Mini or Fiesta ST

Skilid

Skilid

Skilid

Soldato
Joined
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Hi all,

I'm going to be getting rid of my Mazda 3 MPS soon and two cars I am considering to replace it are the R56 Mini Cooper S (JCW preferable) or the Fiesta ST-3 (ST-3 because I can't live without cruise control).

The Fiesta currently seems to be a tad more expensive, but I wanted to know what everyones thoughts were... I test drove a Fiesta locally and it was great fun, but I'm not completely sold on the looks, nor the quality of the interior. Also the ride was quite bouncy. Does anyone have experience of motorway road noise in and ride quality in a JCW?

Looking at about £12k - £13k for either. Where would your money go and why?
 
I've got a 2008 R56 JCW and I do find the road noise quite loud at motorway speeds on 215/45/17 non runflat tyres. Haven't driven a ST Fiesta to compare it to though. Ride is stiff and a bit bouncy but free from rattles and squeaks.

Manic Motorsport remaps can see 260/270bhp with a sports cat and intercooler, and the pops and bangs from the exhaust are fun :)
 
Fiesta is only more expensive because the oldest ST-3 you can buy is a 2014 one. Fiesta ST a bigger boot, it will probably be more economical if that's a concern, parts and servicing will be cheaper and the Recaro seats are the best thing ever.

Both are good cars, test drive both and get the one you prefer.

13k will get you a 2012 Focus ST if you find either car too fussy on the road.
 
Not particularly interested in getting massive power from them. I'd do the Mountune 215 to the Fiesta, but the Mini would probably stay standard apart from some Koni FSD shocks which do wonders for the ride. It's more the NVH that I'm interested in.

Janesy B said:
Fiesta is only more expensive because the oldest ST-3 you can buy is a 2014 one. Fiesta ST a bigger boot, it will probably be more economical if that's a concern, parts and servicing will be cheaper and the Recaro seats are the best thing ever.

Both are good cars, test drive both and get the one you prefer.

13k will get you a 2012 Focus ST if you find either car too fussy on the road.
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Love the Recaros, but the rest of the interior is dull in the Fiesta. Not bother about running costs between the two.

Can't stand the look of the Focus ST, would have to be a facelift ST-3 which are ~£20k
 
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The ride in either won't be as good as the Mazda 3 will it?

Going from a full size hatchback to a supermini class vehicle.
 
The Fiesta ST is fine 90% of the time, it's the 10% where you have a broken up surface or that horrible surface dressing and it's a bit miserable. Perfectly adequate on the motorway though.

If NVH is a big deal you'll probably want to stick with Focus/Golf sized cars.
 
Janesy B said:
The Fiesta ST is fine 90% of the time, it's the 10% where you have a broken up surface or that horrible surface dressing and it's a bit miserable. Perfectly adequate on the motorway though.

If NVH is a big deal you'll probably want to stick with Focus/Golf sized cars.
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There is nothing in my price range that I want. Plus I like smaller cars.
 
I had that problem and just put up with it, I came from a Focus with big squidgy tyres and I got used to it quick enough.
 
I'd go for the mini, but the ST's seem quite popular so Ford have clearly got something right with it, only sat in one so can't comment on driveability. I've test driven a 09 Cooper S and had a ride in DAIR's GP2.

Test drive and research the specs of both inside out and decide that way imo, it's easy to overlook options if you don't know what they can potentially come equipped with.
 
I test drove the Fiesta ST and found it fairly sedate and boring. be a nice small comfy car with a little bit of poke

The Mrs mini cooper was more fun. not driven the JCW so cant comment but if its anything like the cooper/cooperS it will be a hoot.
boot is tiny and the only thing that puts me off buying one.
 
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