The Mini Paceman JCW packs a 215bhp 1.6-litre turbocharged engine and four-wheel drive. But at nearly £30,000, it is priced identically to the brilliant BMW M135i. The question is, can the Mini's go-kart handling justify its price tag?
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Ray60
Two of the ugliest cars on
Two of the ugliest cars on sale. I don't want either of those hideous heaps of junk.
owenmahamilton
Pointless comparison
Apart from the similarity in price, if the Mini is really that bad I can't see why this comparison was done.
toptidy
No contest
Unless you need 4WD I suppose.
I know if I had £30,000 to spare I would already have an M135i.
It may not be stunning but it is certainly no "hideous heap of junk".
tuga
No way
I really can't see why people would cross shop these two. I mean... Would anyone choose the Mini, ever?
Also, +1 on the M135 not being a heap of junk. It isn't pretty, but it's a hell of a good car.
Oktoberfest
plus one again
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. My next car. 135m thank you. Can't wait until November after watching this. Going to be a looooong summer.
MikeSpencer
Mini better for traction
Steve said the only advantage in choosing the Mini was fuel economy. Surely it has better traction in low grip conditions, too? Not much of a benefit really, but one worth mentioning. The Mini is a super-niche product whilst the BMW has more widespread appeal, I feel. BMW for me too.
Chip35
M135i is such a fantastic
M135i is such a fantastic car, best in class by a mile.
catnip
I know BMW are just
I know BMW are just responding to customer demand from yummy mummies and faddy daddies, but I don't think these large MINIs work. They should develop a range of interesting Triumph sports saloons for the smaller MINI owners to trade up to.
Unfortunately, the Countryman sells so well that I don't think BMW will abandon this approach anytime soon.
bomb
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Good grief, that Paceman is UGLY! The front of the 135i is nothing to write home about but that's the only real downside, the rest of the car so well sorted and priced.
I guess the basis for the comparison is price and parent company but it's interesting nonetheless. Does this prove MINI's margins are so much higher than BMW's at this price point?
SteveB
1 series and Mini - Both Ugly!!
Look are subjective - fair enough. However, with regard to these two vehicles, it really is funny that many people who buy them (and other BMWs) are hoping to impress - particularly the 1 series (God knows why), and yet do not seem to realise that the vast majority of people find these two vehicles simply horrendous, and offensive to their eyes. LOL!! Secondly, it has to be asked: What the heck were BMW doing when they initially saw these designs, and said "Yeah... people are really going to like these"!!
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