New MINI Cooper
Discussion
Anyone on here bought / drives a new model MINI Cooper? I sat in one today for the first time and must say I was impressed.
What do you think of yours?
What's the handling / performance like?
What options did you go for / are a must?
Anyone seen second hand / ex demos at the dealers yet?
What's the low down with the £100 for 50k miles / 5 years servicing - sounds a bit good to be true?
Oh and before you all point it out - I know its not the same as a real Mini Cooper, I used to drive a mates Cooper S years ago.
Cheers,
JSG
What do you think of yours?
What's the handling / performance like?
What options did you go for / are a must?
Anyone seen second hand / ex demos at the dealers yet?
What's the low down with the £100 for 50k miles / 5 years servicing - sounds a bit good to be true?
Oh and before you all point it out - I know its not the same as a real Mini Cooper, I used to drive a mates Cooper S years ago.
Cheers,
JSG
I work for a BMW dealer and have driven and delivered (long distance) dozens of them.
Strong points are build quality and general 'feel' of steering, gearchange, brakes.
Handling is superb but performance only adequate - a bit short on torque, so you have to keep the revs up to make progress.
Personally I don't like the interior, though the dash looks better in graphite grey rather than silver.
The seat recline/rear access arrangements are hopeless - considering what a model of good design they are on 'normal' BMWs.
I would specify traction control and aircon but don't waste your money on a sunroof. Problem is that at anything over 10mph the wind noise is unbearable.
Did you know that they are not equipped with a spare wheel? Not even a space-saver and, consequently, no jack. Puncture repair kit is sometimes included (not sure if it's an option or part of a spec package).
As far as I'm aware the after-sales deal is as good as it sounds.
Havn't seen any used ones on the market yet but will keep my ear to the ground.
>> Edited by reardrive on Wednesday 27th March 23:36
Strong points are build quality and general 'feel' of steering, gearchange, brakes.
Handling is superb but performance only adequate - a bit short on torque, so you have to keep the revs up to make progress.
Personally I don't like the interior, though the dash looks better in graphite grey rather than silver.
The seat recline/rear access arrangements are hopeless - considering what a model of good design they are on 'normal' BMWs.
I would specify traction control and aircon but don't waste your money on a sunroof. Problem is that at anything over 10mph the wind noise is unbearable.
Did you know that they are not equipped with a spare wheel? Not even a space-saver and, consequently, no jack. Puncture repair kit is sometimes included (not sure if it's an option or part of a spec package).
As far as I'm aware the after-sales deal is as good as it sounds.
Havn't seen any used ones on the market yet but will keep my ear to the ground.
>> Edited by reardrive on Wednesday 27th March 23:36
Yup we've got one, Red and white, MINI Cooper.
As has been stated the handling is superb we went for the 'Chilli'(poncey marketing) Pack which included the supersports suspension, which certainly gives it that mini feeling
, also that means you get 16' rims with runflat tyres. Its true there is no spare wheel, but if there was you would have to bolt it to the roof (60's rally cooper style) as there is not enough room in the boot for a wheel that size.
The performance is adequate, I've found that the torque is pretty reasonable for a 1.6, and it will happily sit on the motorwa.. sorry racetrack at 90. If you want performance I'd wait for the Cooper S which should be a monster (... well you know what I mean
).
I happen to like the silver dash but then the Griff does have an alloy dash so I'm probably a bit biased.
The TLC Pack is pretty good, no worries about servicing bills etc, but you can only specify it when you buy new, so if you but second hand you may not get the option. Basically you are given a booklet of vouchers, when you take the car in you give the nice man a voucher and thats it
To sum up I've been chuffed to bits. I wanted a car that was reasonably cheap to buy, cheap to run, and fun to drive. The Mini is all that, Insurance is cheap it does 35-40mpg and is a hoot to drive.
Cheers Dan
As has been stated the handling is superb we went for the 'Chilli'(poncey marketing) Pack which included the supersports suspension, which certainly gives it that mini feeling
, also that means you get 16' rims with runflat tyres. Its true there is no spare wheel, but if there was you would have to bolt it to the roof (60's rally cooper style) as there is not enough room in the boot for a wheel that size. The performance is adequate, I've found that the torque is pretty reasonable for a 1.6, and it will happily sit on the motorwa.. sorry racetrack at 90. If you want performance I'd wait for the Cooper S which should be a monster (... well you know what I mean
). I happen to like the silver dash but then the Griff does have an alloy dash so I'm probably a bit biased.
The TLC Pack is pretty good, no worries about servicing bills etc, but you can only specify it when you buy new, so if you but second hand you may not get the option. Basically you are given a booklet of vouchers, when you take the car in you give the nice man a voucher and thats it
To sum up I've been chuffed to bits. I wanted a car that was reasonably cheap to buy, cheap to run, and fun to drive. The Mini is all that, Insurance is cheap it does 35-40mpg and is a hoot to drive.
Cheers Dan
If you really want performance go for the Cooper S 'Works' that should be out later this year. At 200bhp, it would be the only version I would consider buying as it's over the 160 bhp/tonne mark. Cooper have apparently had this version lapping the Goodwood circuit faster than the Honda Civic Type-R !!!!
quote:
If you really want performance go for the Cooper S 'Works' that should be out later this year. At 200bhp, it would be the only version I would consider buying as it's over the 160 bhp/tonne mark. Cooper have apparently had this version lapping the Goodwood circuit faster than the Honda Civic Type-R !!!!
Anybody know how much it wil cost?
I've driven the cooking Cooper, and it seemed to handle and drive very nicely, it was just very slow. It definitely seems to have the same sort of character as the real Mini - perhaps it is the good handling, but low power mixture?
I've got my name down for a Cooper S, which should be delivered just before Le Mans, but unfortunately I've already volunteered to drive my brother's Defender down with everyone else's luggage and camping gear, so I might have to try and wangle myself out of that job.
The spec I've informed the dealer I want (although nothing is signed and sealed yet) is the new darker silver colour, with black roof and in keeping with the German heritage of the MINI, a red interior
And, I'll seriously consider the JCW 200bhp upgrade when it comes along
I've got my name down for a Cooper S, which should be delivered just before Le Mans, but unfortunately I've already volunteered to drive my brother's Defender down with everyone else's luggage and camping gear, so I might have to try and wangle myself out of that job.
The spec I've informed the dealer I want (although nothing is signed and sealed yet) is the new darker silver colour, with black roof and in keeping with the German heritage of the MINI, a red interior
And, I'll seriously consider the JCW 200bhp upgrade when it comes along
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