new cooper s owner needs help

[baloo247]

yesterday the wife and I went to look at a cooper s and on impulse we bought. i have a few questions regarding the car and was hoping you could help.

I noted that the steering wheel and gearbox were very heavy compared to my skoda, is this normal? the car drove fine but the next day nerves have kicked it and im just a bit worried.

I dont think the car has the chilli pack so how hard is it to retro fit a glovebox and maybe leather seats?

I think i got a good deal - 7350gbp for a 52 plate with 58k miles, gunmetal grey, cloth interior, panaramic roof, 6disc changer ... what you guys reckon? i didnt think about cruise control or climate control at the time but given our budget was 7.5k i think we did ok and also i had to get rid of the skoda which i wasnt having any bites on.

do these things have cambelts? the service history was all stamped up but my usual habit is to get a major service carried out on new cars i buy - do you think this is overkill?

thanks in advance.
bal

[Mark S]

Hi,

Welcome to the club!

It sounds like you got a good deal on the car as long as its in good condition.

To fit leather seats may turn out to be expensive if you buy new from the dealer but if buy second hand you may save some money. The only problem is fitting seats that have side airbags and belt pre tensioners is that it needs to be done properly and that is something you need to get right.
Im sure there are some companies out there that will do this for you but not sure about prices!

In respect of a glove box you should be able to get one from the dealer or breaker and fit it yourself depening on on good you are with this type of thing.

Also you mentioned getting a service i think that is a good idea, i always get it done on my cars and it gives you piece of mind.

I think my local bmw dealer quoted around 300 pounds for a non specific inspection, but if you hvae certain areas you want checking my local dealer works on about 60 pound per hour labour.

I would say the gearbox in my mini is quite heavy but also precise and dosent rattle or move around probably just a characteristic of the car as its quite a sporty box!

Have fun.

Mark.

[Jaw_F430]

Quote: Originally Posted by baloo247 (original)

yesterday the wife and I went to look at a cooper s and on impulse we bought. i have a few questions regarding the car and was hoping you could help.

I noted that the steering wheel and gearbox were very heavy compared to my skoda, is this normal? the car drove fine but the next day nerves have kicked it and im just a bit worried.

I dont think the car has the chilli pack so how hard is it to retro fit a glovebox and maybe leather seats?

I think i got a good deal - 7350gbp for a 52 plate with 58k miles, gunmetal grey, cloth interior, panaramic roof, 6disc changer ... what you guys reckon? i didnt think about cruise control or climate control at the time but given our budget was 7.5k i think we did ok and also i had to get rid of the skoda which i wasnt having any bites on.

do these things have cambelts? the service history was all stamped up but my usual habit is to get a major service carried out on new cars i buy - do you think this is overkill?

thanks in advance.
bal

Mini Cooper S has a timing chain


Regards


James

[cooperSMark]

The steering and gearbox aren't very light but they have a reassuring feel. I think they are very well weighted. The steering is just heavy enough to stop the wheel wriggling around too much on bumpy surfaces. My girlfriend drives a Nissan Micra and whilst it's a great little town car, the steering becomes a bit twitchy on the motorway or bumpy A roads. You shouldn't have to heave at the wheel though.

The gearbox is very precise. The only very heavy part is selecting reverse. This is a BMW thing i think! I've had a few older BMW's and they all have a massive spring that you have to scrap with to select reverse!

[baloo247]

ahh sweet that makes sense then. i feel much happier. as you say everything was not rediculously heavy but more assuringly weighted. reverse was a bugger but nothing rediculous. i was just expecting to pop it over into reverse but it's more like you have to thrust it. .

anyways im happy

[Ant FR]

gearbox in the Cooepr S is a cracker, the Getrag is the same one ford used in the only six speed gen 1 focus ( the ST) and it was picked due to durability and a racey feel.

They can and will feel heavier at that age, mines the same age and alwasy felt heavy and sometimes i could miss a gear if really going for it. However i got a new clutch ( which you may need after a while as it is approaching 60,000 miles on the original, and yhting above 60k on any car is considered good) anyway when i got that new clutch and flywheel it was so light.

VAG's tend to feel lighter, especially if its a Fabia VRS you have??? as they have a lovely light clutch,

[mini33]

I've found that the asc can make a differnce to how tight the steering feels

The switch by the passenger window

Its meant to be turn only on & off but mines seems to be & feel like differnt strength on the steering so you can fiddle with that & should help

Unfortuntely the gear box is very close nit & very heavy. I went from a really easy ford gear box to mini & i only strugle with reverse & the slide over from fourth to fifth but nothing we can do about. But you get use to it.

I promise once you drive your cooper S all these woriies will so go & you'll have a biggggggggg smile

Welcome to the club & the obssesion of the mini

I have owned mine for just over a year & would never go back best thing i did.

There even a dream to drive in this horriable weather!!!

Enjoy :-)