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MINI Cooper
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Comments
I'm pretty concerned. Is this a new car thing? Or is it a MINI thing? I don't remember it being so noisy on my test drives.
Please share your thoughts! Thanks.
Highs: Punchy acceleration, wonderful steering feel, low weight, go-kart handling, fantastic fuel economy, solid build, great engine/exhaust sound
Lows: Runflats, torque steer, seat adjustment difficulty, rear seat room, rear seat ingress/egress, no spare
-------------------------
The "C" word
The Cooper S' exterior does have some sporty flourishes to it, but basically I've just had to come to terms with the fact that this car is, in a word, cute. I wish it was a little less cute, with a little more "mean" in its appearance, but well, it isn't. It isn't a car that makes anyone have fear when they see it in their rearview... they're far more likely to smile. I'm secure enough in my manhood to accept that.
Once settling into that reality, you also notice the benefits. People are far more likely to let you merge or change lanes, fellow MINI owners wave to you, pedestrians grin and give you thumbs ups, and you no longer get the feeling that people immediately assume you're some sort of prick or rich a-hole... the de rigeur feeling you have when driving a BMW, Benz, or a sports/sporty car.
Fooling them all
But you also feel like you're putting one over on all those people, on two fronts. Firstly, on the inside, the MINI really does feel like an upscale vehicle. The plastics are soft for the most part, the build quality is excellent, and the car just has that solid, chunky stiff-chassis feel common to all BMW products. Switchgear feels substantial, not flimsy. It all gives the car an overall feel that truly justifies its categorization as a "premium" compact. There's just no comparison to other cars in its size class... the Fits and Yarises of the world cannot even begin to compete in this regard. The MCS' interior feel is actually very reminiscent to me of my old E46, quirky design themes notwithstanding. This is not a modern Chevette. It's a little BMW, and it feels like it.
The second front on which you feel like you're deceiving the outside observer is in the world of handling dynamics and the overall driving experience. This car, torque steer notwithstanding, is a total blast to drive. The 1.6L BMW/Peugeot turbo powerplant is really a gem. With peak torque being reached as low as 1700 rpm, the power is ample. You never feel like the car is underpowered or can't get out of its own way, like a typical compact/subcompact hatch. Turbo lag is non-existant. Grunt is always available, even when in the wrong gear (within reason).
Handles like Rollie Fingers
Both the limited-slip differential and DSC help get the power to the ground with a minimum of drama. There is some tugging at the wheel, unavoidable in any front wheel drive car, but it's entirely predictable, and once acclimated to it, essentially a non-issue. Of course I wish it wasn't there, but it's totally livable. I've found that disabling DSC really minimizes the tugging, but with it disabled, great care is required in throttle application, as the power can easily break the wheels free in 1st and 2nd. I suspect that the LSD actually increases the frequency with which there's a bit of tugging, but decreases its intensity. You can really feel the LSD doing its job, as it gently tries to find traction equilibrium. Without it, I suspect the car would perceptually pull toward one side or the other less frequently, but much harder.
The lightness of the car, torque curve, and the amount of engine/exhaust sound that's let into the cabin (enhanced by the JCW intake/exhaust), really convey a visceral thrill on acceleration. I think it's probably a 6-second-ish 0-60 car, but it feels faster. Let's face reality... for typical suburb/interstate/city driving, that's more than sufficient power. With the sound and feel, it makes the daily commute a total hoot. The combination of the stiff chassis and wheels pushed all the way out to the extreme corners of the car enhance the go-kart feel exponentially. This car makes mundane drives a ton of fun. A great recipe for a daily driver.
Steering feel is excellent, though it's mandatory that the "sport" button be pressed immediately upon starting her up. Without it, the steering is far too light... it's kind of like the difference between a 2001 and a 2002 E46... maybe grandma would prefer the button off while parking at the A&P, but the weight and tightness of the steering when the button is engaged is right for everything else.
On sweepers, there's some gentle understeer that comes on predictably when pushed, but a little lift or a gentle tap on the brake lightens the rear nicely, allowing a bit of rotation. It's a much easier balancing act with this car than I've experienced with other front drivers. I'm sure all of this will feel much better still once I switch from the crappy all-season runflats that came with the car (Conti 195/55/R16s on MINI 16" Bridge Spoke wheels -- my winter setup) to the 215/45/R17 Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3s on 17" Enkei RP03s I bought from TireRack.
