Time for a new car- Cooper S or something else?
Discussion
Hello all
Currently have a VW T4 Caravelle that I use for mountain biking trips away but my boyfriend has a T5 conversion now so we have no need for two vans. Looking to sell around March kinda time, and depending on how much I get for the van (hoping around £2500) I should have around £4000 - £5000 at a push to get a new car.
Doesn't need to fulfill any particular purpose, preferably nothing huge or wallowy, but needs to be quick/sporty, nothing massive tax/insurance wise (23/yo female with 3 yrs NCB). Would have loved an impreza but think I'd kill myself so nothing thats begging to be driven hard ALL the time. Boyfriend is a mechanic so makes some options a little more viable but it still needs to be reliable. Preferably 4 or 5 seats. No older than 2003, but preferably newer would be better. Looked at TTs for a while but still not sold on the appearance of them.
I've had my heart set on a Cooper S, the R53 model. Ticks all boxes for performance and fun factor, not too bad on fuel/ins/tax. Can pick up a 2004 with 70k ish for £4500, ideally would love to go the whole hog and find a JCW model but for £5k they are either very leggy or over 10 years old now.
What do you reckon? I'm pretty set on a Cooper S but open to any ideas. Would rather go for something slightly newer with less miles like the Cooper, than say an older, more ropey Audi S3 for example. Hit me with some ideas!
Thanks
Louisa
Currently have a VW T4 Caravelle that I use for mountain biking trips away but my boyfriend has a T5 conversion now so we have no need for two vans. Looking to sell around March kinda time, and depending on how much I get for the van (hoping around £2500) I should have around £4000 - £5000 at a push to get a new car.
Doesn't need to fulfill any particular purpose, preferably nothing huge or wallowy, but needs to be quick/sporty, nothing massive tax/insurance wise (23/yo female with 3 yrs NCB). Would have loved an impreza but think I'd kill myself so nothing thats begging to be driven hard ALL the time. Boyfriend is a mechanic so makes some options a little more viable but it still needs to be reliable. Preferably 4 or 5 seats. No older than 2003, but preferably newer would be better. Looked at TTs for a while but still not sold on the appearance of them.
I've had my heart set on a Cooper S, the R53 model. Ticks all boxes for performance and fun factor, not too bad on fuel/ins/tax. Can pick up a 2004 with 70k ish for £4500, ideally would love to go the whole hog and find a JCW model but for £5k they are either very leggy or over 10 years old now.
What do you reckon? I'm pretty set on a Cooper S but open to any ideas. Would rather go for something slightly newer with less miles like the Cooper, than say an older, more ropey Audi S3 for example. Hit me with some ideas!
Thanks
Louisa
Edited by Louisa911 on Tuesday 11th December 12:15
Krikkit said:
If you're set on a Mini, get that, or you'll probably regret it. If you have niggling doubts try a 182 Trophy. The interior is awful in comparison, but the drive is mighty.
When choosing the DD, there is a lot to be said for a nice interior. The Mini is a lovely place to sit. I've not driven the 182 Trophy. Isn't it a car that only justifies it's self when driven hard? The OP has said is not the plan.
Fiesta ST?
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
Mazda 3 MPS?
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
Seat Ibiza Cupra?
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
Mazda 3 MPS?
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
Seat Ibiza Cupra?
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
Did look at Clios for a while when my budget was a little lower, but since I've upped what I can afford, I've gone off the idea- feels like you're getting more car with the Mini and has a bit more presence than what looks like any other french hatchback. Partner's Mum has a 172 which is brilliantly surprising to be a passenger in mind! Think I'd rather have the equivalent Megane over a Clio however. Nicer size and more to them. Would look into them more but just can't budge the stereotypical french hatchback stuff from my head 
I know you see Minis absolutely everywhere but each one looks slightly different to the next! You seem to be able to do subtle cosmetic mods too without looking like you've driven backwards through halfords.
I know you see Minis absolutely everywhere but each one looks slightly different to the next! You seem to be able to do subtle cosmetic mods too without looking like you've driven backwards through halfords.
How much will you use the rear seats?
what about an RX-8?
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
what about an RX-8?
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
SpudLink said:
How much will you use the rear seats?
what about an RX-8?
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
Like the idea of them but resale is a worry when spending that amount of moneywhat about an RX-8?
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
I have owned mine for 3months and so far so good. Mines is a 52 reg and covered around 57k.
Overall I have enjoyed the experience, the car is quick and the supercharger whine is addictive, as is the popping exhaust.
The car has a couple of niggles which im hoping to rectify early next year.
-The car needs a full service
-The windscreen washer bottle leaks so means constant filling up
-The dashboard creaks quite alot
-Ride is not great, but think that is down to having normal tyres on the front and runflats on the back
-Knocking underneath the car which might be a loose exhaust manifold
Overall I have enjoyed the experience, the car is quick and the supercharger whine is addictive, as is the popping exhaust.
