UK Launch Test Drives....

[birmingham_smiths]

I was there bright and early at my local Birmingham dealer this morning for the official S launch. Not quite the glitz of last year's Mini launch (no press or radio), but plenty of drinks, crisps and some new literature.

Best of all there were two Cooper S's, a fuly specced DS (black roof, with sunroof) in the showroom and a fairly basic EB (white roof, no sunroof) for the test drives.

Initial impressions of the DS:

- great colour (not as dark as I expected - so have stuck with my original DS choice)
- loved the lapis blue leather seats (even the rear one)
- alloy patina could be better, but I definately prefer it to the standard painted/clear coat (so far so good)
- dark door trims go well with the black leather (I got rid of my magnesium option)
- black roof really works well with DS (changed my roof from DS to black)
- loved the very different bonnet lines (but my wife missed the chrome)

First ride as a passenger of the EB:

- so smooth, as a passenger it just goes....
- supercharger whine made me smile...always there and very pleasant
- very supportive and comfortable seats
- got lots of interested looks from the public

First drive of the EB (60 miles on the clock):

- easy set off (no problem with the reported high gearing on 1st)
- knotchy gear shift, but very direct and easy to shift (loved it - especially the kudos of 6 gears)
- acceleration initially felt slow, but I was tricked by the refined ride into taking it easy. Knock it down a gear and it's good, knock it down two gears and it's great, knock it down three and wow!!
- occasionally got a bit lost with 6 gears to play with (when trundling along it doesn't seem to care what gear it's in) if you need to accelerate just knock it down a gear or two and everything is fine
- wheels were 16" and went just where I wanted, minimal body roll - just how I like it - great on Birmingham roundabouts and tunnels

Conclusion

I love it - my wife loves it - my children love it - the saleman love it...the only compromise for me on an otherwise great car is the cheap dash - but I will forgive it that small indiscretion.

Definately glad I got the deposit down early - 86 days to go.

Go see your dealer...i'm going back when it's done more miles...the salesmen reckon it gets even better!!

[DocT]

Drove it this morning


This is a stunningly "complete" car. It offers all you could want except for mayby boot-space at a bargain price.

I'm sure they could sell them for 3k more in the uk and still have a long waiting list.

I've had many performance cars in the past but the cooper s, while not being a particularly powerful beast is just so so so much fun.

I expected it to be good but after my drive this morning I can only say it exceeded all my expectations by quite some margin.

I can barely wait another month til mine arrives

ADVICE:- GET A TEST DRIVE NOW (and be prepared to sign on the line!!)

[Marts]

Saw to 2 EBs and 2 DSs down at Colchester -

All look stunning..... will take my test drive once the hype is over. Got my freebies though.

[DocT]

what freebies?....I just got a drive for 30 mins without a salesman!!

[AidenL]

I didnt even get a drive !!

Left Hook car........German registered.....drive to follow!!

Funny, I love the alloy look dash, feels very different to silver trim even, IMO......I really like it....suppose Im in the minority there though??

[DocT]

On the contrary, I too love the s dash and love the door inserts even more, really individual...only feels cheap if you tap it, looks great though.

[D_ibble]

Notched up my first drive at 09:40 in Coventry, and WOW I loved it. Overall impression was refined, quick (enough for me) and real easy to drive, be it fast or just around town.

The exhuast note is great, sat at traffic lights "blipping" the throttle, I could have done that all day.

Now I have the missery of waiting until 02nd of Sept for mine!

D.Ibble

[S200]

I lost my cherry as well today

I think its hard to know how quick the car is when the engine has less than 200 miles on it. Most modern cars need a good 2000-5000 miles to even think about losening up. Especially the highly tuned ones. Found the car was deceptively quick - not sure thats really what you want from a hot hatch ?

Gearbox was very easy to use and nicer than my UK STI 7's, but the knob is way to large. Handling was as expected. Worse aspect is certainly the seat which had IMHO no sideways support. It detracts from a car with such great handling. I'm sure many would be able to carry a few more MPH through a corner if they could concentrate on driving, rather than staying sat down.

The exhaust sounded nice, but my guess is a few mods and it could sound a load better.

Confirmed my order today with the dealer. Pick it up Thursday

Jonathan

[smiffy]

Dealer had 2 S's in the showroom Full spec (including Sat Nav ) DS S
A fairly Basic EB S that was not but not that nice
3 people collecting S's today & they said they have Sept delivery available I want one

[Martin L]

Has anyone noticed that they don't have the grills on the parcel shelf that Paul noticed on his report

[DocT]

The one I drove had no grille on the parcel shelf.

[AidenL]

The EB S I saw DID HAVE the grille on the parcel shelf........

[AidenL]

Did you notice the revised seat back mechanism and handles ??

Is that standard on more recent cars??

[DocT]

Just looked the same to me

btw, the lapis blue leather is fabulous!, esp the big blue back bench!

[AidenL]

The car I was in definitely had new levers, along with the grille on the parcel shelf.......maybe these are on the way to production........it was German registered though......seems all the right hand drive cars have gone to the UK !!