R56 Cooper S vs 2008 Volvo C30

Shamus Aug 28th, 2007 Link

I was weighing these exact two cars before I bought my R56. I come from a long line of Volvo owners and am still excited that they’re releasing the C30 to the public, even though I preferred the MINI in the end.

The key to the C30’s performance really has nothing to do with the S40 sedan. The article fails to mention that the majority of the tech and underpinnings are pulled directly from the European Ford Focus which is, in it’s own right, a seriously hot hatch. Two great reviews that underscore this fact are the WindingRoad.com head-to-head (MINI vs C30 vs GTI) and the absolutely humorous road test by Tom Ford on Fifth Gear (do a YouTube search).

Had this car come out six months sooner, I might have made a different purchase.

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GregW Aug 28th, 2007 Link

This is a Volvo? What have they been smoking over there? Now this is a great looking car. I notice that the Volvo does not have a fuel filler to worry about in the LH rear panel. Could it be that Volvo designers can find somewheres else for it that doesn’t mean redesigning the car for RHD markets?

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Stephen Aug 28th, 2007 Link

Actually I did test drive both a C30 T5 and a R56 MCS; and I have to say I found the C30 very very disappointing.

There was nothing you could really fault on the C30, but there was nothing to really make you fall in love with it either. Its the kind of car I would recommend to my Mum; and that was the real issue. There was nothing very engaging!

I must admit that I do have a R50 MC; and even a standard 2004 MC had much better seats, handling and engagement with the driver.

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korby Aug 28th, 2007 Link

I saw one last weekend at the Ford motors building in Irvine California ,the problem is it just looks like another Volvo .

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ImUrTrboLvr Aug 28th, 2007 Link

Road and Track did a similar video review with the new R56 S, C30, and a GTI. Of course, I think they’re a little biased, so they pick the GTI as the clear winner.

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dneal Aug 28th, 2007 Link

Truly a surprising result, particularly in the handling department. As a former S40 owner, I wasn’t surprised at the performance of Volvo’s turbocharged 5-cyl used also in the C30. That engine is a monster.

I still can’t figure out why people (especially automotive journalists) do not understand the difference between rebadging and platform sharing. In a post above, mention is made of the C30 taking performance bits from the Euro-Focus, when actually the Focus ST uses Volvo’s engine. Even Edmunds says the chassis is “derived from the Mazda 3″, which it’s not.

Rebadging is not uncommon, and one need only look at the plethora of GM products to understand it. The Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute or Subaru Impreza/Saab 9-2 are other examples. That is not the case with Euro Focus/Mazda 3/Volvo S40/V50/C70/C30 though. FoMoCo owns Volvo, Mazda, and of course Ford. In an effort to control cost, engineers from the three companies jointly developed a common platform (the C1, which Volvo calls P1) to be used by each manufacturer. Each label then went on to build their particular car based on the engineering that went into the platform.

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Mark Aug 28th, 2007 Link

The most surprising line in the whole review – which in some ways brings it all into question – is that the sport button didn’t seem to make much difference. That was not at all my experience on the test drive I took and a number of others (like Gabe, for example) have reported dramatic changes when the magic button is pressed. Makes me wonder how discerning the author really is…

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Jonathan Aug 28th, 2007 Link

Someone here just said it – it’s just another Volvo. I haven’t liked Volvo in a long, long time. I did, however, learn to drive manual shift transmission in a 1967 Volvo 142. THAT was a cool car. These new Volvos I’m not impressed with, and I probably won’t ever be. They’re Volvo and they’re overpriced, for the most part. The MINI doesn’t have much competition for it, and it’s even an insult to compare it with a VOLVO!!

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DRC Aug 28th, 2007 Link

Jonathan, couldn’t the same thing be said about the MINI? That they’re overpriced? Once you get an MCS loaded up with all the goodies it can easily come in close to $35k. For some it’s worth the price, but its not for everyone. Like the MINI, the C30 comes in at a very reasonable base price (not much more than a base MCS) and if you keep your cars for a long time Volvos last forever. The MCS and C30 have very different driving dynamics and I agree that the MINI is probably better suited for performance driving. But I too come from a Volvo-owning family so I’d love to get a C30 in addition to my 06 Cooper.

One suggestion though. Perhaps the C30 would be better compared with the Clubman as they would be much closer in size.

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DennisR53 Aug 28th, 2007 Link

Hmm…does the Volvo C30 come with a donut spare tire? If so…it might just be the icing on the cake for me to change my car…yeah!!!

