Now this is new. Edmunds has decided to pit the newest BMW against the newest MINI Cooper.
>Season the Mini with a few options and it costs about the same as the BMW 1 Series. Both are known for being fun to drive and both are designed to hold two people comfortably but can accommodate four if the need arises. Both have usefully large cargo areas — the rear seats in each folds flat to enhance capacity. And both come standard with a six-speed manual transmission.
>Put simply, there ‘s little to the personality of the 2008 Mini Cooper S Clubman that can ‘t be had in the 128i, but without the tiresome retro design. The only thing the BMW lacks is the scorching blast of B.S. that accompanies the Mini in the form of retro pap. In its place is an honest car — a fundamentally better machine — which some might find less visually dazzling.
[ Comparison Test: 2008 BMW 128i vs. 2008 Mini Cooper S Clubman ] Edmunds.com