MINI Cooper S - driving impressions of a MINI One owner

[chilli-mini-me]

Well, after 3 days with a loaned Cooper S, my One is back fixed, and I
thought I'd post my driving impressions of the Cooper S.

On the plus-side, I loved the performance - stunningly quick and very
exciting, and as grippy as any car I've ever driven. I also loved some of
the extras that were fitted. The computer and the satnav were great -
interestingly, the computer claimed 41 MPG and if that is right, I'm very
impressed with that as I wasn't pootling around !

On the downside, the Getrag 6-speed 'box was horrible. Clunky and stiff (the
car had done over 6000 miles so it wasn't a running-in issue) and this
really spoiled the whole driving experience for me. I just don't see what BMW are
doing in planning to put Getrag 'boxes into all MINIs - unless they are going
to do something about the change action of course.

I didn't really like the suspension that much either - it was just too
stiff. I live in the country, and the roads around here are a little less than
smooth, and going over even small bumps and potholes nearly shook my
fillings out !!! (I could see my radar detector - fixed to the windscreen -
wobbling up and down continually, but when I swapped it back into my One, it
barely moved.) My wife described the ride of the S as "awful" - and although
I wouldn't go that far, I have to say I was disappointed. One last thing -
the big wheels and wide tyres seemed to cause the car to tramline at times,
and this almost caught me out more than once !

In summary then, for everyday motoring, I'd have a One any day - the ride is
more compliant and comfortable, handling and performance are adequate
99% of the time, and my One was about £6000 cheaper than the S I borrowed.
I'd probably only choose an S for track days - and then it would be an
absolute hoot to drive it like a hooligan !

Now I need to try a standard Cooper to see if that is a good compromise
between a One and an S.

[Ian Clark]

I've driven my G/F's ONE with standard Suspension and 15" wheels and I have a Cooper with SS+ and 16" wheels.

Mine is a little rougher in the rid than the ONE but it's not too bad at all There's not a huge amount of difference except the Cooper has that little bit more extra power.

Cooper's a nice in between imho but Any MINI is a great MINI

[RickB]

My S gearbox is not clunky or stiff; you got a bad one. The ride of the S is stiffer than a lot of cars, and probably too stiff for a commuter car. I can't see enjoying my car nearly as much with half the horsepower.

[Parc77]

You must have had an S with a dodgy gearbox - they are a little bit notchy but the getrag is a better gearbox rather than the old desgined Rover/Peugeot one thats currently in the Cooper and One ( although Mini's tweaks have made a good job of it).
Id say the S is somewhat more of an enthusiasts car than the One (to drive) and the ride is obviously like it is in the S for a reason, youve probably got that used to the soft easy ride of the One that the S is to harder a ride for you -I must admit ive had the same scenario with the radar detector .
Ive had a couple of Mini Ones when My S has been in for a service and when driving over the speed bumps and down pothole riddled lanes the one was obviously a much kinder ride which was nice but it seemed extreemly underpowered after gettiing out of the S and it didnt feel any quicker than my Astra 1.7DTi (co car) mind you niether of the Ones had covered barely a couple of thousand miles so maybe they werent run in properly. I think you would quite like the Cooper - extra grunt and simular ride to tthe one

[sergio rollerfunk]

The Getrag 6-speed gearbox on my MCS is one of the best ones I ever tried, and I've driven quite a few cars...you probably drove a MCS with a faulty gearbox.

About the stiff suspension, I can't really picture a MCS with a soft/compliant ride.

[Boddington]

As a better compromise than the Cooper.... (imho).... try an S with 16" wheels and non-runflats. That should help the ride massively and reduce tramlining, whilst if anything improving handling too.

As for the gearbox, it really is superb, you mustn't get put off by the dodgy one you obviously had!

[KenL]

I too had an S for a couple of days and I didn't really think the ride was much different to my ONE on 15" tyres.

The gearbox was more notchy though and getting it into reverse took a bit of practice.

Loved the super-charger whine and the performance.

