Discussion
Hi MINI owners!
I've got a 2006 Honda S2000 at the minute (run for 3 years), but the lack of comfort and general under use, combined with high expenses with tax / insurance, is getting to me and I quite fancy a change. I have been looking at the Clubman Cooper S or a normal Cooper S hatch.
Question is, if I went for a Cooper S, would I be making a mistake if I got a turbo MCS over a supercharged? The lower running costs sound good, but realistically they are still going to be less than the S2000.
Any costly faults or problems that I should be aware of?
Budget wise I'd be looking trade in the S2000 and maybe add a £1K or 2? £8K - £9K seems to open up masses of options, so any suggestions / advise on spec would be great as well. Only thing I like is the sat nav as it moves the speedo to where it should be
Thanks everyone!
I've got a 2006 Honda S2000 at the minute (run for 3 years), but the lack of comfort and general under use, combined with high expenses with tax / insurance, is getting to me and I quite fancy a change. I have been looking at the Clubman Cooper S or a normal Cooper S hatch.
Question is, if I went for a Cooper S, would I be making a mistake if I got a turbo MCS over a supercharged? The lower running costs sound good, but realistically they are still going to be less than the S2000.
Any costly faults or problems that I should be aware of?
Budget wise I'd be looking trade in the S2000 and maybe add a £1K or 2? £8K - £9K seems to open up masses of options, so any suggestions / advise on spec would be great as well. Only thing I like is the sat nav as it moves the speedo to where it should be
Thanks everyone!
For a supercharged R53, then post facelift (mid 2004 on), fog light in the centre rear.
For a turbo R56, then if you can find one with an N18 184 BHP engine (mid 2010 on), apparently more reliable than the N14 175 BHP, only time will tell.
I wanted heated leather, chili pack and auto (for the Mrs).
For a turbo R56, then if you can find one with an N18 184 BHP engine (mid 2010 on), apparently more reliable than the N14 175 BHP, only time will tell.
I wanted heated leather, chili pack and auto (for the Mrs
).Edited by Maracus on Tuesday 18th February 15:34
I've had an S2000 in the past and now have John Cooper Works hatch. I can certainly recommend it.
I think its great fun but also a nice place to sit and a good motorway cruiser too.
In your budget you should also be able to move up to the JCW, defo worth getting a test drive in one. Its an absolute hoot to drive!
I think its great fun but also a nice place to sit and a good motorway cruiser too.
In your budget you should also be able to move up to the JCW, defo worth getting a test drive in one. Its an absolute hoot to drive!
personally i'd go for a late 06 R53 supercharged variant, at around £6k you'da could even get a JCW and still have a decent amount left over. From what ive read the newer model is more unreliable.
Some of the r53s came with a LSD too and id imagine are as much fun to drive as your S2000. Try both types.
Some of the r53s came with a LSD too and id imagine are as much fun to drive as your S2000. Try both types.
si_xsi said:
personally i'd go for a late 06 R53 supercharged variant, at around £6k you'da could even get a JCW and still have a decent amount left over. From what ive read the newer model is more unreliable.
Some of the r53s came with a LSD too and id imagine are as much fun to drive as your S2000. Try both types.
I would not worry about the reliability, but the R53 is definitely more fun to drive. I have owned a few different variants and the R53 id definitely the most fun. Each generation has its reliability foibles (gearboxes, power steering pumps, timing chains etc.)Some of the r53s came with a LSD too and id imagine are as much fun to drive as your S2000. Try both types.
A close friend of mine had a 2001 model s20000. To drive in the wet or at the limit could be bordering on dangerous with the snap oversteer he experienced, especially compared to the vx 220 I had at the time. In general the Mini should be more enjoyable as a daily driver, as the limits of the car are more readily available without killing anyone!
Mike
Thanks for the advice.
The running costs of the turbo cars is a big draw, but it looks like I'll be test driving a late supercharged and earlier turbo to make a decision. Will have to find a Cooper S clubman as well.
Regarding the JCW, this would be a supercharged so will compare with a supercharged Cooper S if I prefer it to the turbo. With regards to running costs are the JCW much more – I’m talking about dampers and other bits as pieces as well as fuel etc (S2000 rear damper is over £300 EACH for new OEM!)
I have a bike so the S2000 just doesn’t seem as fast or exciting anymore so I’m hoping a fun little hatch might reinvigorate driving on a smaller budget
The running costs of the turbo cars is a big draw, but it looks like I'll be test driving a late supercharged and earlier turbo to make a decision. Will have to find a Cooper S clubman as well.
Regarding the JCW, this would be a supercharged so will compare with a supercharged Cooper S if I prefer it to the turbo. With regards to running costs are the JCW much more – I’m talking about dampers and other bits as pieces as well as fuel etc (S2000 rear damper is over £300 EACH for new OEM!)
I have a bike so the S2000 just doesn’t seem as fast or exciting anymore so I’m hoping a fun little hatch might reinvigorate driving on a smaller budget
I haven't taken any notice of fuel consumption (since my old TVR did 18mpg, everything else is frugal). I can't believe it's going to be that noticeable. You should notice a huge difference from a revvy Honda to the instant hit from a JCW though.
I have a KTM 950 but still have great fun in the JCW so no worries there.