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gmini Aug 28th, 2007 Link

Dennis. Just so happens I saw a maxi-donut under the trunk liner.Looks like a full size but slightly smaller and imprinted with “temporano” or some such.

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Gabe Aug 28th, 2007 Link

Even Edmunds says the chassis is “derived from the Mazda 3″, which it’s not.

The Mazda 3 is indeed based on the latest European focus like the C30.

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Chuck Aug 28th, 2007 Link

I think the 5 cylinder turbo engine is similiar to the engine that I had in my leased Volvo XC70. I bought my R56 last May when my Volvo lease was up. I didn’t want to wait until 2008 when the C30 would be available. I made the right choice.

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Vanwall Aug 28th, 2007 Link

It should be Clubman vs C30. Go with your gut instinct, I guess, but even tho I like the little nod to Volvo history in their hatchback styling, I’ll take the MINI.

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Josh Wardell Aug 28th, 2007 Link

If it’s anything like an S40, that Volvo spaceship can’t come anywhere close to a MINI. I’m dumbfounded by the low build quality and cheap materials used in the S40. Just closing the doors make you feel it’s made out of paper.

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SB Aug 28th, 2007 Link

This Volvo has retro styling? When did the 90’s become retro?

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Josh Aug 28th, 2007 Link

The “retro styling” of the C30 is in the hatch. It’s reminiscent of the 1973 Volvo 1800ES.

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French Bimmer Aug 28th, 2007 Link

If you just want something a bit roomier than a MINI with the same (or even better) road holding capabilities, try a BMW S1 possibly a 130i or even an excellent 120D and just forget the Swedish Iron. At least you will keep quite the same underwear than a MINI get a real cool car and be just faster.

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Chad Aug 28th, 2007 Link

It’s nice to see some cars in the US that are trying to compete with MINI. Nothing wrong with that. Worth a test drive at least

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mikeyjaro Aug 28th, 2007 Link

This car’s been in Canada since ‘07.. I think it looks nice when it has the entire package on it.. which aint cheap.. Also – the interior is even more pedestrian than an S40! I think this car may have a certain buyer, but someone who wants a MINI, won’t get caught up in this ride after a test drive or two.. My 2 cents..

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Aurel Aug 28th, 2007 Link

I think you guys are mistaking enthusiasts that hang out on sites like this with the other 90% of MINI buyers that are out there … the same people that wanted a cushier ride on the new gen ;)

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Dave Mac Mini Aug 28th, 2007 Link

The sport button doesn’t do much? Did this person actually drive the car? It makes a vast difference in throttle response and steering, which I noticed the first time I drove an R56. I still wish the sport mode could be the default, as I sometimes forget to push the button, and then I nearly stall the car.

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bee1000 Aug 28th, 2007 Link

The Volvo does a great job emulating the MINI’s customization. If you go build your own on the Volvo web site you will see a huge array of options for exterior colors, wheels, interior colors and a la carte options – just like the MINI. Hopefully this is the beginning of a trend where “you-ification” spreads throughout the industry.

Where small cars really need to go in the US is diesel, though. The BMW 1-Series has a 50 mpg diesel available in the UK that gets the car to 60 in around 7 seconds. That is about the only thing that conceivably could get me out of my MINI.

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nypepper Aug 28th, 2007 Link

if i had to give up my modded to all hell r53 and get something new i would pick the volvo in a heartbeat i just can’t get over the looks of the r56

every single one i saw on the dealer lot had panels the did not line up right. and almost every change screams either cheaper or softer

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CJ Aug 28th, 2007 Link

At least you will be able to pick up the C30 for European Delivery!!! ;-)

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msh441 Aug 29th, 2007 Link

Not much of a suprise there: The Volvo has the power and space… the MINI the handling and braking. Both a beautiful cars. To me, the C30 seems like a Mazdaspeed 3… with two fewer doors and way more class. The 3 is a rip-snortin’ compact, but it feels like every other Ford/Lincoln/Mercury/Mazda out there: disposable. The added design touches on the C30 make that package very appealing IMO. I’ve been a fan of the contemparay Volvo for the last decade, though and own a very nice S70R (now the wife’s car). Overall, I picked the MINI, though for my new car. No regrets. Getting back in the Volvo now, even with 300+bhp and R suspension & brakes, the MINI so much more fun to drive and enjoy.

