We wanted an elec mini in 2008. Purchased new CooperD instead. Totally frustrated by all the brand marketing “it’s coming”, and they have consequently shot themselves in the foot because now “it’s here”, we have a very dated piece of kit. E.g. a 35kWh battery, display console that is similar to my 2008 car (tiny colour screen), and just a two door version that older people cannot bend and clamber round to get in the back of! They have wasted so much time, and arrogantly expect good sales because of brand loyalty. Engineering wise, they could have done this years ago and had the advantage of organic growth through a 20 and a 40 size model. Their 2020 launch could then have been a 50 kWh version like the Zoe. These feelings also apply to the Honda e, but at least they have a ended up with vehicle that has a wow factor; technically at least!
Agree with all you have stated here. I sold my Mini and switched over to a used 2015 Fiat 500e. The Fiat is in no way comparable to a Mini/BMW product for fit and finish but it still checks all my requirements. I do miss my Mini but refuse to spend a premium price for something that has yesterdays tech. Given that ICE is being phased out in the UK/EU, BMW should be leading the way. Here in California Tesla's are everywhere, proof that people will spend a premium price for an EV, if it measures up and inspires them.
I’m really interested hearing both your comments as ex-mini owners. I thought the brand loyalty was strong and they would get away with it but you have made me wonder? Thanks for the comments 👍
I think BMW have once again missed an opportunity here. They expect ICE Mini owners to move into the Mini E which offers less mileage than most other new EV’s, yet expect them to pay a premium price for the privilege. They’ve just really made a conversion car and added no real substance to it. At least the Honda is a totally new design and looks great and has new ideas and tech. It’s also a shame the Honda’s battery is so small too. #missedopportunity
BMW say average drive 23 miles a day, well my question to the clever clogs in BMW is why the don’t you fit in your ICE cars a thee gallon fuel tank? After all nobody needs a bigger capacity in an urban car. Perhaps in their wisdom they feel we all have two cars, one for urban use and one for longer journeys holidays ect, and how on earth is it a cooper! that’s a misnomer.
Colin. 1 as commented above batteries are still expensive and whether you agree with their premium price tag or not a larger battery would have made this car a ridiculous price!!
EV Opinion I’m sure it will suit some people but the smaller battery make it a poor buy. The reason I say this is on a longer run only 70% of the battery is useable after the initial home charge. That gives a range between charges of just 84 miles Run it down to 10% and rapid charge to 80 % and that’s if one is prepared to discharge to just 10% (12miles) I have the 64 kwh Kona and it’s not that much more money for a car with double the capacity.
piglet5287 That’s certainly true if you apply BMWs thinking however my Kona EV will easy cover 300 mile on a charge and rapid charge to 80%, so one car is enough for me.
I don’t think they will sell many. It’s very much a compliance car. I also like it when these big executives tell us that we only need 30 miles per day and we can all charge over night. Which is not the case where I stay in Glasgow only 27% of homes have a house driveway
Hi Ryan , great video as usual but I am still confused. Why do manufacturers persist with small batteries? I have had my leaf for 10 months and love it and use it all the time but when my son went into A & E we had to belt up to London from the south coast and had to take the petrol car as we couldn’t stop to charge. Love the Mini but the next car for us must have a min 200 mile range on the wettest coldest day you can imagine. I am a ageing freelancer so getting into a high monthly run rate with rented batteries or PCP is not an option. So please if anyone is listening let’s start making a affordable long range car ASAP so it will hit the second hand market in two years and I can swap out the petrol and have two EV’s
Can't wait for the mini electric in 2020, I'll be getting one for sure, I have a 20k commute to Dublin, so this is ideal. I love the look of the Honda, but for fun and smiles, this mini is the perfect match
I know you said you didn't want people to just say the battery is to small but it is for most people, if your well off and you can have this as a second car to do you short trips then I'm sure it's wonderful but if it's your only car you are so limited with that tiny range. if you live in London or some other huge city with good pubic transport I wonder how far £23000-£30000 would get you using that rather than a car, loved the episode and if they at some point can fit a 300 mile range battery in that car it would definitely be under consideration :)
Hi Ryan As always, your opinions are well presented and informative. However, if you want my opinion then please don’t ask me to put myself “in the mind-set of somebody who it WOULD suit”. That defeats the purpose - or even enrols me as a clandestine BMW sales person. As a happy owner for four years of a 24kWh Leaf the only things that I now aspire to are 200 - 300 miles range and stronger re-generation.
mike yonwin it’s difficult to please everyone. I try to be as impartial as possible but in truth I have the same car as you and aspire to the same range. We’ll get there one day 😬
I would never buy a BMW product, they asset stripped Rover before passing it back to an inadequate management company which lead to the loss of jobs and pensions. I understand many of the parts for this are being manufactured in Germany and only assembled here and BMW have already hinted that even this may stop in the event of a no deal Brexit
I know most everyone wants more range, as do I with my i3. I just took my first long range trip in my 33kWh BMW i3-Rex, we drove 900 miles over a weekend. With our new Electrify America chargers popping up the trip was no hassle at all, but I have a range extender. We stopped at most 20 mins at any charger and charged at the hotel overnight for free. Fuel cost was 3 times what I paid for electricity, but we had not anxiety at all, of course with the Range extender. Normal weekly driving I only have to charge once a week at about 100 miles weekly.
