2020 MINI Electric real-world review; flawed but fun..

The new MINI Electric first arrived a few weeks ago and I was keen to spend a decent amount of time living with it before giving it a full review. Find out how it went here..
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[@luciensanchez6451]

Sounds like the front tires will have less range than the battery!

[@dahdout]

TC is off you can see @ 17:02

[@andrewackerman6202]

Only if you have the traction control turned off as Harry did most of the time

[@olavipasanen4471]

It´s on Bridgestone tyres from the 70´s! They were sounding like that under Toyotas.

[@thetruth7633]

I was thinking thesame

[@bhiav]

What I do is sometimes get a tin of soup, heat it up, poach an egg in it, serve that with a pork pie sausage roll.

[@Rhowhat]

Would be great to get your thoughts on the Honda E when they start appearing.

[@js-hl5hv]

Slightly old, but I thought I'd give a perspective from someone who has owned one of these for about 4 months. The WLTP range is actually spot on when you drive as a commuter. If you barrel down back roads or take on all comers at the traffic lights, your range will suffer. You can still have fun by using the handling to maintain speed round corners without needing to stamp on it on the exit. An occasional full throttle blast won't decrease range noticeably, so fun can still be had. My average since new (I've never reset the trip computer) is 12.4kWh/100km, which translates to about 233km range, or 144miles. You can easily get 250km (155miles) with a bit less enthusiasm and I've seen 270 (170 miles) once, with boring follow the car in front driving. If range is not a problem for the day, then don't spare the horses and you can have an absolute ball. Such a fun car to drive.

[@wokeybrokey8006]

So you have to compromise your drive to maintain a range. What a waste of time and money owning one of these cars

[@stopitofff]

​@@wokeybrokey8006isn't that true of any car......

[@AndrewTSq]

Can add that ive driven it in -15 degree in 80km/h, and get around 150-160km of range.

[@pachy444]

​@@wokeybrokey8006​Yes, I got a lift in one once and I got Warts 🥴

[@ghibli608]

The price: it’s at par with a Cooper S. Same performance, same equipment, same price. HUD: you can adjust it. I have it in mine and I LOVE it ! Driving experience: I was driving it around with a HUGE SMILE on my face... all the time. It’s a car you really fall for. Now, the whole range discussion: it’s meant as a city to Megacity vehicle. The range is more than enough !

[@jamesbaggaley1460]

Spot on.

[@windinthewillows6248]

As an owner of a BMW i3S for almost 2 years, who doesn’t live in the city, I can tell you after the novelty wares off, you will soon understand the chore of charging, particularly as more electric cars are on the road and your looking for a place to charge. A range of 100 miles may well be fine if your in the city, but its a bare minimum, now add the cold weather of the winter where you need heater, lights etc and its reduced even more.

[@YourMajestyTheKing]

I just ordered one. I am hoping that we don’t need to install a level 2 charger. I am thinking of full charge in public charger then hope my mom won’t drive too much so that it can be topped up daily just on 100V plug

[@UKRenna]

@ATS599 even if you do, go cross country and the regeneration will probably pile the miles back on.

[@allensaunders449]

When harry uploads a vid i can push like before i even watch. Confidence

[@andrewhayward4603]

I have owned the CooperSE for two years, and I find the range is not an issue in any way - as long as you only want it as a second car / runaround. I think Mini got it exactly right, because most people don’t do 100 miles a week, and certainly not per day. It will do most journeys for most people most of the time, with half the weight penalty and half the charging time. Perfect. I also think you unfairly dismiss the HUD: it is perfect for sat nav, as you don’t need to study the central screen to work out how it is telling you to navigate a complicated junction. Keep up the good work. Best wishes.

[@pachy444]

Best comment on here, exactly correct about range, people are obsessed with range and the makers are having to produce stupid big heavy batteries in EVs to offer customers what they THINK they need. What you actually want in an EV is the smallest battery that covers what you do in a day most days. Mini SE is an absolute gem of a car.

[@athousandtinycobras4349]

Good review, as always. I came here because I've been thinking of purchasing an electric MINI when my beloved 2005 R50 is ready for retirement (which may never happen). But I've never understood why reviewers insist on doing a rear seat fit tests on Minis, but rarely bother with cars like the 911, Evora or Camaro (which also have very small rear seats). Like those cars, the Mini should be thought of as a two-person car with extra storage space behind the front seats. Many people don't realize it, but MINIs (the petrol versions, at least) are fantastic touring cars for two.

[@andyl2201]

Watch EV Puzzle he has driven one for a year and had 170 miles on it.

[@bloccoaspirale1867]

This car would have been a great alternative to a Nissan LEAF 5 years ago but I think that it already looks out of date in terms of tech, capability and styling.

[@paulthorpe766]

Totally agree - neither fish nor fowl, but it did drive in good manner on back roads, but it's not got range to use as log hauler and it's too big to nip in and out of small spaces in town - We had one for a week and yes we also got 78 mile worst day range. So we decided instead on a smart 4/2 electric 70 mile range £17000 incl grant, and a secondhand £22000 year old GTE golf hybrid 28 miles plus long range on petrol if you need it to go 100 miles + as the daily workhorses as we don't need a big 4x4 or Estate. Both are ace at the job they are expected to do.

[@charlielear4468]

CCD’s

[@mcdick]

Well looks like a Mini. I don't think it good or bad thing. The range however on paper is bad. Really bad. However Minis aren't really more than commuters/city cars so there the range doesn't really matter that much. If you can charge it home. Still it's really a stylish second car for someone who can afford one. As only car it doesn't make any sense. Just like any 3 door mini.

[@philallen7626]

It feels like they are just testing the market. The current gen Mini has been out quite a while, and will be up for replacement soon. I expect the next one will be like the Pug 208 & Corsa designed from the outset to accommodate both ICE & EV giving more room for the battery.

[@bloccoaspirale1867]

@@philallen7626 But this isn't some radical new concept. Which market are they testing by converting a 20 year old design into a low spec electric vehicle and then burdening it with a high price tag? They've produced a car that no sane person would buy.

