MINI Cooper vs. BMW 3 Series
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the MINI Cooper and BMW 3 Series contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the MINI Cooper and the BMW 3 Series.
In comparing the MINI Cooper's and the BMW 3 Series's specifications and ratings, the MINI Cooper has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency. The BMW 3 Series has the advantage in the areas of interior volume and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the MINI Cooper's and the BMW 3 Series's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Pricing: A used 2011 MINI Cooper ranges from $6,510 to $14,815 while a used 2011 BMW 3 Series is priced between $7,994 to $19,466.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the MINI Cooper’s base engine makes 121 horsepower, and the BMW 3 Series base engine makes 230 horsepower. The Cooper is rated to deliver an average of 31 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 462 miles. The 3 Series is rated to deliver an average of 20 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 419 miles. This gives the MINI Cooper the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the BMW 3 Series. Both models use gasoline.
Passenger Space Comparison: The BMW 3 Series has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front shoulder room, front leg room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The MINI Cooper has the advantage in the areas of front head room and rear head room.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$24,850
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$46,450
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$38,783
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$29,610 - $55,900
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$9,974
Price Range:
$6,510 - $14,815
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
78
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
103,571
# Good or Great Deals:
27
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$12,562
Price Range:
$7,994 - $19,466
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$13,284
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$8,736 - $39,547
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
437
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
108,636
# Good or Great Deals:
153
MINI Cooper Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
BMW 3 Series Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for MINI Cooper
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW 3 Series
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.7
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
51
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
5.8
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
1.1 - 51
MINI Cooper Rankings
Not yet available
BMW 3 Series Rankings
Available Body Styles
Convertible, Hatchback
Available Body Styles
Convertible, Coupe, Sedan, Wagon
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Diesel, Gasoline
MINI Cooper Trim Levels
Base, John Cooper Works, S
BMW 3 Series Trim Levels
328i, 335i, 335is, 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive, 335d
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
121 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
114 foot-lbs @ 4250 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.044 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
230 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque:
200 foot-lbs @ 2750 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.061 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.6 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
28 / 35 / 31
Range (city/hwy):
370 / 462 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
17 / 26 / 20
Range (city/hwy):
274 / 419 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Available
Bench Seats:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Available
Bluetooth:
Available
Heated Seats
Standard
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
Available
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.7 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
50.3 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
28.1 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
39.2 inches
Cargo Space:
6 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
74.0 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.8 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55 inches
Rear Head Room:
37 inches
Rear Leg Room:
31.9 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
49 inches
Cargo Space:
9 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
84.0 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2745 lbs
Width:
75.3 inches
Height:
55.4 inches
Length:
145.6 inches
Wheelbase:
97.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3792 lbs
Width:
78.1 inches
Height:
54.5 inches
Length:
180.6 inches
Wheelbase:
108.7 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
195/55R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
Not yet available
Wheel Type:
Not yet available
Tire Size:
Not yet available
Exterior Colors
Beige
Sparkling Silver Metallic
Black
Midnight Black Metallic
Blue
Horizon Blue Metallic / Ice Blue / Laser Blue Metallic
Brown
Hot Chocolate Metallic
Green
British Racing Green II Metallic
Orange
Spice Orange Metallic
Red
Chili Red
Silver
Pure Silver Metallic / Velvet Silver Metallic / White Silver Metallic
White
Pepper White
Yellow
Interchange Yellow
Gray
Not available
Exterior Colors
Beige
Mojave Metallic
Black
Black Sapphire Metallic / Jet Black
Blue
Blue Water Metallic / Deep Sea Blue Metallic / Le Mans Blue Metallic / Montego Blue Metallic
Brown
Platinum Bronze Metallic
Green
Tasman Green Metallic
Orange
Not available
Red
Crimson Red / Vermilion Red Metallic
Silver
Not available
White
Alpine White / Mineral White Metallic
Yellow
Not available
Gray
Space Gray Metallic / Titanium Silver Metallic
Interior Colors
Beige
Polar Beige Gravity Leather
Black
Carbon Black Checkered Cloth / Carbon Black Leatherette / Carbon Black Lounge Leather / Carbon Black Punch Leather
Blue
Ice Blue Leather Cross Check / Carbon Black Cloth
Brown
Hot Chocolate Lounge Leather
Gray
Satellite Gray Lounge Leather
Red
Rooster Red Leather / Carbon Black Cloth
White
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Cream Beige Dakota Leather
Black
Black Dakota Leather / Black Leatherette
Blue
Not available
Brown
Saddle Brown Dakota Leather
Gray
Gray Dakota Leather
Red
Coral Red/Black Dakota Leather
White
Cream Beige Leatherette / Oyster and Black Dakota Leather