That is indeed what it is. I see a lot of people here that have a mini / Peugeot 208 / Fiat 500/ Mercedes A class /Golf as a second car who drove under 60 km a day. So it make sense to electrify them with a smaller battery so the range is smaller but also price is lower. Although Mini is always very costly.
Options are good to have, provided they are good ones. Mini missed the mark here. We want to love it but compromising for premium product is counter intuitive. I currently own two EV's out here in California and I am a previous Mini owner. I really want Mini to figure this out. They should be leading in this "size" market and they are not. Very unfortunate.
This isn’t a patch on the Honda e for me. This thing is old and uninspired. The range isn’t the problem. 60 miles is fine for me. But I also resent the idea of an urban car. If you have a car, you drive it wherever you need to go. Doing a road trip in a short range EV once most of the rapid chargers are contactless will be easy for anyone, even with the “short” range of this car. Also, the centre screen isn’t new. But I will say the dash screen does look quite cool. People will be happy with this and it’ll instantly be the best car Mini makes by a huge margin. However the Honda e is something special, while this is just BMW going through the motions.
Hiya. I can only say from my perspective. I love Mini. I have been driven many versions for many years. As BMW says the new Mini is for London commuters therefore I have been left out as a potential future user. I drive a lot and funnily I could say as an average I do 40 miles per day (talking 10k miles per annum) but I don’t. Commuting wise yes 10 miles per day but what about weekly trips 150-500 one way? I won’t be able to use this car so either I would have to buy some lower class car or super fancy expensive one to have this range. Where is the fun? You have already i3 with 44 battery pack on the market which is a similar size car. Why BMW cannot use those batteries or why they don’t give us an option to choose batteries.The car is not even on the market yet... I am completely disappointed as I have to stick to my fossil fuelled Mini :(
Your videos are really good. I think the minimum range for new ev's has to be 200 miles. Why would anybody settle for this range when there are a number of other options.
Very disappointing. I see ICE minis everywhere so it's a complete cop-out to say that they are an urban only car. BMW must do much better with future battery capacity if they hope to compete.
Jack Haughton it will be interesting to see how it sells. Obviously I want it to be a success so they produce more EVs across their brands but the general view is that this has missed the mark????
I got about halfway through this before I realised you didn't have access to the actual car. Nonetheless an interesting talk on the specs and the BMW marketing strategy etc. From my personal point of view I could live with the range, even though I live in the country, as I probably do a maximum of 50 miles (there and back) in my own Mini Cooper Classic, but the price quoted - including the government donation here in the UK - is still around 45% higher which would kill it for me.
Another great review. I have to say i love hearing your views on EV's. If this was the mileage i needed i think, yes why not! As you say the Mini is proven and this is a fun little city car with the looks to boot!
Great review Ryan. As with the Honda I was sceptical about the potential market for rather pricey, short-range, urban EVs. The level of interest in this car suggests that there is actually a healthy market out there. I would love to have this car and would be prepared to pay £24k for one but sadly the range does not work for me. Looks, like I shall keep my eye on the Zoe or Peugeot.
Absolutely love the wheels and the tail lights have the union Jack in them for a nice touch! Just wish the price would come down as you can get 30kwh leafs for less. And I don't mind the charge door being where the gas filler is as most stations in the US I've seen are setup just like gas stations. And the gauges in a car play a heavy weight when I buy a car and I love electric and hybrid car gauges as they're super nerdy and techy and the minis are awesome!
It will be interesting to see how much effort these companies but into undoing their own range anxiety propaganda, or shortsightedness which ever you prefer.
If BMW would have opted to use the 42.2 Kwh battery found in the current i3 in the Mini it would have been an easy choice to go for it over similar options. My guess is that BMW was concerned that a Mini SE with a bigger battery would cannibalized sales from the i3 and their ICE offerings. With the Mini SE's lower center of gravity and better weight distribution I am inclined to agree.
If I had the choice I'd go for the Honda e, only because it's brand new, whereas the Mini is a familiar shape that hasn't changed much, although I like the wheels.
I think car makers are arrogant where they limit the range so it is not a viable vehicle for longer journeys. I have had many small cars and have taken them on many long journeys and have rarely gone two weeks without downing a longer drive.
These big car makers are still not committed to make electric cars, and keep launching half cars like this Mini. There must be a good reason for it, because BMW could have done something better. So, although I’d really like to buy an electric Mini, I will stay with my Zoe. At least until Mini gets a larger battery.
I’m sure it will suit some people but the smaller battery make it a poor buy. The reason I say this is on a longer run only 70% of the battery is useable after the initial home charge. That gives a range between charges of just 84 miles Run it down to 10% and rapid charge to 80 % and that’s if one is prepared to discharge to just 10% (12miles) I have the 64 kwh Kona and it’s not that much more money for a car with double the capacity. The mini electric is so dated it’s untrue, it’s back we’re Nissan was years ago, its nuts.
I have to agree with Geoff Mansfield below. The most important feature of any EV is it’s range and it’s ability to charge quickly. BMW are hoping that their loyal mini customers will blindly buy the car, even if it means they will be buying yesterdays tech. In my view customers new to EV’s should be looking at cars that can do at least 200 miles on one charge and have a minimum of a 100kw charging capacity. On the bright side at least the Mini Cooper SE might encourage more people to buy an EV. Just think what life could be like without the combustion engine, cleaner air and less noise I hope.
The range especially when you take into account use on a winters evening using heater, lights, wipers etc makes it not a good buy in my opinion, if it is your only car which you will occasionally use for longer journeys not a lot of use.
