They will blow our doors off.

[rainbowdreamer]

If rumours are correct that the new engine for the Cooper S will remain at 170bhp, then it is going to fall way behind.

Even the shopping trolley special (Corsa VXR) will leave the Cooper S for dead.

Next weeks Autoexpress has the Cooper S against some warm hatches - wonder how it will do?

[BlackMiniMac]

IF the roumours are correct then its probably the other way round.

1) The Vauxhall build quality probably means that the doors will 'fall' off rather than be blown off

2) Would you spend 16k+ on a Corsa ( or any Vauxhall for that matter ) or would you spend the same amount on a quality built motor that will hold its resale value long after the Vauxhall is dead and recycled.

Buy a Corsa !!!! I dont think so

[SalemMINIDriver]

Not the least bit worried about this. Driven at prudent speeds, The MINI is, bar none, the most enjoyable driving experience I've had in a modern car. I've been for drives in much more powerful machines that have left me completely cold. An extra 50HP or more does nothing for me if it's pushing around a car that feels like an appliance.

I've never driven a One (not sold in North America), but I'd bet that they are still twice as fun as many vehicles with twice the power.

[UKC4]

Quote: Originally Posted by BlackMiniMac

IF the roumours are correct then its probably the other way round.

1) The Vauxhall build quality probably means that the doors will 'fall' off rather than be blown off

2) Would you spend 16k+ on a Corsa ( or any Vauxhall for that matter ) or would you spend the same amount on a quality built motor that will hold its resale value long after the Vauxhall is dead and recycled.

Buy a Corsa !!!! I dont think so

Completely agree with the above, if you are daft enough to buy a vauxhall then.......well what can I say.... durrrr

Lets face it... look who drives corsa's.....

1) OAP's (mainly the crappi 1.2's)
2) Chavs that think they have made it in the world because they have a Corsa
and finally 3) Small time drugg dealers!!!

[rainbowdreamer]

I only highlighted the Corsa VXR as a comparison.

My argument remains, MINI has to up the bhp and performance on the new Cooper S.

[JDinho]

Quote: Originally Posted by rainbowdreamer

If rumours are correct that the new engine for the Cooper S will remain at 170bhp, then it is going to fall way behind.

Even the shopping trolley special (Corsa VXR) will leave the Cooper S for dead.

Next weeks Autoexpress has the Cooper S against some warm hatches - wonder how it will do?

The last thing i read was that the JCW model would be a unique model in its own right, not an 'add-on' to the S. I could be wrong, the Future Variants forum is busy , and nothing can be confirmed til 13 August.

If this were the case IMO the 'S' would become the luke warm model and the JCW the hot hatch model. An example of this would be Seat's FR & Cupra models.

Anyway prob time this went into the Future Variants forum anyway!

[Rakey]

Quote: Originally Posted by JDinho

The last thing i read was that the JCW model would be a unique model in its own right, not an 'add-on' to the S. I could be wrong, the Future Variants forum is busy , and nothing can be confirmed til 13 August.

If this were the case IMO the 'S' would become the luke warm model and the JCW the hot hatch model. An example of this would be Seat's FR & Cupra models.

Anyway prob time this went into the Future Variants forum anyway!

yes, the information is in the MINI2 news section, the new JCW will be a seperate car with its own distinct differences to the S, and coming in at 230bhp

[Paul]

The JCW will be awesome, but out of my price range.

[Tonyt3]

When you can buy a 200bhp Clio for half the price, the JCW will seem very silly. And the Clio handles better.

However, its a clio.

i agree with the above sentiments though of the first poster. When the S was brought out it was ahead of the game (just) with most hot hatches at the time being around 150-160 bhp. However, the average soon moved on to around 180bp, and has since moved to 200bhp. The new generation of hot hatches is pushing the 230bhp average. Some 250. All will be cheaper than a specced up JCW.

But they wont be Minis obviously, and they will all depreciate faster than the Mini. however, many will be easier to live with. And despite peoples predjudices against such cars, most of them are better built and more reliable than our current little Mini - lets hope they dont have so many initial teething problems with the new car - My first Cooper S spent more time at the dealership in the first 3 months than with me.....

And how many minis were lemons~~? Plenty. Ask Mr Mullett.

personally I think the Focus ST is a monster. Turbo charged 5 cyclinder engine, brilliant chassis, can easy take 280bhp, which can be done with a £400 re-chip. Different league.

[GR33NIE]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tonyt3

personally I think the Focus ST is a monster. Turbo charged 5 cyclinder engine, brilliant chassis, can easy take 280bhp, which can be done with a £400 re-chip. Different league.

Is sure is, one guy I work with drove one, he said it was fantastic Also the good thing is it doesn't just come in orange!

[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tonyt3

And how many minis were lemons~~? Plenty. Ask Mr Mullett.

Saying that, we've had more problems with MINIs than we did with (for example) our Clio, but I'd NEVER go near Reanault again, but BMW/MINI I would go back to without pause for thought.

[Tonyt3]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett

Saying that, we've had more problems with MINIs than we did with (for example) our Clio, but I'd NEVER go near Reanault again, but BMW/MINI I would go back to without pause for thought.

Got to admit to virtually never seeing any warranty problems with my previous cars, never took either of my Peugots back for warranty issues, but the thing is, they are so bland and forgettable that yes, wouldnt go back to them for that reason alone.

The citroen VTS I had was a complete hooning blast of a car - light and powerful. But would never ever like to have been in the kind of accident my first Mini was in in that car. built of paper machet...

[JDinho]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tonyt3

personally I think the Focus ST is a monster. Turbo charged 5 cyclinder engine, brilliant chassis, can easy take 280bhp, which can be done with a £400 re-chip. Different league.

We had a new Focus loaner just after our MCS was written off, its a big car! Much bigger than my Father's old Focus. I don't need a car of that size so despite the extra power i'll think i start saving for the new Works model.

Although the ST's look good in Blue & Red

[Rakey]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tonyt3

Got to admit to virtually never seeing any warranty problems with my previous cars, never took either of my Peugots back for warranty issues, but the thing is, they are so bland and forgettable that yes, wouldnt go back to them for that reason alone.

The citroen VTS I had was a complete hooning blast of a car - light and powerful. But would never ever like to have been in the kind of accident my first Mini was in in that car. built of paper machet...

got to agree on the Saxo, my VTR was a great little car, never had a single issue warranty wise on it, but like you say it was just a citroen, and I always wanted a MINI when I was driving it.

Seems we all put with a lot from these little cars, but boy do they give us some fun

[Hat]

its all well & good having a headline power figure but how many people ever go anywhere near it, or could even manage it? yes of course there are & always will be more powefull, cheaper, even better handling cars than the mini but the mini has never been just about those things - its an aspirational car which will always sell on its image & heritage & those things aren't tangible or measurable. it has problems, weak areas & failings but losts of people still want one & most of those with one want another