Foxtons. For those not familiar with the name they are a London estate agent who buys 100s of MINIs for their agents and sticker them up with 'cool' colour schemes so you want to buy a house from them. Thing is, it doesn't make you want to buy a house from them and when you see a Foxtons MINI, and it's hard not to these days, it makes you not want to buy a MINI either.
However, this weekend I have been enjoying a MINI Cooper S with the new John Cooper Works kit fitted, it gives the car a little 'Works' badge on it's rear, a badge that gets looks of envy from estate agents and one that tells those who know that you are driving the most powerful MINI in the range.
The Works kit is available when you spec your new car in the showroom, but more interestingly is also available as a upgrade to existing Cooper S owners who have the later twin-scroll turbocharged 1.6 engine.
So what do you get for your £1,095 other than a 4 hour wait as they upgrade your car? Power is increased from 175bhp to 192bhp, with 10Nm more torque (250Nm) between 1750 and 5000 rpm. Overboost- a short increase in power under full throttle to help with overtakes- increases torque to 270Nm. This means your MINI can now complete the 0-60 benchmark in 6.8 seconds and go on to a very healthy 144 mph. No excuses for being late to meet potential buyers for viewings then.
Discretion is key here. Your power increase comes with a Works badge on the front grille and another on the tailgate and that's it. At first I wanted more visual clues to the increased power but after a couple of days I now love the understated appeal. Although other drivers may not notice your badges, pedestrians will hear you coming as the new air filter and sports exhaust means you pop and crackle your way down the High Street and makes this the first MINI where you actually lower the windows to pass through tunnels- it sounds great. Its just a shame that those outside of the car get to hear it more than the driver.
If you have a Cooper S and feel the need for a change, £1,095 is a cheap way of giving yourself a new car- and it doesn't harm your warranty. Its a great back road rocket-highlighting just how well the MINI handles as you take another corner faster than you thought possible. It would be grin inducing on the track and as you sit in traffic alongside perma- smiling estate agents you'll know you have the edge on them at the next set of lights.
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