Thanks Ryan. I see your reasoning, but am cautious about sales pitch claims, having worked in sales for a few years. WLTP range is all well and good, but factor in real life driving, plus a few years of battery ageing, and you can expect Summer range to be in the order of 90 miles. Yes, that would suit most people, so long as they have home charging. The fact is though that about 40% of U.K. householders (and most town or city dwellers) cannot park their car on a driveway. Nobody wants to be travelling to and from the 'filling station' and spending 30 minutes or more there charging, plus any waiting time, every 2 or 3 days, and that's where the statistical design planning falls flat on its face. If we had a car with that range, it genuinely would take an hour or so, 2 or 3 times each week, to keep the car running. We're busy, as are most people today, and those wasted hours are important. For the record, we need to travel a round trip journey of about 100 miles once per month, on average, with maybe 3 consecutive days of driving that distance, at least once per year. And an annual holiday with a drive distance to a (almost always rural) destination of 270 miles starts to take too long, not to mention the scarcity of rapid chargers along our routes. But yes; the range is adequate for 90% of our journeys in Summer, and inadequate in Winter. The sweet spot for most people without home charging is still a genuine range of 50% further, based upon Mini's statistic; WLTP range of 200 miles or more. That would leave a weekly charge at a rapid charger, which is generally acceptable. As a parting shot, if average ranges are as short as BMW say, then why don't they fit a 10 litre fuel tank to petrol Mini's and an 8 litre one to Diesel city cars? No; their reasoning is specious.
If you are outside of the EV bubble and you are in the market for a new Mini and you are doing the low mileage BMW are saying then, well..... a lot will simply shy away. Test drive it might make the difference. But then you compare what ice Mini you could get for the same money. It is all about what can I get for the amount of money I am prepared to spend.
Personal the Honda E feels new and exciting, where this appears to be the same old design, and that not that exciting. But Mini do have a following, so it's great they now offer a electric car. I'm really looking forward to the Honda E has no wing mirrors and really small turning circle which should make really great around town.
I think for me it would be the Mini if I had to choose though I do like the Honda-e as well. It's the fact the Mini is the 'Mr Bean car' of course, get to drive with your feet while getting dressed for work and driving down the motorway or putting a chair on the roof and driving it from there. hehe.
What a half-hearted effort by BMW. Probably more about massaging the average emissions figure for their range than actually producing a practical car. It's time manufacturers gave up on that silly propaganda about average journey lengths: and time that motoring "journalists" (if you are one) stopped parroting it.
piglet5287 I can definitely confirm I am not a journalist 😬. Just a bloke with a camera and a normal job away from UA-cam. My personal range apart from commuting is about 40 miles a day. When I commute it’s about 100 miles a day so based on that this car would just do me but it’s too small for my family and at that price there are other options for us. That said some people will love it and buy it regardless 🤔
@@EVOpinionFair enough, you are not a journalist! In many ways it takes an EV with all its limitations to remind us how wonderful the modern ICE small hatchback has become. My humble 2011 Polo 1.4 will cope with a 5-mile city commute day after day, and then now and again will take me the 185 mainly motorway miles to my parents' house, with one fill-up taking me there and back. Without complaining and without my getting a headache or backache. And after eight years its engine has a lot more than 70% of its efficiency and performance remaining (which is all EV manufacturers are prepared to warrant their products for after SEVEN years).
I think the Honda E wins it for me. It’s new, the cabin design is fresh and the mini is a little long in the tooth. If the Mini came with a larger battery, I think it would be a more tempting offer
Nope not for me a not a true mini just a rebranded BMW. Then add to price, small battery and small range its not a winner. If no home charger then will be constantly visiting chargers and i value my cash and time . Same forthe honda e . Zoe is looking the best option for me at the moment but its a renault
Sorry, but it's far too little far too late. Old technology, too small range. BMW's excuse about it being only an urban car is just that, an EXCUSE. They've just been lazy and slapped old i3 tech into a Mini body shell. Snore...
Hi interesting when you said I3 running gear etc tailored to fit a mini, i3 is rear wheel drive will that mean the mini is or have they made a new layout for FWD transition? Also do you know if a convertible is in the plan as the boxing around the battery can supply extra chassis strengthening when the roof is removed , if that has got designed in 🤔
Hi Ryan # If this UA-cam channel is meant to be an open discourse on EVs why do we rarely see your replies to comments? # EV Opinion: 17 Feb 2019 used a 360 degree camera and was excellent. Why do you not use this technology more often? # “Mini Cooper” is evocative of the days when “yumping” at high speed with multiple Cibié driving lights and crash bars were in vogue. I doubt that the Mini Cooper SE could negotiate a minor “Sleeping Policeman” at more than 30 mph without deflecting into a local hedge/wall (and require a complete suspension overhaul thereafter).
mike yonwin I do read every comment and reply to most. That’s the whole point of these coffee and chat videos. I give some info and my thoughts and we can discuss it afterwards. As for the 360 camera, I love using it but it takes hours of editing and rendering, which I don’t always have time to do. I ha e used it in the video after next 😁👍
@@EVOpinion Hi Ryan. My apologies - I had taken this particular video's page as an example and after 3 days of publication without a response from you I assumed that you weren't going to. I see that you HAVE responded (today) to a fair proportion. Fair dinkum. I have never published a UA-cam video so am unaware of the background work involved, especially that involving 360 deg recordings - looking forward to your next issues. Keep up the good work.
mike yonwin no worries. Actually the truth is I’m away on a family holiday. I’d normally reply sooner but I’ve made a point of turning all social media off. Today was me one day to reply and now it’s back to the holiday 😁👍☀️
As usual a well produced video but you’re channel does seem to becoming a car sales channel rather than a source of general EV information. A little disappointing.
Robert Wood sorry. It’s a difficult balance. Lots of people enjoy the reviews so I try to cover as many cars as possible and like to talk about the new cars coming to the market. The last thing I am is a sales person. I hope my impartiality still comes across? What kind of things would you like to see in the future?
My usual west-of-the-pond observations. The miniusa.com website says it is coming over here, but give no useful information. Of course, in all likelihood, it'll be another CARB state only compliance car that 65% of us will never even see, much less have a chance to buy. Based on other makes' pricing, with EVs being about $10k more than comparable top of the line ICE, I'd guess this will be about $40,000 - $42,000 over here. That's Kona/Niro/Bolt/Model 3 territory, all with much longer range. DOA in my opinion. USA is huge. North to South, the city of Los Angeles alone is about the same size as the distance from Bournemouth to Bath. Short range "city cars" don't make any sense here. Of course, we don't have the nationalistic pride you do in the brand (although a lot of us do like Mr. Bean).
When Alec Issigonis designed the Austin 850, it was designed as a minimalist car that would still carry four people. That was his decision in using a transverse engine, front wheel drive vehicle....to leave more room for people inside, rather than making a larger car. Honestly, the BMW version has never come close to having the charisma of the original. It is, in no way, 'Mini" in any respect. It's kind of a silhouette version of the original, but 25% larger. Now, if BMW was serious in introducing a new electric vehicle that would SELL, they should stick to the idea of the original....minimalist. Get rid of the thousands of dollars of unnecessary (and sometimes incomprehensible) tech, install decent, but not high-end upholstery, and market this EV in the way the original was...basic transportation. With a short range like this car has, most people will buy, or retain a larger ICE vehicle anyway, and it makes more sense to put your money into a larger vehicle with more comfort for those road trips the EV can't handle. At least, people would get the EV experience, even if it IS riding around in an econobox. This car is, unfortunately, pricing itself out of the general market for a lot of reasons.
I'd buy this if it comes to the US. Can't believe the current small-car scene here is so dismally pathetic (the big-3 are absolutely the worst at almost everything). I'd really love to own a small BEV... one that isn't a glorified golf-cart, that is.
If you want a fun car for town at only £19k, Get yourself a Smart ForFour. In eco mode I'm getting around 80 mile per charge (don't know what that will go down to in the winter). It nippy, grips the road like stink and does me fine for getting around town. OK its called a ForFour, but the back seats are only good for kids or VERY small adults, but if your like me and don't have kids, that doesn't matter. Why I hear you ask, didn't I buy the For Two, Simple, it looks better and there isn't that big a difference in price between the two models. Charging takes 6 hours using a 13 amp socket and I don't see the need to use public charging.
Is it really a proven car? Mini's reliability is appalling (at least here in Canada) with random electronic gremlins since day one. If it weren't for this, I would definitely buy one since our affordable EV market is really limited with only this, the E-Golf and the Ioniq in the affordable 36k CAD price range.
FWD poor range its obsolete already in fact its a step backwards from the BMW I3 ... new VW electric or MG electric vital that EVs have rear wheel drive all that lovely instant torque to use .. i am an EV fan .. i have one
Apart from being butt ugly, it might be ok-ish. But I do hope that fails because its called a mini and It wouldn't make a real mini's arse , and having driven many of the originals over the years I don't like them at all.
Thank you good talk just wish Mini would dich the old ici ☠ toxic☠ Minis..... 🌍😉💚Love our i3 all electric just wish BMW would put a second motor up front to a all wheel drive would make a cool street race car, would make there old ici tin box BMs look slow. BMW please dich toxic fuel ASP for our world 💚🌍👍thank you #buzzofftoxic
We wanted an elec mini in 2008. Purchased new CooperD instead. Totally frustrated by all the brand marketing “it’s coming”, and they have consequently shot themselves in the foot because now “it’s here”, we have a very dated piece of kit. E.g. a 35kWh battery, display console that is similar to my 2008 car (tiny colour screen), and just a two door version that older people cannot bend and clamber round to get in the back of! They have wasted so much time, and arrogantly expect good sales because of brand loyalty. Engineering wise, they could have done this years ago and had the advantage of organic growth through a 20 and a 40 size model. Their 2020 launch could then have been a 50 kWh version like the Zoe.
These feelings also apply to the Honda e, but at least they have a ended up with vehicle that has a wow factor; technically at least!
Agree with all you have stated here. I sold my Mini and switched over to a used 2015 Fiat 500e. The Fiat is in no way comparable to a Mini/BMW product for fit and finish but it still checks all my requirements. I do miss my Mini but refuse to spend a premium price for something that has yesterdays tech. Given that ICE is being phased out in the UK/EU, BMW should be leading the way. Here in California Tesla's are everywhere, proof that people will spend a premium price for an EV, if it measures up and inspires them.
I’m really interested hearing both your comments as ex-mini owners. I thought the brand loyalty was strong and they would get away with it but you have made me wonder? Thanks for the comments 👍
Too little too late.
