Comments on the Cooper S!

[fusion01]

Hi all, new to the Mini section of this forum - I'm just wrapping up the sale of my 135i and seriously considering a Mini Cooper S (turbo from '07 onwards). I work from home so the 135i was just sitting in the garage most of the time except for a few runs on the weekend - money going into the (Alpine) White Elephant (!) which I could be spending on better things really. Sell my ride, settle with the bank and buy a car cash which I am not too overly concerned about and can spank ruthlessly whenever I choose while getting no less than 8 km's per litre! Small, light and with sharp handling. Cooper S seems like the best option... what do you guys think? BTW, I previously had a Golf 5 GTI which I got new back in '06 and owned for almost 5 years. Great car. I'm a true motoring fanatic and think the best attraction in the world is a mountain pass, man alone!

You guys enjoying your Mini's? How is the reliability? Handling good? (although thinking coilovers and rear control arms 1st item on the shopping list)

I'd be in the market for an '07 onwards / ~80,000 km's at about R140k. Auric had an '09 with 84k on the clock for R150k which was aiiit but I'd like a little saved for mods

Any comments appreciated! Cheers! :=):

 

[msm]

There were some engine updates from around 2008/9 - that's the model you want. Earlier models suffered from timing chain issues - check the MP history, as there was a recall to sort this out.

Do a google search for stuff like "Mini timing chain rattle". I was in the market for one last year, but opted to buy something else instead - of all the dealers I spoke to (some independant), they all suggested I avoid the 2007/8 model, as there were lots of issues with them.

 

[fusion01]

There were some engine updates from around 2008/9 - that's the model you want. Earlier models suffered from timing chain issues - check the MP history, as there was a recall to sort this out.

Do a google search for stuff like "Mini timing chain rattle". I was in the market for one last year, but opted to buy something else instead - of all the dealers I spoke to (some independant), they all suggested I avoid the 2007/8 model, as there were lots of issues with them.

Cheers - yeah saw this in an earlier thread. Runs also into '08's. Hope I'm lucky.

Anything one should look out for as an extra on the car? I DON'T want a moonroof and all the 27kg's it adds to the car. Actually anything with much weight.... what's the 'S' button all about just above gear shift (I'm only wanting a manual, no auto)? Adds 20nm torque and sharpens throttle etc? Does this mean Cooper S's without the feature have 20nm LESS torque?

Cheers.

 

[msm]

Extra's are personal preference. I love the moonroof. :rollsmile:

There's also lots with Chilli Packs on them. This included semi leather seats, which I think really improve the interior looks and xenons (which is really nice to have). Other stuff was mainly cosmetic.

 

[fusion01]

Extra's are personal preference. I love the moonroof. :rollsmile:

There's also lots with Chilli Packs on them. This included semi leather seats, which I think really improve the interior looks and xenons (which is really nice to have). Other stuff was mainly cosmetic.

After the power decrease I need as little weight at possible to counter the 240kw I had on the 135i

Looking at an '09 for R150k. Seems reasonable enough. Get to terrorise staff member tomorrow

 

[msm]

Get behind the Mini, take it for as long a drive as possible and put up your comments. For me, it was one of the best drivers car I've had, even though it was FWD and did not make insane power - it was pure fun. I owned a R53, but also spent a bit of time driving a R56.

I'm keen to hear your opinion coming from a 135i, as most people would argue that I'm wrong ...

 

[fusion01]

Get behind the Mini, take it for as long a drive as possible and put up your comments. For me, it was one of the best drivers car I've had, even though it was FWD and did not make insane power - it was pure fun. I owned a R53, but also spent a bit of time driving a R56.

I'm keen to hear your opinion coming from a 135i, as most people would argue that I'm wrong ...

Thanks, appreciate your input. I drove one today and found it ok. Certainly could do with more power and it felt like you had to keep RPM's up over ~3k or so or the turbo lag lower down was quite noticeable. It sounded coarse, like it was straining a little and quite loud. Clutch was quite firm which is ok and I'd get used to it. Wierd as when I got back in my 135i clutch and gear shifts seemed so much easier (when I originally found them a little demanding).

I'm one of those folk whom is just inherently critical. All of this doesn't mean it's not a good car, just that I wasn't blown away by it. I'm aware it's R150k worth of car so maybe I have expectations higher than I should have right now. But I do think the GTI Mk5 was probably the better car. Felt slicker overall.

I'm now looking at the Mazda 3 MPS and the Focus ST. Might as well before making proper comparisons. Problem with those is they use about as much fuel as the 135i which I found a bit high. You open up, go a bit mental and get 6km to a litre (~16.5 litres p/100km) which I find a downer.

Cooper S certainly has fuel consumption going for it too. Cheers.

 

[Diablo Jnr]

nice upgrade...:thumbs:

 

[herr bmw]

looked at the one with the supercharger,couple years back,must admit was a pocket rocket and better than the wifes ex golf 4 gti.

but the reason why i didnt get was,there was no space in the back for my son(and he is nearly my hieght:rollsmile,but was thinking of buying one for when he turns 18

 

[hotchocolate]

Hi Guys,

Im very new to this forum. I purchased an R55 Clubman S about 4 months back with 51000km's on the clock. A month and a half later I had to replace:

Timing Chain kit with tensioner.
Steering Rack and Pump.
4 Coils.

As said above, try and avoid the 08 model. I was not aware of the issues until everything went wrong after I purchased the car. I love my jammy even though she has caused me much heart break in 4000km's.

My opinion: Mini's are not really well put together coming from a only JAP car histroy, but there is no substitute for the great driving pleasure and poise a MINI gives.

 

[fusion01]

I tried the Cooper S supercharged. Cooper S turbo-charged. Opel Corsa OPC. Renault Clio Sport 2.0. Settled on a Focus ST '07 with 63,000 km's for R140k with everything fine via an exhaustive Bosch multi-point check.

Entertained the idea of a Cooper - and you can read untold reviews until your head bakes but there is only one way to know and that is drive all within the price range you can afford. After owning a Mk5 GTI and 135i, I found the Cooper completely unrefined.

Ford: reasonably priced parts, powerful engine and can take a beating on my monthly track runs (heard pistons get fried - literally break - on the OPC). Chomps fuel but it's a weekend warrior so not too bothered.