Edmunds Picks Up Their MINI E
I met Edmunds Editor in Chief Karl Brauer a few years back at a BMW/MINI press junket (where we shared cars for several days) and found we had a ton in common. We both used to own MINIs, we both apparently like our fair share of hoonage and we both have a secret love of classic American muscle. However one thing Karl now has on me is that he (and Edmunds) are the proud (temporary) owners of a MINI E. And while there will be countless reviews of the car in the coming weeks, Karl offers a particularly interesting view via his Twitter feed. This specific series of tweets follows Karl home from the initial pick-up. (Oldest posts at the top, newest at the bottom)…
>It’s official: I’m “motoring” oil and gas free in my Mini E. Just leaving Nick Alexander Imports. Power gauge at 86%
>Mini E say 57 miles left on battery. I’m about 50 from home. Could be bad…
>38 miles…
>Mini E battery at 33%…
>Mini E battery dropping fast now at highway speeds. At 24%…
>What did I hear Bob Lutz call it? “Range Anxiety” Yeah that about captures it.
>Mini E would have made home with about 17% to spare, but now i’m stopping for food (sushi-yum!). Overall I like it so far.
>Mini E fill-up time. And yes, I’m wondering what this will do to my electric bill…
You can follow the updates here.
<p>86% charge? Why would the dealership not fully charge the car before delivery? If the 160 mile range is accurate that 14% charge equates to about 22 miles.</p>
<p>The charger at my store is still pending city inspector approval. Ah… the irony.</p>
<p>The range is also proving to be closer to 100 miles/charge. A little more if you can manage all city and stop/go, a little less if you’re trying to cruise on the highway.</p>
<p>YES!YES! My daily Mini E post!</p>
<p>just saw someone pick theirs up at South Bay Mini in Torrance, CA… that car realy looks like a half assed job. as if someone built it in their garage.</p>
<p>[blockquote]just saw someone pick theirs up at South Bay Mini in Torrance, CA… that car realy looks like a half assed job. as if someone built it in their garage.[/blockquote]</p>
<p>wth?! you’ve pretty much just tried to slam the entire MINI community since the E looks pretty much exactly like a gas MINI other than the paint job. Luckily most of us now know you are off your rocker and won’t heed anything you say.</p>
<p>no, im not slamming anyone in the mini community. the car looks fine. i was more commenting on what it looks like under the hood. chill out.</p>
<p>dc11… I just interviewed 2 MINI E lessors on Saturday, for my blog, and found the car quite nice, in all aspects. Not sure what your gripe is? Found under the bonnet also very well done? What were you expecting a Ferrari? The most visible part is the electronics box. How would or could that be improved…? it’s a box, not much else visible.</p>
<p>I got to drive one also, a no, no I’m told. From 0-25-ish it accelerates kind sluggish but for 30-80… WOW! The steering is quick but has a heavy feeling almost like under inflated tires. The regeneration, when coasting, is very abrupt. Got to drive on the 405 here in SoCal for a few miles, passing is a breeze, 95 mph is it. I’d say a positive drive for me but the heaviness of the car is quite noticeable.</p>
<p>Both of these “E”s were charged by the sun as were their homes, pretty kool.</p>
<p>Should have said “Responsive” not quick.</p>
<p>Thanks for the impromptu “unofficial” review DUDE… interesting impressions and overall fairly positive. You are lucky you got to drive one of these rare “field test” vehicles!</p>
<p>I’m waiting for the windmill powered Mini.</p>
<p>@goat actually i like your response the best … the reactions are pretty strange, in my opinion, from most of the public claiming how the fit and finish is “this,” or the overall look is “that” – it’s like you put it: a field test. the people actually driving the cars (for the most part) realize this, thankfully.</p>
<p>yeah MINI!</p>