Cooper SD

Brilliant combination of performance, economy & practicality

70,000 miles so far, and no problems. This car is an excellent, powerful overtaker and very grippy, so very enjoyable when you want to hustle along - no real need to slow down for roundabouts etc..

I think for my driving style 50.5mpg average is remarkably good, and 58mpg not difficult to maintain if that's what you want.

It's a nice place to sit (leather and electric sunroof in mine) and I find it a very practical combination of compactness and loadability. So often reviewers grumble about the extra door being on the 'wrong side', but I like the fact it's on the driver's side. Just think of it as a 3 door hatchback, but easier to help load passengers or bits and pieces into the back. I prefer that extra door being next to me as the driver, otherwise I'd have to walk round the car to get in myself. Also, it means that your over-the-shoulder view when reversing round corners etc. is great, because you have a nice big side window to look through.

It's harder to justify the twin doors at the back, other than to say that they are distinctive and quirky, and that's OK.

The things I like least? The ride is pretty firm, and does feel short of suspension travel, especially for passengers in the back. This is my first diesel, and whilst I enjoy its torquey strength, I don't like the agricultural clatter at idle and low revs. It wouldn't take much for me to go back to petrol, even though the economy is great. I also feel a bit cheated by the TLC package, which I'm sure is great for a low mileage driver (5 years, 50,000 miles). But for me, there was hardly any servicing needed in the first 2.5 years, then the indicator came up with several things at about 3 years (eg brake fluid change, which is nothing to do with mileage covered). But I had to pay for them, because I was past 50,000 miles.

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