Buying an R50 Cooper S
Discussion
Rakey said:
Silent1 said:
Chilli pack is essential, then after that make sure it's a facelifted version as you get the teflon coated (and far superior) supercharger.
Oh yeah good point, also get the better gear ratios and should see if its is got LSD on it tooShropshiremike said:
Rakey said:
Silent1 said:
Chilli pack is essential, then after that make sure it's a facelifted version as you get the teflon coated (and far superior) supercharger.
Oh yeah good point, also get the better gear ratios and should see if its is got LSD on it tooR5GTTGAZ said:
Shropshiremike said:
Rakey said:
Silent1 said:
Chilli pack is essential, then after that make sure it's a facelifted version as you get the teflon coated (and far superior) supercharger.
Oh yeah good point, also get the better gear ratios and should see if its is got LSD on it tooI'm going to be slightly controversial here, but I don't recommend the Chilli Pack.
The Chilli pack comes with air con, 17" wheels, xenons and half-leather sports seats. I think the sports-seats and air-con are a must, but you're much better off without the 17" wheels.
The 16" wheels ride much better and the (runflat) tyres are far cheaper. According to Evo, the car also handles better on 16" (though I doubt it has quite as much grip).
As for the xenons, they're alright, but not a must. If you want bright lights, get super-bright normal bulbs.
As everyone wants the Chilli pack, you may find cars without it (but with air-con and sports-seats) are significantly cheaper, even if they have full-leather etc.
I'd also recommend taking a look at a Mini One 7, with sports suspension... They have everything you need (sports seats, nice dash, air con, 16" wheels), but are cheaper to purchase, insure and run. As they have the same engine as the Cooper, get it chipped and it goes up to 130 bhp - above the Cooper's 120, but not quite the S' 170. To me this sounds like an excellent package - a Q-car that handles excellently, needs to be worked so is involving and is cheap to run! They may not even use runflats on the One, which would save cash and massively improve the ride.
With regards to the colour, there is a really nice dark blue, with a tint of purple; black is smart but hard to keep clean; dark grey (Cooper S only) is excellent. Also, there is an electirc blue, which doesn't seem to sell that well (quite girly), but looks very good.
I'm running a '54 plater Cooper S in solid black, with the Chilli pack.
The Chilli pack comes with air con, 17" wheels, xenons and half-leather sports seats. I think the sports-seats and air-con are a must, but you're much better off without the 17" wheels.
The 16" wheels ride much better and the (runflat) tyres are far cheaper. According to Evo, the car also handles better on 16" (though I doubt it has quite as much grip).
As for the xenons, they're alright, but not a must. If you want bright lights, get super-bright normal bulbs.
As everyone wants the Chilli pack, you may find cars without it (but with air-con and sports-seats) are significantly cheaper, even if they have full-leather etc.
I'd also recommend taking a look at a Mini One 7, with sports suspension... They have everything you need (sports seats, nice dash, air con, 16" wheels), but are cheaper to purchase, insure and run. As they have the same engine as the Cooper, get it chipped and it goes up to 130 bhp - above the Cooper's 120, but not quite the S' 170. To me this sounds like an excellent package - a Q-car that handles excellently, needs to be worked so is involving and is cheap to run! They may not even use runflats on the One, which would save cash and massively improve the ride.
With regards to the colour, there is a really nice dark blue, with a tint of purple; black is smart but hard to keep clean; dark grey (Cooper S only) is excellent. Also, there is an electirc blue, which doesn't seem to sell that well (quite girly), but looks very good.
I'm running a '54 plater Cooper S in solid black, with the Chilli pack.
Edited by Wilburo on Wednesday 28th January 16:01
Edited by Wilburo on Wednesday 28th January 16:04
Wilburo said:
The 16" wheels ride much better and the (runflat) tyres are far cheaper. According to Evo, the car also handles better on 16" (though I doubt it has quite as much grip).
Yes, 16s on mine. But you still want the Chilli pack. Changing wheels via eBay is cheap and easy enough to do, I think I got my X-Lites for about £200 
Wilburo said:
As for the xenons, they're alright, but not a must. If you want bright lights, get super-bright normal bulbs.
Pikey-tastic! No, the factory fit xenons makes sense, don't try and cut corners ...or you'll feel this one when you come the time you sell. Would you like to be in the 5% of Cooper S ads that don't have Xenons?Ok I have found one with the following spec.......
- Mini service history with TLC until Jan 2010
- 6 speed manual gearbox
- 28000 miles.
- Chilli Pack
- Full leather interior
- CD Player with Multifunction Steering wheel controls
- Cruise Control
- Reverse parking sensors (why!)
- Privacy glass
- 17" Alloys
- Digital climate control
- Xenon Headlights with washer
- Electric adjustable and retractable mirrors
R5GTTGAZ said:
Ok I have found one with the following spec.......
Sounds perfect. Is it at a mini dealer?- Mini service history with TLC until Jan 2010
- 6 speed manual gearbox
- 28000 miles.
- Chilli Pack
- Full leather interior
- CD Player with Multifunction Steering wheel controls
- Cruise Control
- Reverse parking sensors (why!)
- Privacy glass
- 17" Alloys
- Digital climate control
- Xenon Headlights with washer
- Electric adjustable and retractable mirrors
What price are they asking?
Also check that all the recalls have been done, there's a list here:
http://www.motoringfile.com/section/recallscampaig...
it's US based, but most apply over here.
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