Full Second Generation Test Drive Report Online - US Prices and Options Added

[Paul]

MINI2 Review: Full Second Generation MINI Cooper S Test Drive Report.

MINI2 Gallery:MINI2 at the International New MINI Cooper S Launch

[Olly.]

Excellent article Paul. I'm even more pleased I have one arriving shortly

[hyperbluejames]

nice report Paul!

[MINIVAN]

Great review of your test drive of the new car.

What was the reason for the absence of the sports button. I thought it was a standard feature in the new S or will it not now be available until later builds ?

[Olly.]

I have a couple of questions

Where there any interior rattles?

It looks as though the car has the comfort access system, if it did what was it like?

[Paul]

Comfort Access was actually so good I added to my order.

No rattles, thought the interior was very well bolted together indeed actually.

Sports button is not standard in all markets so it's a "100% option" in some (like the UK for example). Real shame it wasn't on any car though.

Keep the q's coming and I'm more than happy to try and help/answer.

Comfort access was actually really handy, especially hopping in and out of the car for photos etc. And it was just "cool" to leave the keys in your pocket, although the locking feature was a bit odd.

Oh yes, and comfort access was on both doors, and I was told that is how it will be now. Conflicts with the other reports/spec sheets we've seen, but there it was, so I guess, there it is.

[wigman15]

excellent review paul! i can't wait to get mine!

about comfort access, how far do you have to be away for the key to be recognised? also, can you open the passenger door or is it just driver side? (i'm concerned about the security).

what was odd about locking it?

were there any cars with sat nav?

[wigman15]

also, is it true that you can change the specs of your car up to a week before its production? (according to another site)

[Washy]

Nice one Paul. Your test removes a lot of my worries. All I need is a test drive and and a JCW

[Paul]

That's what they keep saying, but I'm not convinced. Having a bit of a crises at the moment myself if truth be told!

No cars with sat nav, they had "display units" in the hotel that you could navigate through etc. It's pretty slick, but didn't seem quick to navigate at all. Nice in the showroom, maybe a bit long winded in practice. Very nice interface and graphics etc. though.

Comfort access you have to press the button on the door to lock it, which was a bit odd to have to do. Even though I already knew this was the case, in practice it felt a little cack handed. I didn't try to unlock from the door, but one time I was leaning away from the car and it wouldn't unlock, I had to stand next to it "properly" for it to recognise me.

[Paul]

The JCW should be the mutts nuts. It is VERY different, let me make that much clear and I 100% guarantee that some people will prefer and always prefer the first gen. new MINI. The character has changed a great deal.

Personally, if money was no object, I'd love a GP with all I enjoy about the new MINI at it's best, and a second generation MINI Cooper S for all that the new car offers.

["Reedy"]

Great writeup Paul..... it's given me a good feel for the car already...just waiting for that test drive now.

It sounds like lots of us will also be considering the JCW, for that added sound track.....

[Washy]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett (original)

The JCW should be the mutts nuts. It is VERY different, let me make that much clear and I 100% guarantee that some people will prefer and always prefer the first gen. new MINI. The character has changed a great deal.

Personally, if money was no object, I'd love a GP with all I enjoy about the new MINI at it's best, and a second generation MINI Cooper S for all that the new car offers.

I had heard/seen a few reports saying that it had been softened and blunted. So I am glad you still think it is great fun to drive. More than anything the MINI is about the driving experience for me...

[Olly.]

I'm tempted to add Comfort Access as well now

[Paul]

Funny things. MINI Speaker super sound system upgrade noise maker (or whatever they call the H/K equivalent these days) includes those tweeters in the a-panels. I thought they looked funky, but I bet people will think they're just plain odd.



No height adjustment on the seat belt slot in the b-pillar.



It was very quiet, it's a shame for when you want to be childish they didn't come up with a clever way to get more sound into the cockpit to add to the experience, like flaps that opened/closed with the throttle above a certain RPM or something.