[@maxtorque2277]

I've got an early, non range extended i3, and it has a 22kW battery of which just 18.5 are actually useable. It does, at best 80 miles, and in the depths of winter, just 60 miles.. And, well, it's BRILLIANT! I litterally couldn't care that it only does 60 miles, i work 12 miles away from home, i shop 4 miles away, the gym is 2 miles away, the post off just 800 yards. It cost pennies to run, is brilliant fun to drive, clocks 60 in under 7 sec (weighs just 1150 kg thanks to the carbon construction and small battery) and of course, it's always charged, because i just plug it in when i get home, so ask you self this, do you ACTUALLY need a car with more than 100 miles range? Do you drive a transit van all year round becaus eonce last year you needed to pick up a sofa? of course not, you hire one when you need it, which is what we do for longer trips. With the money we save frankly we could hire a helicopter for our long trips and still be better off!!! So yes, some people do need longer range, but i bet the vast majority could easily live with a car with a 100 mile daily range...........

[@harrysgarage]

Excellent, I'm pleased to hear it. Which is why I made the point at the end of the video that if a 100mile range isn't a problem for you, then you'll love this car. It's just where I live, a 100mile range would be too limiting for the type of trips we regularly do. Hence why this isn't the car for me.

[@maxtorque2277]

@@harrysgarage I'm not calling you a liar harryy, but is that actually the case? you regularily need to drive more than 90 miles a day in what is clearly a second car? From your house it's 20 miles to oxford, 20 miles to swindon, 30 miles to gloucester. So you could so all those journeys there and back about twice in the 'lecy mini? My biggest "learning" after 4 years of short range ev ownership is that cars are like watches. Sure we want a watch waterproof to 1000meters, but actually we swim in the local swimming pool a few times a year and snorkled greece back in 2004... ie, despite owning a car that can do just 60 miles, that's actually MORE than enough ! ;-) Also worth saying that as workplace and destination charging facilities improve (and they have markedly in the 4 years i've had my i3) if you drive to oxford to go shopping, while you shop, your car will charge, so that journey is significantly negated For local trips even a boggo 7kW charger is more than good enough for this (45 min scooting around sainsburys adds 20 miles)

[@9ogt]

I believe the reason the battery pack is so small is that when they were developing the floorpan/chassis for the 3rd Gen MINI Hatch, they had planned all along to offer a BEV variant but then decided against it quite late in the design stage, so they settled to build the 3rd Gen MINI as an ICE only. As the small electric car market has changed so quickly, they decided they'd offer a BEV, but they've had to do their best to fit all the battery pack into a car that was built for ICE only. Every other small BEV on sale, to my knowledge, has been designed with BEV in mind from Day One, hence their larger packs and therefore range.

[@michaelsummerell8618]

£30k for a car with a range of 90 odd miles on full charge? Next.

[@jamesbaggaley1460]

@@johnsayer116 so what? 😂 You wouldn't buy one because your insecure about how you'd be seen as a BMW driver? Oh please... Didn't you see the part when he said the base car was 24k? That's still a fairly well specced car.

[@simonfreeman2808]

Wow. What a bargain

[@michaelsummerell8618]

@@jamesbaggaley1460 Nice try at Trolling, but no cigar. I actually already drive a BMW (3 series touring) with no insecurities whatsoever thanks. I just fail to see how cars this limited can firstly be a viable alternative, and secondly justify £24k, let alone £30k+

[@Tigermoto]

I'm with you, that's less than two days commute for me. And it's a hell of a lot of money for weekend shopping Grandma

[@julianevans9548]

It's nothing but a second car for people who can afford a car they only use for a short commute - i.e. it's not the answer to any environmental question because building extra cars is not environmentally friendly. What this car does do is make the owner feel like they're 'doing their bit'.

[@mrmoran0077]

Only Harry could make a car I have zero interest in interesting, a rare skill 👍

[@violettepetals9931]

try test driving one. they're pretty fun to drive

[@briangardner1641]

Another fantastic review, very interesting and informative. Harrys face when he turns off traction control and pulls away - priceless :) its what these reviews are all about :)

[@DjNikGnashers]

Awful thing. It's expensive, dated already, and just naff.

[@IanRMcAllister]

Nice review - honest and authentic, hence why you got the Influencer award this week - Congratulations!

[@conradknightsocksknight1590]

Expensive and low range ... maybe if this came out 10 years ago it might be relevant.

[@insightman]

Critics complained in 2009 that the MINI E was not relevant because it offered only 100 miles of range. This MINI Cooper SE is totally relevant if the buyer (me) accepts its major compromise. I'm the rare person who hasn't driven 100 miles in a day in more than a year and who wants a car that can do what this MINI can do before it runs out of juice.

[@chuckypud]

I've seen other reviewers who have had the car for a few months get 130 miles out of a full charge and get 0-60 in 6.3 seconds. I'm getting one for my wife as she loved it and does a 20 mile commute and rarely drives anywhere over 25 miles away and if she did she will stop and charge it back up in 30 minutes the services whilst she has a coffee and a big stinky shit

[@t5jerry]

Coco, I've never heard you be so vehement about a part of a car ( mini H.U.D) in all my years of watching your videos 😤😤😤 still it's nice to see "somebody" who reviews cars on KZbin say what they think and not be worried about upsetting a car manufacturer (BMW) , can we see some more of this from other car "reviewers" who are reading this, it's nice to see someone with a big pair of kerknackers in this pc world of ours, a bit of British spirit, a dying breed 😰😰😰😰

[@iantownsend500]

I’ve driven loads of mini’s & they’ve all been fun to drive. This looked a right laugh. Any chances you’re getting a Honda E any time soon Harry

[@alankingsley-dobson4676]

90 Miles range is unacceptable for an EV nowadays. I own a Tesla MS and M3, both are the 200+ as base models.

[@michaelturnbull3981]

Alan Kingsley-Dobson both are bigger cars. Plus it depends on your individual circumstances. If you have a 10 mile commute to work then the range is fine.

[@mddah01]

@@michaelturnbull3981 Agree with that, but the efficiency of the Mini is poor. To put it in context I have a 28kWh Hyundai Ioniq BEV (same battery capacity as the Mini) and I can comfortably do a 220 km (136 miles) round trip to work on a single charge, with 80% on motorway (i.e not ideal for range). It has a lot of space for carrying kids and gear. The Ioniq isn't nearly as much fun to drive but realistically I couldn't use the Mini.

