Inside Line tests hundreds of vehicles a year, but not every vehicle gets a full write-up. The numbers still tell a story, though, so we present "IL Track Tested." It's a quick rundown of all the data we collected at the track, along with comments direct from the test drivers. Enjoy.
Same company, two very different convertibles. OK, not exactly the same company, but close enough. At $32,700, the 2009 Mini Cooper S Convertible is the cheaper of the two by a wide margin, even with more than $5,000 worth of options. Although the 2009 BMW 128i is the company's entry-level convertible, it topped $37,000 with a sport package and not much else.
On the track, their personalities were about as close as their prices, although the performance gap was surprisingly small. The more powerful BMW pulled slightly ahead in the straight-line performance categories, while the Mini excelled on the skid pad and in the slalom. Braking was the only test in which both cars turned in strong performances.
So in other words, picking a favorite between these two is about your performance priorities and the size of your wallet. We'll let you judge the styling on your own. Full track numbers and video after the jump.
Vehicle: 2009 BMW 128i Convertible
Odometer: 961
Date: 05/19/09
Driver: Chris Walton
Price: $37.575
Specifications:
Drive Type: Rear-wheel drive
Transmission Type: 6-speed Manual
Engine Type: Inline-6
Displacement (cc / cu-in): 2,996cc (183 cu-in)
Redline (rpm): 7,000
Horsepower (hp @ rpm): 230 @ 6,500
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm): 200 @ 2,750
Brake Type (front): Ventilated disc
Brake Type (rear): Ventilated disc
Steering System: Electric speed-proportional power steering
Suspension Type (front): MacPherson strut
Suspension Type (rear): Multilink
Tire Size (front): 205/50R17
Tire Size (rear): 225/45R17
Tire Brand: Goodyear
Tire Model: NCT 5
Tire Type: performance
Wheel Size: 17 inches front and rear
Wheel Material (front/rear): Alloy
As tested Curb Weight (lb): 3,509
Test Results:
0 - 30 (sec): 2.4
0 - 45 (sec): 4.5
0 - 60 (sec): 6.7
0 - 75 (sec): 10.1
1/4 Mile (sec @ mph): 15.0 @ 93.4
0-60 with 1-ft Rollout (sec): 6.5
30 - 0 (ft): 30
60 - 0 (ft): 115
Braking Rating: Very Good
Slalom (mph): 65.8
Skid Pad Lateral acceleration (g): 0.87
Handling Rating: Good
Db @ Idle: 48.1
Db @ Full Throttle: 77.7
Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 71.1
Acceleration Comments: Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) kills any sort of aggressive launch and the 1-2 shift. Shutting off the nanny does wonders as it then exhibits easily manageable wheelspin, which seems like the best technique. It's not, and feathering the clutch worked better. Shift throws feel long and there seems to be some sort of damper going on between upshifts. Still, the linear power delivery and tall gearing get the job done in typical BMW fashion.
Braking Comments: Stops started out short, then went long, then short again. It didn't feel like a mechanical issue (fade), but rather some sort of ABS manipulation. Always straight and confident, just not consistent.
Handling Comments: (Skid pad) The front tires take the brunt of the abuse and heat up quickly, producing additional understeer with each lap. Stability control merely breathes off the throttle to avoid the understeer. (Slalom) Very tricky to slalom this car. Entering at a pace that works thorough the first 2-3 cones results in increasing oversteer by the end of the run. Best result was to enter slow and progressively add throttle to get more weight on the rear. Stability control was effective and almost imperceptible when engaged, but the speeds were much slower.
Vehicle: 2009 Mini Cooper S Convertible
Odometer: 3970
Date: 05/19/09
Driver: Chris Walton
Price: $32,700
Specifications:
Drive Type: Front-wheel drive
Transmission Type: 6-speed Manual
Engine Type: Inline-4
Displacement (cc / cu-in): 1,598cc (98 cu-in)
Redline (rpm): 6,500
Horsepower (hp @ rpm): 172 @ 5,500
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm): 177 @ 1,600
Brake Type (front): Ventilated disc
Brake Type (rear): Disc
Steering System: Electric speed-proportional power steering
Suspension Type (front): MacPherson strut
Suspension Type (rear): Multilink
Tire Size (front): 205/40R17
Tire Size (rear): 205/40R17
Tire Brand: Continental
Tire Model: ContiProContact 3
Tire Type: Performance
Wheel Size: 17 inches front and rear
Wheel Material (front/rear): Alloy
As tested Curb Weight (lb): 2,826
Test Results:
0 - 30 (sec): 2.8
0 - 45 (sec): 4.8
0 - 60 (sec): 7.2
0 - 75 (sec): 10.5
1/4 Mile (sec @ mph): 15.3 @ 90.4
0-60 with 1-ft Rollout (sec): 6.9
30 - 0 (ft): 29
60 - 0 (ft): 112
Braking Rating: Very Good
Slalom (mph): 68.5
Skid Pad Lateral acceleration (g): 0.90
Handling Rating: Excellent
Db @ Idle: 47.8
Db @ Full Throttle: 71.9
Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 79.5
Acceleration Comments: Tricky to launch effectively with so much tire grip and so little torque. Easy to either bog it or spin the tires. Best technique abuses the clutch. Shift throws feel long, but gearbox doesn't mind being hurried. Shift knob came off in my hand on hard 1-2 shift.
