To EV or not to EV, that is the question....

[Splashalot]

I thought I'd chime in with some of our experiences of the Mini Cooper SE whilst the 7.5 GTI memories are still fresh in my mind.  Apologies in advance for the long and somewhat disjointed post. 

Executive Summary: 
Some disappointing safety and  convenience feature omissions compared to my 7.5 Golf GTI, and especially disappointing given the steep price.
Superb driving dynamics with at times brutal power, responsive handling and well-judged ride.
Heaps of character.  Easy to fall in love with.  Individuality.
Cheap as chips to run.  Even cheaper if you have rooftop solar.


Negatives:
* cannot sync the two temperature adjustment dials
* lack of rear cross traffic alert
* AEB is “city” only – as best I can ascertain auto braking operates only between 10-50kmh.  This is disappointing to learn post-sale and had I known this it may have impacted on our purchasing decision.
* Rear view camera is only half the 8” display, and is distorted into portrait mode – too small.
* L-hand mirror dipping is a fixed position, which cannot be adjusted
* Given the pricing of this car, the fairly ordinary level of active safety equipment is disappointing.
* Only 3 years of warranty.

Positives:
* Has the puppy-dog playfulness of the Mk5 GTI, but dialled up to 11
* Weighty and feelsome controls – feels solid and hewn from one billet of solid steel – clunky door closing aside.
* Steering is brilliant – superbly accurate and with actual feel – very reminiscent of the mk5 GTI
* Turn-in is instant and flat
* Haven't got near finding the handling limits yet.
* Comes std with decent tyres - Goodyear Eagle F1 runflats.  As an aside, I'm loving them so far – no negatives to speak of.
* 50/50 front/rear weight balance and 1.5” lower centre of gravity than the petrol Cooper S gives a superbly planted, balanced feel, even at low speeds
* Ride is surprisingly good.  Firm, but pliant at 32psi.  No jiggliness or crashiness.  Occasional pitch from the rear over humps or sharp undulations, but otherwise surprisingly settled for a small car with such a sporty drive

Comments:
At this early stage I'm finding the Mini more difficult than a combustion engine car to maintain constant speed on undulating roads.  A tad more throttle and you're a few kmh over where you want to be.  A slight easing and you're a few kmh under. 

The overall feel of the Cooper SE is of playful, responsive and fun to drive car. Surprisingly, it is loaded with character and charm, which is definitely not what I was expecting from an electric vehicle.  Lack of engine note aside, all sporty and fun attributes are amplified over the 7.5 GTI.

The rolling response at times borders on brutal.  The performance completely belies the ~138kw/268nm (from memory) figures.  It feels way, way gruntier than those figures would suggest.  Kerb weight is 1440kg, so pretty similar to my 7.5 GTI, yet the Mini feels considerably more grunty and responsive, despite the lower power and torque figures.

Regenerative braking is two setting: the  lower having 1.1g and the higher 1.9g.  In effect, the difference feels more marked.  The lower setting feels like strong engine braking from an ICE car.  The upper setting is strong enough to pitch you forward in your seat if you lift off completely. 

The throttle is quite heavy and long travel, I guess to aid smooth power and regen delivery. I've found that you really need to have weight into the throttle at all times, other than when in full regen braking.  It's just a matter of how hard you're pressing the throttle which modulates acceleration or braking.  This takes a few days to master and commit to muscle memory.  It also results in some “whoa!” moments next time you drive a combustion engine car and lift off the throttle expecting strong braking and nothing happens!  Takes a few corners to recalibrate your judgement.

If test driving one of these and new to EVs, I'd recommend starting in the “Green” mode, which makes both power delivery and regen braking tip-in more gradual and easy to modulate.

Charging and running costs:
This will of course depend on whether you have access to off-street parking for charging, your electricity tariff costs and also whether or not you have rooftop solar.  But in the couple of weeks we've owned the Mini it has never been below 50% charged.  After each trip (usually one a day) I plug it in and leave it to trickle charge utilising part grid, mostly solar electricity.  Full charge from empty to full using the Zappi smart 7kw wall box is ~4hrs.  Trickle charge around 12hrs. 