[@andrewackerman6202]

@@alankingsley-dobson4676 yes but they are both gigantic by comparison as well as massively more expensive

[@vascosoares8188]

@@mddah01 well i do 180km trip in this car just fine avg 110km/h

[@charles-vq6sd]

yeah i've got a problem with the 90 miles bit.

[@gretchensghost]

I'd have a problem with the £30,000. bit.

[@DoodlezMusic]

I have a problem with the no vroom and tire noise bit.

[@levelcrossing150]

I have a problem with the electric cars bit.

[@Neojhun]

Such a shame, it's freaking 2020. No expensive BEV should be less than 180 miles. A proper one would be slight over 200 miles.

[@Neojhun]

@@levelcrossing150 I have a problem with your comment. That's the best thing about this Mini. The weight distribution and power makes the car more fun.

[@perunut4656]

Really enjoyed this! I think they should offer you a trial slot on Top Gear to bring back a sensible useful review with a bit of fun!

[@ChristopherRowlands]

Great review, my heart has fancied one for a while, but my head says the range is no better than my wife’s 5 year old Renault Zoe.

[@YourMajestyTheKing]

You are lucky to have so many EV options. I love the new Zoe interior. Too bad no Zoe in NA. Ordered the Mini SE. Hope that it works out for my family.

[@chrisremovalman5009]

The dash lay out is very early 00's I had a 51 plate and it's very similar. Needs updating in my opinion... never the less v cool little car and very well reviewed Harry! Good work and looking forward to the next one.

[@johnhaynes9910]

Good review but I think the Mini just suffers from the same problem as any other EV, poor battery technology which leads to silly showroom prices compared to ICE cars. Although I am no fan of the man, this is where Musk got it right with Tesla, build your own batteries, invest as much if not more in that technology than in the actual vehicle. There is an awful lot of "chicken & egg" in this switch to green technology, wind, wave and solar can never become our sole source of power generation for the national grid until ways of storing the energy for later use can be found.

[@VolkerHett]

And he got the charging infrastructure right, too! Teslas success is well earned. Edit, and power storage as well!

[@johnhaynes9910]

@@VolkerHett Absolutely and Harry did an episode that highlighted that being the case in the UK too.

[@DuvJones]

The way that I have been looking at it is this. Now... it has HORRIBLE range, their is no getting around that. Something that Harry doesn't mention is that this car has the same engine as the BMW i3.... which was also bad. That said, when starting out... range is a horrible problem, but give it about 5 years or so. The Mini has about the same range as the second generation Kia e-Soul or the first generation of VW's e-Up. Both cars has improved nicely as they aged up (no seriously, the third generation e-Soul is pushing about 250 miles or so in range, that is pretty good for the expected use case). So long as BMW continues with the i-line of car's, the generation improvements will be bigger as the tech gets more refined. A second generation Mini Electric is looking to be interesting. I would not suggest the Mini Electric at this point if you are looking at the range, it doesn't have it and for now, that will not change. That said, an icon is in the market.... those badges do mean something to most of the market, and I don't think that BMW group is going to abandon EV's at this point, they have put too much money as it stands to not get some pay out of it. So watch the Mini Electric as it ages, because if history is a guide... this Cooper is going to do so with some grace.

[@philnj1962]

@Dee Jay So if John is a Tesla Fanboy does this grumpy comment make you a Tesla Troll. :-). Not everyone gets the facts right all the time mate. I think the crux of what John was saying could probably be better explained by the battery management platform / system (BMS) and vehicle operating system. This is where Tesla has gone all out and developed in house, whereas most EV companies outsource this. This has given them a number of advantages including future vehicle to grid, charging platforms, remote management, data acquisition etc. I think the development of their own silicon probably helps with this as well. Add to this that the real battery nirvana is likely to be the first to nail commercially viable solid state chemistry. Tech aside, what Tesla really need to do is sort out build quality and service issues if they want to nail direct to market..

[@johnhaynes9910]

@Dee Jay Tut, tut...do keep your your hair piece on. Whilst what you say may be true, what is also true is that Tesla is building battery "giga factories" in numerous locations globally. But there is something more important behind this and much as I think Musk an utter twat, as a business they are not content to just make cars, they have thought it through and realised that they needed to invest in battery production, the most expensive part of the car and the recharge points. If you look at Harry's video on the Jaguar iPace and when he stops at High Wycombe you see the array of Tesla fast charging points there, impressive. Actually I am not a Tesla fan boy and wouldn't want one even if offered it but it is childish to spit and hiss as you have, do cheer up.

[@luksweam]

Yup! The sighing door sound. One hopes for Alan Rickman's voice announcing that batteries aren't fully charged and who cares anyway... Sigh! So this is a car designed and priced personally for Zaphod Beeblebrox? Grossly overpriced, disco lights, unnecessary displays, wiggly steering, mysterious buttons... :)

[@MasterMalrubius]

Two awesome references in one post. You win Internet Friday award.

[@VolkerHett]

Hm, come to think of it. One in real black black as a car alternative to Desaster Areas stunt ship? That one needed just enough juice to hurl it into a sun.

[@jamesbaggaley1460]

What unnecessary displays?

[@Toastybear1]

this is the refreshing difference with harry! unlike the clarksons of this world, a man who realises that for normal people, on normal roads, a little torque steer isn't a bad thing, in the right way. and the same with predictable controllable understeer in certain types of car. not every car needs 500bhp and 4wd to be playful and fun!

[@jackroutledge352]

Sounds nice. Tempted. Not at all worried about the range, since we have another car for longer trips. My commute is 20 miles each way, so no worries. People obsess about range with electric cars far too much.

[@grantbolton782]

Thoroughly enjoyable as ever, really looking forward to a real world Harry review of the Honda E !

