Discussion
I used to have a Mini Cooper S and this obviously shares the same engine. Although it's heavier the few lap times I've found seem to suggest the 207 is actually quicker round a track. I know this doesn't equate to real world but for it to trump the Mini on Autocar's wet *and* dry handling tracks suggests it may not be quite the lame duck some reviewers said it was.
Obviously I need to try it for myself but s/h you can get one for £7k from a dealer without too many miles on it, which is unbelievable value. Surely you could budget some performance upgrades and still come out with a few grand change from a Cooper S...
Obviously I need to try it for myself but s/h you can get one for £7k from a dealer without too many miles on it, which is unbelievable value. Surely you could budget some performance upgrades and still come out with a few grand change from a Cooper S...
Emubiker said:
Give Essexplumber a pm, ask all you want from him. He's a little in love with his.
I would plum or one over the cooper tbh.
HELLLLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. I would plum or one over the cooper tbh.
I've had mine for a year now and its done 47k and has not put a single foot wrong apart from mrs plumbers nan denting the door when a gust of wind took it out of her hand and into a wall and mrs plumber herself kerbing the nearside alloy today.
Look for one with the Octane pack (auto lights, tinted windows, folding mirrors, directional headlights etc). Good bits: It grips like f
k, is quick enough, good MPG, rarer than Cooper s's, great seats, good sound system, practical.Bad bits: Dealers are s
t, could sound better, not much feel through steering, bolsters wear easily. Other than that its a very underated car IMO, go for it. Must say I'm a bit gutted at what they are fetching at the mo.Edited by essexplumber on Monday 20th September 23:50
Think I'm going to take this route when I go to buy my next car. I had completely forgotten it shared an engine 'til reading someone slagging it off the other day but most reviews seem to be generally positive, just with the odd negative comment and reference to the 205 GTI (why? It's 20 years ago, nobody compares the new Cooper S to a Rover one!)
The seats look great, which is important, as the ones in a Cooper S are a bit poo. Is the Octane pack really worth the extra outlay? And how decent is the hifi?
Sure there must be something you can do to bring more 'feel' into the steering. The Cooper S is quite devoid of real feel, although it feels meaty it is clearly artificial. I drive a Volvo V70 at the moment so I'm not that worried about 'feel'!
Edit: seen a few comments about body roll being an issue. Is it? I would potentially be looking at putting KW Coilover suspension on it anyway, but I am interested in owners' opinions. I mean, the Clio rolls a bit if you barrel it into a corner but doesn't feel a massive issue.
The seats look great, which is important, as the ones in a Cooper S are a bit poo. Is the Octane pack really worth the extra outlay? And how decent is the hifi?
Sure there must be something you can do to bring more 'feel' into the steering. The Cooper S is quite devoid of real feel, although it feels meaty it is clearly artificial. I drive a Volvo V70 at the moment so I'm not that worried about 'feel'!
Edit: seen a few comments about body roll being an issue. Is it? I would potentially be looking at putting KW Coilover suspension on it anyway, but I am interested in owners' opinions. I mean, the Clio rolls a bit if you barrel it into a corner but doesn't feel a massive issue.
Edited by LongLiveTazio on Tuesday 21st September 09:06
My brother inlaw has a Cooper S on an 02 plate and although I haven't driven it I just don't like it. I do think it's better looking than the 207 but I just don't like sitting in it. As I said I have found the 207 to be ultra reliable, it hasn't had any major faults. If you want auto lights etc then the Octane pack is a must. Body roll? Not noticed it myself! As I said it grips great, changes direction well and does what you'd expect it to. The hifi is good, JBL speakers and a sub woofer I think although I'm not really int ICE. I'd say get one if you like it and ignore all the Pug haters. Keep us posted pal.
essexplumber said:
My brother inlaw has a Cooper S on an 02 plate and although I haven't driven it I just don't like it. I do think it's better looking than the 207 but I just don't like sitting in it. As I said I have found the 207 to be ultra reliable, it hasn't had any major faults. If you want auto lights etc then the Octane pack is a must. Body roll? Not noticed it myself! As I said it grips great, changes direction well and does what you'd expect it to. The hifi is good, JBL speakers and a sub woofer I think although I'm not really int ICE. I'd say get one if you like it and ignore all the Pug haters. Keep us posted pal.
I agree 100% with what you've said
since I looked at one myself 2 of my mates have bought 207GTi's they can't fault them either great seats good hi fi good spec and imho a much better all rounder than the Cooper S I've got one. Done 9k miles in it with no problems. They are great car. I used to have a jcw cooper s and tbh the pug is much better all round car. The only downside is the rock hard suspension! Have a drive and see what you think. Oh and i also had a 205 gti the 207 is better in nearly every respect. I think some people have rose tinted glasses
Nige_GTI said:
I've got one. Done 9k miles in it with no problems. They are great car. I used to have a jcw cooper s and tbh the pug is much better all round car. The only downside is the rock hard suspension! Have a drive and see what you think. Oh and i also had a 205 gti the 207 is better in nearly every respect. I think some people have rose tinted glasses
Your right about the ride, I used to have a 1.9 GTi too and although it is a great car you can't really compare it to todays GTi as cars have evolved so much since then.Gassing Station | French Bred | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff