Discussion
Anyone driven one yet?
Popped into my local stealer at the weekend and sat in a new Cooper Sport - decked out in black/black
Some things I loved, other things I didn't.
The steering wheel feels really nice, not overly sold on the fabric door cards (feels cheap) and the lack of dials will take some getting used to.
SIze and seating position felt the same as the F56, but then I suppose it would do. Seats were comfortable and the headlights / tail lights were very cool.
Loss of exhausts on show is nothing short of a travesty (dealer agreed) ...why they would lose the Cooper S's trademark twin cans is beyond me.
Also sat in the new electric variant and It felt more Clubman than mini hatch.
The lower angle of the windscreen not only makes it feel like every other regular hatchback inside, it also amplifes the 'letterboxing' you can often experience when driving a mini. Feels very modern inside though.
Overall it's decent, but I wouldn't rush to sell my F56 anytime soon, especially considering the price hikes. The usual discounts should make it more paletable once it's been out a while.
Curious to know how it performs.
Popped into my local stealer at the weekend and sat in a new Cooper Sport - decked out in black/black
Some things I loved, other things I didn't.
The steering wheel feels really nice, not overly sold on the fabric door cards (feels cheap) and the lack of dials will take some getting used to.
SIze and seating position felt the same as the F56, but then I suppose it would do. Seats were comfortable and the headlights / tail lights were very cool.
Loss of exhausts on show is nothing short of a travesty (dealer agreed) ...why they would lose the Cooper S's trademark twin cans is beyond me.
Also sat in the new electric variant and It felt more Clubman than mini hatch.
The lower angle of the windscreen not only makes it feel like every other regular hatchback inside, it also amplifes the 'letterboxing' you can often experience when driving a mini. Feels very modern inside though.
Overall it's decent, but I wouldn't rush to sell my F56 anytime soon, especially considering the price hikes. The usual discounts should make it more paletable once it's been out a while.
Curious to know how it performs.
Only a tenuous link, but I saw a new Countryman JCW at the weekend, green with black roof, etc. Appreciate it's a very marmite car but I actually really liked it, and in the flesh you could still tell it was a MINI and the stepped evolution from the F60. The pictures I've seen online don't really flatter it.
We might pop into our local dealer at some point in the next few weeks. Mrs ZS was invited to test drive the electric Countryman, and although we're not looking to change at the moment we could be tempted to see what it's like. At the same time I might see if I can have a spin in the new hatch. As with the Countryman my initial reaction when they unveiled the F66 was "wtf" but it is growing a little on me
We might pop into our local dealer at some point in the next few weeks. Mrs ZS was invited to test drive the electric Countryman, and although we're not looking to change at the moment we could be tempted to see what it's like. At the same time I might see if I can have a spin in the new hatch. As with the Countryman my initial reaction when they unveiled the F66 was "wtf" but it is growing a little on me
Wife picked up her Cooper S on Friday. Not had the chance to drive it yet but from the passenger seat it's much improved.
The seats in particular are a huge improvement. I could never get comfortable with the old F56 seats - the under thigh but was too hard and just felt uncomfortable.
New seats are electric which makes adjustments a lot easier.
Sat Nav is much improved and includes augmented reality when approaching junctions. The view switches from the map to a half screen view of the map and the other half showing the view from the drivers seat with directional arrows superimposed.
Can't comment on the HUD as not driven it yet.
It does have an annoying beep if you exceed the speed limits but luckily that can be turned off.
Cruise control on this car also includes radar and can bring the car to a stop and then restart without any driver interaction.
Rear parking camera shows the view out the rear plus guidelines for steering input and also includes a tip down view showing I stacked around the car.
Images are nice and clear.
Sport mode is now called Go Kart experience and seems to tighten up suspension and responses but as I've said I have yet to drive it to be sure.
General ride quality is a step up on the old Cooper S with it feeling generally more supple.
The gearbox ( 7 speed auto only - no manual box available) is smooth and fuss free and reacts quickly to paddle inputs as far as I can tell.
The rear diffuser looks great (she has a JCW pack (just like last one) and in Legend Grey with black bonnet stripes looks pretty stunning.
I'm not a fan of everything being in the big touch screen dinner plate in the middle. It's easy to get lost in the menus and distracting. I'm sure she (I) will get used to it but at the moment it's a nuisance. Doubly so if the road surface is uneven.
Surprisingly in view of the plethora if cameras it doesn't include a dash cam. She got the old one taken out do that will eventually be installed into it.
Performance seems brisker than the old one. More power (just over 200hp up from 177), torque comes in earlier and the 7 speed box delivers it through well selected ratios. Fuel consumption over 130 miles of mixed driving on Saturday was a whisker over 44mpg.
Over all it's quite an improvement over the old car though some may think it's a bit too grown up.
The seats in particular are a huge improvement. I could never get comfortable with the old F56 seats - the under thigh but was too hard and just felt uncomfortable.
New seats are electric which makes adjustments a lot easier.
Sat Nav is much improved and includes augmented reality when approaching junctions. The view switches from the map to a half screen view of the map and the other half showing the view from the drivers seat with directional arrows superimposed.
Can't comment on the HUD as not driven it yet.
It does have an annoying beep if you exceed the speed limits but luckily that can be turned off.
Cruise control on this car also includes radar and can bring the car to a stop and then restart without any driver interaction.
Rear parking camera shows the view out the rear plus guidelines for steering input and also includes a tip down view showing I stacked around the car.
Images are nice and clear.
Sport mode is now called Go Kart experience and seems to tighten up suspension and responses but as I've said I have yet to drive it to be sure.
General ride quality is a step up on the old Cooper S with it feeling generally more supple.
The gearbox ( 7 speed auto only - no manual box available) is smooth and fuss free and reacts quickly to paddle inputs as far as I can tell.
The rear diffuser looks great (she has a JCW pack (just like last one) and in Legend Grey with black bonnet stripes looks pretty stunning.
I'm not a fan of everything being in the big touch screen dinner plate in the middle. It's easy to get lost in the menus and distracting. I'm sure she (I) will get used to it but at the moment it's a nuisance. Doubly so if the road surface is uneven.
Surprisingly in view of the plethora if cameras it doesn't include a dash cam. She got the old one taken out do that will eventually be installed into it.
Performance seems brisker than the old one. More power (just over 200hp up from 177), torque comes in earlier and the 7 speed box delivers it through well selected ratios. Fuel consumption over 130 miles of mixed driving on Saturday was a whisker over 44mpg.
Over all it's quite an improvement over the old car though some may think it's a bit too grown up.
Edited by lostkiwi on Monday 13th May 23:32
Edited by lostkiwi on Monday 13th May 23:34
Edited by lostkiwi on Monday 13th May 23:35
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