Both the Cooper SE and the i4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors and available front parking sensors.
Compare the2023 MINI Cooper SEVS 2023 BMW i4
Safety
Reliability
J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that MINI vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks MINI above average in long-term dependability. With 19 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, BMW is rated lower.
Fuel Economy and Range
On the EPA test cycle the Cooper SE gets better mileage than the i4:
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MPGe |
Cooper SE |
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FWD |
Electric Motor |
119 city/100 hwy |
i4 |
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RWD |
eDrive35 19" Wheels Electric Motor |
107 city/102 hwy |
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eDrive40 18" Wheels Electric Motor |
109 city/108 hwy |
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eDrive40 19" Wheels Electric Motor |
100 city/98 hwy |
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AWD |
M50 19" Wheels Electric Motors |
94 city/98 hwy |
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M50 20" Wheels Electric Motors |
79 city/80 hwy |
Suspension and Handling
For better maneuverability, the Cooper SE’s turning circle is 5.9 feet tighter than the i4’s (35.1 feet vs. 41 feet).
Chassis
The MINI Cooper SE may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1500 to 1900 pounds less than the BMW i4.
The Cooper SE is 3 feet shorter than the i4, making the Cooper SE easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.
Passenger Space
The Cooper SE has 2.1 inches more front headroom and .3 inches more rear headroom than the i4.
Servicing Ease
J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that MINI service is better than BMW. J.D. Power ranks MINI fourth in service department satisfaction. With a 7% lower rating, BMW is ranked 7th.
Ergonomics
Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Cooper SE to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The i4 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.
To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Cooper SE has a standard rear wiper. The i4 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.
To better shield the driver’s vision, the Cooper SE has a standard dual-element sun visor that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The i4 doesn’t offer a secondary sun visor.
To shield the driver’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side window, the Cooper SE has a standard extendable sun visor. The i4 doesn’t offer extendable visors.
The Cooper SE has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the i4.
Economic Advantages
Insurance will cost less for the Cooper SE owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Cooper SE will cost $4225 to $7000 less than the i4 over a five-year period.
The Cooper SE will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Cooper SE will retain 46.45% of its original price after five years, while the i4 only retains 42.03% to 42.04%.
IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the MINI Cooper SE will be $24590 to $35935 less than for the BMW i4.