28 May 03
Only in the higher realms of the rev-range, past where the engine does its best work, does the noise threaten to become intrusive, but most will have changed gear by then anyway, selecting another from the gearbox's six ratios. Apparently the five-speeder normally fitted to the One couldn't bear the engine's extra torque, so the D gets the six-speed 'box from the Cooper S. Its torque also nets it a couple of other goodies: traction control to quell wheelspin and - standard on every Mini with traction control because it houses the appropriate warning light - a rev-counter.
Otherwise, Mini One D comes with identical equipment to the petrol One. The Mini gets a bit maligned for being expensive to option-up, but to be fair, as standard it has electric windows and mirrors, remote central locking, power steering, radio-cassette, twin front and side airbags and ABS anti-lock brakes. Charging over £200 for a CD player (£70 for the player, £135 for the necessary 'stereo upgrade') is still bloody cheeky, but otherwise it's not too poorly specified for a supermini, while its strong residual values should make up for any like-for-like equipment deficit.
