New Cooper S: recommendations for options?

[Petkunterä]

Hi everyone,

I am a new member here, currently I have a BMW 3-series Compact and I'm thinking of trading it in for a new Cooper S. After 10 years in 3 pretty similar BMWs I think I want something different this time, but do not want to compromise the fun of driving. So, for under 40 k€ around here, that leaves out pretty much everything but the Mini. Now I'm trying to spec the car to my liking.

First, I need to carry my bicycle with the car sometimes. With the Compact, it's easy: just fold the rear seats and the road bike fits right in without taking the wheels off. Obviously, that won't work with the Mini. The OEM rear bike carrier costs a jaw-dropping 1675 €, so I have to figure out some alternative. I found some old comments here, that a road bike should fit inside the Mini if only the front wheel is removed. Does that apply to the R56 too? If not, do you have any experience with Thule Freeway 968 rear rack, which seems to be pretty cheap? I'm just a bit worried that the Thule (or other, similar racks) might scratch the paint of the hatch or the rear bumper.

The other thing is that the 17" wheels that come with the chili package seem quite harsh on the cobblestones, and probably contribute to the road noise too. I've considered exchanging those to a set of 16" non-RFT summer and winter tyres (so one set of both, two in total ) What do you think of Continental Premium Contact 2 and WinterContact tyres in 205/55R16 size, would they suit the car well?

Finally, there's the colour issue. I want something that looks good (of course!), is distinctive but not too flashy. Haven't seen Laser Blue in person, but at least it does not look bad at all in pictures. Then again, neither does Pepper White, Lightning Blue nor Dark Silver... For the interior I'm considering Cream White with anthracite headliner, though I'm afraid it may not look good with Laser Blue (anyone have pics of such a combination?). There are too many choices! With the Compact I just had to pick the least repulsive exterior colour and either grey or black interior to go with it.

From the options list I've decided on the following:
- chili package
- limited slip differential
- visibility package
- multi-function steering wheel
- sport button
- white indicator lenses
- boost radio
- hifi speakers
- automatic climate control

Any comments?

[gtm-ken]

Dark roof lining looks very nice......totally changes the feel of the interior.

Ken

[CC07ERS]

The hifi is pants

[Petkunterä]

Thanks for the comments! Still, I think I'm going to take the HiFi, because at least the standard system is definitely pants . The HiFi speakers aren't that expensive... I'm sure it would cost more to buy an aftermarket system. It also looks like the colour will be Pepper White with a black roof and bonnet stripes.

Any information regarding the bike is still welcome

[Petkunterä]

Ok, I did it!

I had a Clubman Cooper S for an extended test drive yesterday. Can't really expect that the dealer has each Mini model available here so I had to take the Clubman. Anyway, I liked it very very much and the dealer made me a fine offer... so the new Cooper S hatchback should arrive in two months!

The specs:
- Pepper White w/ black roof
- Black bonnet stripes
- Ray Cream White seats
- Anthracite headliner
- Piano Black
- Chili package
- Cream White colour line
- Automatic air conditioning
- Heated mirrors and wipers
- Without Cooper S badge
- HiFi package
- MINI Boost CD (that's extra here, standard is a MINI Wave)
- Multifunction steering wheel
- Visibility package
- Sport button
- White indicators
- Limited slip differential
- Front mudflaps
- Mobility set (for non-RFT winter tyres, I'll at least try to cope with the standard RFT summer tyres)
- Engine block heater

The next two months are going to be incredibly long

[Electric Sheep]

Congratulations! Make sure you post some photos when it arrives.

[M.O.S]

Quote: Originally Posted by Petkunterä (original)

Ok, I did it!

I had a Clubman Cooper S for an extended test drive yesterday. Can't really expect that the dealer has each Mini model available here so I had to take the Clubman. Anyway, I liked it very very much and the dealer made me a fine offer... so the new Cooper S hatchback should arrive in two months!

The specs:
- Pepper White w/ black roof
- Black bonnet stripes
- Ray Cream White seats
- Anthracite headliner
- Piano Black
- Chili package
- Cream White colour line
- Automatic air conditioning
- Heated mirrors and wipers
- Without Cooper S badge
- HiFi package
- MINI Boost CD (that's extra here, standard is a MINI Wave)
- Multifunction steering wheel
- Visibility package
- Sport button
- White indicators
- Limited slip differential
- Front mudflaps
- Mobility set (for non-RFT winter tyres, I'll at least try to cope with the standard RFT summer tyres)
- Engine block heater

The next two months are going to be incredibly long

Sounds nice - you'll definitely find the visibility pack useful. However, if I was you, I'd change the white leather for black. Unless you really like cleaning leather, it'll get grubby VERY quickly. However, the cream white colour line will look excellent! What - you get a tape player!

[Petkunterä]

Quote: Originally Posted by VincentVega (original)

Congratulations! Make sure you post some photos when it arrives.

Certainly!

Quote: Originally Posted by M.O.S (original)

Sounds nice - you'll definitely find the visibility pack useful. However, if I was you, I'd change the white leather for black. Unless you really like cleaning leather, it'll get grubby VERY quickly. However, the cream white colour line will look excellent! What - you get a tape player!

Black would not be bad at all. However, I'm a bit worried that the interior might become a bit too dark with the black seats, piano black dash and anthracite top. I may regret this later, but at least the leather should be easy to clean when it gets dirty, right?

[M.O.S]

Quote: Originally Posted by Petkunterä (original)

Certainly!



Black would not be bad at all. However, I'm a bit worried that the interior might become a bit too dark with the black seats, piano black dash and anthracite top. I may regret this later, but at least the leather should be easy to clean when it gets dirty, right?

It would require specialist cleaner and also a bit of time - frequently! However, when clean it looks good! It would be dark, but with the white colour line, it shouldn't be too dark!

[Petkunterä]

Okay, I got my new MINI about two weeks ago. I've been busy driving it so I haven't had the time to post any pictures earlier but here's couple:




As you can see, I took the risk with the cream interior... it just looks so good! Hopefully I don't have to spend too much time cleaning it.

...and no, the other cars visible in the pictures are not mine.

[M.O.S]

Looks nice

[SimonSJR]

That looks pretty damn

Let the modding commense!!!!!! Spot Lamps would look great!

[dbsmith]

I've just picked my new MCS up this week, it's Pepper White with the cream interior and anthracite headlining.

To answer your questions:
1. Cream interior looks great, particularly with anthracite headlining. It breaks up an all-black interior, which I think is too dark. The leather is pretty easy to clean, I had a beige interior on my BMW convertible & cleaning it wasn't a problem. AutoGlym do a good leather cleaner that brings it up quickly & nicely without much effort as long as you do it regularly (every 2-3 months).
2. I'd think again about going Pepper White. Dark Silver would probably be my choice in retrospect, maybe also Astro Black but black requires a lot of cleaning !
3. You'd be hard pushed to get a bike in the Mini, even with the front wheel off !
4. Best features I've found so far:
- Sports suspension with 17" wheels & runflats is fine, actually I'm used to BMWs and it is a lot less harsh than I thought, even with the Sports Button engaged. From the posts I read I thought I was taking a big chance, but actually the ride is pretty comfortable. & I sold my BMW 325Convertible because the ride was too harsh & was causing problems with my bad back.
- Limitied Slip Differential - awesome. Best value for a £100-ish option. Goes round the corners like its on rails. Handles completely differently than other MCS cars I've test driven.
- Bluetooth pack with the USB option for the USB stick is also very impressive.
- Easy to programme your own options via the steering wheel controls;
- MPG is also good - I'm currently doing better than 40mpg & should get 500+ miles per tank.

Other things you asked about :

- Hi-Fi option - is much better than the standard but still not brilliant. Depends if you want to pay twice as much & have somebody rip your car apart putting in a better HiFi. It's good enough to play Pink Floyd & Metallica at reasonably loud volumes.... :-)
- visibility pack -good value for the price. But not as good as the BMW equivalents if you are used to that. Ditto Xenons.

Overall, I'd say the MCS is the nicest car I've owned so far to drive (& I've had some expensive cars) and the only real quibbles with it that I have are :

- the seat adjustments are not brilliant and it's difficult to find a good driving position and the seats themselves are not very comfortable;
- In non-sport button mode, the initial set-off makes it feel like the car is always going to stall. I noticed this on the test-drive vehicles also. This doesn't happen in Sport Mode;
- I specced Parking Sensors, which are not needed at all;
- the USB music interface is cool but when you have loads of music files, scrolling down is VERY VERY slow & cumbersome.
- Storage space is miserable (but I knew this before buying the car).

Hope this helps

Dave

[SimonSJR]

Quote: Originally Posted by dbsmith (original)

Overall, I'd say the MCS is the nicest car I've owned so far to drive (& I've had some expensive cars) and the only real quibbles with it that I have are :

- the seat adjustments are not brilliant and it's difficult to find a good driving position and the seats themselves are not very comfortable;
- In non-sport button mode, the initial set-off makes it feel like the car is always going to stall. I noticed this on the test-drive vehicles also. This doesn't happen in Sport Mode;
- I specced Parking Sensors, which are not needed at all;
- the USB music interface is cool but when you have loads of music files, scrolling down is VERY VERY slow & cumbersome.
- Storage space is miserable (but I knew this before buying the car).

Hope this helps

Dave

Dave,

Couldnt agree with you more about the parking sensors. I was concerned i'd regret not ordering them but its so easy to park. Just look out the rear window and thats the back .

Cooper S is easily quick enough for me. When you mash the pedal to the metal there isn't alot par the M3's and Scooby's up that are going to beat you!

You've got two great looking cars there!!!