Cooper Cab test drive by a non-Mini owner

[Rich C]

I know owners are now posting their thoughts on their cars but I thought I’d add my 2p worth from a non-Mini owner after my test drive on Sat. I’m coming from a Lupo Gti and the Mini is going to be my ‘everyday’ car to run along side something a bit quicker.

Firstly performance – the car we drove was a Cooper, only 300 miles on it, and 3 people on board. OK, it was never going to be startling but it actually surprised me how swift it was. Enough oomf to get out of junctions without sweaty palms and surprised me with it’s 5th gear pull from 70-90 (err, on a private road officer) on the flat. Found myself in a lower gear than expected on the back roads but that was no hardship – the gear box is a pleasure. Need to get more familiar with the car before overtaking on the shorter straights though to know which gear to be in to not run out of breath half way through an overtaking manouver

Ride & handling – this is a revelation after the Loop. Many journalists have described the Lupo Gti as the spiritual successor to the original Golf Gti – and in many ways it is but it does roll about round the twisties. The Cooper felt much more planted and confidence inspiring – a couple of roundabout attacks proved that - and a big smile whipping through the twists once Mr. Civic diver had got out of the way. This car was on the 16” wheels (Fin?) and the ride was good enough that I’m happy sticking with the 17”s I’ve specified despite my slightly iffy back – we deliberately hit a few potholes and speedbumps to check.

Quality – again was prepared to accept some fall against the Loop (it’s old school VW quality) but again pleasantly surprised. The car felt solid and apart from a rattle from the roof mechanism that we’d been warned about before the drive nothing but a slight squeak from the join between the driver’s window and the rear one (a bit of lube will sort that out) it was as tight as a drum. Roof mechanism worked like a charm – although a warning for those sitting in the back it does look like it wouldn’t be too difficult to get your fingers caught in it at the sides. Nice and quiet working though and it doesn’t try and decapitate those sat in the back as many other four seater softtops do – (go and watch an Astra Cab for example and see those in the back have to duck down as the roof does it’s stuff). One aside – the car I drove had the leather/cloth combination. I’ve now seen a couple of unregistered cars with the full leather and the leather on the seat base looked really slack – if you’ve gone for that option I’d keep an eye out for that.

Overall – as you can probably tell I like. If you want performance you really need to go for the ‘S’ (I suspect that those moving from the normal tin top Cooper to the cab may be a little disappointed in that respect) but for ‘smiles per mile’ it ranks there with the best of them, at least from my limited experience. Having owned various ‘sporty’ cabriolets for the past 10 years this one is going to put just a big a smile on my face as my personal favourite – my old Boxster ‘S’, it’s just as good just for different reasons. Roof down at speed with no defelctor in the back (apart from the sales guy) the buffeting wasn't too bad - although if it had been a bit colder I'd have wanted the deflector in.

Now – anyone got a time machine so I can get through the next 2 months more quickly?

[abs0lutely]

Great review, many thanks!

Indeed, I am moving from a tin top cooper (auto, plenty of power) to a manual cabrio cooper s JCW! I'm hoping the additional power will take the corners of my mouth to my ears, and being a manual (with no roof!) it'll obviously be more fun

Glad you had a good experience. Totally excited now :P

Thanks again!
Abs

[PB]

Rich,

is the Alpine 9835R + IPod the new one with the ipod link? I want sure that had been released yet

cheers

Paul

[ItHurts]

Thanks muchly for your unniased opinion. Think many people are "pleasantly suprised" when they drive either version for the first time. Looking forward to my test drive soon...

[Rich C]

You're right - the iPod adaptor is not out yet. The guys who are lined up to do my speakers/amp etc. are still saying it should be out in Aug, ready for installing in my car in Sept - fingers crossed. Getting the headunit itself in advance so I can install that myself the day I get the car - assuming I stop driving for a mo - then they can do speakers, iPod link (if out), amp, sub etc. whilst I'm at work - fortunately they're about half a mile from my office and rate they cn 'phase' the work so I can have the car in the evenings.

[abs0lutely]

I totally don't know what to do about the stereo... I'm really into my music but as far as car stereos go I really don't have a clue.

Atm I'm going for the Harman Kardon option... bad choice? I listen to a lot of MoS so a sub would be nice :\ Any idea what is perceived as "the best" and whether my BMW dealer can fit it? (Ideally I just want it all done for when I pick up the car you see).

[Poisonedwell]

Nice review

[Rich C]

Abs0lutely,

If you have a hunt around the forums here you'll see that the general concensus, although not all, is that aftermarket is best - but it is really a case of personal taste.

One thing to bear in mind is that if you like to hear the Bass, in a cabriolet you'll need to definately add something extra as softtops are particularly poor for that - even more so probably in the mini cab as they've dropped the size of the rear speakers from those in the tin-top.

Like you I'd prefer to have the headunit already in the car when I pick it up, but BMW/Mini charge a fortune for their 'standard' Sony upgrades (£250 for a unit I could get supplied and professionally fitted incl. harnesses etc for < £100), and, for the headunit itself at least, it looks a pretty easy DIY job based on some inputs on this site.

[abs0lutely]

Thanks for the advice,

I'm going to see my dealer tomorrow. I've asked him to find some alternative systems to fit (with a sub if this is poss) as apparently the HK won't go in a MCS with Sat Nav... :S I'll just have to wait and see what they come up with for now I suppose.

Also, unfortunately, the JCW tuning and Aero kits wont be ready until some time in September. That means I'll have to take the car back to them. Nooo!

[mjg315q]

Quote: Originally Posted by abs0lutely

apparently the HK won't go in a MCS with Sat Nav... :S

This is what I have ordered?? Where did you here this?

Cheers, Peter

[rentagas]

I've ordered HK, Sat Nav and CD Boost in a MCSC-in fact it went into production last tuesday!
-I think you've been misinformed

[mjg315q]

Quote: Originally Posted by rentagas

I've ordered HK, Sat Nav and CD Boost in a MCSC-in fact it went into production last tuesday!
-I think you've been misinformed

Hi Rentagas. I think you and me are on similar time tables for our MCSs. I was told there may be potential delays until September now. But have had no formal confirmation either way. If yours is being built that is hopefully a good sign??

Cheers, Peter

[abs0lutely]

Quote: Originally Posted by rentagas

I've ordered HK, Sat Nav and CD Boost in a MCSC-in fact it went into production last tuesday!
-I think you've been misinformed

You can spec the MCS with HK and Sat Nav on the website and at the dealership, but when the order is submitted the combination is rejected. I was told this was something to do with the way the two are wired :S

My rep has checked this a few times for me now and every time comes back with the same answer. I just don't understand how yours can be in production with this spec when he's categorically telling me it's impossible.

GRR!

[RobHardyUK]

Hmm. Doesnt the hk have two 25w subs? maybe you cant have it cos its summat to do with the lack of space in the rear?? (never seen hk ones, im judging it on normal subs, but maybe a bit smaller)

[rentagas]

My dealer phoned me a week ago to confirm the status of my order had changed to "in production". I have seen the printout of my order and it has CD boost, HK and sat nav on it. Hopefully I'll get it next week so I'll see what turns up!