Mini Cooper S- Talk to me!
Discussion
Folks,
I have always been a bargain barge enthusiast, and love the A8, however its ruinous MPG around town means I have been using the OH's Mini One to get to work. Problem? It's canary yellow and has flowers in the back window.
However, I have actually started to really enjoy using it. It's vastly chuckable, and from extensive testing will go round most urban corners without any form of braking.
So, I have started looking out for a more PH-style mini and have come across a couple of MCS, as below: Not necessarily the exact cars, but the kind of thing I'm looking at.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1798335.htm
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...
Like the idea of the sat nav and panoramic sunroofs.
What are the PH massive's thoughts on these? Any common faults/facelift dates I need to be aware of? Budget probably up to £6-7k ish. Present circumstances mean I can't really afford 2 cars, therefore I want one that's a little practical and also ticks the fun box.
I have always been a bargain barge enthusiast, and love the A8, however its ruinous MPG around town means I have been using the OH's Mini One to get to work. Problem? It's canary yellow and has flowers in the back window.
However, I have actually started to really enjoy using it. It's vastly chuckable, and from extensive testing will go round most urban corners without any form of braking.
So, I have started looking out for a more PH-style mini and have come across a couple of MCS, as below: Not necessarily the exact cars, but the kind of thing I'm looking at.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1798335.htm
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...
Like the idea of the sat nav and panoramic sunroofs.
What are the PH massive's thoughts on these? Any common faults/facelift dates I need to be aware of? Budget probably up to £6-7k ish. Present circumstances mean I can't really afford 2 cars, therefore I want one that's a little practical and also ticks the fun box.
billyliar said:
I can't comment on common faults etc, but I can say that if you're concerned about mpg around town then an r53 cooper s isn't going to be great, and will certainly be worse than your current MINI one.
I wouldn't say concerned about MPG around town- Virtually anything would be substantially better than the A8. Whilst it'll do 25-30 on a run, 10-14 is typical in town. So not a big factor TBH!Decent cars and I much prefer the supercharger whine to the later turbo versions. The problem is though that with that glorious sound emanating from up front, there is a general willingness drive it a little harder than you might like. On a long journey it can be a slightly tiring car to drive.
If you do happen to get one, change the tyres from run flats to proper tyres. On run flats the ride can be a little er harsh. The springing is certainly harder on the S in comparison to the One or Cooper.
The biggest drawback (imho) is that bloody traction control which can (in certain circumstances) be dangerous.
If you do happen to get one, change the tyres from run flats to proper tyres. On run flats the ride can be a little er harsh. The springing is certainly harder on the S in comparison to the One or Cooper.
The biggest drawback (imho) is that bloody traction control which can (in certain circumstances) be dangerous.
Be wary if you are buying a used one and it has 2 new brand new tyres on the back!!! It may just have the radius arm bent and thus has scrubbed the back tyres to death over 2000 miles. Mini dealer wants £1,500 to replace all rear corner components. You can get it done for £400 ish from an independant. I know of 3 minis that this has happened to, you dont have to give it much of a knock on the kerb or a pothole to bend it. My brother has had a cooper s for 4 years and never had a problem apart from the above, great cars but I never fancy going on long (2+ hour) trips in it, its a bit noisy and go karty for me.
carreauchompeur said:
billyliar said:
I can't comment on common faults etc, but I can say that if you're concerned about mpg around town then an r53 cooper s isn't going to be great, and will certainly be worse than your current MINI one.
I wouldn't say concerned about MPG around town- Virtually anything would be substantially better than the A8. Whilst it'll do 25-30 on a run, 10-14 is typical in town. So not a big factor TBH!Johnny Drama said:
carreauchompeur said:
billyliar said:
I can't comment on common faults etc, but I can say that if you're concerned about mpg around town then an r53 cooper s isn't going to be great, and will certainly be worse than your current MINI one.
I wouldn't say concerned about MPG around town- Virtually anything would be substantially better than the A8. Whilst it'll do 25-30 on a run, 10-14 is typical in town. So not a big factor TBH!We Had a Cooper s JCW which was great fun, 210BHP standard, 31mpg on motorway. Bumpy ride though.
Go for the facelift 54 plate on as the steering pp issues are sorted.
They have terrible traction in the snow. Ours was undrivable last winter, the Wife had to be pushed up the street twice by nieghbours, hence we sold it.
Go for the facelift 54 plate on as the steering pp issues are sorted.
They have terrible traction in the snow. Ours was undrivable last winter, the Wife had to be pushed up the street twice by nieghbours, hence we sold it.
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