Clutch feel is very natural and predictable... the pedal throw is a touch long, but not at all distracting. I don't feel the need for a clutch stop, something that was all but required in my E46. Similarly, the shifter throw is a bit long. The gates are well-defined without being notchy, but the length of the throw is a bit agricultural. Unfortunately, I think an SSK installation on this car is a much bigger hassle than on an E46. I'm not a big fan of the stock shift knob, either -- I have the JCW pistol-type knob on order. These gripes aside, it's an easy car to shift -- I've never missed a shift or wondered what gear I was in. The ratios seem very well spaced, too -- no complaints there -- though the broad torque curve of the engine would help to mask iffy gearing choices, were there any.
I opted for the sport suspension with stiffer dampening and bigger swaybars. This really helps control body roll and brake dive. The ride is a little rough over less-than optimal roads (90% of the roads here in the northeast), but that's a sacrifice I've always been willing to make to avoid any sort of "float." This roughness is another thing I think will be alleviated greatly by switching to non-runflat summer tires with more forgiving sidewalls.
Overall, the handling of the car is simply phenomenal. It's so light and agile, it's easy to do slaloms of dotted yellow lines. Right-angle street turns at speeds that would roll your typical SUV. This car defines "tossable."
Internal Affairs
The sport seats with punch leather are very comfortable and supportive, w
On first glance, the highly-stylized interior would seem to be incredibly ergonomically incorrect. However, once acclimated, everything seems very natural and easy to operate. The cartoonish pie-plate speedometer (whose form:function ratio is substantially improved when opting for the nav system, with its screen in the center) is not really a functional problem at all, as the tach display is easily configured with a couple of stalk button presses to display your speed digitally. The auto climate control works great -- basically identical to the E46, except it only increments/decrements the temp in 2-degree (F) jumps. Big deal.
Visibility is very good, with a large greenhouse, and big mirrors. The one exception is if you have a habit of creeping up too far at intersections with only overhead traffic lights... need to make sure you don't move up so far that you can no longer see the light! Sometimes that's a half a car length behind the stop line.
The in-car electronics, encompassing navigation (w/real-time traffic info), bluetooth phone communications, AM/FM/Satellite radio, USB-based iPod integration, multi-layered OBC with trip computer, in-car settings, and voice commands all work just great. I'm continually impressed with the whole package. Its capabilities are FAR beyond anything I've had in previous cars, and as such I don't have much of a baseline with which to compare them to what other manufacturers offer. But I am thoroughly satisfied with it all, and very happy I bought the Nav option in order to get a reasonably-sized screen with which to operate all these functions. Even though I use the voice commands more than anything else.
The sound is okay. Plenty sufficient for me. I've never been much of an auto-audiophile, though, anyway... a car is just about the worst possible environment for serious music consumption. I've never really understood the obsession with which some approach this subject. Mostly I'm happy to listen to the engine. iPod integration and library navigation is excellent, though, as is the Sirius menu structure... though I wish there were a few more "slots" for Sirius presets.
Miscellany
Parking this car is so easy it's a joke. It fits anywhere, and I can't even begin to comprehend why anyone would bother with the available park distance control option.
My daily driving is pretty much 50% highway and 50% suburbs/city driving, including a daily trek into and out of midtown Manhattan. When safety and traffic permit, I usually drive it like I stole it. Not the best recipe for fuel efficiency. But even so, I'm averaging 30mpg consistently. This is HUGE for me, especially coming from an RX-8 that drank as much as a Hummer. In these days of near $4/gal. gas, this makes me very very happy.
Changing the oil is a fairly easy process with a top-side extractor, with one exception. In order to reach the filter housing, one bolt needs to be removed, so the coolant overflow reservoir can be dismounted and temporarily moved out of the way. Kinda stupid, but not really a big deal at all.
Three thumbs up
I highly recommend this car to anyone who's looking for a fuel efficient yet powerful small car for their daily drive, and especially to those who demand a car that provides a tight-handling, visceral, enthusiast's experience for their daily commute.
Unfair, I say!! :mad:
Also,any reason why you think its silly? My stick driving skills are a little rough-edged when it comes to stop-start situations on uphill slopes. I still haven't gotten the hang of letting the clutch out just enough to stop the car from rolling back. I think having this feature would heavily bias me to getting a manual tranny.
http://www.miniusa.com/?#/learn/FACTS_FEATURES_SPECS/Top_Features-m.
If that doesn't work, go to the MINIUSA web-site and search for "hill hold". Its part of DSC.
Also, get a different salesperson...the one you have spoken with doesn't have a clue...
Your salesperson is wrong. My car is a 2007 Cooper S and it has the hill hold feature just like my 06 330i.
Also,any reason why you think its silly? My stick driving skills are a little rough-edged when it comes to stop-start situations on uphill slopes. I still haven't gotten the hang of letting the clutch out just enough to stop the car from rolling back. I think having this feature would heavily bias me to getting a manual tranny.
