24 replies to this topic

[monster_mini]

hi guys:)

my best mate has decided he wants a beetle for his first car, and im trying to convince him to get a mini instead, soo as i know absaloutly nothing about beetles i was just wondering if you could give me some general info:)

stuff like, will a standard 1.3 beetle be faster than my 998 stage one mini,

what are beetles like to work on? engines good or bad? fast or slow? good round corners or not:P?

basically if anyone knows anything, let me know:)

thanks

[1293sleeper]

i used to be a mechanic for a aircooled vdub specialist and sorry to say they are easier to work on ,i've done a engine swap from one car and into a different one on a beetle in under a 30mins running n fully set up. they don't handle as well as a mini but my 1600 was pretty quick in a straight line. the dub uses more fuel but you can have fun sideways action in a beetle. oh but old dubs are a pain to weld due to the metal used.

personally i would just let him get a dub. the world would be so dull if we all wanted the same stuff.

Edited by 1293sleeper, 03 May 2010 - 05:16 PM.

[1293sleeper]

oh yeah and the old air cooled engine is easy to tune and nearly indistructable. and with a few tweeks they can handle really nicely too i was able to drift my 1972 1303s beetle

Edited by 1293sleeper, 03 May 2010 - 05:27 PM.

[feybrand]

only one way to find out let him get one then see whos is best (in a controlled legal way without breaking any speed limits of course)

[dave21478]

I give this topic perhaps ten posts till someone mentions Hitler.


The cars aren't really comparable. Both have a huge tuning and aftermarket parts industry, but the aircooled VW scene is a lot larger than minis generally.
minis handle better, but beetles are easier to work on. Both rot badly, but its easier to strip a beetle for rebuilding. Beetles have more room inside and are probably more practical on a daily basis.

[1293sleeper]

no thats 4 posted you just did.

[monster_mini]

cheers guys:) keep it coming:p

soo if he does get one, its quite important he gets a solid one as welding and replacing panels isnt that easy?

cheers

[Nick '91]

Let him get a beetle, the amount of people who tried to disuade me form getting a mini as a first car, didn't change my mind. Just be happy he hasn't gone down the Saxo/Corsa route.

[chipster196]

tell him to get a mini so he has modern electric window washer jets... if he gets a beetle tell him not to get a puncture after washing his windows cause the spare wheel will be flat

[Kam]

Theres a healthy respect between the beetle and mini community, both cars having a massive following and rightly so

If he wants to get a saxo then give him a smack, otherwise give him a pat on the back

[shorty]

id say let him get a beetle as they are lovely cars when done up and stuff and as said before the community and following is just as good as the classic mini scene.

vw panels are slightly thicker i think so they last longer than mini ones do so shouldnt have to be replaced as often
atleast i think what i say there is true, was told this from a mate

[Alex_B]

i say let him go beetle, my mate has one and there equally as awesome imo, both classic, both easy to tune and work on genrally, also they look sweet slammed.

[GTIAlex06]

tell him to get a mini so he has modern electric window washer jets... if he gets a beetle tell him not to get a puncture after washing his windows cause the spare wheel will be flat

Am i missed something here? I dont get that at all. It is half 12 and im quite tired but still...can you explain?

Personally id let him get a bettle as well.

As said before, at least hes not getting a Corsa, shopping the springs and putting a black bonnet on it. Yawnnnnnnnn.





...Alex...

[Ethel]

Dubba's used the pressure from the spare tyre to pressurise the washer bottle, a bit like having a Supersoaker for a screen wash. Minis had a hand pump.

I actually think a Mini is easier to maintain. You can get an engine out of a Beetle quicker, just as well as even getting the plugs out with it in situ is a bit of a chore.

[GTIAlex06]

"Dubba's used the pressure from the spare tyre to pressurise the washer bottle, a bit like having a Supersoaker for a screen wash. Minis had a hand pump."


Wow you learn something new everyday! What a silly idea.