[csmith319]

OK - so I've had my Cooper S for 4.5 years - and I love it to bits. After buying a new family car from Sytner BMW in London (still got the Mini for my plaything) they offered me the chance to take a new Mini for 24hrs - I obviously jumped at the chance and managed to get a 4 day old Cooper S Clubman with all the trimmings (23K worth of Mini!).

Well - thought I'd say what I thought.

Firstly - its quick! felt much quicker than my one and had a naughty rasp from the exhaust which was very nice. Also, the controls were almost identical to the new 3 series which we just got including all the stop start business.

I gave it some stick down some country lanes - it was fast, very sure footed and a lot of fun.

BUT - so so different from my 'original' - better? well, more polished for sure - the power delivery was typical for a turbo-charged engine - lot sof low down shove, tailed off a bit at the top end (so the opposite from the old s'charged one).

The interior? The dash itself is very nice - seems better built. But I did see a lot of cheaper plastics - some of the door plastics were very cheap with the moulding seams way too prominent. The surround to the sat nan screen was the same - too cheap looking for me.

Also - odd rattles in the dash - sounded like a marble was rolling up and down - but hey, what Mini doesn't have a rattle!! :-)

So, whats my overall feeling - well, it's objectively a better car - the low down torque makes it easier to drive and its more refined. There's obviously some penny pinching - but that was ot be expected.

However, and maybe this is emotional - but I just prefer the one I've got. The supercharger whine makes an average engine sound special, rather than a gruff 4 cylinder noise. The interior is more expensive looking, but I prefer the look of the old - if only I could mix them both!

I'm getting mine modified at GT Tuning (the 220 kit) in 3 weeks which will extend its life with me for another couple of years - I'll be interested to see if this makes mine as fast as the new one!

Anyway - whatever my thoughts, the new Mini is definitely a Mini - it a lovely car and if I didn't have mine - well I'd love to get one. Hopefully the facelift will fix the looks (esp at the front end) - and hopefully the works kit will make the engine a bit more special - but overall - its all good!