Mini’s new Cooper SD aims to please at the pumps and on the open road, but does a used Audi TT already do just that, only better?
Spotting the words ‘sporty’ and ‘diesel’ in close proximity traditionally plunges driving enthusiasts into the depths of despair. For example, when Peugeot dropped petrol engines from its 407 Coupe range altogether a couple of years ago, it seemed a cynical 9albeit commercially legitimate) move designed to prey on style-over-substance buyers, marginalising the rest of us in the process.
The tide is turning, however, and the accumulating burden that is the expense of running a petrol car is squeezing that margin towards the mainstream. Well, if it’s good enough for Steve Suteliffe and his perfect driver’s car.
With around 19k GBP to spend, here we have two models that would claim to handle the entertainment/economy compromise better than most. Both the fresh-out-of-the-box Mini Cooper SD quattro are specced to match their petrol stablemates, so which is best at melding a capable, enjoyable, affordable donor car with an oil-burning engine? The reassurance of German engineering, two-plus-two(ish) layouts, and 2.0-litre, four-cylinder diesel unite these cars, but, as we’ll see, much else separates them.
Turning to the sober business of the balance sheet first, the TT may have depreciated from luxury car territory to something more affordable during its tenure, but owners will always be saddled with bills commensurate with the car’s status and performance. Take insurance, road tax, fuel consumption and servicing into account and Average Joe can expect pay around 750 GBP more each year than he would for the Mini. Road tax makes up 85 GBP of that, while insurance, fuel and servicing are all higher by roughly equal amounts. Commit to an Audi servicing deal and you could avoid the extra expense of paying for MOTs, but that hardly balances things up, even with the TT’s slightly shallower depreciation curve.
Aestheticallym the TT’s aggressive yet sleek exterior and subtle, understated cabin are initially upstaged by the Mini’s nose-honking, flower-squirting, caricatured design. Both are of generally high quality, but note the stick-on vinyl squares on our Mini’s roof and the abundance of hollow-sounding and brittle secondary interior plastic and you’ll soon appreciate that the Audi’s finish is a cut above, even in standard trim.
In terms of practicality, it’s a game of two halves. Up front, the Mini has an open, airy feel and, of the two cars, it’s the one where adultsmight have an outside shot at pouring themselves into the back seats. The TT’s cabin is comfortable but much more compact, and the rear pews are a no-go for grown-ups. With a six-footer at the wheel, there’s barely an inch of legroom behind, not to mention a low roofline that can only be obliged via a guillotine.
Fold those rear seats, though, and the TT becomes a shooting brake of sorts, with a long, easily accessible boot that’ll even accommodate a mountain bike. At 700 litres, it’s little bigger than the Mini’s maximum cargo space, but the latter’s boot offers a better shape for upright loads, albeit via a more contraining aperture.
The Audi driven here belongs to Richard Grinnell, a classic case of petrolhead-turned-dieselkopf. A history of howling V6 ownership, including an Alfa Romeo GTV, ended when fuel prices forced him to look elsewhere to satisfy his employer’s mileage allowance. He bought the car just four months ago and is clearly delighted with it.
However, almost all of Richard’s miles are munched on the motorway. In that environment the TT is excellent, giving impressive comfort and bags of torque. Having guided a TT TDI from a blizzard-ravaged Rallye d’Alsace to Bavaria’s autobahns in an afternoon, I can vouch for the car’s impressive ability in snow, which almost matches its cruising prowess.
The same can’t be said of the Mini. Its ride is firm to the point where sudden bumps on the motorway can create an almost alarming skip. Skinnier tyres than the TT’s allow decent traction at the front, but while the Cooper won’t flounder on snow like a rear-drive BMW 1-series, it’d be no match for the four-wheel-drive TT. Upgrade to the Cooper SD All4 Countryman and you’ll not see much change from five grand.
Entertainment, however, is the name of the game here, and on that front it’s the Mini that shines. While its lesser output makes it seem relatively laboured during motorway acceleration, it’s just about right for tighter, snaking roads. Overlook the industrial timbrefrom the engine and you’ll find the ride dials in nicely and the steering’s feel instils enough confidence. There’s noticeable tautening of the steering under acceleration, but it’s not unentertaining to learn to met out the power to the front wheels accordingly, and doesn’t detract too much from the engaging handling.
While the TT is lower, quicker, grippier and has a more endearing growl, the speed-variable electric steering lets it down. It’s far too light and feels detached when compared with the Mini’s set-up. The TT TDI weighs 110kg more than the equivalent TFSI model and 220kg more than the Mini, but the real issue isn’t an outright lack of agility; it’s the over-compensation in steering assistance.
There are fripperies to the Mini’s presentation that will vex driving purists, even beyond the cartoon styling. The Sport button increases throttle response and steering weight a little but is really a token effort. The same is true of the stop-start facility; it’ll be an environment obsessive who leaves it enabled to endure successive noisy, jostling restarts when in town. The Audi does without both functions, and is better for it.
It’s ironic that the more purposeful-looking TT comes off second best to the Mini on performance, but the Audi is simply better suited cruising. Its four-wheel drive system is surplus to requirements in that environment and increases fuel bills. A less powerful, front-drive diesel TT with better steering might have been more rewarding, but as it is, there are countless saloons, some nearly as stylish, that match the Audi’s strengths with less compromise.
Despite offering superior economy, the Miniþs theoretical range is around 20 per cent less than the TTþs due to a 20+litre fuel tank deficit, and weþve established itþs the less comfortable of the two on the straight stuff. Comparing practicalitz is more difficult because with these two it comes down to personal requirements more than definitive assessment. No one, though, chooses a diesel without keeping an eze on the pennies, and in that respect the Mini has the advantage, as it does when itþs time to exploit zour sportz dieselþs dznamic talents. These factors make it the clear victor here
William Getty lives and breathes cars. He started driving cars as a 12 year old on the racetrack with his dad. Since then cars has always been a big part of Williams life.
In his garage you can find his beloved 2005 Ford Mustang, as well as a 2020 Audi A3.