I estimate that the I can recharge the Mini for between $10 and $15au on mostly off-peak grid power, with minimal solar input.  The equivalent tank of 98ron premium petrol for the Golf GTI would cost between $80 and $100au, depending on petrol prices.  We're currently making some changes to our solar array which I'm hoping will enable 100% solar charging of the Mini for at least 6 months of the year. The Winter months we'll charge overnight on cheap off-peak rates.

Summary:
* Way more fun to drive than I was expecting.  I genuinely feel I've lost nothing (apart from engine note) in driving enjoyment over the GTI, but have picked up meagre running costs and charm.  Safety omissions aside, I'd buy it again in a heartbeat.

[fredgroves]

Interesting read!

The modern mini is still a bit of a tech dinosaur compared to even a mk7.5 golf. Vw were very much ahead of the game with the tech on the mk7 series.

I'm still waiting to test drive the mini, probably not until mid next year as have some other projects to sort before that.

[Exonian]

An excellent review as ever Splashalot

I think I reached my peak maturity at 8 years old and haven’t developed further from that so it’s Sport mode or nothing for me! Just the sheer thrust on instant demand would keep the child in me fully entertained all of the time, especially knowing I wasn’t burning expensive fossil fuels (directly) every time I hit the ‘go’ pedal.

A very good point you made about maintaining a steady speed. A good friend of mine did remark that he found electric cars wearing on longer journeys due to the need to apply constant pressure on the pedal. Skilled use of cruise control would help but I’m not a fan of cruise control. Which brings me on to the seemingly slightly outdated safety tech on the MINI E. I actually find that ok, I still regularly drive vehicles with no radar or camera controlled safety features as well as a Golf daily driver that is loaded with nanny tech. I do like being in full control but am probably in the minority these days. I think, for me at least, the MINI has a decent blend of modern tech yet still has plenty of old skool too. Proper buttons and switches for example that are married to an ultra modern power train. It all adds to the fun factor for me.

I’m really pleased you are indeed finding it so much fun. There are many ways a car can be satisfying to own but it’s driving fun that really endears a car into the heart of an owner.

[Exonian]

Boy did I wish I had a MINI EV this morning at 5am when I was greeted with a layer of ice on the windscreen and and a whole bunch of non working techy things that had taken umbrage at the cold.
A lovely preconditioned cabin and clear glass should have been heavenly.

[SRGTD]

Great review @Splashalot.

I’ve spent some time researching the Mini EV and I really do like it. I could live with the shortcomings that you’ve highlighted and if I did take the plunge and get one (I have thought about it quite a lot over the last few weeks, but I must resist! ) I’ll have gone full circle as my first car was a Mini - albeit an unreliable, 1970 British Leyland version. Range anxiety, poor public charging facilities, and finding a working charge point are my major concerns, but hopefully that will improve over the next few years, and I dare say there’ll be advances in battery technology too.

Give it a couple of years, and I may have one sitting in my garage .

[Splashalot]

Boy did I wish I had a MINI EV this morning at 5am when I was greeted with a layer of ice on the windscreen and and a whole bunch of non working techy things that had taken umbrage at the cold.
A lovely preconditioned cabin and clear glass should have been heavenly.

I'm rather taken with the Mini App, which allows pre-heating and cooling, finding the vehicle if lost in a carpark, tracking and a few other party tricks.

Actually, that raises a related point - it's rather nice to be able to get into the car stone cold and just drive off how I fancy, without the need for mechanical sympathy whilst the oily bits get up to temp.  That is, with my pants on fire if the mood takes me.  In all seriousness, we live on a fairly busy road, so often have to pull out into 60kmh traffic and get up to speed quickly - and uphill, too. 

One other fact worth mentioning regarding the Mini: the seats.  They're firm.  Very firm.  Shapely and supportive (and for me, comfy), but firm.  Thought I'd mention this after Fred's BMW seat experiences - might be an important consideration for some.

