2005 Mini Cooper S
Discussion
Well, I've gone and bought a Mini Cooper S for my girlfriend. And maybe a bit for myself :-) Two negative points for me are that it's a convertible, and an automatic box... But since she will be driving it mainly, she got to choose of course. It was built in December 2005, so am I right in thinking it has 170bhp? Is there a big difference in driving compared to a manual? And a hatchback?
the official stated power is 168hp at 6000 rpm
it's a little more than the earlier models, but the difference is fairly negligible
the autobox is ok for what it is, especially if you've got paddle shift, but the manual is a really good box and suits the car perfectly, it just isn't as good without it.
it's a little more than the earlier models, but the difference is fairly negligible
the autobox is ok for what it is, especially if you've got paddle shift, but the manual is a really good box and suits the car perfectly, it just isn't as good without it.
Thanks for the answers.
I've picked up our Mini Tuesday, and I'm pleasantly surprised I have to say. Drives nice, not very fast (I've got a DS 4 2.0 HDi 150hp which is fast in the real world, and an E46 M3, so a bit spoilt there) but more than fast enough. The autobox is nice with the paddles on the steering wheel and has a smooth shift. Wouldn't be my choice of gearbox, but since it's for my girlfriend, she got to choose. I'm sure she'll love it. And since it won't be doing a lot of kilometres, fuel consumption is less of an issue...
I've picked up our Mini Tuesday, and I'm pleasantly surprised I have to say. Drives nice, not very fast (I've got a DS 4 2.0 HDi 150hp which is fast in the real world, and an E46 M3, so a bit spoilt there) but more than fast enough. The autobox is nice with the paddles on the steering wheel and has a smooth shift. Wouldn't be my choice of gearbox, but since it's for my girlfriend, she got to choose. I'm sure she'll love it. And since it won't be doing a lot of kilometres, fuel consumption is less of an issue...
Welcome to MINI ownership. Several years back, I went with an R56 Cooper auto (the six-speed Aisin) as I've too many short journeys to be good for a diesel(*) and the auto makes life so easy in traffic. The paddles were by far the best (from memory) £35 option; although I can see for LHD how putting the selector in sport mode would move the stick into a perfect position for the driver to use, on RHD the reach is too far to be comfortable. Only downside is reversing uphill, it's much harder to balance the throttle without a clutch.
(*) I test drove a Cooper D and that was similar to the DS4 with peak power at 3500 RPM for a good shove in the back where the petrol needs more winding up (it was quite relaxing to drive, although it was a Clubman so the longer wheelbase helped the ride).
(*) I test drove a Cooper D and that was similar to the DS4 with peak power at 3500 RPM for a good shove in the back where the petrol needs more winding up (it was quite relaxing to drive, although it was a Clubman so the longer wheelbase helped the ride).
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