Which way to go ?
Discussion
Hi just thought I share my insight.
My last three cars.
Mk 7 fiesta st with mountune suspension,Collins performance remap.
F56 Mini Cooper s 17 inch wheels ps 4 tyres.
Current car mk8 Fiesta st performance pack.
I presume your sons car is a mk 7 st,you didn’t say whether it was modified.changing the suspension and tyres to PS4 s make a big difference,the Bridgestones it comes with are crap.its much easier to live with on a day to day basis.The Collins map also removes some of the torque restrictions in first and second gears.And as I don’t need to tell you it’s a wonderful drive.
The mini,much easier to live with on a daily basis, on 17’s and PS4’s rode lovely. spec wise just chilli pack,plus visual boost radio.only negative, but a big one is the brakes.Has to be your first upgrade if going for mini.
Mk8 st,much better as standard,ride comfort,exhaust note,lsd with the performance pack,PS4’s.Only downsides not as good looking as the mk7,particularly the rear end.feels much faster than 200bhp.
To summarise don’t discount the mk7st,with a few subtle mods it makes a great hot hatch even better
Good luck with your search.
My last three cars.
Mk 7 fiesta st with mountune suspension,Collins performance remap.
F56 Mini Cooper s 17 inch wheels ps 4 tyres.
Current car mk8 Fiesta st performance pack.
I presume your sons car is a mk 7 st,you didn’t say whether it was modified.changing the suspension and tyres to PS4 s make a big difference,the Bridgestones it comes with are crap.its much easier to live with on a day to day basis.The Collins map also removes some of the torque restrictions in first and second gears.And as I don’t need to tell you it’s a wonderful drive.
The mini,much easier to live with on a daily basis, on 17’s and PS4’s rode lovely. spec wise just chilli pack,plus visual boost radio.only negative, but a big one is the brakes.Has to be your first upgrade if going for mini.
Mk8 st,much better as standard,ride comfort,exhaust note,lsd with the performance pack,PS4’s.Only downsides not as good looking as the mk7,particularly the rear end.feels much faster than 200bhp.
To summarise don’t discount the mk7st,with a few subtle mods it makes a great hot hatch even better
Good luck with your search.
Toolslinger said:
Hi just thought I share my insight.
My last three cars.
Mk 7 fiesta st with mountune suspension,Collins performance remap.
F56 Mini Cooper s 17 inch wheels ps 4 tyres.
Current car mk8 Fiesta st performance pack.
I presume your sons car is a mk 7 st,you didn’t say whether it was modified.changing the suspension and tyres to PS4 s make a big difference,the Bridgestones it comes with are crap.its much easier to live with on a day to day basis.The Collins map also removes some of the torque restrictions in first and second gears.And as I don’t need to tell you it’s a wonderful drive.
The mini,much easier to live with on a daily basis, on 17’s and PS4’s rode lovely. spec wise just chilli pack,plus visual boost radio.only negative, but a big one is the brakes.Has to be your first upgrade if going for mini.
Mk8 st,much better as standard,ride comfort,exhaust note,lsd with the performance pack,PS4’s.Only downsides not as good looking as the mk7,particularly the rear end.feels much faster than 200bhp.
To summarise don’t discount the mk7st,with a few subtle mods it makes a great hot hatch even better
Good luck with your search.
Its got the Mountune springs and exhaust, not driven it since those were done, may nick it for a bit over the weekend. Thing is, he has that, my wife also has a red Fiesta, will look a bit strange having three Fiestas.My last three cars.
Mk 7 fiesta st with mountune suspension,Collins performance remap.
F56 Mini Cooper s 17 inch wheels ps 4 tyres.
Current car mk8 Fiesta st performance pack.
I presume your sons car is a mk 7 st,you didn’t say whether it was modified.changing the suspension and tyres to PS4 s make a big difference,the Bridgestones it comes with are crap.its much easier to live with on a day to day basis.The Collins map also removes some of the torque restrictions in first and second gears.And as I don’t need to tell you it’s a wonderful drive.
The mini,much easier to live with on a daily basis, on 17’s and PS4’s rode lovely. spec wise just chilli pack,plus visual boost radio.only negative, but a big one is the brakes.Has to be your first upgrade if going for mini.
