2022 MINI Cooper S
Discussion
Finally upgraded from my mapped 1.0 Fiesta to a ‘proper’ car… Picked my Cooper S Exclusive up on Friday after a 10 month wait! I originally ordered it in Sport trim but they got discontinued half way through my order so I had the choice to go either Classic or Exclusive and have no regrets. I had to add the exterior black pack on though!
The only plans so far are to get the rear windows tinted next week, that will no doubt change once it’s all run in!
The only plans so far are to get the rear windows tinted next week, that will no doubt change once it’s all run in!
Good cars these, I've got a soft spot for MINI's since my first car was an R50 One, and I've driven quite a few F56's as hire cars more recently (all Coopers, some manual some auto). From my experience with the Cooper, they've done a good job keeping the feeling of my old R50, and comparing the Cooper to Mk8 1.0 EcoBoost Fiesta they're equals on a B-road, with the caveat that the MINI is much more refined. At one point I was using them to do about 500 miles a week in the outside lane of the M5 and even at illegal speeds they were lovely- almost on a par in terms of refinement with the current 3 Series. In fact the only things that let it down for me were the fact that it could've felt a tiny bit sharper, and the 1.5 being a bit lacking in grunt... both things that should be well addressed in the Cooper S.
As another poster mentioned, I'm surprised you haven't got the digital dash. All the ones I've driven were 21 or 71 reg's and mostly sparse on spec (one didn't even have sat-nav or CarPlay- I thought the latter would at least be standard these days considering it had the big infotainment screen) and had the newer digital dash like the GP3 had. I wouldn't be too upset though- it was a pretty poor attempt at a digital dash with no real extra functionality to it and personally the analogue dials look a bit nicer.
I'd personally go manual on one of these, although don't they only make these in automatic now?! Thumbs up for British Racing Green though.
As another poster mentioned, I'm surprised you haven't got the digital dash. All the ones I've driven were 21 or 71 reg's and mostly sparse on spec (one didn't even have sat-nav or CarPlay- I thought the latter would at least be standard these days considering it had the big infotainment screen) and had the newer digital dash like the GP3 had. I wouldn't be too upset though- it was a pretty poor attempt at a digital dash with no real extra functionality to it and personally the analogue dials look a bit nicer.
I'd personally go manual on one of these, although don't they only make these in automatic now?! Thumbs up for British Racing Green though.
Edited by Sofa on Sunday 23 October 01:27
Slight shame you lost the Sport trim OP as that was the sweet spot in spec terms IMV, the Exclusive feeling (to me) a bit of a 'Princess Di' special edition.
Digital dash is std fit, but subject to deletion of they feel like it, due to chip shortage...
Still - all that is forgotten on a good B road (or even on the M5) when the chassis, steering and refinement combine to make it feel so good
Digital dash is std fit, but subject to deletion of they feel like it, due to chip shortage...
Still - all that is forgotten on a good B road (or even on the M5) when the chassis, steering and refinement combine to make it feel so good
Great spec OP, I actually think Exclusive is a way better choice than sport. Exterior is more cohesive and the Leather is way better than the uncomfortable sports seats!
I’d also actually say the Auto is the best gearbox for the S. the DCT is brilliant, unlike the cack Aisin unit in the JCW.
I’d also actually say the Auto is the best gearbox for the S. the DCT is brilliant, unlike the cack Aisin unit in the JCW.
I had a JCW of this generation a few years ago and really didn't get on with it due to the absolutely awful torque steer.
Once it's run in, please let me know whether the lower power output works better with the chassis and torque steer is not particularly noticeable as I'd love another quick F56 seeing as I loved everything else about the JCW (well, except for the rattly sunroof).
Once it's run in, please let me know whether the lower power output works better with the chassis and torque steer is not particularly noticeable as I'd love another quick F56 seeing as I loved everything else about the JCW (well, except for the rattly sunroof).
OP they still seem to be selling Mini's in 'sport' trim... Has your dealer pulled a fast one?
https://www.mini.co.uk/en_GB/home/range/build-your...
https://www.mini.co.uk/en_GB/home/range/build-your...
Thanks guys! It's definitely an improvement from the Fiesta. Can't fault that at all though, I had it mapped to 160 (with pops and bangs...) since 2019 and it didn't really miss a beat. The MINI is a massive step up in terms of interior quality and driving feel though. I have absolutely no complaints about it so far after 200 miles, the gearbox is fantastic, it feels quick even up to 4k and half throttle, the interior is a bloody lovely place to sit and the seats are the most comfortable car seats I've sat in!
In regards to the digital dash and the sport trim, I ordered this back in December last year and was told at the time I wouldn't be guaranteed the digital dash, only if you ordered the Nav+ pack which I didn't really need. I'm not too fussed about the analogue clocks though, I quite like them! It was also halfway through my order that MINI changed all the spec on new orders so you could no longer get a Sport trim (which they have just reintroduced as of a week or two ago), I'm kind of glad I got the exclusive in the end as it added the arm rest and heated seats, I do like the different bumpers on the Sport though...
In regards to the digital dash and the sport trim, I ordered this back in December last year and was told at the time I wouldn't be guaranteed the digital dash, only if you ordered the Nav+ pack which I didn't really need. I'm not too fussed about the analogue clocks though, I quite like them! It was also halfway through my order that MINI changed all the spec on new orders so you could no longer get a Sport trim (which they have just reintroduced as of a week or two ago), I'm kind of glad I got the exclusive in the end as it added the arm rest and heated seats, I do like the different bumpers on the Sport though...
Canon_Fodder said:
OP they still seem to be selling Mini's in 'sport' trim... Has your dealer pulled a fast one?
https://www.mini.co.uk/en_GB/home/range/build-your...
I suspect they will still list it and then change accordingly depending on availability. Due to the long lead times parts might come available nearer the build slothttps://www.mini.co.uk/en_GB/home/range/build-your...
Challo said:
Canon_Fodder said:
OP they still seem to be selling Mini's in 'sport' trim... Has your dealer pulled a fast one?
https://www.mini.co.uk/en_GB/home/range/build-your...
I suspect they will still list it and then change accordingly depending on availability. Due to the long lead times parts might come available nearer the build slothttps://www.mini.co.uk/en_GB/home/range/build-your...
LHB said:
I wasn’t planning on mapping this, but I have just seen the Bluespark box that gives a quoted 250bhp… has anyone used Bluespark before? They seem to have decent reviews on the F56 MINI group on Facebook!
Not on a Mini, but i used a Bluespark box on my M140i and it worked brilliantly.Annoyingly though, i removed it and Bluespark will change it to suit any other car but you have to be the original purchaser, which i'm not.
But results wise, it was great, never any error codes or anything.
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