2015 Cooper S driven
Discussion
Just driven a new Manual Cooper S - as given a 24 HR test drive whilst our GP2 was in the Garage. Have to say that this new car is a real hoot, and that's coming from a GP owner. It is quick - I would say a good deal quicker than the R56 Cooper S - but best of all it handles brilliantly.
I've had a good drive this evening with minimal traffic on a mix of roads and it was great fun. You can hear the turbo recirc/ dump valve (reminds me of my old Scooby) and the exhaust sounds pretty decent too. In terms of grip - it has loads - able to carry very good speed through the twisties with real confidence. I turned the TC off and was all good.
I'm looking forward to the drive of the new JCW - should be in the dealer by the end of April/ early May
I would encourage anyone that likes Mini's to take one for a test drive and I'm sure you'll be impressed. Make sure you give it a proper spanking though
I've had a good drive this evening with minimal traffic on a mix of roads and it was great fun. You can hear the turbo recirc/ dump valve (reminds me of my old Scooby) and the exhaust sounds pretty decent too. In terms of grip - it has loads - able to carry very good speed through the twisties with real confidence. I turned the TC off and was all good.
I'm looking forward to the drive of the new JCW - should be in the dealer by the end of April/ early May
I would encourage anyone that likes Mini's to take one for a test drive and I'm sure you'll be impressed. Make sure you give it a proper spanking though
I drove one a couple of weeks ago, just before placing the order for ours.
We've got an R56 Cooper S and I couldn't really feel any performance difference, when I commented on this to the salesman he seemed surprised. In a 20 min drive is difficult to tell, but when I looked at the power outputs the increase was only about 20bhp, so not huge.
I liked the refinement of it, the ride was much better than the R56 and it was significantly quieter. The cabin was also much nicer, with sensible ergonomics at last.
Roll on delivery date, 5 weeks hence.
We've got an R56 Cooper S and I couldn't really feel any performance difference, when I commented on this to the salesman he seemed surprised. In a 20 min drive is difficult to tell, but when I looked at the power outputs the increase was only about 20bhp, so not huge.
I liked the refinement of it, the ride was much better than the R56 and it was significantly quieter. The cabin was also much nicer, with sensible ergonomics at last.
Roll on delivery date, 5 weeks hence.
Thanks to the OP for posting. I'm interested to read the reviews of the new car.
I had one of the first factory JCW cars back in 2008 and, though it was a riot when i was in the mood, it was a bit of nuisance the rest of the time - ride too stiff, seats not very comfortable on long journeys, build quality not what I'd hoped for, etc etc. From what you've said, and from the reviews, it seems they might have fixed some of that.
Are there deals to be done on these or are dealers sticking fairly firmly to list?
I think I'll probably hold put for the new JCW in a couple of months time and see if I can get a back-to-back test drive with a Cooper S.
I had one of the first factory JCW cars back in 2008 and, though it was a riot when i was in the mood, it was a bit of nuisance the rest of the time - ride too stiff, seats not very comfortable on long journeys, build quality not what I'd hoped for, etc etc. From what you've said, and from the reviews, it seems they might have fixed some of that.
Are there deals to be done on these or are dealers sticking fairly firmly to list?
I think I'll probably hold put for the new JCW in a couple of months time and see if I can get a back-to-back test drive with a Cooper S.
I bought one at the beginning of January. I absolutely love it. It really is a cracking little drive and feels so solid. It is a very nice place to be - whether on a 300mile non stop motorway drive or a 6mile commute down country lanes to the train station - this is the real reason I bought the car and I must be honest I rarely drive anything else's these days because the power is just so usable.
It is fully loaded and the technology is imho better in the mini than the Bentley. Can't ever see myself getting rid of it!
It is fully loaded and the technology is imho better in the mini than the Bentley. Can't ever see myself getting rid of it!
My mum got hers back in January and I've driven it a few times and I like it, don't think it has got quite as much oomph as my JCW R56, but feels a lot nicer inside with more a big car feel, heads up display is nice feature, pop's and crackles from the exhaust in sport are great and as mentioned handles really well.
My mum slyly flicked into eco mode as I was driving it along and it felt like there was something stuck under the pedal before I noticed her chuckling to herself but she does claim it achieves almost 60mpg in this mode.
Looking forward to trying new jcw.
My mum slyly flicked into eco mode as I was driving it along and it felt like there was something stuck under the pedal before I noticed her chuckling to herself but she does claim it achieves almost 60mpg in this mode.
Looking forward to trying new jcw.
W12GT said:
I bought one at the beginning of January. I absolutely love it. It really is a cracking little drive and feels so solid. It is a very nice place to be - whether on a 300mile non stop motorway drive or a 6mile commute down country lanes to the train station - this is the real reason I bought the car and I must be honest I rarely drive anything else's these days because the power is just so usable.
It is fully loaded and the technology is imho better in the mini than the Bentley. Can't ever see myself getting rid of it!
That's quite some endorsement! I really must make time for a testdrive.It is fully loaded and the technology is imho better in the mini than the Bentley. Can't ever see myself getting rid of it!
Is yours an auto or a manual?
Apparently the first JCWs (from late April onwards) will all be auto, with the manual box only becoming available sometime later in the year, which seems a bit odd to me.
I test drove one last year and loved it. I haven't ever driven any of the other Cooper S models though but i have driven most if it's current rivals. I think the best part was the sound, especially with the sport mode engaged. Sounded like a Golf GTI. I love how they plonked a nice 2.0 litre in there compared to the smaller down-sized engines of the other cars. I definitely preferred it over the Fiesta ST and the Clio 200T but not quite enough to pay the extra. I still think the Fiesta is the bargain hot hatch right now that does everything at great value. Sorry to be another ST bore 
I've driven both a Cooper and an S and have been impressed with both.
The interior is a big step up from previous models (I had three R50/3's but never really liked the R56). Of the two, I really, really liked the Cooper and will most likely be ordering one as my next company car. The little three cylinder engine was brilliant.
The interior is a big step up from previous models (I had three R50/3's but never really liked the R56). Of the two, I really, really liked the Cooper and will most likely be ordering one as my next company car. The little three cylinder engine was brilliant.
Gassing Station | New MINIs | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff