[gcp]

Got a test drive tomorrow, dealer gracious enough to give me an hour unaccompanied !

Coming from a 330d not sure what to expect but looking forward to it.

Has anyone compared R56 Cooper S to MK5 Golf GTI ? (performance/handling wise)

[Paul]

Only tips I can give are make sure you get a full chance to get on some twisty roads, and try it with and without the sport button in action. And have fun.

[mGP]

Quote: Originally Posted by gcp (original)

Got a test drive tomorrow, dealer gracious enough to give me an hour unaccompanied !

Coming from a 330d not sure what to expect but looking forward to it.

Has anyone compared R56 Cooper S to MK5 Golf GTI ? (performance/handling wise)

I want an un-accompanied test-drive!!!
Can you request this?....or does it depend on the dealer?

[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by mGP (original)

I want an un-accompanied test-drive!!!
Can you request this?....or does it depend on the dealer?

Yes to both.

[beken]

I would recommend you decide why you are interested in a MINI and then before going on your drive, map out a route that would demo those things as well as what you would NEED in your day to day drive. For instance, if you do a lot of highways and hills, make sure your testdrive includes a stint in such a situation. If you usually carry passengers, then make sure you load up with some friends in the car with you etc. Most dealers just put you on their test drive path which generally demonstrates nothing for you. So the fact the MINI allows their prospective customers to have a go at whatever they need, was a reason I wiped out half my shortlist of other cars I was considering. My dealer dropped off a car at my office and handed me the keys and told me to call him when I was finished.

If you want (I didn't do this though), take the MINI to your local VW dealer and do a side by side comparison. You might find that even though the VW is rated to go faster than the MINI, the MINI might actually feel faster and easier to drive fast, if driving fast is one of the criteria for your car decision. But don't let me put those thoughts in your head as it might sway your objectivity.

Good luck on your decision.

[Lordy]

make a note of which suspension the car has you are driving in, i.e. is it the sports ? see if you can get a test in both ?

[gcp]

Well back now, thanks for the tips..

My benchmarks are E46 330d (204bhp) and MK5 Golf GTI (197bhp).

Took in my usual sort of driving, motorway, A roads, B roads and a little town work. Covered about 55 miles.

MPG (zeroed at start) was indicating 31.6 on returning.

Ride/Handling
One I drove had sports suspension and 17" rims and the ride was very good, certainly as good as my 330d. Only really big potholes were uncomfortable.

Took in a few fast A roads I know well and not as confidence inspiring as the 330d but very good for such a lighter weight car, did not make me think "oh **** !" at any time.

Steering better than expected though not as good as a GTI, farily neutral even when under hard acceleration.

Easy to get the traction control light on but it cuts power very smoothly.

Performance
Is probably very close in performance terms to a Mk5 GTI and certainly gets up to 70+ pretty quickly.

More exhaust sound than expected, sounded OK.

Managed a long overtake and felt as safe doing that as would in my car.

Other items
Standard radio very acceptible in terms of power.

Layout to my liking though some of the switches are cheap looking/feeling (radio heater controls and stalks especially).

Twin roofs fitted to test car rattled.

M/F wheel useful and exactly the same button layout as BMW

Missed having a centre armrest.

Overall
Didn't hand over any money but think that likely in the near future, possibly put name down for a JCW or keep the 330d and get a MCS.

They were kind enough to wash my car while I was out !, a very nice touch.