[@mmdirtyworkz]

This car would have been great 5-10 years ago

[@errekseventytwo3475]

Had mine just delivered. Range not an issue for me, more fun than I expected. My only non-Italian car though. How can I rebadge to Innocenti? :-p

[@LOTPOR0402]

Fun !, i reckon my dishwasher is more fun, and better looking

[@jamesbaggaley1460]

@@LOTPOR0402 I'd trust Harry's opinion, or this guy who owns one... they seem to think its fun.

[@TekAutomatica]

Sell and buy New Fiat 500 electric

[@errekseventytwo3475]

@@LOTPOR0402 Must be one hell of a dishwasher.

[@errekseventytwo3475]

@@TekAutomatica Thought about it. Maybe if they go Abarth with it.

[@SWR112]

It’s so expensive because they are five years behind everyone and not able to bring costs down by mass production by economy of scale . This at £23k and can do 200-300 miles absolutely but over 30k for real world 110 miles in this spec just silly ( that 3 on the badge basically states your a prat for parting with circa 30k) 👏👏👏- not in this life time and I say this from having five BMW MINI’s since 2007 and two of them on the drive still. Second Gen SE being a proper EV built from the ground up and not just a converted F series that can do 300 miles then we are talking. Mini need to realise people do really use them for holidays and road trips and not just crawl around the a City. To MINI can I drive this from Glasgow to Durness charging on the way with it not getting silly following the west coast highland roads. No I don’t think so and until then it’s a non starter for me but that just for me. Saving grace I think it will still be fun to drive. That on some of my favourite North Yorkshire roads when we are down that way absolutely on drivability. Maybe what the second gen offers 2024.🤔 The dealerships that have been used to ripping loyal customers off, every service I had on that five year package ie two brake services and an Oil always tried to tell me my wiper blades need replaced even when I had replaced them two weeks previous all round the Car🤷🏼‍♂️ When you say I replaced them two weeks ago it gets brushed off as “ ah ok you don’t need them then” - what! Partly when our MINI’s go to an independent BMW trained specialist that only does BMW and MINI for half the cost of the dealer and look after you truthfully. Solid review from Harry as always not trying to come from an angle like anti EV or treat viewers like halfwits and I only say say that because some have reviewed this Car be starting with - It’s quiet because it has not got a engine.

[@insightman]

How is the ground-up, new-design Honda e better? It's slower, more expensive, has about the same range, and even with 100 kW charging takes just as long to get to 80% as the MINI with 50 kW charging. The Honda does look more modern.

[@DavidMBanes]

Thanks Harry, nice to hear an honest review that confirms thoughts on price and range.

[@smOOdiebOOdie]

10:01 Harry BURP 😅👍🏻🍺

[@SnakeyUk08]

lol never noticed first time round hehe

[@buzzofftoxicblog791]

Harry worth mentioning we need to ditch old toxic fuel cars we face acceraled exstction🤡⛽☠️⛽☠️ just thought I would remind you. Will stick with our BMW all electric composite I3 ITS BRILLIANT . I AM DISAPPOINTED WITH THE FAT MINI MINI MMMM GOOD FOR FWD TYER BURN OUT 🤡 TRY HARDER MINI AND DITCH TOXIC PLEASE PLEASE HELP THANK YOU Harry 🌏💚#BUZZOFFTOXIC

[@cmadk3423]

I can't imagine owning a car that has less milage range then my tw 200 dual sport motorcycle.

[@Ijusthopeitsquick]

*mileage

[@GrrMeister]

*The old RG500 Pepsi Suzuki needs recharging around 100 miles, however it only takes 3-4 minutes. Never found it a problem, however did I tell you that once when travelling back from Switzerland through France...................Range Anxiety I nearly **-sh@t-** had an accident in my pants, and it was over 90° in the shade !*

[@acentre3202]

owning a car than cost way less than BMWGSA motorcycle!

[@eustonr]

2 things. Firstly Harry compares the price unfairly - he compares the LOWEST spec petrol mini with the HIGHEST spec electric version and complains about the 10K difference in price. The lowest spec electric version is just 24K with the gov grant - which makes it close to the cheapest electric car out there, and a similar price to the Cooper S.. Secondly - to get just 90 miles out of it he's driving like a maniac. I get close to the WLTP 140 miles out of mine - more if I drive carefully.. Which is pretty close to the 150 he says he wants. Whats worse is he then compares HIS rubbish (predicted) range of 90 miles with the WLTP ranges of other cars - very unfair and downright deceptive. Also, The predictive miles is conservative on purpose. You can get the ACTUAL range, you can multiply the miles/KW by the usable size of the battery. For example, I get on average 4.6 mi/kw Usable battery is 28.9Kw - so my range with normal driving is 4.6 x 28.9 = 132 miles. The predictive count will only say a little over 100. If you want to have fun with it - fine - but you cant expect to get the same range as if you were driving in the city like a normal person.

[@Jabber-ig3iw]

Mini have obviously done research into what a potential mini owner wants from an electric mini and that appears to be they want a shorter range but with the sportier handling retained. I wonder if they will do a heavier long range model?

[@RebelsInc969]

90 miles for 33 grand deff not, I see a motorbike the other day they want 10 grand for 50 miles they realy need to part the battery life or just go with hydrogen fuel cell which is exactly what I think they are going to do

[@Mike-jz8hr]

Electric cars are the way to go my friend and trust me u don't have to hide it like the Germans are trying to do. Tell me a gasoline engines car that can go 0 to 60 m/h in 2.2 seconds...the gasoline cars can Not keep up with the instant torque of electric motors. And better acceleration. And more reliability. Less maintenance and.better wight distribution. Because u can put the batteries way down on the floor or anywhere u want them to be. One last thing did I say that they are faster too😁😀😁😀😎 my bad. So don't be shy my friend for driving an electric car.

[@ginggur17]

Mini are such a fun drive

[@insightman]

@Dee Jay You didn't watch Harry's video, obviously.

[@LiamE69]

Why do they insist on putting a zit on the front of the electric ones?

[@paul1978g]

I can't remember a time in my life where having a range of less than 100 miles was ever a thing. I'd have to plug the thing in every single day, which i imagine has a negative effect on the battery life. Some days i just wouldn't be able to use it because i need more than 100 miles to get to where i'm working that week. This seems to be aimed at the person who could realistically get by on a pushbike, and when you're throwing £30k at it, it's suddenly a very expensive option for such limited use.

[@ouethojlkjn]

Just 100 miles range puts me off too, but a 25 year old internet Kid living in the big city? Maybe they would jump at this sort of car. Specially if they get a cheap 3 year lease as few people actually buy new cars anymore, most are rented.

[@Ijusthopeitsquick]

@@ouethojlkjn 3 year leases are cheap?

[@markrushton1516]

But living in the city means access to a charging point which has to be at a charging station or in a private garage facility. An apartment dweller may not have either

[@TekAutomatica]

Most superminis of the 1970s and 1989s had a petrol range of 150miles when driven like this. I3 is similar but much quicker than old Fiat 127 Sport. But like fat MINI not as good on narrow roads.

[@ouethojlkjn]

@@Ijusthopeitsquick I guess any lease cost is subjective but it is a favoured option over buying a £30k+ vehicle outright in cash.

[@geoffmansfield2668]

Your comparison with Fiat 500e says it all. This is a compliance car. If they had really wanted a great BEV, it would have been designed from the bottom up. Instead they have shoe horned in a tiny battery. Worst of all worlds!

[@stubailey9433]

Love small cars. This looks fun, range not so good but i could live with it. Waiting for the Honda e review. Well done Harry.

[@WoolyBuggerPicker]

It ain't small though!

[@andyl2201]

I like to listen to people who have lived with the mini electric for a year EV Puzzle does a series of very analytical reviews with his mini electric level 2 and managed to get 170 miles from his having owned his for twelve months gives a more realistic review if your thinking of buying a mini electric. He has also owned the Hyundai Kona, excellent review on that too.

[@naturalrestingface4909]

90 miles! £33k! Is the entire company smoking weed?

[@davandbre]

Cost of ownership is still going to be less than petrol or diesel!

[@Jabber-ig3iw]

Natural Resting Face what has the price got to do with range?

[@naturalrestingface4909]

@@Jabber-ig3iw I'd agree if this was a supercar but it's a Mini. If money had nothing to do with range and let's be honest, most people will buy this car based on day-to-day running costs, then I may as well drop 33k in the dealership and walk out with a key ring.

[@Jabber-ig3iw]

Natural Resting Eh? None of what you say explains a correlation between range and price. You are paying a premium because it’s a mini and everything that comes with that brand. Minis have always been more expensive than a comparable city car, they play on the cool factor, even when the mini first came out you could spec it to over 30k, 20 years later 30k for the electric model seems like a bargain. The range is completely immaterial in relation to the price. You are buying the whole car not just a thing that takes you 100 miles.

[@naturalrestingface4909]

@@Jabber-ig3iw Buy it if you like it that much. I'll pass as I don't think it's good value. I'll stick to my Volvo V50 which sees me 450 miles.

[@marcob1729]

The city range electric car makes much less sense than I would initially think. People who live in a city and only need a low range ev are some of the people that need the longest range. Their chances of having a garage with a charger are pretty small. I have trouble enough finding normal parking, let alone parking with a charger!

[@GrrMeister]

*Ok for someone say commuting 35-40 Miles into a City each day, recharge overnight, job's a good'un - No Road Tax/Congestion Charges and very low "Service" Costs. On longer trips noticed at **17:35** and at **20:33** can recharge at 50 KwH in just over ½ an hour, so provided you plan route feasible for longer journeys. Not for me personally, have an extremely efficient New ICE Car with all the tricks that have achieved 83.2 MPG over a 39 Mile trip from Cold start. Guess what it is ? Give you a small clue "Hi @@@@@*

[@dickieb2233]

@@GrrMeister Hi n dry?

[@paulsm77]

For low mileage city driving why would anyone spend £30k+ on an EV when you could buy a petrol for £16k. Petrol cost isn’t a consideration if miles are that low

[@maxtorque2277]

if you actually LIVE in a city, wtf have you got a car anyway!!! lol! A huge, expensive deprectiating asset that sits outside on the street, loosing money for 99% of it's time you own it.

[@maxtorque2277]

@@GrrMeister 83 mpg. wow, that's terrible! No really, my i3, over 4 years of commuting 32 miles a day into milton keynes in all weathers has averaged 183 mpg (equivalent, measured at the charger, so including charging and preconditioning 'losses') EVs are very quickly re-writing the book, so whilst today a typical person might htink 83 mpg is good, it's not. It just shows you that that car has wasted over half the energy put into it..........

[@Phunkiedeknition]

That's great, No.... Timing Chain Gearbox Thermostat Clutch failure Leaking oil Issues Possibly just as reliable as the original minis

[@Franksey180]

Perfect timing for my lunch break.. Cheers Harry

[@johnrobson1122]

Agreed overpriced and has a range of my pushbike!!!

[@martijnkosters9024]

john robson you must have great stamina then.

[@GrrMeister]

16:52 *The Range 99 Miles - easy change to KM and magically increases to 160 !*

[@colintraveller]

If they are wanting people to switch to Electric cars .. They need to BE AFFORDABLE ... No if's or Buts 30 grand for a EC . EC's Should be under 10 grand

[@ouethojlkjn]

Regrettably, the Auto Industry would love EVs to just disappear altogether hence they do the absolute minimum to greenwash but their heart isn't really in it. their wallet certainly isn't.

[@wclifton968gameplaystutorials]

The only way to sell EVs for less than £20K would be to mass produce battery cells (Economies of Scale) and so far only Tesla is mass producing Li-Ion 18650 cells in a partnership with Matsushita Corporation (Panasonic) and some state-owned Chinese company which has a benefit of producing batteries at a lower cost but all the other automakers have not commited to such a production line (Except for VW Group) because of the chicken and egg problem because all their cars are (BEVs that is) are uncool and are nowhere near as good as Tesla Autos which has streamlined production and now makes a profit on every car sold unlike everyone else who looses money on every EV sold and so they care not to invest in batteries and will continue to greenwash their customers into buying crap EVs with cells from LG Chemicals or unreliable piston cars that can only attain 20mpg. Eventually though Tesla will sell an EV for

[@wclifton968gameplaystutorials]

@Howard Hamlin It was never about the carbon taxes or climate change/"global warming" it was about trying to make everyone poor and so far the UN has succeded in doing this across Africa and they were successful at doing it across Asia until the IMF forced India to deregulate the economy and other ASEAN countries followed suit (countries who are members of ASEAN that is). Global warming and carbon taxes were just a scapegoat in order to come up with an idea of new government controls since breaking the constitution wasn't politically possible in some countries

[@aDaWaN]

EVs will never be at the same price point as cheap cars now. The batteries will always be more expensive as a fuel tank. The extra weight also adds cost to the car. If we all move to electric cars, the people with less money will be the losers. They will simply not be able to afford a car anymore. I think a lot of politicians think they are saving the planet by this move, but in reality they are immobilizing the people which cannot afford much.

