03-07-2016, 09:58 AM | #1 |
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So I'm sitting here at the mini dealer waiting for my E92 to get inspected, and im walking around the showroom looking at Mini's. I decide to go to a salesperson and ask if I can take one out for a test drive. I have to say, I am VERY impressed! The interior I think is gorgeous and its a really fun car to drive! Suspension is very similar to the one in my E92 with sport package, and the steering is heavy, although lacking a bit in feel. The test drive wasnt for that long of course, but I was impressed...I would definitely consider one if I was in the market for a new car. And yes, I dont live far from the dealer so I drove it home where I took the picture.
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03-07-2016, 10:03 AM | #2 |
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I agree with your impressions. My wife has the '15 Cooper S Hard Top, which was the first model year of the current platform/engine.
It's a riot to drive and feels fast (probably due to it being smaller). My only issue is the lack of steering feel/feedback.. sliding it around a corner doesn't feel anywhere near as predictable as it did in my F30 or my F82, but then it's also FWD..
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03-07-2016, 10:13 AM | #3 | |
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03-07-2016, 10:20 AM | #4 |
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I considered buying a 4DR S 6MT before I got my GTI. It was a little sharper and more playful, but the far inferior interior and small back seat were deal breakers.
For the 2 DR model, I think the older gen cars are much more fun and engaging to drive. The new cars are also hideously expensive. |
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03-07-2016, 10:30 AM | #5 | ||
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03-07-2016, 10:42 AM | #6 |
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Completely agree! My wife has a non-S and it really feels like a go cart in handling. What more is an S. I would really consider manual hard top S for my next car, but that would give us two small cars.
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03-07-2016, 10:55 AM | #7 |
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My cousin has a few really nice cars, everything from old Speedsters and Alfas to modern stuff like a G-wagon and a soon to arrive GT4. His daily? Cooper S.
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03-07-2016, 10:56 AM | #8 |
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My wife went from a Land Rover to the Mini - there are still times we miss the ability to move huge things, but between the M4 and Mini we get by.. you can get a surprising amount in the Mini, as long as you only have one person in it (the driver) and of course, there's the rear seat load-through in the M4.
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03-07-2016, 11:29 AM | #9 |
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I have the previous gen Cooper S (R56) and it is super fun. I want to trade in to get the new F56 Cooper but I've read that it feels like a Sports Sedan rather than a go-kart like previous gens.
http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars...works-hardtop/ I really hope that isn't the case. |
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03-07-2016, 11:55 AM | #10 |
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I had a heavily modded 2006 r53 s(fbo, plus nearly everything else, dynod at over 210 to the wheels vs 160 crank stock,) and it was a riot. Loved it. If a newborn didn't come in to the picture a few years into my ownership, definitely would have kept it longer. I'd be curious to drive a new one, as the 53 really did feel like the proverbial go-kart. Mine was dropped, and handled like an absolute beast.
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03-07-2016, 12:00 PM | #11 | |
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Go test drive one, they're fun!
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03-07-2016, 12:24 PM | #12 |
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Wow hearing all this makes me want to get a Mini now! If only I could...
I want to try and drive an older gen Mini to see what thats like. |
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03-07-2016, 12:30 PM | #14 | |
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My first experience is with second gen MINI (R56) generation and it was just ridiculous fun. I was told by many people that the first gen R53 was even better, so I test drove one. But, to my surprise I didn't like it very much. The supercharged engine was really slow to rev. I never drove an F56 but was a passenger in one and it does feel slightly bigger (in reality the base Cooper is slightly lighter than previous gen) and has a much forgiving ride. |
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03-07-2016, 12:32 PM | #15 |
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My 2002 MCS is a ball. Never drove a newer one to see how different they are.
Before someone says they are junk....207000 miles and counting and I drive the piss out of it.
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03-07-2016, 12:46 PM | #16 | ||
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She doesn't have the adaptive suspension.. perhaps that was why your experience was different?
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03-07-2016, 01:00 PM | #17 | |
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The R56 generation had even firmer suspension and the R53 generation had even more firmer suspension. R53 is probably the most hardcore of them all and the R56 is slightly softer and more stable. The F56 is even more softer and stable now. |
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03-07-2016, 01:05 PM | #18 | |
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All I can say is that her car is harsher than my M4 (in all but Sport+) on the terrible roads around DFW.
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03-07-2016, 01:11 PM | #19 | |
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They're getting more BMW every generation, but I still think Coopers are a blast. Also did you test drive the base Cooper? It is awfully close to the 2nd gen Cooper S, numbers wise. |
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03-07-2016, 01:13 PM | #20 | |
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You make a fair point though, the ride on my F30 definitely improved when I got PSSs on it. We didn't test the base Cooper, she wanted the S so that's what she got
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03-07-2016, 01:28 PM | #22 |
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My modded 2002 Cooper S is a hoot - had it from day one, it puts 230 to the wheels and has 205,xxx miles on it. It is a a true joy, I've driven several newer sports cars / sports compacts but still love it. It has it's quirks but it also has a lot of character which is harder and harder to find nowadays.
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