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Jimskater Aug 29th, 2007 Link

Just read the review. I’m wondering if it’s a fair comparison. Other than the fact that they’re both “sporty/retro hot hatches” that hit a price point, are they really comparable?

The C-30 is 20″ longer & 4″ wider than the MINI; 575 lbs heavier; & sports a roughly 50 HP/60 lb-ft torque advantage. I think the size differential puts the C-30 in the NHSTA midsize category–along with the S40. (This info is not on the NHSTA website yet.) The 2007 MINI remains in the compact category. So we’re not looking at a true apples to apples comparison.

On top of it, the MINI was tooling around on $%^#@ runflats, while the C30 gets around on P Zero’s. No wonder the C30 did so well in the handling & braking tests. Real world, the cost of shifting the MCS to a set of decent tires would still have the MCS coming in cheaper than the C30–and would most likely change the results of the test.

Still, I’ve always been a fan of the old 1800. The Volvo’s a damn fine looking car–much like the MINI it evokes the predecessor, while not falling too hard on the cliched. But it’s too damn big for my tastes, even if it is a “small” Volvo.

Not that I’m biased or anything, but I’d still take the MINI.

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msh441 Aug 29th, 2007 Link

Just read the review. I’m wondering if it’s a fair comparison.

Definatly an argument we’ve heard before. The MINI has been put up against several cars that would fall more into the “sportwagon” category. My favorites have been seeing it in comparos with four other 4-door cars and dinging it significantly for lack of rear doors and trunk space.

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Seth L Aug 29th, 2007 Link

It’s a looker.

Volvo seems to be trying to tout mini-like customization with the C30, but I just went through their configurator, and It’s no where close to the mini’s level of options.

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tsukiji Aug 30th, 2007 Link

“…the Volvo feels like a rolling bean bag”-’nuff said.

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dneal Aug 31st, 2007 Link

The Mazda 3 is indeed based on the latest European focus like the C30.

Gabe, none of the C1 cars are “based on” any of the others. They all originated from a common, jointly designed platform.

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Gabe Aug 31st, 2007 Link

Gabe, none of the C1 cars are “based on” any of the others. They all originated from a common, jointly designed platform.

Right – that’s a better way to phrase it.

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LL Aug 31st, 2007 Link

I’m surprised not many people have mentioned another advantage that MINI has — fuel economy. It’s an factor that seem to have gone unnoticed by most. Just as the bigger dimensions of the Volvo makes it a roomier and more practical car, the smaller dimensions of the MINI makes it more fuel efficient.

To make up for the larger and heavier body, Volvo bolts on a big engine to compensate. The thirstier engine pulling heavier load makes fuel economy go way down.

I have no doubt, on paper and from the numbers, Volvo has done a fine job in creating a car capable of competing against MINI. However, BMW is known for building driver-oriented, high performance cars in the same way that Volvo is known for building safety-conscious, practical cars. These differences shows up both in the design of the cars, as well as during driving — where MINI is IMO by far more enthusiastic and more fun to drive and Volvo calmer and practical.

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Chuck Sep 1st, 2007 Link

Could this be the next Mini? http://www.motorauthority.com/cars/bmw/preview-2010-bmw-minicar/

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kooskoets Sep 2nd, 2007 Link

The Volvo C30 is now on the Dutch market for almost 10 months. But it isn’t a big hit as they hopped for. When you see the commercials… you thing of something new and interesting… but in reallity…. its really ugly. Besides this, there is a Dutch expressing for Volvo drivers: If you can’t drive and want to be safe… drive Volvo.

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Average Jane Sep 3rd, 2007 Link

I have a 2005 MCS/JCW and bought a 2007 C30/T5 a couple months back (I’m CDN). I loved it (passed tense) — had people calling over to me at stop lights about it. There is NO doubt that this is a hot looking car. And it drives like an extension of yourself. Natural and fluid, ergonomics are just right and it’s good and peppy off the light. It sat large beside the Mini but a Mini just wasn’t practical for us day-to-day. I had a Saab 9-3 a few years back and this felt familiar like that, but without the pronounced torque stear. Anyway I would have kept it but I hated the dealership so bloody much for delivering a new car with 700km and a scuffed and dented up interior that I made them take it back (I paid over 50K cash for the thing). If there was a dealership not owned by the same rotten group within 2 hours of me where I could get one I would again, in a heartbeat. It’s marketed as a Mini competitor, and I don’t think it is at all. Two completely different cars. Now I’ve got my eye on the Infinite EX35. :o) The Mini will always be a keeper though.

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