Favorite SE reviews

I see not much has changed from the days of the MINI E. Tom describes how on his first drive, his face started to hurt because he was grinning so much and couldn't stop. LOL

 

I read somewhere that US bound Minis have extra rollover protection for regulatory requirements. So, more weight. Worse, added up high.

 

This a positive review, mostly.

It still drives me nuts that many reviewers cannot wrap their head around the fact that to many drivers, 114 miles of range is totally adequate. It boggles their minds to think that not everyone yearns for 300 miles of range, and they need to rationalize the positive reviews of the MINI SE.


https://www.motorbiscuit.com/new-ev-study-has-surprising-pick-for-most-satisfying-car/

 

If you want a car for long road trips, you will hate the MINI.
If you want a car that has a roomy cargo area, you will hate the MINI.
If you want a car that has a smooth cushy ride, can go 0-60 in 3 seconds, can haul a large trailer, has room for 7 passengers, has 4 doors, and blends in with the hundreds of other silver, white, and black SUV's, you will hate the MINI.

HOWEVER

If you want a car that is unusual, easy to park, has excellent handling, is quick and fun to drive, colorful, efficient, can charge quickly at a 50kW DCFC, has a high quality interior, and is reliable, you will LOVE the MINI. (Did I miss anything?)

 

Hate is a strong word, lol. Then again, I know more than a few owners of larger EVs (on another forum) who want everything my SE offers, who don't appear to need almost any of the other attributes you list, yet still claim, "I couldn't possibly live with anything smaller than a [larger-than-necessary-SUV]!"

 

I think there are some real benefits with body on frame SUVs, most notably for concrete parking block overlanding.

 

My mom did that (inadvertently) in her '03 Corolla, gave it the beans, and was underway again with just a wavy rocker panel. I tried it (on purpose) a number of years earlier in my YJ Wrangler and was high and dry; without locking diffs, no amount of rocking or jacking got us unstuck, and I had to sheepishly explain it all to the tow truck driver before he winched me over it.

 

Yesterday I happened to see a BMW X1 and an X5 within a mile of each other. The X5 was obscenely large, and I thought the X1 was still too big but almost tolerable in size. I guess the iX1 (electric version of X1) is what the new Countryman is going to based on. I think that's really too big to be a MINI, but it's what Americans insist on buying.

 

I find the iX insanely large lol. And yes, I saw a new X1 the other day and did a double-take when i realized it was in fact the X1. It almost looks bigger than the original South Carolinian E53 X5 (it is, in fact, less than six inches shorter in length and wheelbase, barely shorter in height, and almost identical in width).

 

I’m in Germany next week and rented a Model Y with included supercharging. I’m not sure how it’s going to be but it’s sorta the same footprint as a model 3

 

The first commenter (who doesn't appear to have read much about the SE) wrote:
Are you kidding me about the Mini. With such a puny range why consider it. Having owed a Tesla S and now a Hyundai Ionic 5 range is the big if not the biggest factor in going EV. The S range was 380 and the Ionic 5 over 300 miles at full charge. With most EV brands recommending 80 to 90% regular charging the Mini is truly a MINI. THIS REDUCED mileage recommendation is a “dirty” little secret not advertised or sticker listing. This is a disappointment as ICE vehicles are regularly fully filled. Of course you can fully charge when going on the longer trip. For the Mini this would be all trips. Battery degradation would probably happen earlier with the Mini truly living up to being a Mini!

I replied:
You have to understand the JD Power Survey rated owners' satisfaction with the EV, not just the range of the EV. You clearly have only two criteria for satisfaction with your EVs: long range and large size. My MINI Cooper SE is the most fun car I've ever owned or driven. I have needed to stop to charge on a trip only twice in 2.5 years. I have smiled every mile for 2.5 years.

 

Ah, uninformed assumptions by that commenter. MINI's 100% is other EV makers' "80 to 90%". I'm over 56,000 miles on my SE with no signs of battery degradation.

 

The range thing is always the “OMG how do you go anywhere” I’m like well
I got here? As I said if the SE had 10kwh more battery it would be a solid 10/10

it’s funny how some “journalists” just can’t wrap their head around the fact that SE owners are happy so they need to pick apart the JD power categories. As I tell people the build quality is excellent on both my Mini. They are fun to drive and yet both completely different.

I have 4000km on my car in 4 months. It’s the key we reach for the most

 

In all fairness the person does live in Tuscon, AZ where DCFC is limited for road trips. As per the profile description:

EV OWNER FOR OVER 4 years with 50,000 electric miles of city and cross country driving. Our house roof powers the EV WITH those constantly producing solar power, even on a cloudy day!​

What do you think the reason was for dropping the Tesla S in favor of the Ionic 5? Was the Tesla S not supercharging fast enough? Maybe there was too much battery degradation? We may never know...

 

That is essentially my stock response to anyone who asks about range... it's not miles per charge, it is smiles per charge.

 

Yea I’ve have MANY MANY cars and I’d say it’s the best car I’ve owned to date. It unseated my E550

 

I’ve had MANY MANY sihtboxes and I’d agree that this is the best car I’ve driven for personal daily use, too.

Seriously though, I’ve had a couple of solid, dependable, utilitarian cars, and I’ve had some fancy, quirky, well-equipped cars… This car feels more solid than the best of them, and it has better materials, fit, and finish than just about any of them. That it is fun to drive and economical is just the whipped cream and cherry on top.

 

So, my mini SE is my main car; I only occasionally go out in my Outback to keep it running. I recently had to drive the Outback for 100 miles. Ugh.

Riding around in the Outback is like sitting on a big puffy cushion. I can't feel the road at all. I've also gotten used to sitting close to the road in the MINI. So, not only is the Outback a big puff ball, but it feels like I'm sitting a foot higher off of the road.

If I was smart, I'd hang on to the Outback until the last PHEVs are for sale.

Does anyone know if the Countryman SE has a suspension like the Cooper SE, or is it, too, a big puff ball with respect to the ride?

 

It’s not quite the Cooper hatch go kart feel, but it’s certainly more “sporty” than almost any Asian crossover (and it’s smaller than any other current crossover with similar power). I thought it was a hoot to drive — the controls fall to hand, of course, but it’s short and relatively light, and has plenty of power. I think with a bit of suspension meddling you could coax the tail to help you get around corners.

 

"Are you kidding me about the Miata. With such a puny engine why consider it. Having owed a Corvette and now a Mustang GT horsepower is the big if not the biggest factor in getting a sports car. The Corvette had 455hp and the Mustang over 430hp. But these are numbers measured at the crank, not the wheels. Drivetrain loss is a “dirty” little secret not advertised or sticker listing."