[Snoopy]

Thanks for the updates they are very useful.
I do keep thinking about a MINI Cooper SE.
Like the previous poster my first car I ever bought was a mini (I still have it) and the car I passed my test in was a mini cooper. I was actually a mini fan before I was a GTI
one so a mini does really appeal.
The lack of tech I actually prefer. First thing I do in modern cars when I get in is turn most of it off. So thats not an issue for me. The reduction of practicality is probably the only real stumbling block and maybe the thought the new MINI is due at some point. Im also told I just don't like spending money 

[fredgroves]

One other fact worth mentioning regarding the Mini: the seats.  They're firm.  Very firm.  Shapely and supportive (and for me, comfy), but firm.  Thought I'd mention this after Fred's BMW seat experiences - might be an important consideration for some.

Yes, Mini's are like that - its my pet hate. I wasn't surprised when the Mini-FatBoi (aka the F40 1 series) suffered from the same problems unless you spec'ed M-sport seats.

Its the one thing I really hate about F series Mini/BMW and why realistically I'd not be able to use one for my main car - a run around would be ok, so a Mini Electric wouldn't be drama.

[Exonian]

How is the MINI going Splashalot?

[Splashalot]

Hi Exonian.

Thanks for asking - I was only thinking yesterday I should add an update on my experiences for anyone here considering an EV in general, or the Mini specifically.

The short answer is: loving it!  As in, really, really loving it.  As we all know, after a few months of new car ownership a niggle or two usually raises its head, but in this case, nothing.  No issues.  Nothing unforseen has surprised or annoyed me.

The driving experience is fantastic - really enjoyable.  Whilst I've become accustomed to the general EV driving experience, I still get a kick out of the silent but solid shove in the back and the smooth, effortless acceleration.  And much to my surprise, I don't miss the noise one bit.  And the lack of vibration is lovely.  I'm still finding the Mini more enjoyable to drive than my MK7.5 GTI (No offence to 7.5 owners here).  As I've said in a previous post, it really does remind me of the MK5 GTI, only with the response and enjoyment amplified a bit.  It has that same solid, connected and responsive feel to drive.

I tend to use Green mode a bit more now, especially with a passenger on board, as it allows smoother on-off throttle modulation.  This largely cures the above mentioned issue maintaining constant speed.

I must admit I'm quite a convert to EVs, despite being a lifelong petrol head.  To the extent where I'm thinking about replacing our family car (2021 Mazda 3 Astina) with a longer range EV in a few years.  I do love the BMW i4, although that is out of our price range.  I note that Lexus will have an EV IS replacement, which IMO looks utterly sensational.  If the drive is good, and the pricing within reach, That may well be on our horizon. https://www.drive.com.au/news/electric-lexus-is-successor-rumoured-for-2025-australian-arm-keen/  Other possibilites are the Polestar 2 and the Kia EV6.

But back to the Mini.  The short range has been a complete non-event for us.  I tend to use the car once or twice a day and when finished, plug it in to charge.  Which over Summer has been 90+% solar, so mostly free.  In Winter when our panels are less productive I plan to charge the car overnight, making use of the off-peak tariff.  But so far, the Mini has only twice been down to 50% charge, but mostly gets down to ~80% at worst (ie. one day's use) before topping back up to 100%.  That usually takes between 1 to 3 hours using our 7KW Zappi home wall box.  Although solar charges at around 3kw. 

Having said that, the Mini's use is entirely as a city runabout.  I would still have anxiety issues on longer trips, hence the petrol Mazda for such uses.  Until a 400km+ range EV which I fancy and can afford appears. 

The price of petrol here has skyrocketed these last few months and it is such a lovely (and smug!) feeling each time I drive past the petrol station billboards showing 98RON at $2.08/litre (was generally somewhere around $1.50 when I had the GTI).

So in summary, if you do less than 100kms a day, have access to overnight off-street charging and still want something that is a blast to drive whilst saving you money, I would highly recommend the Mini Cooper SE.