tommy

We could possibly get the B class AMG when the B is introduced here, but as Glyn hinted to, I'm sure there will be many other options at the price that will be much more fun, practical, and greater aftermarket support.

severecaraddict

That's hideous. I'd still have to see it in person before I could completely rule one out, but I'd rather have a JCW Mini hands down. I'll google in the interior...That's the major downside of Fords (as well as MOST American cars); cheap/shoddy interior.

tommy

It's a $8-10k difference. The Mini JCW SHOULD be nicer for that amount of change.

You do have to admit that the Mini's gimmicky interior gets old after a while.

severecaraddict

I'd pay that all day long not to have to drive a Ford. A MINI's interior is as nice as you want to pay. Mine had the upgraded Cordoba leather w/Navi, so it looked pretty decent. That was the mid-grade interior; as there was also lounge leather seating available. The MINI has character that Ford doesn't, but that's a matter of opinion.







The new JCW GP:


The new Recaro seats that are now available:

tommy

Once again, the Recaro seats are $2,700.

IMHO, it's an apples to more expensive apples comparison. You can get leather Recaros on the ST also, btw.

As far as "gimmicky", I mean the general layout of the interior, the toggles, the birdbath speedo between the seats, the tach, the odd stereo setup, etc.

But as you say, it's all about personal preference.

severecaraddict

Exactly. There's no way I'd ever own a Ford, unless its a 2011+ Powerstroke diesel pick-up with the 6.4 engine.

I guess the reason I like MINIs so much is they're part of the BMW franchise and I've owned 13 BMWs over the years (and almost as many Mercedes).

tommy

Due to my issues with my Benz (another reason why this is my first and last one), I've had the occasion to use a new Focus as a rental. I've been pleasantly surprised with it, even in slushbox, non-sporty varieties. I'm like you in saying I'd never buy one, but at the same time, I'm getting tired of expensive fixes that occur more than I'd like them to. (not sure if getting a Ford would fix the frequency, but would reduce the impact of each one )

severecaraddict

The drop in resale would depress the **** out of me. Seriously. On the plus side, I've used Ford's sync system and I'll admit that its pretty impressive for the entry-level segment.

Glyn M Ruck

Ford Europe's products are very different animals to US junk. Even the new global platform stuff. Go drive an ST if you get a chance. It drives a lot better than a British assembled Mini with parts from all over the world. Find me a Mini that actually fits together properly. Their bodies always have alignment issues.

Dirkula

I have a 2005 Mini Cooper S and a 2006 C230.

The Mini is much faster, but the ride is atrocious compared to the MB.
Its not only a matter of preference, but also a matter of practicality. There simply isnt much room in the Mini and frankly my C230 (Non-Kompresser model) gets better fuel economy.

severecaraddict

I haven't seen much fitment issues with the 2007+ models, my '06 was fine. I owned my MINI and C230 together for about 6 weeks before selling the Benz. If I was going out with friends, I almost always exclusively took the W203 for comfort (I DO remember getting 4 adults in my MINI wants, but they were MINI fans and wanted to check it out.)

My JCW got 28mpg on the highway if I kept it below 80; and my C230 Kompressor was getting 32-ish on the same trips.

My MINI was 3 years old & had 22k on it when I bought it and I paid almost the same for my Kompressor that was a year older, but only had 18k on it.

I ended up selling my MINI for $5,500 more than I gave for it, so that was also a great bonus.

Glyn M Ruck

Yeah! - I know the Mini is not a hatch but seeing we got onto Fiesta's & Focus's.

I think the prime hot hatches for 2013 will be:

The new Golf GTI gen7
Opel Astra OPC
Renault Megane RS265
Ford Focus ST3

BTW Tommy - I think the new Fiesta with styling ques lifted from the new Mondeo looks great!

severecaraddict

Since I'm currently a VW TDI owner, I'd proudly rock a MKVII GTD in manual: