[fjork_duf]

Recently I saw a post over on northamericanmotoring quoting an Automobile Magazine (us) article that said this:

"So, is it possible to make the Mini bigger, stronger, and faster without losing the current car's tossable nature and front-wheel-drive-apes-rear-wheel-drive feel? Unfortunately, it doesn't seem so."

and

"In many ways, the 2007 Mini reminds us more of Volkswagen's competent yet workmanlike GTI and less of the talented and special 2002-2006 Mini. This is not a bad thing; VW sells a lot of GTIs. We're just not so sure BMW needs to sell one, too."

This worries me because I can still put in an order for a 2006 mini, and time is running out. However I really like the looks of the '07 and there are a host of welcome upgrades I'm looking forward to. Especially the turbocharged Engine....

So what do you think? Is this magazine excerpt right? or does the car really meet expectations that current mini cooper S drivers expect? Could it be possible the journalist drove the non-sport suspension car?


Here is a link to the original thread:

MINI COOPER :: North American Motoring - Automobile Magazine 2007 Mini First Drive

[KPKalle]

Have you read Paul's reviews in the MINI2 News section?

[fjork_duf]

Ok I read though that, but still have questions:

Is the 2nd gen mini still as accurate and surgical through the slalom (autox) course? It seems that there are still some opinions that the new mini doesn't or won't handle as well. It seems like this write-up says it will, and maybe I'm too stupid to see that.

I think it was a very positive review, and I'm happy I've put down my deposit. I guess I am just nervous that it won't be as good as the current cooper S...

[Rakey]

from what I have read the drive if anything is improved compared the the current car in regards to handling and acceleration.

the main thing you need to consider is that the new MINI is going to be more refined, its not going to have those little rough edges that some would call on the current car 'its character' but others would call 'its faults'. Its still got the fun factor on the new MINI, just not the rawness that the current car has.

The original new MINI will always be dear in our hearts, but the new new MINI will be what we have to live with and makes doing so an easier job than the current out going car

[Olly.]

Obviously until I drive the new car I won't be able to make a decision on it, but I am looking forward to a bit more refinement and quality from the new car.

[devaisl]

Seeing as sports suspension is now an option rather than standard ( it has to be explicitly ordered), i'm wondering how different the drive will be in the S without it (obviously a bit softer) but handling wise....? And would it be a disaster to not to get it?

[thrud]

As I understand it, the new "Sports Suspension" option is equivalent to the old SS+.

It is a difficult call though as the ride is generally supposed to be more confortable because the car has been designed to use runflats from the start. Difficult to know whether the new car with Sport Suspension will feel the same as the old one with SS+.

Paul

[devaisl]

I'd like a softer drive but not if it compromises the handling. Its a tricky one......!!!!

[Paul]

From my experience the handling on the new car is excellent. I'd imagine it will beat the current car on slalom tests etc, it feels less "edgy", but to me more assured and confident.

[miniman23]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett (original)

From my experience the handling on the new car is excellent. I'd imagine it will beat the current car on slalom tests etc, it feels less "edgy", but to me more assured and confident.

OK but did the new car you drove have Sports Suspension or Standard ??? That's the question

[Paul]

We were not told what it did or did not have. I would imagine they would have had as it was on a handling course and then a twisty track, and they'd want the drivers to be as impressed as possible in the handling, and not so much the comfort.

[miniman23]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett (original)

We were not told what it did or did not have. I would imagine they would have had as it was on a handling course and then a twisty track, and they'd want the drivers to be as impressed as possible in the handling, and not so much the comfort.

ok thanks. I think I'm going for the sports suspension as it will no doubt have much better handling.

[MKH]

One reviewer said after driving the new R56 S, it was pretty close to the performance of the current JCW. If I can find the thread again, I'll post it.

[Paul]

If you look at the figures you can see it's pretty close, especially in gear (sometimes better). I posted a comparison on here a while back now.

[Ken Cooper]

This might answer some questions here. This is something I lifted from the Autoweek magazine review:

"The Cooper S is more what we’re talking about, particularly with the Sport Package. The Sport Package gets an extra millimeter of front and rear antiroll bar, as well as stiffer springs and shocks. Standard tires in the Cooper S are 195/55R-16 V-rated runflats, but the Sport Package comes with 16- or 17-inch performance or all-season runflats.

Any vestige of base-model sponge is gone in the S. There is precious little roll and no residual bounce going over bumps. Like the previous model, you will seek out and drive this car whenever you have a sunny day and a nice road. Or whenever the hell you feel like it. It’s still a classic."