Braking Comments: Short, straight, confident. Lots of brake-induced suspension wind-up where the rear of the car "sinks" when the brake pedal is released after a hard stop.
Handling Comments: (Skid pad) Exemplary balance (nearly the same in either direction) and crazy levels of grip. Steering loads up, but it doesn't feel natural. Stability control breathes on the throttle to maintain smooth arc. (Slalom) Amazing and trustworthy grip. Aggressive, but not spooky turn-in. Adjustable rotation/attitude with throttle. Neither understeers or oversteers unless it's driver-induced. Plenty of power at exit to pull it out of a four-wheel drift. Way more athletic than expected.
firstwagon says:
08:32 PM, 05/26/09
Man that looks like fun. I'm really in the wrong line of work.
josiahh says:
10:30 PM, 05/26/09
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tryan says:
03:20 AM, 05/27/09
3,500Lb as tested weight...for a 1-Series?? My 4-Motion Passat didn't weigh that much!
Anyway, the Mini is one of the best performance buys out there right now for FWD cars, and this 'bench race' shows exactly why. At nearly 3 MPH faster through the slalom and the ability to pull harder on the skidpad, the Mini solidifies it's 'Go-Kart afflicted with Elephantiasis' status.
It's also worth pointing out that the fuel economy numbers, although not mentioned here, favor the Mini heavily.
Ed - Good decision on leaving the styling discussion out of the picture, too subjective of a topic anyway.
SirTodd says:
06:17 AM, 05/27/09
josiahh, what's up with the payday loan advertisement? How the heck does that apply to this blog? And don't tell me that by getting a payday loan, I can drive one of these cars...
brn says:
07:20 AM, 05/27/09
It amazes me that a $33K go-kart is considered a bargain. I guess most things are when compared to a BMW.
On the other hand, I'm a little impressed with the performance numbers of the 128i. No need to fork over for a 135i.
Of course, this whole test is apples vs oranges.
mentally says:
07:22 AM, 05/27/09
Mini has a harsher ride quality compared to the BMW 1-series. That has to contribute to the better slalom and skidpad results. Ride quality is an intangible element that can't be shown in numbers. So BMW 1-sereis may have better day-to-day livability and practicality.
walking_dead says:
07:49 AM, 05/27/09
@Brn
It amazes me that a $33K go-kart is considered a bargain
thanks for posting that, sometimes i wonder if i am alone in thinking how the "affordability" numbers keep going up.
i was able to price out a 50k+ 135i on the BMW build your own.
crazy, this is crazy
blueguydotcom says:
07:58 AM, 05/27/09
Easy choice- 1. The Mini as a convertible is obscenely porky and FWD in corners (even with a Mini) just doesn't feel nice. Additionally, around town, on the open road and pretty much everywhere else BMW's sweet in-line 6, RWD and heavy steering feel like heaven compared to the sloppy FWD and ratty engine of the Cooper S.
FWIW: I had a 2007 Cooper S for 2 years and I've owned 3 BMWs. The Cooper S was super fun and I will embrace ditching my 335i in a couple years but the FWD and gutless/puny/ratty/rough turbo 4 (AC was worthless) will not get me back into a Cooper.
I'd take a GTI 4 door over a Cooper at this point in my life...but a 1 series coupe or more deliciously 4 door with the base 3.0 is better choice than either.
jriz says:
08:43 AM, 05/27/09
Is your 2007 Cooper S a convertible? If so, that's a completely different engine than the one in the Cooper S above.
jriz says:
08:47 AM, 05/27/09
Nevermind, you wrote turbo 4. So instead I will say that your gutless/puny/raty/rough comment is off base and unfair -- although I suppose compared to the 335's engine, most engines are.
blueguydotcom says:
11:12 AM, 05/27/09
jriz, the 2009 Cooper S Convertible is the same turbo engine as my 2007 Cooper S.
sjaieve says:
12:49 PM, 05/27/09
Yawn, too slow
BCWatty_ says:
08:07 PM, 05/27/09
Well, I traded out of a 2007 BMW 3-series convertible to a 2009 Cooper S convertible - the BMW was over $56K and the Cooper was $30K. Also have a VW with a 2.0T engine and the Cooper is the most involving driving experience on a daily basis. Expecially when you factor in cost, the Cooper is an easy choice. I can't wait to get it on the tail of the dragon next month!
jazzy14 says:
10:48 AM, 06/ 8/09
The strange brake behavior on the 128i is the result of the new BMW tech called Brake-Fade Compensation. BFC raises brake-line pressure when the brakes get hot. So the brakes could be fading but you would not know it from pressing on the pedal. Apparently the bugs have not been worked out of the system yet.
k55 says:
12:47 PM, 07/12/09
Bluegut.com "Sloppy FWD and ratty engine"??? when describing a Cooper S. A bit extreme and no more coffee for you Blue. Yes a 135 is quite nice as is a 128..... for 30-45k....but a 1.6 DI Turbo Cooper S is quite tasty in the FTD department for 23-30k. Ratty? Oh,please...from my perspective its effortless fun,quick,economical and makes nice noises. This engine also won an award in the industries 10 best engines ( as I admit so did the BMW inline 6). I guess we all have our baselines of what is "acceptable" but the Cooper S is hardly a bottom feeder. Au contraire-its probably one of the better 1.6's out there. The VW 2.0T FSI is also quite nice.