MINI Cooper S

Redline · Post by **Redline** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 9:31 pm

Just wondering if anyone has any opinions about them, more specifically the first generation supercharged ones.

Looking to change the GTi, and to be honest so far it's one of the few cars that have ticked the boxes of small, quick and upmarket.

Thoughts, comments, suggestions, whatever welcome.

shantybeater · Post by **shantybeater** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 7:32 pm

well, they are reliable & quite nippy, but personally i hate them & cant take anyone seriously if they are driving one..especially a bloke

Minis are fashion accessories, not a drivers car..and amount of girls & boys that look like girls who want them means they are massively overpriced & extremely common..

Personally if you have that much of a budget, id shop around, you can get some serious motors for that price:

Audi TT, S3, CTR, ITR, S2000, mk4 R32, Decent Evo's, LCR etc...

Redline · Post by **Redline** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:06 pm

The amount of them you see is one thing that puts me off. The Mini factory churns out 3500 cars a week, as opposed to the 3500 6N2 GTi's that were sold in the UK.

I have actually got a massive list of potential cars

The S3 or TT were top for a while, but a lot of the ones in my price range tend to fall into the high-mileage/OTT modified category, which I'd rather avoid.

I'd really also quite like an Impreza STi or DC5 Integra, but the insurance with where I live is absolutely crippling for both.

shantybeater · Post by **shantybeater** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:28 pm

Yeah i have to say the insurance on the cooper S is suprisngly low, especially if you have the 'chilli pack' (not sure why), old school impreza's are lush & sound so good!, the P1 style anyway.

Redline · Post by **Redline** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:59 pm

Can't beat that flat-four burble that's for sure! But insurance from what I've tried so far is essentially no-go until I'm 25.

But as you say, the Cooper S is pretty cheap considering the performance/value. Plus the relative ease of a remap and supercharger pulley change to bump it up to 210bhp is appealing too.

Tim_GTi · Post by **Tim_GTi** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 10:19 pm

I've recently been in a Cooper S, and the power deliverence is really quite good, it's ment to have great handling too.

BUT.......

shantybeater wrote: Minis are fashion accessories, not a drivers car..and amount of girls & boys that look like girls who want them means they are massively overpriced & extremely common..

Personally if you have that much of a budget, id shop around, you can get some serious motors for that price:

Audi TT, S3, CTR, ITR, S2000, mk4 R32, Decent Evo's, LCR etc...

I really couldn't have put it better myself James! You even put the exact list I was thinking of.

Don't get a Mini

Redline · Post by **Redline** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 10:24 pm

DC5 Integra is out due to insurance, sadly.

My age, postcode and with all DC5's being imports it's just too much cash to justify. However, when I am 25...

Tim_GTi · Post by **Tim_GTi** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 10:33 pm

I think an S3 or mark 4 r32 would be a bold move then

Rupie · Post by **Rupie** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 10:43 pm

why do you want rid of a beautiful gti?

Ollie_R · Post by **Ollie_R** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 11:01 pm

If I had the cash, I'd buy one in a heartbeat. They look cool, are quick and handle well. I couldn't care less whether there is a stigma attached to a certain car, for example Polo's are usually seen as girls cars, right?

They do have that annoying power steering whine however, although I'm sure the whine from the Eaton would compensate.

Another car in a similar vein would be the Suzuki Swift Sport. I would love one of those one day.

Redline · Post by **Redline** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 11:58 pm

Rupie wrote:why do you want rid of a beautiful gti?

Mainly because I've had it 3 years now, and as much as I still love it, I have to move on at some point!

Mk4 R32 is pushing my budget, although a local VW dealer has a red one in which I really can't help but like!

Suzuki Swift Sport is pretty cool, but performance wise it's the same as the GTi, and really I'm looking for something quicker now.

Cheers for all your feedback though guys, keeping my mind open!

polo-sib · Post by **polo-sib** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 2:20 am

Ollie_R wrote:If I had the cash, I'd buy one in a heartbeat. They look cool, are quick and handle well. I couldn't care less whether there is a stigma attached to a certain car, for example Polo's are usually seen as girls cars, right?

They do have that annoying power steering whine however, although I'm sure the whine from the Eaton would compensate.

Another car in a similar vein would be the Suzuki Swift Sport. I would love one of those one day.

I wouldn't mind a suzuki swift either especially what they deliver, one thing I really hated about it was the center control though. Was going to order one, but couldn't afford the insurance on the 1.6

Next car will be the up! even if no one else likes it

mk4 glx 1.6 · Post by **mk4 glx 1.6** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 4:17 pm

Cooper S/works are nice but are overpriced IMO, but saying that they are one of the least depreciating supermini's.

The power steering whine can be annoying, depends whether little things like that annoy you. There is next to no room in the rear seats and the boot is pretty useless as well.

Fabia VRS? or if it doesn't have to german built, a Clio Trophy or 197.

Avinitlarge · Post by **Avinitlarge** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 12:33 am

They are really unreliable, I work at one of the biggest BMW breakers in the UK, The amount of calls we get for new mini parts is rediculous, Mainly engines, boxes and PAS pumps. Come to think of it, Most modern BMW's are the same, Really over rated IMO

JoeG07 · Post by **JoeG07** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 12:16 pm

persoanlly i wouldnt have one, BUT I learned in a mini and they are truly excellent cars they handle amazing, very quick even when full, and generally everything feels good and firm.