and Polo GTI, which both have around 180bhp - so easily mapped.

Hodge · Post by **Hodge** » Wed Aug 10, 2011 6:32 pm

The A1 I had was 120bhp Turbo, the A1 is available with the 180 Bhp Turbo but the price is a little more than 15,750

Cheers

Hodge

Post by **neil** » Thu Aug 11, 2011 10:22 am

nice write up Hodge - Thanks for sharing

Hodge · Post by **Hodge** » Thu Aug 11, 2011 6:54 pm

Thank you Neil, I know a lot of members have or had Mini's like yourself, but not many A1s mentioned so thought they might go hand in hand

Cheers

Hodge