Mk8 st,much better as standard,ride comfort,exhaust note,lsd with the performance pack,PS4’s.Only downsides not as good looking as the mk7,particularly the rear end.feels much faster than 200bhp.
To summarise don’t discount the mk7st,with a few subtle mods it makes a great hot hatch even better
Good luck with your search.
Much easier to live with sounds more me, the M135i is fairly easy when just doing normal stuff, doesn't set your teeth on edge.
I've been really happy with my F56 Cooper S and I've had it 3 years in august. It has 17" wheels without runflats and I find the ride very compliant on country roads. It is fun to drive and it still puts a smile on my face.
Performance wise I'm happy enough with it as standard but it is great that they are so easy to tune if I did change my mind. The engine feels pretty strong, and its relative size and weight makes it a winner for me versus the bigger/heavier cars I've had.
The brakes are poor though when you are pushing on and I'd prefer it if it had the JCW front brakes on it. I rate the LED headlights and I find the heated seats/heated front screen nice options. The sport mode is also a nice to have for the little pops and bangs.
The standard fit Michelin Primacy tyres are pants though, and I reckon a set of Michelin PS4 would transform it(I have them on the 370Z).
Performance wise I'm happy enough with it as standard but it is great that they are so easy to tune if I did change my mind. The engine feels pretty strong, and its relative size and weight makes it a winner for me versus the bigger/heavier cars I've had.
The brakes are poor though when you are pushing on and I'd prefer it if it had the JCW front brakes on it. I rate the LED headlights and I find the heated seats/heated front screen nice options. The sport mode is also a nice to have for the little pops and bangs.
The standard fit Michelin Primacy tyres are pants though, and I reckon a set of Michelin PS4 would transform it(I have them on the 370Z).
J4CKO said:
Toolslinger said:
Hi just thought I share my insight.
My last three cars.
Mk 7 fiesta st with mountune suspension,Collins performance remap.
F56 Mini Cooper s 17 inch wheels ps 4 tyres.
Current car mk8 Fiesta st performance pack.
I presume your sons car is a mk 7 st,you didn’t say whether it was modified.changing the suspension and tyres to PS4 s make a big difference,the Bridgestones it comes with are crap.its much easier to live with on a day to day basis.The Collins map also removes some of the torque restrictions in first and second gears.And as I don’t need to tell you it’s a wonderful drive.
The mini,much easier to live with on a daily basis, on 17’s and PS4’s rode lovely. spec wise just chilli pack,plus visual boost radio.only negative, but a big one is the brakes.Has to be your first upgrade if going for mini.
Mk8 st,much better as standard,ride comfort,exhaust note,lsd with the performance pack,PS4’s.Only downsides not as good looking as the mk7,particularly the rear end.feels much faster than 200bhp.
To summarise don’t discount the mk7st,with a few subtle mods it makes a great hot hatch even better
Good luck with your search.
Its got the Mountune springs and exhaust, not driven it since those were done, may nick it for a bit over the weekend. Thing is, he has that, my wife also has a red Fiesta, will look a bit strange having three Fiestas.My last three cars.
Mk 7 fiesta st with mountune suspension,Collins performance remap.
F56 Mini Cooper s 17 inch wheels ps 4 tyres.
Current car mk8 Fiesta st performance pack.
I presume your sons car is a mk 7 st,you didn’t say whether it was modified.changing the suspension and tyres to PS4 s make a big difference,the Bridgestones it comes with are crap.its much easier to live with on a day to day basis.The Collins map also removes some of the torque restrictions in first and second gears.And as I don’t need to tell you it’s a wonderful drive.
The mini,much easier to live with on a daily basis, on 17’s and PS4’s rode lovely. spec wise just chilli pack,plus visual boost radio.only negative, but a big one is the brakes.Has to be your first upgrade if going for mini.
Mk8 st,much better as standard,ride comfort,exhaust note,lsd with the performance pack,PS4’s.Only downsides not as good looking as the mk7,particularly the rear end.feels much faster than 200bhp.
To summarise don’t discount the mk7st,with a few subtle mods it makes a great hot hatch even better
Good luck with your search.
Much easier to live with sounds more me, the M135i is fairly easy when just doing normal stuff, doesn't set your teeth on edge.
cerb4.5lee said:
I've been really happy with my F56 Cooper S and I've had it 3 years in august. It has 17" wheels without runflats and I find the ride very compliant on country roads. It is fun to drive and it still puts a smile on my face.
Performance wise I'm happy enough with it as standard but it is great that they are so easy to tune if I did change my mind. The engine feels pretty strong, and its relative size and weight makes it a winner for me versus the bigger/heavier cars I've had.
The brakes are poor though when you are pushing on and I'd prefer it if it had the JCW front brakes on it. I rate the LED headlights and I find the heated seats/heated front screen nice options. The sport mode is also a nice to have for the little pops and bangs.
The standard fit Michelin Primacy tyres are pants though, and I reckon a set of Michelin PS4 would transform it(I have them on the 370Z).
Very smart !Performance wise I'm happy enough with it as standard but it is great that they are so easy to tune if I did change my mind. The engine feels pretty strong, and its relative size and weight makes it a winner for me versus the bigger/heavier cars I've had.
The brakes are poor though when you are pushing on and I'd prefer it if it had the JCW front brakes on it. I rate the LED headlights and I find the heated seats/heated front screen nice options. The sport mode is also a nice to have for the little pops and bangs.
The standard fit Michelin Primacy tyres are pants though, and I reckon a set of Michelin PS4 would transform it(I have them on the 370Z).
I want something more interactive, went to the Mini place but nobody about and nothing really in stock.
Toolslinger said:
J4CKO said:
Toolslinger said:
Hi just thought I share my insight.
My last three cars.
Mk 7 fiesta st with mountune suspension,Collins performance remap.
F56 Mini Cooper s 17 inch wheels ps 4 tyres.
Current car mk8 Fiesta st performance pack.
I presume your sons car is a mk 7 st,you didn’t say whether it was modified.changing the suspension and tyres to PS4 s make a big difference,the Bridgestones it comes with are crap.its much easier to live with on a day to day basis.The Collins map also removes some of the torque restrictions in first and second gears.And as I don’t need to tell you it’s a wonderful drive.
The mini,much easier to live with on a daily basis, on 17’s and PS4’s rode lovely. spec wise just chilli pack,plus visual boost radio.only negative, but a big one is the brakes.Has to be your first upgrade if going for mini.
Mk8 st,much better as standard,ride comfort,exhaust note,lsd with the performance pack,PS4’s.Only downsides not as good looking as the mk7,particularly the rear end.feels much faster than 200bhp.
To summarise don’t discount the mk7st,with a few subtle mods it makes a great hot hatch even better
Good luck with your search.
Its got the Mountune springs and exhaust, not driven it since those were done, may nick it for a bit over the weekend. Thing is, he has that, my wife also has a red Fiesta, will look a bit strange having three Fiestas.My last three cars.
Mk 7 fiesta st with mountune suspension,Collins performance remap.
F56 Mini Cooper s 17 inch wheels ps 4 tyres.
Current car mk8 Fiesta st performance pack.
I presume your sons car is a mk 7 st,you didn’t say whether it was modified.changing the suspension and tyres to PS4 s make a big difference,the Bridgestones it comes with are crap.its much easier to live with on a day to day basis.The Collins map also removes some of the torque restrictions in first and second gears.And as I don’t need to tell you it’s a wonderful drive.
The mini,much easier to live with on a daily basis, on 17’s and PS4’s rode lovely. spec wise just chilli pack,plus visual boost radio.only negative, but a big one is the brakes.Has to be your first upgrade if going for mini.
Mk8 st,much better as standard,ride comfort,exhaust note,lsd with the performance pack,PS4’s.Only downsides not as good looking as the mk7,particularly the rear end.feels much faster than 200bhp.
To summarise don’t discount the mk7st,with a few subtle mods it makes a great hot hatch even better
Good luck with your search.
Much easier to live with sounds more me, the M135i is fairly easy when just doing normal stuff, doesn't set your teeth on edge.
Need to have a go of one, pref a JCW but maybe a Cooper S, doing my research now.
J4CKO said:
Very smart !
I want something more interactive, went to the Mini place but nobody about and nothing really in stock.
Thanks! I want something more interactive, went to the Mini place but nobody about and nothing really in stock.
Hope one comes along for you in the spec you'd like, and you get a chance to take one out for a drive.