As to fuel consumption there is no way you'd get 41mpg out of an S - in fact I bet that is more than you get from your ONE unless you spend all your time on the motorway. On the one I had, I reset the computer and then went for a spirited drive along some B roads for about 30 miles - the computer said 23mpg

[kapps]

I can account for an S getting great fuel economy. I've driven several hundred miles on the highway in the 75-85 mph range and the S has returned between 35 and 37 mpg. On slower country roads (50 ish) I got over 40 mpg. As for the ride, the S is pretty stiff and probably more stiff than any other road car. Most people don't like it but as a young driver, I enjoy feeling everything that the car feels and it don't mind at all. The gearbox does have it's drawbacks and reverse would be hard for someone who isn't very strong (but my mother does it). It does get stiff sometimes and the feel just isn't as satisfying as it could be. My main gripe is 5th gear and a tall person like me can't keep the seat back where I want it because I wouldn't be able to reach. Oh well, have to compromise somewhere.

[RickB]

Quote: Originally Posted by kapps

I can account for an S getting great fuel economy. I've driven several hundred miles on the highway in the 75-85 mph range and the S has returned between 35 and 37 mpg. .

I can account for only 27mpg, under similar conditions.

[Pennypincher]

I've owned both a Cooper and an MCS. On the Cooper I got the Sports package for the better handling qualities (and the sport seats!) I thought it would offer. I didn't order the sports package on the MCS, because with a stiffer suspension to start with, I figured it would handle just fine without the additional stiffness offered in the sports suspension, and it would also give me 16" tires for more shock absorption, and a smaller price to pay when it came time for new ones! I usually don't claim to be too smart, but that seems to have worked out for me. It handles great, and has only a little firmer ride than my Cooper had. When the Dunlop runflats wear out, I'll probably be replacing them with regular tires for additonal cushion, and traction. It should leave plenty of handling capacity. My transmission's great, but finding reverse is a little noisier (and the linkage feels a bit tinny) than with my other car. Upshifting is a joy! Sounds to me like you got a bad transmission, or at least linkage.

[Mini_Blake]

I love the 'go kart' feel of the MCS. I myself am a young driver, and anyone that I take out in the car loves the ride. I have a lot of friends that sell cars for a living, and they have all said that the suspension is spot on.

The feedback through the wheel took a little getting used to but I actually think that it has benefited my driving skills.

I love the car and although im sure I would like a mini one, now I have a mcs I wouldnt consider a one.

[MINIGT50]

Correct me if I'm wrong, I want to get this straight.

A Cooper with a Sports package should have exactly the same ride as a Cooper S without, and a Cooper S with a sport package only adds 17" wheels to the equation but is no different suspension-wise than a Cooper with a sport package.

Obviously we're talking US spec cars here, but I was just curious so I don't get lost reading all of these comparisons!

[Mini_Blake]

MCS have sports suspension plus as standard, or did the last time i checked. Has been a while since reading about the available packages though.

[JBOO]

I remember testing a One and Cooper before picking the S. The shifting was smoother than in the S, especially going into reverse. However, it only took a little time to get used to and now I prefer it . My wife does not like driving the S though. She has an Audi A2 and it is very easy for her to drive and shift. She thinks the S is too difficult. It doesn't bother me though, because that just means she won't be asking to drive it

[badboyzbadboyz]

Going from a ONE to an S I can see how you would find the gearbox horrible. I used to drive a 1.1 Saxo and when I test drove the MCS then the Cooper I much prefered the Cooper gearbox because I didn't like the notchy feel. Now, after 2.5 months of owning a MCS I absolutely love the gearbox and I find other gearboxs have a loose feel.
Personally I have never found the suspension that hard (combined with my 16" wheels) and I think its a great compromise between performance and comfort. Still, I think its all about personal preference and what you get used to, but I find the stiff suspension a joy in the twistie roads. Non of my passengers have made any negative comments about the suspension.
IMO the cooper will offer no real difference in ride harshness as the difference between sports and sports+ is minor. Wheel selection will make more of a difference, but again minor.
If you pick comfort over performance then you have the right MINI.