All EV family. Comparing Mini to others (Tesla)

  • Thread starter Thread starter Quiet Mini
  • Start date Start date
  • Replies Replies 263
  • Views Views 37K
Jim In Tucson said:
Will be very interested in your comparison of the two once you’ve got some miles on the 500.


Sent from my iPhone using Inside EVs
Click to expand...

So far Fiats UConnect is the better infotainment. Its the more “modern” system, Mini has a better sound system. Driving position is better in the Mini but the Fiat cabin is more airy.
Ill do a side by side comparison in a few weeks.

I do think the budget for “americanising” the 500e was 20$. One issue Im seeing is the rear license plate.. the hatch it stamped and ha Rivnuts for a european plate holder. For NA they appeared to have drilled two more but just screwed in rubber mounts.

The car includes. L1 charger but the J1772 handle doesnt fit the type 2 moulded foam holder

the indicator in europe are on the side of the hood. Here its an italian flag in the housing. Yet the wiring harness is just ziptied.
 
Last edited:
So far based on driving Id say its good for around 300km mixed. We got it at 90% SOC and 10km. Ive put 160km on it in mixed driving with A\C on and im at 45% SOC
 
My daughter has had the 500e for almost a year and she loves it. If my little green beast ever had to be laid to pasture, I think the 500e Arbath looks like a fun replacement.
 
Took the Mini out today to F1. Its much much more refined but I still feel the 500e is the better city car. The turning radius is absurdly good.
 
Highway efficiency in the SE might be better than the Fiat 500e but having the larger battery means I can plow through it. Left my house at 100% SOC went to Ottawa 203km and arrived at EC site at 20% SOC going 110kph.
However as a city car is way better. The Mini SE is a hot hatch 100%
 
MrSnrub said:
Highway efficiency in the SE might be better than the Fiat 500e but having the larger battery means I can plow through it. Left my house at 100% SOC went to Ottawa 203km and arrived at EC site at 20% SOC going 110kph.
However as a city car is way better. The Mini SE is a hot hatch 100%
Click to expand...
If you could modify your SE to have a tighter turning circle, would that make it a decent city car?
 
insightman said:
If you could modify your SE to have a tighter turning circle, would that make it a decent city car?
Click to expand...
They are two very different cars is what Im saying and trying to compare them is strange. Ive been asked so often which one is better.. neither is better they just do things differently. I find the Fiat works better in town not just for turning circle but also its easier to see out of for example. Also can hold more stuff and the interior is oddly more roomy. You can turn the steering wheel with finger. The wonky Italianisms as well give it character.

Power and handling the Mini wins hands down. Its the “drivers” car and is a sleeper. Draws no attention. You sit way way lower to the ground and is a more premium product. However its just a bit too Tuetonic or stiff upper lip. The 500e just oozes out style and soul. I cant explain it, I dont think you can.

I love having both odd ball EVs in the driveway. I love driving both and I love that they exist.

im going to do a side by side film.

IMG_4514.webp
IMG_4491.webp
 
Last edited:
teslarati97 said:
In all fairness, Frank Stephenson designed the exterior for the R50 & R53 MINI, and the Fiat 500.
Click to expand...
As much as I love my F56 SE, I think the R50 and R53 are better looking cars. Frank's Fiat 500 is cute, but @MrSnrub's 500e looks fantastic. As @MrSnrub says, because the 500e (especially his black/red 500e) draws the eye, it's not the sleeper the SE is.

In my city-car ranking system, quickness and invisibility count more than turning circle, outward visibility, and one-finger steering. The roomier interior doesn't help the Fiat because it's getting me--not a bunch of stuff--through the city that's most important. Maybe urban warrior and city car aren't the same thing, but I've never owned an urban warrior as capable as my SE.

OTOH, for cruising my local college campus, where quickness is useless and invisibility is the norm, your Fiat wins hands-down.
 
Last edited:
insightman said:
As much as I love my F56 SE, I think the R50 and R53 are better looking cars. Frank's Fiat 500 is cute, but @MrSnrub's 500e looks fantastic. As @MrSnrub says, because the 500e (especially his black/red 500e) draws the eye, it's not the sleeper the SE is.

In my city-car ranking system, quickness and invisibility count more than turning circle, outward visibility, and one-finger steering. The roomier interior doesn't help the Fiat because it's getting me--not a bunch of stuff--through the city that's most important. Maybe urban warrior and city car aren't the same thing, but I've never owned an urban warrior as capable as my SE.

OTOH, for cruising my local college campus, where quickness is useless and invisibility is the norm, your Fiat wins hands-down.
Click to expand...
My city is gridlocked most days. As I said I don’t have a favourite but the “auto media” crapping on non pure BEV platforms is stupid. The Mini SE is a brilliantly engineered car and Im sure if they would have shoved more battery in it if they could have.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top