The car has a couple of niggles which im hoping to rectify early next year.
-The car needs a full service
-The windscreen washer bottle leaks so means constant filling up
-The dashboard creaks quite alot
-Ride is not great, but think that is down to having normal tyres on the front and runflats on the back
-Knocking underneath the car which might be a loose exhaust manifold
We've just sold a Cooper on an 05 plate.
It's great fun to throw around. The Cooper was underpowered, the Cooper S fixes that. Economy wasn't good.
BUT,
The interior rattled like crazy. I've never owned a car that was so badly pieced together, and I've had some sheds. It wasn't just our Mini, they all seem to rattle. Assume that if it doesn't rattle yet, it will soon.
The ride is harsh. You'll feel every pimple in the tarmac. I didn't think I cared before the Mini, but I do. Long journies are uncomfortable and tiring.
Because of the harsh ride you get a lot of road noise.
We decided that, as fun as it was, we just didn't want to live with an uncomfortable rattly car any more.
ETA.
Do you want sporty or sporting?
Gearbox aside the Smart Roadster is a blast. It's not fast on paper, but it feels like you're doing 90 when you're only going 70. So you get a smile without exceeding the limit. It's also be much cheaper on insurance.
What about an older Elise?
It's great fun to throw around. The Cooper was underpowered, the Cooper S fixes that. Economy wasn't good.
BUT,
The interior rattled like crazy. I've never owned a car that was so badly pieced together, and I've had some sheds. It wasn't just our Mini, they all seem to rattle. Assume that if it doesn't rattle yet, it will soon.
The ride is harsh. You'll feel every pimple in the tarmac. I didn't think I cared before the Mini, but I do. Long journies are uncomfortable and tiring.
Because of the harsh ride you get a lot of road noise.
We decided that, as fun as it was, we just didn't want to live with an uncomfortable rattly car any more.
ETA.
Do you want sporty or sporting?
Gearbox aside the Smart Roadster is a blast. It's not fast on paper, but it feels like you're doing 90 when you're only going 70. So you get a smile without exceeding the limit. It's also be much cheaper on insurance.
What about an older Elise?
Edited by mikeveal on Wednesday 12th December 16:04
Chrisw666 said:
IME the R53 Cooper S is a great car, but whether you drive it hard or like Miss Daisy is in the back it will be fairly thirsty for a small 1.6.
We get 30.5 mpg in ours (on 95RON, none of this high octane rubbish). Not bad for a 170-odd bhp car that I'd struggle to keep up with the twisties... SpudLink said:
When choosing the DD, there is a lot to be said for a nice interior. The Mini is a lovely place to sit.
I found the Mini that my OH had to be rather uncomfortable to drive any distance, but lots of other people agree with you that it's a good place to sit, so it was probably me being a strange shape or something 
OP - make sure you try one out first.
There is not a lot of differences between a cooper s and a JCW, they were a bolt on tuning kit, so a modified cooper s can be just as good, but there were plenty of nice JCW extras like brakes, seats and suspension you might find that were not part of the kit which you wouldn't normally find on an S
Well worth getting a face lift version, from about mid 2004, they all have the newer teflon supercharger, which was only part of the JCW kit originally (although with a smaller pulley). They also have the closer ratio gearbox and come with a few extra hp.
Well worth getting a face lift version, from about mid 2004, they all have the newer teflon supercharger, which was only part of the JCW kit originally (although with a smaller pulley). They also have the closer ratio gearbox and come with a few extra hp.
love the R53 cooper s, my ex has one and it was a hoot to drive. Interior was all in one piece and didnt rattle either (that may just be dumb luck). Although a little thirsty for what it is, the engine is great fun and the noise is addictive from the supercharger and if you do the one ball mod (remove one of the silencers) its exhaust note is nicely ampliefied for minimal outlay. Interior is a lovely place to be, quirky, a bit funky (although not so much now, it still stands out imo) and I had no issue doing decent jaunts in it from the SE to north wales or scotland.
some of them are getting a little tired, vaccum hoses degrade, exhaust hangers rot etc, so get the boyfriend to have a good look around under neath. Also, look for the best spec possible, sky roof and zenons + air con etc will help it hold its value a bit better.
More oomph is easily acessible with a remap and smaller charger pulley, so dont push for the jcw if you dont need too
Will be getting the missus one hopefully next year when things pick up
some of them are getting a little tired, vaccum hoses degrade, exhaust hangers rot etc, so get the boyfriend to have a good look around under neath. Also, look for the best spec possible, sky roof and zenons + air con etc will help it hold its value a bit better.
More oomph is easily acessible with a remap and smaller charger pulley, so dont push for the jcw if you dont need too
Will be getting the missus one hopefully next year when things pick up
As above I've got one but it's mostly for the Mrs.
