Discussion
I have just been test driving a new Mini Cooper S for the past two days - disappointed or what? I drive an unmentionable French hot hatch, and if the Mini is supposed to represent four years (at least) of development in front wheel drive entertainment and chuckability (driver aids and safety kit aside) over my car, then I am left the wrong side of impressed. Anyone else had a go in one of these, and if so am I missing the point?
What really bugged me was the overly harsh ride (and I like if firm!), the fact that the front seats would not return to their original positions once tipped forward, and that the seat squabs themselves are so short that you feel like you are falling out of them every time you brake. Also if I'm being really picky, the accelerator travel is far to short and the "Alloy Look Patina Interior Trim" looks as if hundreds of small children have been dabbing their greasy mitts everywhere! Oh and one last think, the (left) foot rest/brace was so close to the floor that it is of no use whatsoever.
Mrs Dan has a new MINI cooper(not an S).. and not surprisingly I really like it. The suspension is firm but it handles like its on rails. You dont realise this at first, but after a while you notice that other cars are dropping back. It's not cos the cooper is particularly quick... it's not, it's just you dont have to slow down for corners. I find the seats fine (though the comment about them not returning to the original position after being tilted is true and is a pain). The cockpit is well put together the controls are well placed and weighted. As far as it not been British... It was designed in britain, tested in britain and built in britain... so err its British.
Anyway obviously an unpopular stance, but thats my opinion.
Cheers Dan
Anyway obviously an unpopular stance, but thats my opinion.
Cheers Dan
Bleedin' 'arry guys!
I have to say I'm amazed by what you lot have said!
I totally agree with Dan on this subject: just driven a mate's wife's standard Cooper and it was f'in fabulous.
OK, so it's slow - didn't stop me having fun with an Audi TT driver on some VERY twisty blacktop tho'- and feeling way within the car's limits too. Now, I know I'll get slaughtered for this but the car it most reminded me of was...an Audi TT!
Here was a car that could be driven well within the law and yet somehow deliver a really satisfying, unstressed driving experience.
Don't get me wrong, my electric toaster has more grunt but that's emphatically not the crack here - for once I totally agree with the motor writing establishment. If this is what it is to be a style victim then maybe that's not such a bad thing.
Sorry guys but fot the money I thought it was a gem of a thing!
I have to say I'm amazed by what you lot have said!
I totally agree with Dan on this subject: just driven a mate's wife's standard Cooper and it was f'in fabulous.
OK, so it's slow - didn't stop me having fun with an Audi TT driver on some VERY twisty blacktop tho'- and feeling way within the car's limits too. Now, I know I'll get slaughtered for this but the car it most reminded me of was...an Audi TT!
Here was a car that could be driven well within the law and yet somehow deliver a really satisfying, unstressed driving experience.
Don't get me wrong, my electric toaster has more grunt but that's emphatically not the crack here - for once I totally agree with the motor writing establishment. If this is what it is to be a style victim then maybe that's not such a bad thing.
Sorry guys but fot the money I thought it was a gem of a thing!
I had my name down for a Cooper S, but cancelled after the test drive. I'd driven the standard Cooper last year and thought it was great, if slow. Perhaps because I'd been driving turboed cars for the last few years where the power comes in with a whallop, but the seemless supercharger power in the Cooper S left me cold. Unlike our friend above, I thought they'd done a great job with the ride. All-in-all I didn't want to spend that much money on a good car rather than a GREAT car.
The other thing which put me off was seeing a Cooper S at Oulton Park parked next to a bog-std MINI One and the One actually looking better.
Instead I bought a 4-yr old Saab 9-5 for exactly half what I would have paid for a MINI with a couple of extras.
The other thing which put me off was seeing a Cooper S at Oulton Park parked next to a bog-std MINI One and the One actually looking better.
Instead I bought a 4-yr old Saab 9-5 for exactly half what I would have paid for a MINI with a couple of extras.
The engine is very tired: At low revs I expected some torque, in the middle range there is something like power (no serious kick) but at high revs it is very disappointing again 
All in all > very boring
The interieur-design is a matter of taste but the quality really is a shame.
BUT I´m very impressed by the suspension! It´s really like a sportscar!
All in all > very boring
The interieur-design is a matter of taste but the quality really is a shame.
BUT I´m very impressed by the suspension! It´s really like a sportscar!
Not driven one yet, but the interior of the Cooper seems no better quality to me than any other small car - certainly not "rock solid BMW" as per the hype...
My advice - get a proper Mini. Much more fun, and you can fix it yourself! Either that, or I'd highly recommend a 106 GTI - wish I'd never got rid of mine...
My advice - get a proper Mini. Much more fun, and you can fix it yourself! Either that, or I'd highly recommend a 106 GTI - wish I'd never got rid of mine...
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