[Paul]

Nopre, regular driving really. To the shops with Alfie in the car, to the gym, not much more than that.

[Olly.]

Sorry one other question as this car has a few miles on it has the interior got an rattles on it?

[Paul]

None at all, but neither did any of the 2001/2002 press cars I drove, so it's not a 100% guide to those aspects!

I forgot to mention in the report (doh), that the "Personal Profile" settings are very easy to set, and very handy for a geek like me. Things like headlight delay, units of measurement, wether one or both doors unlock on the first click of the key, very good.

[Paul]

The other little thing I forgot to mention (but will no doubt update on tonight) is the AM radio reception/sound quality (for those of us that like talk radio etc) is dreadful, pretty much unlistenable (this is with the UK standard Boost stereo).

[ScottieCoop]

got to disagree on the MPG front but then I guess it depends on how you were driving. Obviously when you get your own maybe you will run her in a bit.

Combined we are getting on average 40.0 mpg but running on V Power.

[ru81]

Have you noticed any difference with the 'normal' suspension? Any softer and any effect on handling?

[J0nesy]

What do you make of the interior light package Paul?

I test drove a cooper S the other day that had it & I thought it looked very impressive in the dark, So i added it to my order. A good choice? What do you think?

Dave,

[Paul]

Yesterday's update online: MINI2 - At Home with the MINI Cooper S - Day 2
Gallery for Yesterday: http://www.mini2.com/galleries/showgallery.php/cat/2104

The interior lights package is fine, not a fantastic option, but it's OK. It's a nice touch, put it that way, but something I'd not miss if it wasn't there. And the colours on the b-pillars don't match the waterfall lights, not quite, across most of the range (in the three new MINIs I've actually used it in the dark anyway).

[fjork_duf]

I read day two. Sounds quite good. Anyway the things i really wonder about have to do with the suspension and road feel. You said that the car doesn't get disturbed over a bump that your '06 MCS does... I'm no suspension expert, but that would indicate to me that the car has more travel in the suspension which is good.

How is the steering feel? In the R53 it felt like you were actually dragging some part of your hand on the ground because you could feel every little thing that the front tires felt. Knowing exactly what the car is doing. With the sport button how is the steering?

Do you feel like you can corner better than the old car? Do you find yourself going at higher speeds through the same corners? Does the car feel like it can change directions as fast as the R53??

Usually I love living in the USA, but right now it's no fun since you guys have gotten the new MCS first.

[jon vital]

It's pretty pointless having a test car without the Sport suspension and running on 16" wheels.

I think people really wan't to know how the car is on the 17's which 99% of people are going to spec.

[Paul]

This is how they come, I expect they also think most people with an S will order Sports Suspension, which is why all the other press cars I've had have that combination. Plus of course the car is engineered with 16" wheel/tyres as the "optimum" combination.

[inomis]

I will get my MCS with 16" and no sports suspension. If I could test drive some cars before ordering then that might be different. Paul, what you are saying is that the R56 MCS base suspension with 16s seems to have more grip and poise than your R53 with 17s and SS+?

[miniman23]

Well I took delivery of my R56 MCS today with 17" Crown Alloys and Sports Suspension and what an improvement I can tell you. I have been switching from my 2004 MCS and R56 all day it just feels so unstable on the road the 2004 MCS the R56 handles speed humps etc... with great subtleness.

[Haggi]

i had a fiddle with an s at thge dealer the other day but i must admit the sound of the turbo spooling up is cool and the bang when you let off on the over run

[Paul]

Saturday's update: At Home with the MINI Cooper S - Day 3
Saturday's snaps: http://www.mini2.com/galleries/showgallery.php/cat/2106

Bad news yesterday, bits of trim snapping off on fairly regular drives of mine.

[inomis]

Did you travel through any large puddles of water at speed? Looks like water could have pushed the inner liner out of the way and let a blast stream of water behind the trim to push it out? Either way it does look to be a problem.

[Paul]

I did go through quite a bit of water/puddles quite fast, but nothing really extreme or out of the ordinary. There are two clips on each side affected (so far as I could work out), one (the lower) is unclipped and could be put back into place (with a LOT of fiddling about), the 2nd clip (higher up) was broken on both sides. Really doesn't inspire confidence when my own car arrives that I'll be able to have such fun as I have done in all my previous MINIs, for fear of the trim breaking off!

The biggest surprise was when I went back in the morning to find the driver's side was off again, I can't imagine what's going on there.

[jimmyt]

A couple of couple of quick questions. Can you copy the profile from one key to the other in any way (should you want to set them up the same) or would you have to set all the options again?
Secondly, if you've got the wipers on and you engage reverse does the rear wiper do anything?

[Paul]

Nothing in the manual about copying profiles I can find. And I'll have to check the wiper thing, I don't think it wipes when you reverse though, which is a shame as one of the worst cars we've ever had (a Clio) did this, and it was really handy.

[sav112]

Thinking about getting a mini coop and I have to say this being my first post that this forum is great.

The main concern was the MPG, as the new mini was better it was a consideration for a new car, even the MCS. Its either a new Cooper or the new Golf GT.

Anyway keep up the great work on the Diary and promise any faults you find make sure you let BMW know.

It must be so hard when you order one of these not to get excited.