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BMW MINI Cooper vs. Classic Mini Cooper

Whenever I drive my classic Mini Cooper out, people will look at my car. No doubt it is an attractive car due to the iconic look and shining metallic paint. Sometimes, you will hear kids screaming “Look! That’s Mr. Bean’s car!” In fact, I am not Mr. Bean.

As a Mini lover, I own both the BMW MINI Cooper as well as a 1994 Mini Cooper. Many people do not know that the production of classic Mini Cooper actually last until 2000. People often think that the classic Mini was built around 60s and 70s. To people who do not know about the classic Mini, “They all look the same” For those who are interested to know more about Mini history and special edition models, refer to the Mini Timeline and History.

Today, I parked both my BMW MINI Cooper and my classic Mini Cooper together in order to compare them. Obviously, the new Mini Cooper is a lot bigger compared to the old one. The wheelbase is also slightly longer than the classic Mini Cooper. The rest of it? Check out the photos and judge yourself.

This article is written and submitted by Howsen Koh, a member of Malaysia Mini Lover.

January 9, 2016
2014 MINI Cooper Countryman

These are the photos of a 2014 MINI Cooper Countryman. A reader of MalaysiaMiniLover from Thailand sent it to us on last week after she collected the car from Millennium Auto MINI located at Sukhumvit 63 (Soi Ekkamai), Bangkok. According to the owner, this is her first MINI and she is very excited about the car. She bought this car brand new and it was the last batch of MINI Countryman first generation (R60).
The MINI Countryman was launched in 2010 as the first subcompact crossover SUV by MINI. The R60 model is available from 2010 – 2014 and it received a facelift for 2015 model, named the R60 LCI.

Under the MINI Countryman family, there are 6 different types of Countryman and they are – MINI One Countryman (98PS), MINI Cooper Countryman (122PS), MINI Cooper ALL4 Countryman (122PS), MINI Cooper S Countryman (184PS), MINI Cooper S ALL4 (184PS), as well as the most powerful MINI John Cooper Works Countryman that comes with 211PS. The one in the photo is a blue MINI Cooper Countryman. Although they come with different power output, they are all fitted with the same 1,598 cc engine under the hood. On the other hand, there is also an option for diesel engine and they are – MINI One D Countryman, MINI Cooper D Countryman and MINI Cooper SD ALL4 Countryman. The Cooper SD comes with a 1,995 cc turbocharged engine that produces 143PS.

So far, the owner is very satisfy with this beautiful blue MINI Cooper Countryman. Have you got your MINI Countryman yet?

July 19, 2015
Drive to Thailand: Phang Nga to Phuket

There are many piers on the way to Phuket from Phang Nga. These piers have boats to a few famous islands around such as James Bond island, Phi-Phi island and more. I continue my journey as my fuel level is getting low. I am really curious to know that how far a Mini Cooper can really go if it is filled up with 50 liters of RON 95 petrol.

Driving through Thepkasattri Bridge (beside Sarasin Bridge) Phuket. Sarasin Bridge is the first bridge built that linked Phuket island to the mainland of Phang Nga province. Built in 1067 and this bridge is only 700 m long. Now, all cars have to go through Thepkasattri Bridge in order to go Phuket island.

Welcome to Phuket…

A colorful hotel in Phuket that matches my Mini Cooper color – Holland Resort Phuket.

Now that my mileage indicator shows 73,105 km. In Malaysia border, I filled up nearly 50 liter of RON 95 petrol and this tank of petrol traveled 601.5 km.

In order to track fuel mileage for my car, I drive to a PTT petrol station and fill up Gasohol 95. It costs 1400 baht for 47.72 liter. That’s about 2 liter of RON 95 left in my fuel tank. Perhaps this shows that my car uses about 48 liters of RON 95 fuel to travel 601.5 km. In conclusion, the fuel consumption is 12.53 km/l (29.47 mpg). According to Edmunds, a standard ’05 MINI Cooper gas mileage is 24 mpg city and 33 highway. As I drive around Hatyai, Trang, Krabi and Phang Nga town, I am considered getting a very good mileage. The latest 2015 MINI Cooper F56 fuel consumption is 29 mpg city and 40 mpg highway. Compared to that, I am still considered the Mini Cooper R50 a reliable car for long journey drive. What do you think? Now that I am still wondering how far can my Mini Cooper go with a mixture of 47.72 liter Gasohol 95 and 2 liter of RON 95. This tank of petrol will be used to drive in Phuket down town and let’s see how far it can go. Perhaps it can last for about 400 – 450 km. See the top 10 fuel saving tips if you would like to know how to save fuel for more mileage.

