[Canada15]

Soon my lease ends and I don't know what to get. I have a Cooper 2011 automatic. For sure I will get the standard (did not have one in my colour last time). Now the new MINIs come with more hp than my current 120hp they are already faster with 134hp.
And then there is the Sport button.
Any suggestions here?

 

[kenl]

Drive the Cooper and the S.
I had an r56 and feel the performance of thr f56 Cooper is fantastic. The Turbo really makes a difference to the low rev performance.

 

[jeremybingham]

Totally agree kenl I was amazed at the Cooper, please let's not call it a just a! It really is quick enough for me even coming from an r56 cooper s and I love the engine note.

 

[jeremybingham]

Generally we sit nose to tail in traffic any way. I get my speed kicks from the motorbike.

 

[Peterg]

I had to go for the S.. Having not driven the Cooper, I am sure it's capable enough, the sales guy said it was quick.
But if I had not got the Cooper S I would always be thinking what if...
Each to his own. Drive both and make your mind up, the noise of the Turbo, Dump Valve and Exhaust burble sold the S to me.

 

[jeremybingham]

The growl of the 3 cylinder and its running costs and only 1sec be hind the s did it for me!

 

[JohnWB]

I tried the Cooper having heard good reports about it and coming from an R56 Cooper S I thought it was good but seemed to run out of steam compared to the R56 S. It is much better than the old Cooper.

I then tried the F56 S and that has even more power and grunt that my old R56 S, it seems to just keep going up the rev range like a rocket. It realy is good. The amount of bottom end torque is quite amazing and makes runs over quiet open roads realy good fun blasting from corner to corner. But each to his own and I think most people would not be disapointed with the Cooper.

 

[johnan]

The Cooper has an excellent balance of power and economy along with well balanced handling.

I can scare the whatsits out of SWMBO if I pop it into sports mode and welly it, so it is fast enough for us and the economy is still there if you want it.

I also discovered today that my insurance renewal for my Cooper is £4 a month (paying by DD) less than my previous Toyota IQ which must be one of the least powerful cars out there at the moment. Strange, but I am not going to argue about it.
I did specify all the extras too!

So that is a bonus!

 

[jeremybingham]

Sorry what's a swmbo. Yes minis seem very cheap to insure.combined low repair cost and great security I suppose . She pays 130 fully comp for a roadsters s ie 184bhp!! I had to ring e sure and check they'd not made a mistake.!! She's early 40's.

 

[kenl]

Swmbo . She who must be obeyed!

 

[johnan]

SWMBO is another way of saying "the Mrs" or any other way of saying it. (She who must be obeyed)

It comes from the very old TV series "Rumpole of the Bailey" about a barrister who had no touble dealing with judges and other barristers in the Old Bailey, but was scared stiff of his wife.

He is not the only one!

 

[Escho83]

But if I had not got the Cooper S I would always be thinking what if...

This is my thought too when it comes time to purchase!

 

[jeremybingham]

Sorry, being thick! I Get it! And yes am in that club!

 

[travis82]

some of the reviews ive read say that the cooper is better than the s for various reasons but apparantly the engine is better suited to the chassis and the lower weight means it handles better. besides which the cooper s is very expensive for a car of its size even if you dont specify any extras but thats just my opinion.

 

[Oost]

I had a blast test driving a manual Cooper. I have admit I'm a bit old school and even with paddle shifters, I didn't want the auto (yes I know it's faster). However in spirited driving I did feel I had to keep on the trottle in order to keep up the performance. The engine needed to be run hard. Not so when I drove the S. So for me at least the S model was what I was looking for. You should keep in mind that some day soon both engines will be very tuneable. Already there are things you can add to these engines that improve performance. So if you're hungry for lots of power and more head room for mods, then the S might be a good choice. Otherwise the Cooper will still put a huge smile on your face and give you a very rewarding driving experience.

Enjoy!
Oost

 

[jeremybingham]

I used the money I saved on the s to put every but of kit I really wanted into my Cooper. Still end up with a very very expensive small car. Cheap to run though!

 

[travis82]

I used the money I saved on the s to put every but of kit I really wanted into my Cooper. Still end up with a very very expensive small car. Cheap to run though!

I did the same thing but I got a one with extras that I wouldn't have got if I'd bought a cooper lol.

 

[jeremybingham]

You need to tell me what those extras were now Travis. Am intrigued. . Assume you have a cooper s. I was very torn too. I think what really did it for me was,sadly I had to sell my triumph Daytona 955i, a lovely superbike with the most amazing 3 cylinder engine because it was too uncomfy! The mini 3 cylinder reminds . Me of that or a Porsche.

 

[travis82]

My deep blue mini one has got loop spoke alloys, cruise control, the pepper pack, visual boost radio and the exterior chrome pack. so not tons of kit but if I'd bought a cooper I would have only got cruise control as i wont buy a car without it, but no more than that due to the higher price of the cooper.

 

[jeremybingham]

Get you. Very canny and its supposed to be a brilliant engine too. Well done you!