Mini Gp- 2006 tell me about them

[phib]

Hi new here, been loking for a runabout, just something small and fun.

Started off looking at cooper s works but have noticed for a little bit more ( not much more !!) cash I can get a 2006 GP

They look fun, are they much better than the s cooper works ?

Thanks

Phib

[Honsta]

phib said:

Hi new here, been loking for a runabout, just something small and fun.

Started off looking at cooper s works but have noticed for a little bit more ( not much more !!) cash I can get a 2006 GP

They look fun, are they much better than the s cooper works ?

Thanks

Phib

What year is the Cooper S Works you're looking at? the 2006 GP is the older supercharged version where if you're looking at a 2007 - onwards Cooper S Works, then it would be turbocharged.

Either way, the GP is a cracking little car. Can't say for if it's better than a Cooper S Works as I've only ever driven the GP but I can say I love my GP and wouldn't consider another MINI.

[mon the fish]

Late 2006 S Works came with the JCW brakes, so the main differences that a GP has are:
- no rear seats
- JCW suspension (can get on a Works but rare)
- bigger intercooler, bit more power
- Recaros
- bodykit, no choice of colour

GPs are great cars, but you can mod a standard R53 for cheaper than a GP costs. Much better if you're staying stock though

[phib]

Thanks guys been looking at 2006 go, the reason for looking at go was that it was how and ac in a reasonable price

Thanks
Phib

[Marchutch]

mon the fish said:

Late 2006 S Works came with the JCW brakes, so the main differences that a GP has are:
- no rear seats
- JCW suspension (can get on a Works but rare)
- bigger intercooler, bit more power
- Recaros
- bodykit, no choice of colour

+ Aluminium rear trailing arms (R56 i.e. 2007 onwards equipment basically)
+ Slightly higher red line
+ Rear 'strut brace' - actually does nothing
+ GP wing (might come under the banner of bodykit)

[Pip1968]

Brilliant little cars with plenty of go and still relatively small for making progress. Bit of a Porsche 'baiter' 😆 but also good on fuel consumption and cost of parts. I have driven a straight Cooper but not a Cooper S so not sure how it compares.

Good luck.

Pip

[irish boy]

Superb cars, I'm on my second gp(2), they really get under your skin and can surprise a lot of heavy machinery.


Check out this guy chasing an f10 m5…..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FTjiWjotoA

[bluenosewrx]

Jesus Christ, that was some car and driver

[SteveS Cup]

I'd personally start with a low milage 2005/2006 R53 Mini Cooper S for £4000-£5000, give it to 1320 mini with £5000, tell them to make it better in everyway possible than the GP and save yourself a few ££££'s.

£1500 on suspension mods will make it handle better.
£2500 on engine will make it a lot quicker.
£1000 on bks you don't need but will end up wanting.

The GP is a tad in your face and "look at me"... Most people will wonder why you've chucked a Halfords wing at your mini for example. Lack of rear seats can be a pita. 18's aren't exactly ideal. No xenon's. The colour wouldn't be my first choice.

It is the best out of the box Mini though and it will hold its value.

[Pip1968]

Steve, you have as I am sure you are aware, contradicted yourself in that a lot of the money spent on the r53 will be lost on resale unlike possibly the case with a 2006 GP.

Pip

[Marchutch]

Or just go to 1320 with the same money and a GP....

Edited by Marchutch on Wednesday 17th December 12:23

[SteveS Cup]

Pip1968 said:

Steve, you have as I am sure you are aware, contradicted yourself in that a lot of the money spent on the r53 will be lost on resale unlike possibly the case with a 2006 GP.

Pip

Absolutely. That's the main advantage of the GP however, as mentioned above, I feel that you'd still want to improve the GP.

But... The majority of the modifications can be sold on very easily at not a huge loss as the 2nd hand market for modifications is very strong.

[SteveS Cup]

Marchutch said:

Or just go to 1320 with the same money and a GP....

Edited by Marchutch on Wednesday 17th December 12:23

But £15k buys an awful lot more car! How much are R26 R's going for now? Mk2 FRS?

[Marchutch]

SteveS Cup said:

But £15k buys an awful lot more car! How much are R26 R's going for now? Mk2 FRS?

Well I started with a GP already, liked it, but felt it could be a lot more. I like the way it looks and handles, and didn't want to sell it, but rather wanted to improve what I had. I'm probably 25k in now, including an impending engine rebuild, but I would much rather be in the GP than either of those two alternatives you mentioned round any track. Would certainly rather be in it than a boggo R53 S!

Edited by Marchutch on Thursday 18th December 14:51

[phib]

Thanks for all the feedback guys, I am probably in a slightly different position as really we want it just for a shopping car to use in the winter.

With this in mind having driven both the GP and the standard S works, the s works with winter wheels and tyres is probably our sweet spot.

Not to say the GP was bad but it seems like a very niche market and for what we want and how it fits with the other cars its a bit overkill, good fun though !!

Phib

[AdamGP]

phib said:

Thanks for all the feedback guys, I am probably in a slightly different position as really we want it just for a shopping car to use in the winter.

Phib

Glad to see you made the right choice, would of been a waste of a GP

[addz86]

You could make a standard R53 as good, if not better and save a fortune.

However I'm now on my second GP as the Exige I swapped my first one for was a huge disappointment afterwords. They're a great and special feeling little car

[Marchutch]

As good? Probably. Better? Not a chance.

[bopper]

Brilliant hot hatch.Had mine from new in 2006.Described on pistonheads as the GT 3 of hot hatches.Mine keeps a gt3rs and exige s1 company.

[eatcustard]

I would stick with a MCS and mod it, the 18s kill the handling.

But they are a fun drive