[croyde]

Had a very short test drive in the new Cooper S today. Not given much scope to evaluate it much as it was heavy traffic in Wimbledon, down the A3 and past all the 50 mph gatsos, then just as we get to the derestricted zone, err! I mean National Speed Limit, the salesman heads me off, down the Esher turn-off, to turn back on the roundabout and head home.

I was gunning it for the roundabout too but some doddering old fool in a Honda got in the way.

Well the ride of the car reminded me a bit of my Boxster, very stiff suspension and 17 ins run flat tyres, that feeling that the car is ready to spring forward and handle anything. It felt very planted at speed, did manage mph for a short burst, it gave you the feeling of driving a much larger car but when you turned the tiny steering wheel it was as zippy as a Go Kart.

The acceleration was very impressive, even in 6th gear, once again it seemed like you were driving a much bigger engine, not a little 1.6, admittingly turbo-charged of which I could not detect any noticable lag.

I did like the ultra big speedo but once driving I have to say that it was too much of an effort to glance over to look at it, as it was much easier to look at the rev counter which had a digital speedo built into it anyway.

Sitting in the car I did like the general look, fit and feel of the interior, the sports seats were comfy but the central bit with the CD, heating and AC controls looked a bit naff and cheap but once again you don't really look at these things when you are driving.

Once near the garage the sales guy asked me to really take it easy on the speed bumps as this particular model had the John Cooper Works Aero Kit thus making it very easy to ground the body work. Even without the extra plastic you'd have to take it easy as the suspension is so stiff. Certainly would not specify the Sports suspension which this car did not have.

I did like the car and would have to spend a day on my own in it to see if I would really want to buy it, but I could feel its potential for alot of fun and with a number of goodies, it could be had for around £20K.

At least I don't have to slow down for speed bumps in my 1998 Beemer, which the guy in the 2005 330 found to his cost. Oh! that sound of scraping expensive metal and plastic

[Olly.]

Shame about the route but seems like a good drive.

Was it a Laser Blue S with leather seats and brushed alloy dash? If so that sounds like a launch car and they did have Sports Suspension as all dealers got the same spec cars.

Will you be ordering one shortly?

[croyde]

Ahh! so the salesman got it wrong. As to ordering, I'm pretty tempted but I will find it hard to justify as it would be replacing our second car which is mainly used by me if my work takes me out of London, which unfortunately is rare.

Second car at the mo' is 8 years old and I feel quite happy to leave it on the street for days even weeks on end without using it. With the New Mini that would be a crime.

Just have to think up some ideas that will involve me driving it. It has room for the kids so I could always use the excuse of taking the kids out of her hair and blast down to the coast etc. Just got to make sure that they don't muck up the interior.