[@davemyers77]

@@aDaWaN I suggest you research the price of batteries over the last 10 years, they are coming down in price and up in storage capacity. Volkswagen say their new id3 will cost the same as an equivalent spec golf.

[@christopherprose3881]

The next generation e-Mini should be stellar when you consider the advances in battery tech lately. Imagine this very same car with 250 miles of range? Crazy good, and a perfect 2nd car for just about anyone, a respectable and desirable 1-car for everyone else.

[@rogermartinez78]

You are on to something but after seeing the next generation electric Mini I can say I am not loving the minimalist look, I am however, looking forward to the next generation battery to swap into my 2023 electric Mini that will increase the range to 250 that you mentioned.

[@pjclark8624]

'Fun' and 'electric' in the same sentence. TC off when entering ULEZ then. A green hooligan. Well done Mini. Just for the rich list though, to keep those working chargers free of a queue. Great review thank you H.

[@Kelveron]

The smaller battery clearly hurts the range, but they've gone for it to keep the weight down and preserve (as much as possible) the Mini dynamics. 1365kg is a lot for mini, but pretty decent for an EV, even a small one.

[@TekAutomatica]

It's BMW parts bin. MK2 i3 pack and drivetrain but FWD

[@niconesta8566]

Just like the honda ev way too expensive not enough range. The Corsa E is interesting I think.

[@georgebamber6871]

The two best looking electric cars are the worst

[@moviebod]

I should think the front tyres would last 8,000 miles if you were lucky. Maybe the OEM are a cheaper compund. That is often the case with new motorcycle tyres.

[@martijnkosters9024]

It’s a fashion accessory. It’s a city car. It’s not intended to offer big range for a reasonable price, though petrol Minis are as crazily priced with options, so fair game for the electric version.

[@rogerbyrne9040]

This review has restored my confidence that electric cars can be fun to drive and put a smile on your face as it did on Harry's. So this is a very important car in that regard. Crazy price at the moment although this car is for well heeled fachionable city slickers and driving enthusiasts. Very low range but remember practicality is boring!

[@eeclass20]

I remain unconvinced on EV vehicles for one big reason, many of us live in terraced houses with on street parking. Until I can use an EV in the same way as an ICE powered car then I stick to petrol. The fact that I could go and get a hybrid is tempting but the only one that I like is the Yaris as it fits my remit in being a good as an all rounder. The other issue is my only car is an elderly Merc 190E, poverty spec with simple maintenance needs but bags of character.

[@ouethojlkjn]

I sold on my elderly 15 year old Saab 9-5 2.2 TiD and regretted it ever since. the problem was as a diesel, there were a growing number of places I could not take it - soon to be anywhere within the M25!

[@nlSpiller]

Living in an apt in Amsterdam with on street parking this isn't an issue at all. It is a job for local council to help pave the way to EV acceptance

[@insightman]

I just read that Toyota is discontinuing the Yaris. Maybe there will be good deals to be had.

[@GrrMeister]

19:40 *'Save the Planet' absolute rubbish even if we all drove EV's would not make a slightest bit of difference to CO² emissions from currently over 600 Coal Powered Power Stations **_under construction,_** and Worldwide have 2,425 Stations pumping out 15 billion tonnes of CO₂ emissions. And don't start me on Aircraft where it is very difficult to find out how muchCO₂ they discharge as it is always hidden as **_per passenger_** very convenient, my car does 320+ MPG with 3 passengers ! However as the recent 'lockdown' has illustrated the Skies have been bluer, everywhere quieter, and the air cleaner. Hold my Beer, just heard a Jet going by, no doubt going to pick up my Grapes from Chile and Asparagus from Italy and a short detour to pick up a crate of Shiraz 2019 - Yellow Tail from Australia.*

[@CJMVector321190]

Remember when China shut down for Covid. I was in Norway at the time and in 2 weeks pollution was down, the same as 1 1/2 years of Norway pollution.

[@vtrmcs]

If you can get one at the right price, these are perfect for leasing. Terrible ownership proposition, but the same is true of all electric vehicles. They have a finite life and tech is improving constantly.

[@nickfarrington2390]

This does feel like a miscalculation on BMW's part. That battery size was probably reasonable when they first thought of it, but it looks wrong in the light of the Peugeot, Renault and Fiat competitors that all have much larger batteries. I think BMW will be forced to respond.

[@bloccoaspirale1867]

It's hard to believe that this is from the same company that produced the innovative i3 7 years ago.

[@waynerussell6401]

@@bloccoaspirale1867 It is a rebadged i3 drive train.

[@marksol1881]

I love the giggling after each screech of the tyres followed by an "apology"

[@chrisvig123]

When Harry says it’s a bit of a shocker 😯

[@bernardcharlesworth9860]

Nice review but will wait for solid state battery version with 200mile range and same weight .

[@thesean68]

I just don’t believe that pure electric is the power source for the future. Infrastructure alone, is not deliverable for a looooong time. 😩🤷🏻‍♂️

[@stuartd9741]

With current nuclear *fission* power this is correct. However if the scientists manage to crack nuclear *_fusion_* then we'll have all the *green* energy we'll need. Still a few years away but they are getting close. Check out ITER fusion reactor in France.

[@Stuboi0]

Sorry but I have to disagree with you on one thing. Torque-steer is not a good thing. Modern cars have systems in place which automatically adjust the amount of torque to individual wheels and thus more efficient when putting the power down. Car companies have spent decades and a heck of a lot of money in eliminating torque-steer, especially in hot-hatches.

[@insightman]

Someday cars will drive all by themselves and torque steer will be part of a distant memory of when driving skills mattered and made driving more fun.

[@steelscooter]

Is your camera windscreen placement UK legal? Regulation 30 of the Road Vehicles Regulations "...that the driver thereof while controlling the vehicle can at all times have a full view of the road and traffic ahead of the motor vehicle." Could be on a sticky wicket if you had an accident. 🤔

[@insightman]

Clearly from Harry's numerous high-speed jaunts, he has an "arrangement" with the local constabulary.

[@Jabber-ig3iw]

If you live in a city and rarely do long journeys, 100mile range is probably 3 or 4 days between charges. Seems perfectly reasonable to me.

[@rsg-digital]

Good review. Im been a mini owner had a R53 CS for 10 years and loved it. Let it go and bought a 2017 CS. Looking to trade in for a Mini E but was worried about how it would be compromised by the battery. Your review has helped me to decide to wait until BMW do the right thing and design a change. Can you do a review of the Honda E? Sorry if that's offensive suggestion.

[@MiniEggs1999]

Interesting compromise gamble. Most OEMs have said it’s all about range and compromise the ride handling and big price. Mini have said let’s build the most fun EV and the range will be what it will be. As a second car choice for one half to take kids to school and the other to razz round lanes at weekends. I think there are enough yummy mummies and groovy dads who would choose this over a more sensible EV because they don’t need the range. They take the X5 when they do.

[@hobojon44]

Do you car testers go out and drive the car or is it filmed infront of a blue screen with travic in it

[@ingraam7]

Really liked this, Harry. I’m running one for Auto Express/DrivingElectric and agree with all your sentiments. I’m regularly seeing 110 miles in normal and 135-odd in Green+ but like you say, air-con essential at this time of year!

[@jan-hendrikbussmann4644]

Considering the battery capacity: I do not think it is because of handling but more because this car has not been planned as electric when it was first engineered. There was either just not enough space on the underbody to fit enough modules or with 1.350 kg, it is at the limit of the suspension capabilities. After all, you still want to be able to load two people and the one small backpack that fits in the boot without exceeding maximum axle weight. (I drive an older Mini myself, so I can bash it all I want :-)

[@insightman]

To compensate for the battery weight, his MINI uses suspension bits from its heavier sibling. It's only 18 mm higher than the MINI Cooper S, but has a lower center of gravity thanks to the location of the battery in the floor. It's amazing that MINI could completely hide a battery of essentially the same capacity as the MINI E's battery that replaced the rear seats.

[@marinedrive5484]

90-mile range is just ridiculous.

[@vascosoares8188]

its more than 90 miles

[@Neil2022]

Vasco Soares nope.

[@mowcowbell]

Many reviewers and owners are reporting range in the 110-120 mile range.

[@vascosoares8188]

@@Neil2022 yes it is i drove well pas the fucking 90 miles (retarded units btw) i did 220 km

[@ebinbelji7381]

Do a comparison between all the main EV's and select your favourite !

[@SB-vb8ch]

You won't see 83 miles range driving like a loon, most EV cars very rapidly burn through energy when hooning it. Have to keep in mind that 29KWh is less than 4 litres of petrol in terms of energy (clearly the efficiency is much higher in terms of useful work delivered). I'd suggest that the Battery capacity is more as a result of what they can physically package & what extra mass the platform will take rather than a conscious decision. They certainly are not passing the cost saving of actual battery capacity vs the competitors. They're banking on enough people who don't care about the range & just want one. I'm sure they will sell plenty.

[@Brownalebelly]

Sees Harry has a new video up! Cheers loudly, makes a cup of tea, settles down for 20 minutes of bliss. Then realises it's another bloody electric car. Watched it anyway, still like Harry, but I detest electric cars and the way governments are trying to force feed us them.

[@maxtorque2277]

i admit i struggle to understand how anyone could "hate" a car? EVs arent' for everyone, nobody is (yet) forcing you to buy one. Perhaps you should try one, you might like it......... Nobody is suggesting this miniE is a replacement for say a Jaguar Project 8, but here's the rub, cars like this miniE are going to SAVE cars like the Project8, because when the masses trundle efficiently around in their electric boxes, the .gov won't care about, and hence ignore, the odd crazy dinosaur powered fun car, i exactly the same way as they don't care about you driving a steam traction engine today, despite that being dangerous and extremely polluting..........

[@markrushton1516]

If you walked into a showroom and the salesman said yes sir, 30k and able to go100 miles how is that a selling point?

[@andrewszatmari2941]

I love the heads up display in my Mini but only once it’s been adjusted for hight and side to side. ( just like the mirrors) It looks like a number of reviews have not found this😀

[@DefaultName-mb7uk]

The HUD is brilliant, driving in London with the speed limit constantly changing, having the actual speed and limit indicated in the HUD is a points saver, also directions(GPS) duplicated on the HUD is also excellent. This is my 3rd Mini S and this one though I agree re price, same as GP, that was a hard one at the time, but now there is no going back, lazy in London, sport mode on country lanes superb. Love it!.

[@pussygalore5947]

Thank you for another video Harry....you made my day. I remember the active Series 1 BMW from a decade ago that had a 100 mile range and it was a real BMW. Has BMW not made any progress in 10 years?

[@TekAutomatica]

BMW trials in USA and older smaller Mini E did similar tests before i3 launch but neither had much range. Especially in winter.

[@shaneweightman]

Personally I don’t think they are there with electric cars yet , if the masses bought one , charging would create problems for the national grid , in a crash they smoulder for a long time and what’s the longevity of a battery pack before it needs expensive replacement 5 yrs ? No ,, mountain bikes yes but not cars ,, everyone to there own ,, cheers Shane uk 🇬🇧

[@richardpeasley9774]

Great honest review as always and with such a low range not for me. Harry, you need to ask Mrs M to give you a haircut!

[@Scottlaw52]

Interesting, I own a 2019 John Cooper works Mini, the boot is of identical size, so it’s nothing to do with the batteries, it’s just awful

[@andrewackerman6202]

Yes, a very annoying error in this report

[@tamasszabo8824]

@Henry B I had an R50 for almost 8 years. Could even put my mountain bike in the car. It was perfect.

[@davidjohns.3065]

How about towing a trailer with a generator plugged in.

[@waynerussell6401]

That Thats the BMW i3 REx

[@chrisp4170]

A generator running off what? Gasoline would perhaps be a good option as there’s a well developed network of stations able to supply that...

[@TekAutomatica]

Pointless additional load and loss of rsnfey. Batteries are heavy! This pack equivalent to 3 litres of diesel (10kWh/litre)

[@fredrikhumlehagen9903]

Good video as always, but I think some MINI marketing talk has crept in. I don’t buy for a minute that they went with only 29kWh “for the handling”. They’re loosing customers on that limited range. I bet they simply couldn’t package more under the standard floor. The platform is probably not designed for an EV from the start. Same with the raised ride height. “To protect the battery” simply meant they had to raise it to fit the height of an off-the-shelf battery cell under the standard floor and keep decent ground clearance. Properly low cars are a dying breed. The electrical versions will be “crossover-ish” with low roof lines but high seating positions. All to package the batteries.

[@insightman]

You can't doubt that a heavier battery would result in slower acceleration and worse handling--and make it cost as much as a Tesla. I'm glad my MINI Cooper SE won't be Tesla-heavy. The 2009 MINI E had no rear seat so it could accommodate batteries of about the same capacity. The new, custom CATL batteries fitted into the former exhaust-system tunnel and under the rear seats raised the car a mere 18 mm and yet lowered the center of gravity. Think how much higher the i3's slab-style "off-the-shelf" battery would have raised this MINI! This will be the lowest BEV until batteries get better (likely) and SUVs go out of style (unlikely).

[@JakeCoventry]

Something strikes me as odd with that range. Even my I3 which is the previous gen battery capacity would get 140+ miles at that temperature.

[@carlosjaros2486]

This is the first electric car id want.Of course id keep an S class for road trips but for city its perfect.The price is fine too.Its a premium car.I love the weight compared to other electric cars not bothered about the range as toy for the city its perfect.Drive it in sport keep it on the charger..

[@allseeing357]

Nice, reckon a Level 1 would do most people without the silly E themed wheels......range is ridiculous tho. I just think of it as an i3s in different clothes....bit of a missed opportunity for Mini I think. Will keep my late facelift R53 I think (probably forever!) Looks like Burford....used to live near there gorgeous place...one bit of Oxfordshire I really miss

[@robgreen13]

Thanks Harry. I drove 77 miles in one today using 58% of the charge. It was in Green+ mode. 25 miles of that on the M4 at 65mph. That looks to me like a total range of 132 miles. But finding places to charge it when out and about looks pretty tough, so it feels like it would be confined to a 50 mile tether from home at best. Going to be a great car when I move to the Isle of Wight.

[@urbanrider403]

Harry your a hooligan 😀making those tyres scream on your eau rouge.

[@organickevinlondon]

I've done a couple of London-Lands End-London day trips in my Mini Cooper Electric, (it really is great around town too, especially when that town is Penzance and yer live in London), MOST people would do London to Lands End, via the M4, M5 and A30, NO go via the M3, A303, A30 to just outside of Exeter, then cut across Dartmooor on a couple of B roads, rejoin the A30 at Lifton, as yer can charge up at Strawberry Fields Farm Shop at Lifton, its just over 80 miles from there to Lands End and there is a Gridserve charger at Lands End too.

[@kuglepen64]

Stupid expensive. Get a Tesla model 3.

[@AR-rs2dy]

The quality of Tesla's is supposed to be somewhere south of that of McLarens.

[@simonyapp]

I’ve driven a Tesla M3 and the build quality is superb now days, no issues at all.

[@siffoine]

@@simonyapp How has the paint held up? Where I live there has been a lot of quality issues with the paint. I'm thinking of getting model 3 at some point, but am kind of waiting for Berlin plant to get online

[@thegearknob7161]

Get a Cooper S. The older supercharged one.

[@martinjplant]

Simon Yapp I test drove a model 3 and the squeaks and rattled from the cabin we’re worse than a 1970s ford. Dreadful.

[@andrewnorris5415]

Why not make the brakes lights come on with sufficient regen braking?

[@ouethojlkjn]

Teslas do light up the brake lights during "regen" deceleration and I would be amazed if this BMW didn't do likewise.

[@insightman]

They do come on with regen braking. Harry says they came on too frequently when he was following his son. You can be certain the son was using regen, not the brakes because Harry said the lower regen setting is the only way to avoid that problem. I'm sure BMW's risk-averse lawyers decided when the brake lights would come on with the higher regen setting.

[@andrewnorris5415]

@@insightman Ahh sorry, I was a bit tired so read what Harry meant the wrong way round. Yes, important to get the balance right and do it for the right reasons.

[@presterjohn71]

It seems expensive until you realise that an electric Corsa is pretty much the same money. Once you take that on board it seems like fair value for money.

[@MacBookAir-cu4fb]

As far as I could see the boot is exactly the same as in my 2014 Cooper S so I don’t think you have to sacrifice boot space...

[@insightman]

Assuming you remove the small puncture-repair kit included on the right side of the boot in this, the rare MINI Cooper that doesn't come with run-flat tires.

[@harrysgarage]

Do you still get that false floor in a regular MINI (under which all those cables were kept)? Can't remember..

[@MacBookAir-cu4fb]

Harry's garage I have 2 floors. One is the main one which is pretty solid and can be put up at an angle and below that there is a thinner one which - when removed - reveals the metal of the underbody.

[@insightman]

@@harrysgarage MINI calls the normally optional false floor the "Storage package" and makes it standard on the SE.

[@SterlingMess]

@@harrysgarage Mrs Windy has 5-door MINI Cooper (64-plate) and it has the same false floor - looks identical.

[@ckm-mkc]

@0:27 Classic Harry's Garage - Mini, Range Rover, GT40, Turbo R and a 550.....

[@colingreen2320]

Another great and informative review ...now please can we have a review of the Fiesta ST?