I think BMW have once again missed an opportunity here. They expect ICE Mini owners to move into the Mini E which offers less mileage than most other new EV’s, yet expect them to pay a premium price for the privilege. They’ve just really made a conversion car and added no real substance to it. At least the Honda is a totally new design and looks great and has new ideas and tech. It’s also a shame the Honda’s battery is so small too. #missedopportunity
BMW say average drive 23 miles a day, well my question to the clever clogs in BMW is why the don’t you fit in your ICE cars a thee gallon fuel tank? After all nobody needs a bigger capacity in an urban car. Perhaps in their wisdom they feel we all have two cars, one for urban use and one for longer journeys holidays ect, and how on earth is it a cooper! that’s a misnomer.
Probably because it doesn't cost thousands of dollars to include a larger gas tank. ;-)
Colin. 1 as commented above batteries are still expensive and whether you agree with their premium price tag or not a larger battery would have made this car a ridiculous price!!
EV Opinion
I’m sure it will suit some people but the smaller battery make it a poor buy. The reason I say this is on a longer run only 70% of the battery is useable after the initial home charge. That gives a range between charges of just 84 miles Run it down to 10% and rapid charge to 80 % and that’s if one is prepared to discharge to just 10% (12miles) I have the 64 kwh Kona and it’s not that much more money for a car with double the capacity.
Yes everybody needs to buy two cars because BEVs are so inflexible - and what sort of contribution to the environment is that?
piglet5287
That’s certainly true if you apply BMWs thinking however my Kona EV will easy cover 300 mile on a charge and rapid charge to 80%, so one car is enough for me.
I don’t think they will sell many. It’s very much a compliance car. I also like it when these big executives tell us that we only need 30 miles per day and we can all charge over night. Which is not the case where I stay in Glasgow only 27% of homes have a house driveway
Hi Ryan , great video as usual but I am still confused. Why do manufacturers persist with small batteries? I have had my leaf for 10 months and love it and use it all the time but when my son went into A & E we had to belt up to London from the south coast and had to take the petrol car as we couldn’t stop to charge. Love the Mini but the next car for us must have a min 200 mile range on the wettest coldest day you can imagine. I am a ageing freelancer so getting into a high monthly run rate with rented batteries or PCP is not an option. So please if anyone is listening let’s start making a affordable long range car ASAP so it will hit the second hand market in two years and I can swap out the petrol and have two EV’s
Can't wait for the mini electric in 2020, I'll be getting one for sure, I have a 20k commute to Dublin, so this is ideal. I love the look of the Honda, but for fun and smiles, this mini is the perfect match
For a pure urban car, I think the honda e its more suitable
has a better steering lock #buzzofftoxic
I know you said you didn't want people to just say the battery is to small but it is for most people, if your well off and you can have this as a second car to do you short trips then I'm sure it's wonderful but if it's your only car you are so limited with that tiny range. if you live in London or some other huge city with good pubic transport I wonder how far £23000-£30000 would get you using that rather than a car, loved the episode and if they at some point can fit a 300 mile range battery in that car it would definitely be under consideration :)
Another potential plus for the Zoe Z.E. 50
Hi Ryan
As always, your opinions are well presented and informative.
However, if you want my opinion then please don’t ask me to put myself “in the mind-set of somebody who it WOULD suit”. That defeats the purpose - or even enrols me as a clandestine BMW sales person.
As a happy owner for four years of a 24kWh Leaf the only things that I now aspire to are 200 - 300 miles range and stronger re-generation.
mike yonwin it’s difficult to please everyone. I try to be as impartial as possible but in truth I have the same car as you and aspire to the same range. We’ll get there one day 😬
I would never buy a BMW product, they asset stripped Rover before passing it back to an inadequate management company which lead to the loss of jobs and pensions. I understand many of the parts for this are being manufactured in Germany and only assembled here and BMW have already hinted that even this may stop in the event of a no deal Brexit
I see no reason to trade in my i3 for it. Come to think of it, it really is an i3 in cosplay. And it is now up against the MG EV.
I kinda agree. William Morris, Alec Issigonis, John Cooper (and many others) must be asking themselves "What's all the fuss about?"
I know most everyone wants more range, as do I with my i3. I just took my first long range trip in my 33kWh BMW i3-Rex, we drove 900 miles over a weekend. With our new Electrify America chargers popping up the trip was no hassle at all, but I have a range extender. We stopped at most 20 mins at any charger and charged at the hotel overnight for free. Fuel cost was 3 times what I paid for electricity, but we had not anxiety at all, of course with the Range extender. Normal weekly driving I only have to charge once a week at about 100 miles weekly.
Battery is far to small for most people. I own 30kw leaf it's ok for 2nd car for organised person .
That is indeed what it is. I see a lot of people here that have a mini / Peugeot 208 / Fiat 500/ Mercedes A class /Golf as a second car who drove under 60 km a day. So it make sense to electrify them with a smaller battery so the range is smaller but also price is lower. Although Mini is always very costly.
Options are good to have, provided they are good ones. Mini missed the mark here. We want to love it but compromising for premium product is counter intuitive. I currently own two EV's out here in California and I am a previous Mini owner. I really want Mini to figure this out. They should be leading in this "size" market and they are not. Very unfortunate.
This isn’t a patch on the Honda e for me. This thing is old and uninspired. The range isn’t the problem. 60 miles is fine for me. But I also resent the idea of an urban car. If you have a car, you drive it wherever you need to go.
