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Mar 21, 2016 | 06:45 AM

#21

s2k4tony

Joined: Nov 2010

Posts: 3,149

Likes: 281

From: In the land of pies and pasties

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikefifth

Quote:

Originally Posted by s2k4tony' timestamp='1458564626' post='23914748

[quote name='RWDlover' timestamp='1458512131' post='23914361']
People who say MINI is just looks and style are clueless. They are great handling cars, i had one before i get the S2000. Actually it's much more confidence inspiring to push, rock rigid chassis, nice steering wheel and pedal feel. Doesn't have the S2000 gearbox, but it's not bad at all. Great, fun to drive car.

I think like mikefifth is prompting, the One or Cooper are a decent handling little thing. (mikefifth - look out for earlier Gearbox woes.A simple Google will point you in the right direction). They don't have a particularly rosy reputation for reliability and the Cooper S has a disastrous fuel economy (the Supercharged one). Later Turbo'd versions are slightly better on juice but all the same, you have to really want one. I don't think they are long termer's and I've never seen the big attraction to want one.
For people that aren't really into cars, they are a funky little micro-saloon thing - whatever it is. Perhaps a bit too cramped to enjoy, and the rear is bloody useless.

It is, for the most part, a bird's car. A Fiat 500 is the better alternative

The type of review I was looking for, thanks!
[/quote]

The Midland gearbox is as chocolate as a Honda Accord Type R's. The Getrag 6 speed on the later 04+ models is the one to have

Apr 9, 2016 | 12:48 AM

#22

pmba

Thread Starter

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Joined: Oct 2012

Posts: 168

Likes: 0

From: Dorkers

Quote:

Originally Posted by RWDlover

People who say MINI is just looks and style are clueless. They are great handling cars, i had one before i get the S2000. Actually it's much more confidence inspiring to push, rock rigid chassis, nice steering wheel and pedal feel. Doesn't have the S2000 gearbox, but it's not bad at all. Great, fun to drive car.

It has taken me a few weeks of commuting in the cooper s convertible to come to the conclusion that despite initial feeling it was not for me, that I now quite like it, overall. As a d/driver it works, and being able to go out with the family in the back is a boon over the S.

However I don't like:
crap heater, bloody freezing with roof down compared to the S on sub-10 degree days;
they are two-a-penny;
shite rear visibility;
turbo;
every other 'vert I've seen is driven by a girl or older lady. Thank goodness no-one waves.

My wife loves it so it will be staying. No reprieve for the S therefore, sadly now up for sale.