[OK'sMini]

After owning a Mini Cooper for 8 weeks (which I just sold) and now owning an S for just 3 days, is it unfair for me to compare them? No way.

The differences between the two cars are both glaring and minimal, including one that was totally unexpected. The surprise was the suspension and ride of the S--it’s way better. My Cooper had the sport package and sport suspension plus and the ride was incredibly harsh and choppy. Because of this I was concerned that my incoming S was going to be far worse with its 17” wheels/tires and sport package. Not the case! In fact the ride in the S feels smoother, quieter, less choppy, absorbing practically anything the road can throw at it. Next, transmissions. Here I expected the Getrag 6 speed to be clearly superior but the MC 5 speed is almost as excellent--just a tad less precise (and missing the extra gear). Interiors. I found one big difference between the two---the seats. Actually it’s the leather. The Panther leather in the MC is hard and stiff and makes sitting less than comfortable over long drives while the Lapis Blue leather is softer and far more willing to conform to ones torso. Exteriors. My take is that the MC is cleaner and purer in design while the MCS is flashier and far more aggressive looking which is a fitting segue to the most important difference--the engine. This where the two cars really part company. The MC mill is an overachiever, willing to run its heart out for you. Keep the revs up and the A/C off and the car moves. However it’s no competition to the S’s mill. The supercharged engine completely transforms the Mini experience. It’s got the torque, the acceleration, the whine, the exhaust growl, the balls! If I had it to do all over again I would skip the MC and go straight to the MCS. To be continued.

[Boo]

Cool report....
Looking forward to the second edition..

[worgy]

Ohhh - I enjoyed this report - TA.

I had 5 months of my MC - it was a fantastic car - really rewarding.... you can imagine how keen I am to take delivery of my S.

Re: Wheels - interesting & Agreed - I felt the S (test drive) with 17" was smoother and seemed more assured and comfortable on the road than the MC (sports plus susp) with 16"... This is reverse to what I had expected and as reported in UK "respected" auto press (top Gear).... my BMW dealer seems convinced that the S has had a suspension mod - although no one else agrees or will own up to it.... but growing concensus is that S with 17" is better than MC (or S) with 16"... can we all be imagining this ?

[CASMini]

Quote:

Originally posted by worgy
Re: Wheels - interesting & Agreed - I felt the S (test drive) with 17" was smoother and seemed more assured and comfortable on the road than the MC (sports plus susp) with 16"... This is reverse to what I had expected and as reported in UK "respected" auto press (top Gear).... my BMW dealer seems convinced that the S has had a suspension mod - although no one else agrees or will own up to it.... but growing concensus is that S with 17" is better than MC (or S) with 16"... can we all be imagining this ?

Worgy - read somewhere that there were indeed changes to the suspension on the S. Thicker anti-roll bars were fitted to ensure that the extra weight or the car (esp over the front wheels) was kept under control. Correct me if i'm wrong however.

[worgy]

Quote:

Originally posted by CASMini


Worgy - read somewhere that there were indeed changes to the suspension on the S. Thicker anti-roll bars were fitted to ensure that the extra weight or the car (esp over the front wheels) was kept under control. Correct me if i'm wrong however.

CASMini - Ahhh Ha... that makes sense - I am not going mad after all... this is a big relief on the basis that "everyone" said 17" are wasted on the S... now we know better....

[CASMini]

Quote:

Originally posted by worgy


CASMini - Ahhh Ha... that makes sense - I am not going mad after all... this is a big relief on the basis that "everyone" said 17" are wasted on the S... now we know better....

I still think that LIGHTER 17" wheels would be much better. They look good though - btw, I think you have the same car as me, did you go full leather??

[lightbody]

15" and SS+ for the Cooper! Best combo by far!!

[worgy]

Quote:

Originally posted by CASMini


I still think that LIGHTER 17" wheels would be much better. They look good though - btw, I think you have the same car as me, did you go full leather??

CASMini - Yes I saw some posts re: Lighter 17" wheels - I agree in principle and I have seen some really nice aftermarket rims... but two problems a) 17" is free upgrade as part of Chilli pack b) Lighter - yes BUT - this is not a hill sprint racing car - probably many more mass savings to be made with ripping out sound proofing, roof lining, rear seats etc etc.... if wanted to go this route I'd buy a Lotus Elise or a Super 7.

Full Leather - I did not take it - it was an option price too far... I have seen v.shoddy factory leather... some of the MINI pictures did not fill me with confidence - bad leather is worse than no leather !! besides the half leather free options are really nice - I went for lapis blue "space looking cloth" - the one like Airtex with holes in - looks like leather at a distance and a nice grippy tactile feel....

DS/Blk another one in London ??? not reasonable for me to expect to have the only cooper S in the capital !!

[CASMini]

Quote:

Originally posted by worgy


CASMini - Yes I saw some posts re: Lighter 17" wheels - I agree in principle and I have seen some really nice aftermarket rims... but two problems a) 17" is free upgrade as part of Chilli pack b) Lighter - yes BUT - this is not a hill sprint racing car - probably many more mass savings to be made with ripping out sound proofing, roof lining, rear seats etc etc.... if wanted to go this route I'd buy a Lotus Elise or a Super 7.

Full Leather - I did not take it - it was an option price too far... I have seen v.shoddy factory leather... some of the MINI pictures did not fill me with confidence - bad leather is worse than no leather !! besides the half leather free options are really nice - I went for lapis blue "space looking cloth" - the one like Airtex with holes in - looks like leather at a distance and a nice grippy tactile feel....

DS/Blk another one in London ??? not reasonable for me to expect to have the only cooper S in the capital !!

Worgy - fair enough on the 17"'s - do have to say one thing though and that is rotating mass/unsprung mass is much more important than just weight per se. Having lighter wheels (and brakes etc for that matter) will have a far more dramatic effect than just removing the same mass from places like sound deadening et al. but I cannot talk as I am getting a sunroof

As for DS/B in London - expect to see loads in the near future - i think they will be more common than Silver TT's soon!

[Red & White Cooper 2]

The Cooper S is heavier than the Cooper. I'm not surprised the Cooper S (with standard sports plus suspension and run-flat tyres) rides better than a Cooper with the optional sports plus suspension and the optional run-flat tyres.

According to the press reports I read, the S's suspension is stiffer only to compensate for its extra weight. They were aiming to keep the handling/ride similar to the stock Cooper. The road tests report that the ride is not as good as the stock Cooper, but presumably they mean the Cooper with the 15" wheels and without the sports plus suspension.

[worgy]

CasMini & Red n White 2,

I agree with all that has been said - love the attention to detail on rotating Mases - not 100% convinced that we are at the degrees make a difference end of motor sport - as before, if wieght/performance was the whole deal here I'd buy a Lotus 7.

But - I still maintain the 17" on the S I drove gave an as good or better ride with extra grip.... I was expecting to have to "put up" with a crashy ride with the 17" on the S.... I was looking for it but could not sense the harsh ride... I know this should not be true...