Evo magazine review on coverted Cooper and S

[Julz]

Okay, BBR sent me this cutting from Novembers issue of Evo magazine, where the Cooper, Cooper Works, Janspeed, S, S Works, AMD, Digitec, BBR, Hartge, GGR and Schnitzer were all put to the test, the verdict is as follows;

"So many firms, old-school and new, chasing the same goal with largely the same ideas. First we should consider the non-S Cooper category, in which the conversions hardly glorified themselves. Especially when little more money will buy you a faster, lower-depreciating, slicker-gearshifting, much more enjoyable standard Cooper S. The Janspeed is best, but essentially pointless, and a regualr Cooper is very little slower. Moral? Don't bother modifying a Cooper.

It's a different game with the Ss. Three shine out like beacons, a fourth dazzles in a different way with its value. Quickest of all is the BBR Mini 220, which extracts as much from the little Chrysler engine as you could reasonably expect this side of civility. That it's cheaper than the other two stars, the S Works and the Schnitzer, makes it all the more remarkable.

But the real value here comes from AMD, whose simple conversion simply does the business. It's the way to go if you want extra pace without busting the bank. But, given the chance to spend more, where should your money go? The bombastic BBR has the added advantage (while the offer lasts) of a free suspension upgrade redolent of French hot-hatch parameters (think 205GTI or Clio Williams), but maybe you'd trust the other two to last longer with their slightly gentler power deliveries.

Then there's the fact that the S Works has gone right through the BMW testing mill, and it has a bespoke supercharger beacuase BMW (unlike everyone else here) doesn't think the standard one is up to the extra affort. You'd buy the official item, wouldn't you? I know I would. So the Mini Cooper S Works wins. Call it a tactical victory."

So there you go... I'm well chuffed as for once, I seem to have chosen the right one! So imagine what the BBR 240 and 275 are like, mmmmm . There's loads of performance figures which I can't be bothered typing out, but was very shocked at the figures for the Cooper Works, as at some speeds, the standard Cooper is faster, but Janspeed are just that wee bit faster (but not much ). Ah well, make your own decisions, but I'd still recommend BBR!!
The End

[Bonnie Scotland]

Did the BBR car have 220 or 240 BHP, i was sure their demo car had the 240 conversion.

Bonnie Scotland

[Julz]

As far as I'm aware it was 220, it has since been 240 and now it's at 275!!

[steveh]

how do we know what BBR has done to this Evo test car?

I want the 220bhp without optional extra's ie. exhaust, airduct & camshaft!

do those extra's add more power?

[Bonnie Scotland]

Quote: Originally Posted by steveh

how do we know what BBR has done to this Evo test car?
I want the 220bhp without optional extra's ie. exhaust, airduct & camshaft!
do those extra's add more power?

Phone Mickey @ BBR, 01280 700800

Bonnie Scotland

[Hubert]

The BBR kit is really a star in the review, but it makes me wonder how they managed to out-pull the AMD with the additional header by mapping alone. (I noticed that both cars have similar setups otherwise, such as heavy wheels, no sun-roof, stock intake etc.)

The venturi shouldn't have much effect on the 0-60mph figure.

Maybe BBR is being less conservative on it's setup, maybe they've used a 17% pulley?

I think Mickey should really join Mini2 and provide us a FAQ on the BBR kits

[Julz]

I know that Neil Brodie has frequented the forums before, so Neil, if your reading this, come on and bum the conversion up even more than I have, seeing as you have all the high tech gumph knowledge, and all I come come up with is 'it's very fast and great fun'!!