New cooper S V old cooper S
Discussion
I'm looking for a new car at present so thought I'd finally try the mini having avoided them thus far... Anyway took a test drive in a decent spec old S, only done 3000 miles and basically new. My god, what a disappointment, thought it was utter crap! Didnt feel quick, far too quiet, steering was Ok but nothing special, driving position was pants just crap...! I have a 205 GTI and dynamically that would destroy the mini although the mini is quicker and by comparison clios are much much better... So got out and I think the dealer could suspect disappointment so he put me straight in a new S...
OMG!!!! I can believe they have come out the same maker! The engine is way way way better, not actually quicker but feels it and the turbo is much more responsive. It sounds like it should, nice and rorty as oppossed to dull. Driving position felt better and handling was much sharper and direct and tha was before the sport button was pushed! With that and sports suspension I think it would be awesome! Inside is a bit of mess, it looks like a Tandy stereo circa 1984, but you can ignore that. And the best bit... A well speced new one would be cheaper than the old S I drove first... Wierd!
So now its back in contention and if anyone is considering a late S then go drive the new one before parting with any cash, it is leagues better!
OMG!!!! I can believe they have come out the same maker! The engine is way way way better, not actually quicker but feels it and the turbo is much more responsive. It sounds like it should, nice and rorty as oppossed to dull. Driving position felt better and handling was much sharper and direct and tha was before the sport button was pushed! With that and sports suspension I think it would be awesome! Inside is a bit of mess, it looks like a Tandy stereo circa 1984, but you can ignore that. And the best bit... A well speced new one would be cheaper than the old S I drove first... Wierd!
So now its back in contention and if anyone is considering a late S then go drive the new one before parting with any cash, it is leagues better!
Tandy. Legendary. Whatever happened to that place...?Twit said:
I'm looking for a new car at present so thought I'd finally try the mini having avoided them thus far... Anyway took a test drive in a decent spec old S, only done 3000 miles and basically new. My god, what a disappointment, thought it was utter crap! Didnt feel quick, far too quiet, steering was Ok but nothing special, driving position was pants just crap...! I have a 205 GTI and dynamically that would destroy the mini although the mini is quicker and by comparison clios are much much better... So got out and I think the dealer could suspect disappointment so he put me straight in a new S...
OMG!!!! I can believe they have come out the same maker! The engine is way way way better, not actually quicker but feels it and the turbo is much more responsive. It sounds like it should, nice and rorty as oppossed to dull. Driving position felt better and handling was much sharper and direct and tha was before the sport button was pushed! With that and sports suspension I think it would be awesome! Inside is a bit of mess, it looks like a Tandy stereo circa 1984, but you can ignore that. And the best bit... A well speced new one would be cheaper than the old S I drove first... Wierd!
So now its back in contention and if anyone is considering a late S then go drive the new one before parting with any cash, it is leagues better!
OMG!!!! I can believe they have come out the same maker! The engine is way way way better, not actually quicker but feels it and the turbo is much more responsive. It sounds like it should, nice and rorty as oppossed to dull. Driving position felt better and handling was much sharper and direct and tha was before the sport button was pushed! With that and sports suspension I think it would be awesome! Inside is a bit of mess, it looks like a Tandy stereo circa 1984, but you can ignore that. And the best bit... A well speced new one would be cheaper than the old S I drove first... Wierd!
So now its back in contention and if anyone is considering a late S then go drive the new one before parting with any cash, it is leagues better!
the old s like mine does sound pretty characterful if you give it some welly.. and they pop on the overrun too! they need some miles on them and then they seem to 'come alive'! but the new one i saw had more of a std 'twincam' type induction 'bark' so i guess if that's what you prefer...
it's weird what you say about the steering - someone elsesaid that on here BUT the magazines seem to disagree with you..? i happen to like the steering and much prefer it to the clios... the more and more i read on here the more and more i realise how much one mans meat...
There does seem to be the odd lemon about, and the S's seem to vary considerably in the base BHP stakes. HOWEVER, some are also a dream to drive and steer like there on rails. Admittedly mines not exactly standard anymore but its always been a great drive.
Glad you like the new model, though I'd miss the supercharger whine and like you don't like the new interior...
Have fun...
Glad you like the new model, though I'd miss the supercharger whine and like you don't like the new interior...
Have fun...
"Tandy" originally sold Leather goods before getting into Electronics with the ailing Radioshack in the sixties. The Tandy Corporation changed it's name to Radioshack in 2000. The Tandy stores in the UK were operated by a offshoot which became independant before being sold to The Carphone Warehouse. Some stores were bought by a company called "T2" which has gradually retreated to Motorway service areas. These days "Radioshack" is still a big name in the states.
Well... I ordered one! Have to wait till the end of January to get it but the deed is done! Went back on Saturday and drove one with sports suspension back to back with one without and it does make a difference! The one with the kit feels much pointer and really sharp (the one without isnt bad mind you). The ride gets a bit harder but not horrible so I've gone with...
Now just need to wait......
Now just need to wait......
Its worth noting that all of the above is opinion, rather than fact. I've spent a bit of time with a new shape MINI, and (IMHO of course) by comparison the old one is a good 20% more fun to drive. Not faster, not 'better' in terms of ride and composure, just more fun - the steering heavier and more talkative, the chassis more biddable and the engine endowed with more character.
In its transformation to MkII MINI has become just that little bit too rounded with refinement, economy, comfort taking lead roles - with it has gone some of the exuberant chacter of the old car. Still a fun car of course, but I'd choose the old model for a b-road blast given the 2 sets of keys to choose from.
In its transformation to MkII MINI has become just that little bit too rounded with refinement, economy, comfort taking lead roles - with it has gone some of the exuberant chacter of the old car. Still a fun car of course, but I'd choose the old model for a b-road blast given the 2 sets of keys to choose from.
trackdemon said:
The new model is less attractive to look at too, IMO....
I have to agree with you on that, no denying the new model seems to be recieiving great praise, and rightly so, I am sure its a great car! And aslong as they are in production I will be happy...
But the old one just seems more proportioned. Dont like the centre console in the new one either!
some of these second hand low milage S's have never been driven properly inb their life as have just been used for pottering in town or on the dual carrige ways get it boot it for a few hundred miles and it will come alive due to the adaptive ECU on the car ok i cant talk relay as the only S ive driven was pushing out 260 + bhp and on a track (took a 911 GT3) but the S dose take a bit off lossening up some times my coopers done 30k now and for wittle 1.6 flies when booted now saving for the GP so it can have a friend on the drive
Edited by von stig on Monday 4th December 18:30
Twit said:
I said the Tandy thing to the sales guy... He'd never heard of them! I dont know the youth of today... 
PS...... Think they went bust......
PS...... Think they went bust......
Still going well in the US...www.radioshack.com/home/index.jsp
I too have ordered a MK2 Cooper S with the sports suspension pack, must admit having drove the 2 the new one does seem to be more responsive than the old especially when the sport button is depressed. but must admit its kind of hard to push the car when you have a salesman in the passenger seat.
my old mini: www.pistonheads.com/sales/118188.htm
I do miss the lights popping up with the bonnet though.
my old mini: www.pistonheads.com/sales/118188.htm
I do miss the lights popping up with the bonnet though.
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