It's on there. Go drive one. Come to a complete stop on a hil, push in the clutch and the car will hold as if the brake were pressed.
I learned to drive on a stick at 10 and my parents had a rule about driving stick on the real roads - you cannot ever roll backward when accelerating from a stop on a hill. You can use the e-brake, slip the clutch or just hit the gas and brake with your right foot while releasing the clutch. Regardless, with a Mini it's got hill hold and a mini dealer should know that.
http://blogs.edmunds.com/roadtests/1842?@@
Before I bought my 2006, I considered waiting for the '07 because of this, but went ahead anyway. So, are the '07s paying off in extra MPG savings as expected?
Thanks for your replies.
You make it sound like such a hardship! :surprise:
Just wondering how Cooper S owners cope with the lack of a spare tire since quite a few have mentioned that they swapped their run flats for normal tires.
I have owned one since 2005 and never seen a JD Power survey document, or any other one, other than the one Mini sent out immediately after vehicle delivery.
Also, only had one issue...a leaking temperature sending unit, which was repaired by the dealer under warranty with no problems.
Maybe I'm one of the few lucky ones...a good vehicle and a good dealer....
Duke
thanks
We got the auto primarily because my wife does not know how to drive a manual. But now that my son will soon be getting his licence, I'm a bit tempted to get another one with a manual and teach him how to drive a stick, although 2 Mini's in the same family seems excessively impractical!
Is that the survey being referenced?
I like the newer transmission 6 speed, and the newer BASE engine over the old trans and old base engine (rough), but I liked the older SC engine over the new one (more responsive).
I agonized over ths for a month!
I read every post at MINI2 and tirerack.
Finally, decided to ditch the runflats and went with Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 summer tire. Good year is a US company and the tires I bot were made in Germany. i lked that!
I have dunlop snows (although i decided NOT to drive this Mini in snow) so I have one in my garage if I needi t. I also bought a can of flat-tire sealer.
I think the quality of the F1 is such that i HPOE I won't get a flat!
The performance is NIGHT and DAY!
Even if you don't get summer-only tires, DITCH the RUNFLATS! Buy goodyears!
The early cars could be troublesome but nothing was more troublesome then a base MINI with the CVT trans. The base 5 speed was better but not by much.
Slightly off topic but still relevant is this... I sell what is supposed to be the lease reliable vehicle line in the US Land Rovers and I don't see nearly as many cars coming in broken as you would think. Sure the older ones come in but anything pre-2003 is a completely different vehicle to what is sold now. I have customers in Land Rovers that supposedly have three or four faults per vehicle on average that have never been in for warranty work in three or four years of ownership.
Two people in particular that I sold Range Rover Sports to have over 75,000 miles on their vehicles and for the most part have only done routine maintenance on them. I think those two people both had one warranty repair each but they were both minor problems that didn't cause driving problems. We are talking about things like squeaky brakes and rear hatch supports that won't hold the lift gate up.
ABS/DSC lights flickered on at stop lights. CEL goes on every few weeks and then turns off for no reason. Brakes squeaked/grinded once in awhile. Rear hatch had cosmetic damage. Two of these things were fixed rather quickly. Another took a few months for me to bother asking Mini to fix it. Finally, CEL makes no difference so I don't bother reporting it. I also complained that the HVAC always blows hot air and that the runflats are steaming piles (repeated this constantly in the survey).
Overall, 4 problems on delivery. HVAC was the same on my last BMW so it seems it's just a thing now for HVAC when off to seemingly always blow warm air unless one shuts it all down tight. The RFTs were my issues and I handled that. In reality, most of the problems were easily handled and only a single one really impacted my enjoyment of the car (RFTs).
But on JD Power's listing, that means I had 6 problems within 3 months. I'm four times the average per buyer. And I'm picky!
I did place an order last Sat. and dealer didn't require any deposit. It takes 6-8wks for delivery.
Nina Winn
Follow your heart. If you like it, get it.
Some of us remove them and go with normal tires - cheap to repair, last longer, less damage prone. The downside: if we get a flat we're stuck.
You did right in getting the "S" model.
Just remember, the MINI S is a real "Driver's Machine" and you can't EVER have enough fun driving it!
take delivery and go motoring!
It was a base convertible, red and it was late spring. The dealer had literally 3 cars on his lot and was even buying cars on Ebay just to have something to sell.
I got suckered into the S when i went for a demo ride. then I went for a ride in a friend's S and then I went online and had one built MY way!
I paid $30K and right now I can sell it for 26! http://images.cars.com/main/DMI/183768/3884.jpg here is a pix of a similar unit but I'm sure it doesn't have the options mini does.
If you want some help in re-specking yours, (it's not too late to ammend your order, I'm sure) I'll send an email address...