Hard Rock Café, Patong Beach Phuket, Thailand.

Lastly, I have checked in another hotel in Phuket town, Shyne hotel. I’ve selected this hotel because it has a good car park for my car. My car has a great place to rest for another journey and it has a great buddy too, a red modified Nissan Juke with 19” sport wheels. This Nissan Juke belongs to a young lady who is also the daughter of the hotel owner.

Day 1: Drive to Thailand: In A MINI Cooper

Day 2: Drive to Thailand: Hatyai to Trang to Krabi

Day 3: Drive to Thailand: Krabi to Phang Nga

Day 3: Drive to Thailand: Phang Nga to Phuket

March 30, 2015
Drive to Thailand: Krabi to Phang Nga

The driving experience from Krabi to Phang Nga was the best compared to Dannok to Hatyai or Hatyai to Trang. The scenery is so beautiful and you see gorgeous moutains almost everywhere during the way to Phang Nga. There is an Elephant mountain because it looks exactly like an elephant standing there.

The famous Elephant moutain in Phang Nga

The Dairy Hut Farm in Phang Nga. It is a very special place before entering Phang Nga town. (more…)

March 30, 2015
Drive to Thailand: Hatyai to Trang to Krabi

The “Drive to Thailand” journey continues from Hatyai to Trang. Trang is a very small town and I decided to drop by for delicious local food. I notice there is not much of petrol station in Thailand compared to Malaysia. Therefore, it is always recommended to fill up your fuel tank whenever you see a petrol station. In Thailand, there are a few different types of petrol. The RON 95 that is commonly used in Malaysia is considered as expensive petrol in Thailand and not every petrol station sell it. You can only find RON 05 (Benzin 95) in PTT, Esso, Chevron, PTG, Susco, and Pure. However, it is not easy to locate these petrol brands except PTT and Esso. In case you can’t find RON 95, there is an option to go for Gasohol 95. Gasohol 95 and Gasohol 91 is commonly used due to the fuel price in Thailand is expensive.

This is what you need in your car – A reliable GPS system to bring you anywhere (see what is the best GPS system for cars).

I was supposed to travel to Trang through Phatthalung but somehow the GPS brought me to Tamot.

This is one kind of petrol station you will see during your way. Do you dare to pump fuel from this to your Ferrari, Hummer, Lamborghini or even MINI? Well, I have fill up to full tank at Malaysia border and the computer in my car shows that my fuel can still travel for 400 km so I bet that the MINI can arrive in Phuket without the need to pump any petrol.

Turn left to Trang… The weather is 35.5 Celsius (95.9 Fahrenheit) to the highest 37.5 Celsius (99.5 Fahrenheit).

Trang 41 km. It is getting closer.

And here is the iconic fountain in Trang + roundabout + a beautiful yellow MINI Cooper.

It’s about 150km from Hatyai to Trang and another 150 km from Trang to Krabi. The car is full but the driver is hungry, it is time to hunt for delicious food in Trang, Thailand.

Now the stomach is filled up. The journey continues from Trang to Krabi, one of the most famous places in Thailand. It took about 2 hours to arrive at Krabi. I decided to spend a night at this famous town and I have checked in Tairada hotel. Tairada hotel is a new hotel in Krabi. It doesn’t ranked good in Tripadvisor because of the location is bad for travelers without a transport but it is perfect for people who travel with cars.

Day 1: Drive to Thailand: In A MINI Cooper

Day 2: Drive to Thailand: Hatyai to Trang to Krabi

Day 3: Drive to Thailand: Krabi to Phang Nga

Day 3: Drive to Thailand: Phang Nga to Phuket

March 30, 2015