WITH the new version of BMW's Oxford-built Mini just arriving in the showrooms, it's a good moment, perhaps, to look again at one of the outgoing models.
Bargains are often to be found at switchover time and the first-generation Mini is still a darned good, fun little car. It's totted up more than 800,000 sales in its various forms, which says everything about its appeal.
The new Mini One diesel is not actually due until March and this 'old' version is not that ancient, having been introduced in 2003 and repowered in 2005, and it still stands up well.
There's no point in actually describing the Mini, because just about everyone must have at least ridden in one. That wide, wheels-in-corners squat on the road gives it a wonderful sure-footedness and the BMW stamp of high-feel steering tops off a rewarding driving experience.
The ride is still not bad, soaking up road imperfections quite well, although early reports of the new car, rethought top to bottom, indicate improvements in this area. Similarly, the problem of a rather cramped interior has been eased by slightly stretched dimensions in the newcomer.
It'll be goodbye in some ways to the interior look, too, although the hallmark toggles and big round dials reappear in a new form. Whether they are more practical than in this Mini Mark One car remains to be seen; I always found the switches a bit fiddly to use and having the speedo centre console with the rev counter in front of the driver is more traditional than sensible.
Despite these quirks, you still warm to the first-generation BMW Mini. In any guise it's a peppy little performer and the diesel version doesn't let the side down. It's a smooth, refined 1.4-litre 88bhp turbocharged common-rail unit developed from a Toyota original, and, with pull of 140lb/ft from 1,800rpm, it's reasonably lively, delivering up to 109mph.
The engine is teamed with a slick six-speed manual gearbox, and the cruise top contributes to an attractive open-road return of 66mpg. Cost-watchers will also like the carbon dioxide emissions rating of 129g/km.
On the face of it, Minis are a bit pricey to buy and if you accessorise and personalise over-enthusiastically your bank balance can wince. But you are buying quality-build and the Mini One D offers a good range of standard features.
The driver, for example, enjoys height adjustment of both seat and steering wheel and is given the confidence of traction and stability controls, cornering brake control, electronic brake force distribution in the ABS system and electro/hydraulic power steering. Other safety measures include front and side airbags, disc brakes all round, ventilated at the front, and run-flat tyres.
Elsewhere the car brings with it such items as electric front windows, central locking which is remote and automatically applied at 10mph, radio/CD player, tinted glass, a good front easy-entry system to get to the back seats and a 50:50 split rear seat. This last feature is useful in that it gives you extra cargo-carrying capacity, because the boot is minimal in normal form.
Dressage includes some nice upholstery and, externally, side sills carried over from the Mini Cooper S and chrome features. Facilities include several cupholders, but note that you have to pay extra for aircon, not so good in a car priced at more than £12,000.
But the overall package is a good one and a bit of negotiation right now over that price tag could deliver an astute buy.
FAST FACTS
Mini One 1.4 D
Price: £12,220
Mechanical: 88bhp, 1,364cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 6spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 112mph
0-62mph: 11.9 secs
Combined mpg: 58.9
Insurance group: 5
CO2 emissions: 129g/km
BiK rating: 18%
Warranty: 3yrs/ unlimited mileage, 6yrs anti-rust