Friday 19th October 2001

Mini Cooper S

Supercharged Mini debuts next week

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[danmangt40]

nice

[alexah]

nice

[ohidunno]

i like the idea....not sure about those black side skirts. Might look better on a black car. Impressive sounding performance.......anyone have an answer to the big question - how much?

[thb]

£15k

[campbell]

Its still a bmw

[Alex]

With a crappy Chrysler engine.

quote:
Its still a bmw

[Captain Chaos]

I wouldn't mind one. The options list is rather silly, though. I mean - heated windscreen washers? Ye Gods

[leehodges]

quote:
Complementing the uprated engine is a new six-speed version

I read this as "uprated engine is a speed-six version" and nearly fell out'a my chair! What a thought........

[phil hill]

Alternatively, you could buy a Cooper and then take a ride down to Worthing to John Cooper Garages. They have a 165bhp conversion on the normally aspirated engine which is about £1500 fitted. Still saves about £4K over Cooper S. BTW Alpina are reported to have wound the "S" up to 200bhp. Torque steer anybody ?? Thought my 1380 mini was bad........

[andyf]

"Mini Cooper S will be the most powerful car in its class breaking the magical 100 bhp per litre mark from its 1.6 litre engine."

err, JDM Honda Civic Type-R ? That had a 1.6 with 180 or something didn't it?

[sevener]

but it's still a BMW -and we all know how they treat people

[LeeBee]

I heard that the 0-60 was 7 secs, now I am sure my Mini 1380 with SC gears does that (maybe quicker!) and of course mine is a real one. Maybe they should have called it the new Metro?

LeeBee (Ex Rover engineer who worked on the thing!)

[RobM]

quote:
A mate was test driving these (he is some kind of works engineer on the mini) earlier in the summer, he was quoting 0-60 times of around 5 seconds.

Through the frontwheels ? I'd like to see that hold onto the tarmac, let alone stay in a straight line.

[Paul V]

John Cooper have developed a ‘works’ kit for the S, they are looking at over 200 bhp. They are going to be producing a club sport car stripped with cage etc. sounds fun. I’m told that they will be in the dealers by June next year.

[hoganscrogan]

>>>>>>>>>. From www.minicooper.co.uk
(These are for the standard cooper)
The conversion will increase the engine power to 130bhp. John Cooper Works modifications include changes and alterations to the induction, exhaust, cylinder head and electronic systems. The cost over and above the standard MINI Cooper is estimated to be £2500 (inc. fitting & VAT).
..................
John Cooper Works will also be producing a 'One Make Series Car' which will be available to EU and other markets. These cars will be totally stripped out, given 140bhp and supplied with all necessary parts to enter the championship, which is to be organised....................
'Rumors' are of a circa 200 bhp conversion to the cooper S by Cooper Garages and/or a German tuner.

Really good cars to drive BTW

[d3vine]

My brother is thinking about the new 2002 Mini Cooper, not the S model. He's skeptical about the roominess in the car. It says a 4 seater, but will it actually fit 4 people, say an average height of 5'9-5'11 comfortably. He would really like some inputs on this subject. He also thinks that 115 HP isn't enough to push the 2300 lb Mini. Are there any aftermarket parts to upgrade the 115 to about 130. Oh, by the way, we are in the states and the Mini Cooper and S model will be at the dealerships in late March.

[Guy Humpage]

I wouldn't say that the new MINI could seat 4 comfortably (especially by American standards) but it would be ok for short journeys around town.

As for upgrading the power, I'm sure the John Cooper Works upgrades will be made available through the dealers in the States (they'd be foolish not to) and places like www.minimania.com are starting to put together handling and styling upgrades.

[archie1]

On the Mini Cooper note - does anybody know if there is any discount going around on the Mini models?

[Guy Humpage]

Over Christmas, the chap I know at my local BMW/Mini dealer had a 'spare' cancelled order Cooper for immediate delivery, they wouldn't budge from list price.

[MattW]

Sod it, buy a Smart car take it to Brabus and have it tuned and then have a good laugh as everyone stares at you open-mouthed as you buzz past them!!! By the sounds of it you’d probably be able to give an original (BMW) Cooper a run for its money!!