Doing a road trip in a short range EV once most of the rapid chargers are contactless will be easy for anyone, even with the “short” range of this car. Also, the centre screen isn’t new. But I will say the dash screen does look quite cool.
People will be happy with this and it’ll instantly be the best car Mini makes by a huge margin. However the Honda e is something special, while this is just BMW going through the motions.
Hiya. I can only say from my perspective. I love Mini. I have been driven many versions for many years. As BMW says the new Mini is for London commuters therefore I have been left out as a potential future user. I drive a lot and funnily I could say as an average I do 40 miles per day (talking 10k miles per annum) but I don’t. Commuting wise yes 10 miles per day but what about weekly trips 150-500 one way? I won’t be able to use this car so either I would have to buy some lower class car or super fancy expensive one to have this range. Where is the fun? You have already i3 with 44 battery pack on the market which is a similar size car. Why BMW cannot use those batteries or why they don’t give us an option to choose batteries.The car is not even on the market yet... I am completely disappointed as I have to stick to my fossil fuelled Mini :(
Your videos are really good. I think the minimum range for new ev's has to be 200 miles. Why would anybody settle for this range when there are a number of other options.
John Parsons thank you. It’s interesting how range is the number one concern and BMW have chosen to ignore this. Let’s see how it sells????
Very disappointing. I see ICE minis everywhere so it's a complete cop-out to say that they are an urban only car. BMW must do much better with future battery capacity if they hope to compete.
Martin Wray having read through the comments it seems you voice the majority’s opinion 🤔
That's a not very convincing argument for a not very convincing car. BMW are way off the mark with this one.
Jack Haughton it will be interesting to see how it sells. Obviously I want it to be a success so they produce more EVs across their brands but the general view is that this has missed the mark????
I got about halfway through this before I realised you didn't have access to the actual car. Nonetheless an interesting talk on the specs and the BMW marketing strategy etc. From my personal point of view I could live with the range, even though I live in the country, as I probably do a maximum of 50 miles (there and back) in my own Mini Cooper Classic, but the price quoted - including the government donation here in the UK - is still around 45% higher which would kill it for me.
The range is not about the average but the max you could make on one day. Nobody cares the average.
Another great review. I have to say i love hearing your views on EV's. If this was the mileage i needed i think, yes why not! As you say the Mini is proven and this is a fun little city car with the looks to boot!
Martin Stubbs thank you. I agree, if chosen wisely this would be a great car 😁👍
Great review Ryan. As with the Honda I was sceptical about the potential market for rather pricey, short-range, urban EVs. The level of interest in this car suggests that there is actually a healthy market out there. I would love to have this car and would be prepared to pay £24k for one but sadly the range does not work for me. Looks, like I shall keep my eye on the Zoe or Peugeot.
Great vid - love your channel now. Keep up the good work.
Range is not great for the money they are demanding. 200 miles Atleast is needed. Shame.
Absolutely love the wheels and the tail lights have the union Jack in them for a nice touch! Just wish the price would come down as you can get 30kwh leafs for less. And I don't mind the charge door being where the gas filler is as most stations in the US I've seen are setup just like gas stations. And the gauges in a car play a heavy weight when I buy a car and I love electric and hybrid car gauges as they're super nerdy and techy and the minis are awesome!
It will be interesting to see how much effort these companies but into undoing their own range anxiety propaganda, or shortsightedness which ever you prefer.
Your right about the average driver of a mini. My wife’s 65 plate cooper does 20 odd miles a day. We may well upgrade to this model next time.
Yes, it is MINI with good quality but too expensive.
Look at MG ZS EV with all those options...
I value my money rather than buying a badge..
This German mini looks nice but I will be sticking with our Zoe Q90 thanks!
If BMW would have opted to use the 42.2 Kwh battery found in the current i3 in the Mini it would have been an easy choice to go for it over similar options. My guess is that BMW was concerned that a Mini SE with a bigger battery would cannibalized sales from the i3 and their ICE offerings. With the Mini SE's lower center of gravity and better weight distribution I am inclined to agree.
If I had the choice I'd go for the Honda e, only because it's brand new, whereas the Mini is a familiar shape that hasn't changed much, although I like the wheels.
I think car makers are arrogant where they limit the range so it is not a viable vehicle for longer journeys. I have had many small cars and have taken them on many long journeys and have rarely gone two weeks without downing a longer drive.
These big car makers are still not committed to make electric cars, and keep launching half cars like this Mini. There must be a good reason for it, because BMW could have done something better.
So, although I’d really like to buy an electric Mini, I will stay with my Zoe. At least until Mini gets a larger battery.
For me the price vs size wouldn’t suit if I only wanted a small urban EV then currently nothing beats the Renault Zoe in both areas.
I’m sure it will suit some people but the smaller battery make it a poor buy. The reason I say this is on a longer run only 70% of the battery is useable after the initial home charge. That gives a range between charges of just 84 miles Run it down to 10% and rapid charge to 80 % and that’s if one is prepared to discharge to just 10% (12miles) I have the 64 kwh Kona and it’s not that much more money for a car with double the capacity. The mini electric is so dated it’s untrue, it’s back we’re Nissan was years ago, its nuts.
I have to agree with Geoff Mansfield below. The most important feature of any EV is it’s range and it’s ability to charge quickly. BMW are hoping that their loyal mini customers will blindly buy the car, even if it means they will be buying yesterdays tech. In my view customers new to EV’s should be looking at cars that can do at least 200 miles on one charge and have a minimum of a 100kw charging capacity. On the bright side at least the Mini Cooper SE might encourage more people to buy an EV. Just think what life could be like without the combustion engine, cleaner air and less noise I hope.
The range especially when you take into account use on a winters evening using heater, lights, wipers etc makes it not a good buy in my opinion, if it is your only car which you will occasionally use for longer journeys not a lot of use.
Thanks Ryan. I see your reasoning, but am cautious about sales pitch claims, having worked in sales for a few years. WLTP range is all well and good, but factor in real life driving, plus a few years of battery ageing, and you can expect Summer range to be in the order of 90 miles. Yes, that would suit most people, so long as they have home charging. The fact is though that about 40% of U.K. householders (and most town or city dwellers) cannot park their car on a driveway. Nobody wants to be travelling to and from the 'filling station' and spending 30 minutes or more there charging, plus any waiting time, every 2 or 3 days, and that's where the statistical design planning falls flat on its face. If we had a car with that range, it genuinely would take an hour or so, 2 or 3 times each week, to keep the car running. We're busy, as are most people today, and those wasted hours are important.
For the record, we need to travel a round trip journey of about 100 miles once per month, on average, with maybe 3 consecutive days of driving that distance, at least once per year. And an annual holiday with a drive distance to a (almost always rural) destination of 270 miles starts to take too long, not to mention the scarcity of rapid chargers along our routes. But yes; the range is adequate for 90% of our journeys in Summer, and inadequate in Winter.
The sweet spot for most people without home charging is still a genuine range of 50% further, based upon Mini's statistic; WLTP range of 200 miles or more. That would leave a weekly charge at a rapid charger, which is generally acceptable.
As a parting shot, if average ranges are as short as BMW say, then why don't they fit a 10 litre fuel tank to petrol Mini's and an 8 litre one to Diesel city cars? No; their reasoning is specious.
RWBHere all very good points. If this was a £10k car then fine but it’s not 😬
Four of us went all the way to middle France in a Mini which this car would struggle to do.
If you are outside of the EV bubble and you are in the market for a new Mini and you are doing the low mileage BMW are saying then, well..... a lot will simply shy away. Test drive it might make the difference. But then you compare what ice Mini you could get for the same money. It is all about what can I get for the amount of money I am prepared to spend.
even if I only needed 20 miles / day, I'd still go a bigger range so I don't have to charge every night
Orange cordial and water for me some of which is in solid form known as ice.
Personal the Honda E feels new and exciting, where this appears to be the same old design, and that not that exciting. But Mini do have a following, so it's great they now offer a electric car.
I'm really looking forward to the Honda E has no wing mirrors and really small turning circle which should make really great around town.
I think for me it would be the Mini if I had to choose though I do like the Honda-e as well. It's the fact the Mini is the 'Mr Bean car' of course, get to drive with your feet while getting dressed for work and driving down the motorway or putting a chair on the roof and driving it from there. hehe.
What a half-hearted effort by BMW. Probably more about massaging the average emissions figure for their range than actually producing a practical car. It's time manufacturers gave up on that silly propaganda about average journey lengths: and time that motoring "journalists" (if you are one) stopped parroting it.
piglet5287 I can definitely confirm I am not a journalist 😬. Just a bloke with a camera and a normal job away from UA-cam. My personal range apart from commuting is about 40 miles a day. When I commute it’s about 100 miles a day so based on that this car would just do me but it’s too small for my family and at that price there are other options for us. That said some people will love it and buy it regardless 🤔
@@EVOpinionFair enough, you are not a journalist! In many ways it takes an EV with all its limitations to remind us how wonderful the modern ICE small hatchback has become. My humble 2011 Polo 1.4 will cope with a 5-mile city commute day after day, and then now and again will take me the 185 mainly motorway miles to my parents' house, with one fill-up taking me there and back. Without complaining and without my getting a headache or backache. And after eight years its engine has a lot more than 70% of its efficiency and performance remaining (which is all EV manufacturers are prepared to warrant their products for after SEVEN years).
That's ok for BMW but the bloody insurance companies charging one hell of a price
I think the Honda E wins it for me. It’s new, the cabin design is fresh and the mini is a little long in the tooth. If the Mini came with a larger battery, I think it would be a more tempting offer
Nope not for me a not a true mini just a rebranded BMW. Then add to price, small battery and small range its not a winner. If no home charger then will be constantly visiting chargers and i value my cash and time . Same forthe honda e . Zoe is looking the best option for me at the moment but its a renault
Sorry, but it's far too little far too late. Old technology, too small range. BMW's excuse about it being only an urban car is just that, an EXCUSE. They've just been lazy and slapped old i3 tech into a Mini body shell. Snore...
Hi interesting when you said I3 running gear etc tailored to fit a mini, i3 is rear wheel drive will that mean the mini is or have they made a new layout for FWD transition? Also do you know if a convertible is in the plan as the boxing around the battery can supply extra chassis strengthening when the roof is removed , if that has got designed in 🤔
Hi Ryan
# If this UA-cam channel is meant to be an open discourse on EVs why do we rarely see your replies to comments?
# EV Opinion: 17 Feb 2019 used a 360 degree camera and was excellent. Why do you not use this technology more often?
# “Mini Cooper” is evocative of the days when “yumping” at high speed with multiple Cibié driving lights and crash bars were in vogue. I doubt
that the Mini Cooper SE could negotiate a minor “Sleeping Policeman” at more than 30 mph without deflecting into a local hedge/wall (and require a complete suspension overhaul thereafter).
mike yonwin I do read every comment and reply to most. That’s the whole point of these coffee and chat videos. I give some info and my thoughts and we can discuss it afterwards. As for the 360 camera, I love using it but it takes hours of editing and rendering, which I don’t always have time to do. I ha e used it in the video after next 😁👍
@@EVOpinion Hi Ryan. My apologies - I had taken this particular video's page as an example and after 3 days of publication without a response from you I assumed that you weren't going to. I see that you HAVE responded (today) to a fair proportion. Fair dinkum. I have never published a UA-cam video so am unaware of the background work involved, especially that involving 360 deg recordings - looking forward to your next issues. Keep up the good work.
mike yonwin no worries. Actually the truth is I’m away on a family holiday. I’d normally reply sooner but I’ve made a point of turning all social media off. Today was me one day to reply and now it’s back to the holiday 😁👍☀️
As usual a well produced video but you’re channel does seem to becoming a car sales channel rather than a source of general EV information. A little disappointing.
Robert Wood sorry. It’s a difficult balance. Lots of people enjoy the reviews so I try to cover as many cars as possible and like to talk about the new cars coming to the market. The last thing I am is a sales person. I hope my impartiality still comes across? What kind of things would you like to see in the future?
My deposit is in for the MG ZS EV. I know, boring but its probably better for country roads. We shall see.
My usual west-of-the-pond observations. The miniusa.com website says it is coming over here, but give no useful information. Of course, in all likelihood, it'll be another CARB state only compliance car that 65% of us will never even see, much less have a chance to buy.
Based on other makes' pricing, with EVs being about $10k more than comparable top of the line ICE, I'd guess this will be about $40,000 - $42,000 over here. That's Kona/Niro/Bolt/Model 3 territory, all with much longer range. DOA in my opinion. USA is huge. North to South, the city of Los Angeles alone is about the same size as the distance from Bournemouth to Bath. Short range "city cars" don't make any sense here.
Of course, we don't have the nationalistic pride you do in the brand (although a lot of us do like Mr. Bean).
When Alec Issigonis designed the Austin 850, it was designed as a minimalist car that would still carry four people. That was his decision in using a transverse engine, front wheel drive vehicle....to leave more room for people inside, rather than making a larger car. Honestly, the BMW version has never come close to having the charisma of the original. It is, in no way, 'Mini" in any respect. It's kind of a silhouette version of the original, but 25% larger. Now, if BMW was serious in introducing a new electric vehicle that would SELL, they should stick to the idea of the original....minimalist. Get rid of the thousands of dollars of unnecessary (and sometimes incomprehensible) tech, install decent, but not high-end upholstery, and market this EV in the way the original was...basic transportation. With a short range like this car has, most people will buy, or retain a larger ICE vehicle anyway, and it makes more sense to put your money into a larger vehicle with more comfort for those road trips the EV can't handle. At least, people would get the EV experience, even if it IS riding around in an econobox. This car is, unfortunately, pricing itself out of the general market for a lot of reasons.
I'd buy this if it comes to the US. Can't believe the current small-car scene here is so dismally pathetic (the big-3 are absolutely the worst at almost everything). I'd really love to own a small BEV... one that isn't a glorified golf-cart, that is.
5:30 Wow, wow, wow....way too many buttons!
If you want a fun car for town at only £19k, Get yourself a Smart ForFour. In eco mode I'm getting around 80 mile per charge (don't know what that will go down to in the winter). It nippy, grips the road like stink and does me fine for getting around town. OK its called a ForFour, but the back seats are only good for kids or VERY small adults, but if your like me and don't have kids, that doesn't matter. Why I hear you ask, didn't I buy the For Two, Simple, it looks better and there isn't that big a difference in price between the two models. Charging takes 6 hours using a 13 amp socket and I don't see the need to use public charging.
The electric Mini is the future. They need to stop building the gas version and go all in on BEV.
Is it really a proven car? Mini's reliability is appalling (at least here in Canada) with random electronic gremlins since day one. If it weren't for this, I would definitely buy one since our affordable EV market is really limited with only this, the E-Golf and the Ioniq in the affordable 36k CAD price range.
Vlad Saghin I’m sure more cars will become available over the next 12 months. Sit tight and wait for the right one 😁👍
New Minis are too big, not like the original. Swindon Powertrain are converting real Minis but they don't come cheap.
Would not pay that much for a car which is less convenient,will be sticking to ICE cars for some time yet.
not enough range... to small to expensive...
FWD poor range its obsolete already in fact its a step backwards from the BMW I3 ... new VW electric or MG electric vital that EVs have rear wheel drive all that lovely instant torque to use .. i am an EV fan .. i have one
Mini aren't little
Apart from being butt ugly, it might be ok-ish. But I do hope that fails because its called a mini and It wouldn't make a real mini's arse , and having driven many of the originals over the years I don't like them at all.
arrr no no no stop rushing to put a deposit really not worth it just wait
No.. get me an OLD Mini EV..
Thank you good talk just wish Mini would dich the old ici ☠ toxic☠ Minis..... 🌍😉💚Love our i3 all electric just wish BMW would put a second motor up front to a all wheel drive would make a cool street race car, would make there old ici tin box BMs look slow. BMW please dich toxic fuel ASP for our world 💚🌍👍thank you #buzzofftoxic