I will be sad to see mine go when the time comes, they are great cars to throw around and have some fun in for sure. Sometimes I find myself driving it a little too daft and it takes me back to being 17 again!
J4CKO said:
available options I may want need, am not a spec hound but worth knowing what is available,
One more thing, Jacko.If you want to transport yer bike, there is an special option pack to allow bolting a bike carrier to the back of the car.
If you look at the photos Cerb4lee has helpfully posted, you can just make out two towing eye covers instead of the normal one off.
You can use these to bolt on the rack. There is a connecting plug for the light board behind the lower black grill.
This option not available on JCW or JCW bodykit.
BOR said:
One more thing, Jacko.
If you want to transport yer bike, there is an special option pack to allow bolting a bike carrier to the back of the car.
If you look at the photos Cerb4lee has helpfully posted, you can just make out two towing eye covers instead of the normal one off.
You can use these to bolt on the rack. There is a connecting plug for the light board behind the lower black grill.
This option not available on JCW or JCW bodykit.
That's interesting bought my F56 at a year old and found out that it has to be specced as new to fit a roof rack.If you want to transport yer bike, there is an special option pack to allow bolting a bike carrier to the back of the car.
If you look at the photos Cerb4lee has helpfully posted, you can just make out two towing eye covers instead of the normal one off.
You can use these to bolt on the rack. There is a connecting plug for the light board behind the lower black grill.
This option not available on JCW or JCW bodykit.
Still got bike carriers that fitted to R56 bars.
Do you know if the bike optoion pack is available as an after fit or does it have to be specced when new car ordered
paultownsend said:
Sorry going back to your original post. You said F55 MCS. So do you mean 5 door hatch? As the F56 is the 3 door hatch?
Ah, thats me getting my terminology wrong, F56 I would be after then, sure the 5 door is more practical, makes more sense but just prefer the look of the three door.BOR said:
J4CKO said:
available options I may want need, am not a spec hound but worth knowing what is available,
One more thing, Jacko.If you want to transport yer bike, there is an special option pack to allow bolting a bike carrier to the back of the car.
If you look at the photos Cerb4lee has helpfully posted, you can just make out two towing eye covers instead of the normal one off.
You can use these to bolt on the rack. There is a connecting plug for the light board behind the lower black grill.
This option not available on JCW or JCW bodykit.
Been speaking to a mate who had a raft of Fiesta ST's then went Mini Cooper S, 18 plate auto.
He says if he was buying again he would go for a normal 1.5 Cooper as he had one as a courtesy car and preferred it, said it felt quicker and handled better, also said he tried a JCW and a normal Cooper S but couldn't tell much difference. He also said the Cooper S is typically under estimated power wise and tends to be nearer 210 bhp.
Suspect the Cooper is perhaps lower geared, revvier and a bit lighter at the front end.
Remember that if you get the F56 3 door then the JCW none valved exhaust just bolts on to the Cooper S. Evolve didn’t change the cat to get their 300hp (which seems too high for me. It’s a good increase whatever and they happily post their before and after RR figures).
The best thing is you can pick up a JCW exhaust for £75 on the Bay!
And yes. The 5 door is Fugly!
I really like the basic cloth seats in the MCS. I just think that coming from a M135i you’ll need something with a good top spec so it doesn’t feel like too much of a downgrade.
Would you not want to get into a manual M140i /M240i and do a few choice mods to get up to M2 performance?
The best thing is you can pick up a JCW exhaust for £75 on the Bay!
And yes. The 5 door is Fugly!
I really like the basic cloth seats in the MCS. I just think that coming from a M135i you’ll need something with a good top spec so it doesn’t feel like too much of a downgrade.
Would you not want to get into a manual M140i /M240i and do a few choice mods to get up to M2 performance?
paultownsend said:
I really like the basic cloth seats in the MCS. I just think that coming from a M135i you’ll need something with a good top spec so it doesn’t feel like too much of a downgrade.
There does seem to be a big variation in the way that cars are specced. I have £5k worth of options on mine and I've still not got HUD/rear camera/sunroof/the big nav screen. Yet I've also seen plenty of them with the standard lights/no heated seats/no climate control/no nav etc. Well specced ones do feel much like a baby BMW I reckon.
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