From what I have read, I am glad I had a reduced budget that restricted me to supercharged Minis - turbo's seem to get more negative comments and I don't really like turbos anyway.
I have a KTM 950 but still have great fun in the JCW so no worries there.
From what I have read, I am glad I had a reduced budget that restricted me to supercharged Minis - turbo's seem to get more negative comments and I don't really like turbos anyway.
DavidLScott said:
I haven't taken any notice of fuel consumption (since my old TVR did 18mpg, everything else is frugal). I can't believe it's going to be that noticeable. You should notice a huge difference from a revvy Honda to the instant hit from a JCW though.
I have a KTM 950 but still have great fun in the JCW so no worries there.
From what I have read, I am glad I had a reduced budget that restricted me to supercharged Minis - turbo's seem to get more negative comments and I don't really like turbos anyway.
Thanks for the advice, I'm going to test drive a supercharged cooper S and a turbo cooper S this week. Looking for a JCW to test as well, but I'd be happy with the standard S's as I'm trying to get away from drawing attention as well!I have a KTM 950 but still have great fun in the JCW so no worries there.
From what I have read, I am glad I had a reduced budget that restricted me to supercharged Minis - turbo's seem to get more negative comments and I don't really like turbos anyway.
The JCW hardly stands out beyond an S.
Very discrete exhaust end caps (not even necessary but look good) and a tiny badge front and back...that's it.
You have to look hard to see the difference but it shows when you leave people floundering behind you.
Mine is a dealer conversion so doesn't have bodykit stuff though - like you, I prefer it that way as I'd look silly as a 59 year old in a really chavved up Mini. Mine's even single colour (black eye purple)but I'd like to do the wheels dark grey at some point.
Very discrete exhaust end caps (not even necessary but look good) and a tiny badge front and back...that's it.
You have to look hard to see the difference but it shows when you leave people floundering behind you.
Mine is a dealer conversion so doesn't have bodykit stuff though - like you, I prefer it that way as I'd look silly as a 59 year old in a really chavved up Mini. Mine's even single colour (black eye purple)but I'd like to do the wheels dark grey at some point.
DavidLScott said:
The JCW hardly stands out beyond an S.
Very discrete exhaust end caps (not even necessary but look good) and a tiny badge front and back...that's it.
You have to look hard to see the difference but it shows when you leave people floundering behind you.
Mine is a dealer conversion so doesn't have bodykit stuff though - like you, I prefer it that way as I'd look silly as a 59 year old in a really chavved up Mini. Mine's even single colour (black eye purple)but I'd like to do the wheels dark grey at some point.
I think I'm in trouble here, looking for a fun, cheap to run car - probably going to end up with a JCW. If I can get one without the bodykit that would be great. I'm 27, but don't want to attract the 'cruisers' in the market square Very discrete exhaust end caps (not even necessary but look good) and a tiny badge front and back...that's it.
You have to look hard to see the difference but it shows when you leave people floundering behind you.
Mine is a dealer conversion so doesn't have bodykit stuff though - like you, I prefer it that way as I'd look silly as a 59 year old in a really chavved up Mini. Mine's even single colour (black eye purple)but I'd like to do the wheels dark grey at some point.
TommyBuoy said:
DavidLScott said:
The JCW hardly stands out beyond an S.
Very discrete exhaust end caps (not even necessary but look good) and a tiny badge front and back...that's it.
You have to look hard to see the difference but it shows when you leave people floundering behind you.
Mine is a dealer conversion so doesn't have bodykit stuff though - like you, I prefer it that way as I'd look silly as a 59 year old in a really chavved up Mini. Mine's even single colour (black eye purple)but I'd like to do the wheels dark grey at some point.
I think I'm in trouble here, looking for a fun, cheap to run car - probably going to end up with a JCW. If I can get one without the bodykit that would be great. I'm 27, but don't want to attract the 'cruisers' in the market square Very discrete exhaust end caps (not even necessary but look good) and a tiny badge front and back...that's it.
You have to look hard to see the difference but it shows when you leave people floundering behind you.
Mine is a dealer conversion so doesn't have bodykit stuff though - like you, I prefer it that way as I'd look silly as a 59 year old in a really chavved up Mini. Mine's even single colour (black eye purple)but I'd like to do the wheels dark grey at some point.
On the front, mine is on the lower grille so hardly noticeable.
I had an S2000 '06 for a year before I jacked it in for a diesel - miss the car loads.
I now run a 06' JCW GP and have to say it's a lot of fun. The S2000 still has the more exciting engine and experience but the MINI is fun for it's chuck-able factor and general mischievous charm from it's small powertrain - you'll have a nice grin after the test drive I'm sure.
I now run a 06' JCW GP and have to say it's a lot of fun. The S2000 still has the more exciting engine and experience but the MINI is fun for it's chuck-able factor and general mischievous charm from it's small powertrain - you'll have a nice grin after the test drive I'm sure.
Definitely drive both, I've had an R53 and currently have an R56 both have plus and minus points but as said already best bet is to drive both cars and see what u like best and suits your tastes. Both of my minis have been modified to enhance an already cracking car. I have replaced my new boxster with my R56 JCW and I love it, just had some work done at evolve automotive which has transformed the car they really are a good allrounder. Good luck with your search.
R53
R56
R53
R56
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