Classic Mini vs Classic Beetle?

Question

Which wins in your opinion?

In terms of styling, build quality, character, fuel economy, practicality, reliability, value for money, driveability on today's roads etc etc...or whatever categories you see fit!

Thanks!

Answer 1

There are pros and cons for both vehicles.

The Mini was totally revolutionary.....small, compact, front-wheel drive, rubber suspension, handled like nothing else on earth, economical, easy to maintain by and large and cheap to buy.

Mechanically, the engine was a bit agricultural as compared to many other vehicles, but it was reliable enough. It was soon outclassed by newer technology.

Reliability of the engine and gearbox was good enough, but rust was a problem with bodywork and subframes, whilst bits of trim, switches and electrical equipment regularly went into early retirement, but they weren't too expensive to repair.

The Volkswagen Beetle was a much older design, dating back to the 2nd World War. Bigger, heavier and with a clever rear-engine/transaxle gearbox layout, the Beetle was badly let down by appalling handling and inferior road-holding; largely due to swing-axle rear-suspension, which was only improved in later years towards the end of the car's production. The compartively rare 1303S type Beetle was quite a respectable car to drive.

Designed by Dr F Porsche, the Beetle scored in terms of wonderful reliability and longevity, and rust was never a major problem, even though the floor-pans and running-boards could present a problem. In safety terms, the Beetle was very weak in the event of a front-end collision; thus sparking the Ralph Nader "Unsafe at any speed" campaign.

The interior comfort of the Beetle was certainly superior to that of a Mini, but it was also a much bigger vehicle.

In their own way, at the time, both were rather good vehicles, but neither were perfect by a long way.

As time went on, both vehicles developed along different lines. The Mini first got a lot sportier and faster, with the introduction of the Mini-Cooper, and the Mini-Cooper 'S'......the classic Monte Carlo Rally winning car which the Beetle could never have been, in spite of their competition outings.

If I wanted absolute fun at the expense of everything else, I would really WANT a fully restored Mini-Cooper 'S' in 1070cc form.....the short-stroke, semi-race variety which only had a short production-life, but went like a rocket.

Im most other respects, the Beetle 1303 'S', with semi-trailing rear-suspension (replacing the earlier swing-arm suspension) was a bit like a scaled-down Porsche. Good handling, but a bit prone to sliding at the rear on the limit. That apart, it was an attractive package, economical "enough," reliable and very nicely put together, as German-built machines still tend to be.

Answer 2

In their day the original minis were streets ahead of anything else. However the innovation was matched by intrinsic design faults. Everything wore out quickly especially drive shaft parts, steering components and wheel bearings. The heads on the 1275 cracked between combustion chambers. The rear subframes rusted out in record time. Due to the era there were no modern safety devices, only seat belts. The BMW mini is a failed attempt by the Germans to recreate an icon. It is fast and safe but too expensive and should never have been called a mini because it isn't.

Answer 3

The mini every time for all of the reasons you state. An absolutely perfect car, difficult to work on sometimes, but less so than modern motors. I've had 6 so far and loved them all.

Also, I'm 6 foot 3 and have no problems fitting in a mini.

Answer 4

Sorry been a woman I have no idea about fuel economy etc, but I love the classic Beetle, beautiful car especially the ones that are open top and have the leather upholstery, I would love one.

Answer 5

Mini looks much better then Beetle, I'll rather buy a mini then a frog.

Answer 6

Hi, the Mini any day wins hands down, they have been around alot longer than the beetle, plus I think they are sturdier

Answer 7

Mini - although as a taller person there is more room in a VW.

Answer 8

the Ford Fiesta

Answer 9

the beetle! hands down! no competition in my opinion!

Answer 10

You win