When did cooper S get 184bhp upgrade?

[Mustard3]

Thinking of selling my BMW 335d and getting a cooper S (don't ask!)

I know the engine had an upgrade to 184bhp,(which also improved fuel consumption) in 2010, but when exactly?

Was it from a particular month or is there another way to tell it from the 175bhp version?

Sorry for the inquisition but would just like to be sure which version I'm getting.

[Loui]

March build 2010

[Mustard3]

Thanks Loui

[Spunagain]

The convertible followed in about Sept 2010

[NIIKME]

Why the trade?

[Mustard3]

Well I only do about 5k miles a year and most of it very short journeys, not suitable for a diesel. Plus I don't need the extra space.

But mainly because although the 335d is very capable it isn't a great deal of fun. I'm lead to believe the Mini might be. I did have a V8 kit car as a daily driver for 3 years, back in the 90s - but that's a step too far now!

I wonder if the 'Works' is worth the extra money. Probably not, but I know if I got a Cooper S I'd be thinking 'what if'.

[NIIKME]

Thanks. I am of a similar mindset...my e90 m3 goes to the train station a couple of times a week and currently I find myself drawn towards the prospect of a mini works to run about in. They are really small though!

[Mustard3]

I went to the 335d(mapped) from an E46 M3 but miss an exciting drive. MCS or JCW may not be as quick as either but should still put a big smile on your face.

It would be hard to give up your E90 M3, but I can understand your thinking.

Getting a bit off topic now!

[Ranger 6]

The 184 is a noticeable improvement over the previous engine, we've just bought one and seeing the comments made I'd go for a JCW. My wife drives the Mini most of the time and when I do I sometimes think how much more fun it would be with a bit more power

[skahigh]

Have you ever driven one? I tested a 2006 cooper S when I was downtrading from my e46 M3 last year and couldn't stand it. Horrible upright seating position and a relatively low quality interior I thought.

[David87]

There was also a very mild facelift a few months after the introduction of the N18 engine.

[Mustard3]

skahigh said:

Have you ever driven one? I tested a 2006 cooper S when I was downtrading from my e46 M3 last year and couldn't stand it. Horrible upright seating position and a relatively low quality interior I thought.

I have recently driven a 2013 Cooper S from a Mini dealership, but 3 up (with my wife & the salesman)I don't think I saw it in it's best light so to speak. But I did quite like it, and was hoping the JCW would be a step up from that.

[David87]

I wouldn't agree with the interior being relatively poor - the inside of my R56 makes the interior of my Mk2 Focus RS (seats aside) seem very low rent indeed. I think the seating position is good too - it makes something like a Clio 200 feel like a van in comparison! To my mind, the MINI is a cut above its rivals in terms of perceived quality. The doors even sound expensive when you shut them, for instance.

[Miglia 888]

Good trade - you won't regret it if driving enjoyment is your priority.

Had a brand new 320d msport on loan while my MINI SD was in for service the other day - very capable, quiet & smooth, but really dull & lifeless to drive in comparison.

Swapped it for a Cooper S petrol loan car asap, which drove like it was alive in comparison with the numb & dead feeling BMW 3, and it popped and crackled on the overrun with the sport button activated - great fun.

Averaged 33 mpg from the petrol Cooper S overall, dropping well below 20 while thrashing it, and 40mpg at absolute best driving like a granny. You need to use all the revs to extract full performance, despite an impressively flat torque curve, but that's a pleasure as the engine screams its way up to the redline.

Only cons compared with my SD, was the ride from the 17" wheels fitted was markedly worse, but the grip no better. 16's are definitley the sweetspot for ride vs handling imho. And I get 45 mpg average from the SD, with 30 mpg at worst and 60mpg at best.

I'd choose an S on 16's with a simple £365 remap to 210hp JCW levels, rather than paying more for a JCW with heavier 17's or 18's and their much poorer ride. HTH

[Ranger 6]

Interesting thoughts - our first R56 was an 07 with RFTs on 17s, just awful. The new one is 5 weeks old and the difference from the 17" Conti Sport RFTs is amazing, far better and as good a ride as non-RFTs on the old car.

Having said that I've never driven one on 16s...

[Miglia 888]

True - I agree that some of the latest rft's have improved, depending on brand.

Having driven these sizes of wheel & tyre combo back to back on current MINI's, I'd describe them overall as follows:

17's + 205/45 rfts - lumpy crashy ride, tramlining & skittering varies according to brand, lots of unsprung weight (10kg per OEM wheel typical)
17's + 205/45 non-rfts - jittery ride, with same heavy wheels & unsprung weight
16's + 195/55 non-rfts - much smoother ride with all the grip you need for road use, plus lower unsprung weight and cheaper tyres
15's + 175/65 non-rfts - smoothest ride, lowest unsprung weight (5kg per OEM wheel), however comedy understeer / drifting on demand / wheelspin from too narrow tyre width.

[kalibre46]

Spunagain said:

The convertible followed in about Sept 2010

hhmm. I've just picked up a June 2010 Cooper S convertible that (as the dealer assured me) is the 184. Is there another way to check? It's just a runaround to avoid putting miles on my main car, but if the dealer has given me a bum-steer then I'll not be happy.

[Spunagain]

kalibre46 said:

hhmm. I've just picked up a June 2010 Cooper S convertible that (as the dealer assured me) is the 184. Is there another way to check? It's just a runaround to avoid putting miles on my main car, but if the dealer has given me a bum-steer then I'll not be happy.

I think the CO2 is the clue, my 184bhp is 139g/km. The CO2 is stated in your V5. The lower powered engine 175bhp creates a bit more CO2 at 153g/km.

Edited by Spunagain on Monday 24th June 13:23