Mini First: Test Drive Review

Date: 03 August 2009   |   Author:

Category: Supermini P11D price: £10,775 Key rival: Fiat 500

The First gives BMW's baby a price point of below £11,000, compared to the £12,345 of the Mini One. But, predictably, you do miss out on a few toys, most notably air conditioning, and the engine is also less powerful at just 75PS compared to the One's 95. Though the power drop is noticeable under any kind of acceleration, it doesn't impact around town where this model is likely to spend most of its time. Too much time on the open road though, and it's worth considering the more powerful versions, given the 13.2 0-62mpg time that compares with 10.9 for the One and 9.1 for the Mini Cooper. The car's brilliant handling and driving experience do though remains as before, if at a slower speed.

Emissions and economy figures are unchanged, which means 128g/km and 53.3mpg from the 1.4-litre petrol engine, and Kwik Carcost puts the cost figure at a very competitive 27.0p per mile, with the First benefiting from Mini's rock-solid residual values.

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