After 12 months. It creaks inside, the exhaust broke at the manifold/cat, odd electric gremlin (fixed by resetting ECU) and the power steering sometimes turns off (not good mid-corner). I've heard the latter can be remedied by simply cleaning out the carbon deposits which build up inside the steering rack as it has poor insulation. We've also got a coolant leak (split hose), sticky caliper and a rocker cover gasket leak.
I personally don't think they're big problems for any 9 year old car. All easy DIY jobs. A few friends have had the 172/182s and reliability has always been a concern.
Horses for courses though. I would consider the type R simply for reliability, but I think the Cooper S is the best drive. It really is a quick car around the bends.
If you can stretch to it though I've heard the Clio Trophy is the nuts.
After 12 months. It creaks inside, the exhaust broke at the manifold/cat, odd electric gremlin (fixed by resetting ECU) and the power steering sometimes turns off (not good mid-corner). I've heard the latter can be remedied by simply cleaning out the carbon deposits which build up inside the steering rack as it has poor insulation. We've also got a coolant leak (split hose), sticky caliper and a rocker cover gasket leak.
I personally don't think they're big problems for any 9 year old car. All easy DIY jobs. A few friends have had the 172/182s and reliability has always been a concern.
Horses for courses though. I would consider the type R simply for reliability, but I think the Cooper S is the best drive. It really is a quick car around the bends.
If you can stretch to it though I've heard the Clio Trophy is the nuts.
mikeveal said:
BUT,
The interior rattled like crazy. I've never owned a car that was so badly pieced together, and I've had some sheds. It wasn't just our Mini, they all seem to rattle. Assume that if it doesn't rattle yet, it will soon.
The ride is harsh. You'll feel every pimple in the tarmac. I didn't think I cared before the Mini, but I do. Long journies are uncomfortable and tiring.
Because of the harsh ride you get a lot of road noise.
I drove from Reading to the O2 last night around the M25 and the ride was ok. You did feel every bump in the tarmac, but wasn't as tiring as i thought. Im 6'2 and with the seat low im comfortable. The interior rattled like crazy. I've never owned a car that was so badly pieced together, and I've had some sheds. It wasn't just our Mini, they all seem to rattle. Assume that if it doesn't rattle yet, it will soon.
The ride is harsh. You'll feel every pimple in the tarmac. I didn't think I cared before the Mini, but I do. Long journies are uncomfortable and tiring.
Because of the harsh ride you get a lot of road noise.
Edited by mikeveal on Wednesday 12th December 16:04
Some of the roads near where i live are very patchy, and the constant harsh ride does make me think have i bought the wrong car, but then get it in the twisties and it makes up for the harsh ride.
One point to make is try not to give any lifts other than short distances. My gf had to spend 40mins in the back on one trip and hated every minute.
SpudLink said:
When choosing the DD, there is a lot to be said for a nice interior. The Mini is a lovely place to sit.
I've not driven the 182 Trophy. Isn't it a car that only justifies it's self when driven hard? The OP has said is not the plan.
The interior is decent, although the seats are far too hard imo, and it's definitely form over function.I've not driven the 182 Trophy. Isn't it a car that only justifies it's self when driven hard? The OP has said is not the plan.
If the ride on the S is harder than a standard Cooper it'd be too much for me - I borrow a Cooper with the 17" wheels on occasion and the ride quality is bloody awful, definitely developed on silky-smooth German roads.
Prof Prolapse said:
and the power steering sometimes turns off (not good mid-corner). I've heard the latter can be remedied by simply cleaning out the carbon deposits which build up inside the steering rack as it has poor insulation.
It's the electric power steering pump. 53's suffer from this, they'll last 40-50K miles.You need to get this seen to ASAP....
The carbon brushes in any electric motor make contact to the rotor. As the rotor spins, the brushes wear and produce a fine carbon dust, which is of course conductive.
Most powerful electric motors are open to the elements and are self cooling, the spinning of the rotor blows the dust out through the vents.
Because of the location of the Mini power steering pump, having vents wouldn't work. Its attached to a strut under the engine. If it was open, it would flood with water. So instead, BMW fitted a sealed motor.
What happens is that the carbon dust from the brushes builds up inside the motor and eventually makes it's way onto the small control circuit that's inside the motor housing. You will experience intermittent failures until one day it stops altogether (or won't switch off, darining your battery).
If you get to it before it fails completely, you just need to empty out the carbot dust and put it back together. If you wait, it's an extra £250 (?) for a new motor. The labour cost will be identical.
Once you've had the first intermittent failure, you're sitting on a ticking wallet bomb. So my advice is to sort it ASAP. It's actually a very simple job ideal for a novice to have his first go at car mechanics.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff