thinkin about a cooper S

[howells540]

OK so right now Im lookin to get rid of my 95 540 because its a complete and utter lemon. My decisions for a new care have pretty much come down to an RSX-s and a MINI S. My friends are saying that because Honda has been making FWD for ever and BMW has never made FWD before that the Honda is going to be more refined and perform better. How do you all feel about your Minis? I work at Moss Motors so I have lots of access to Alta parts as well as other vendors, but I also have access to jackson Racing superchargers for the RSX.

The big question is: How do you feel about BMW's attempt at FWD?

[TSR53]

Do it! I did and have never looked back. I don't need to buy anything for it - it's good to go as is. Here are just some of my reasons why I choose the MINI Cooper S.

- Supercharged, BMW engineered, BBS R90 two-peice rims with titanium bolts, trick aero kit (M3 look), super close ratio 6-speed, Limited Slip diff, BMW ATE brakes, etc...

- BMW / MINI Cooper S R53 (2002-2006) Tritec engines use Mahle pistons, wrist pins, connecting rods, bushings and bearings. Yes, eventhough the engine is built in Brazil.

- They also have a 12 year anti-corrosion warranty, double zinc dip the body assemblies and use Würth wax protection throughout.

- MINI Challenge Germany race series runs equally built 2004 spec Club Sport cars (with sealed factory JCW Cooper S 210hp engines) and they race the livin daylights out of them - VERY, VERY, VERY HARD.

I sold my Porsche 944 Club Sport to buy mine. I equate my 2006 MINI Cooper S to be similar to my old '72 Porsche 911RS replica in terms of *feeling* and driving on the road. Best car I've driven and owned to date [this list includes many, even a '88 E30 M3 and my current Audi //S6].

I like German cars, my MINI just happens to be assembled in Oxford.

http://www.thompsonsmithdesign.com/images/MINI/img_1623b.JPG

[jr1966]

I had a 2006 Mini Cooper S for a day last week. I have driven Hondas before. The Mini is a lot more fun, looks better, handles better. Felt like a go-kart with pin-point accurate steering. Acuras/Hondas feel like, well, Hondas. Nothing special. Just an ordinary Japanese car feel to it.

I heard the earlier 2002-2003 models' reliability is a bit spotty. So, go for the later models like 2005-2006 and get the S with manual transmission.

I almost bought that Cooper S I had last week but I bought a much better car.......a BMW Z3 Coupe with 3.0L engine. If that Coupe hadn't shown up on my foot, I would've bought the Cooper S. I would never even look at Hondas.

[snowphun]

The big question is: How do you feel about BMW's attempt at FWD?

When comparing to other fwd cars this isn't the issue, as it's a perfectly competent car. The optional lsd is a no brainer IMO. I test drove an R56 a few weeks ago and was impressed, I think it will be a fun replacement for my aging daily driver (WRX).

Make sure you have a dealership nearby for warranty issues, some parts of the country have a looong drive to resolve issues.

[sloop]

I own a cooper s and im also a honda junkie, so i see if i can help.
Im not dissing Mini's but i will be fair on this one

the type S uses hondas new k series, k20 engine, it makes 220hp N/A compared to the Mini's 168/210-JCWhp F/I and this engine is capable of make twice the power of the mini engine. ive seen them reach 800+hp

Honda has the edge on 4 cly fwd by far.

however, The mini is a better car all around by far... all except for the powerplant. So what do you want... And remember acuras are hondas with a few more bells and whistles. Every honda ive built was considerably faster than my mini... but i still drive the mini

[Bmuurr325is]

Mini cooper S are good cars. You can't really compare them to hondas...You can personalize your mini,the suspensions, sterring, the factory installed supercharger on top of that the prices are just about the same brand new. The mini cooper is the best way to go. Everybody drives a honda too. Im always trying to find a car that is different from everybody else.

[Roffle Waffle]

I'd be afraid of buying a mini just based on reliability

[TSR53]

I'd be afraid of buying a mini just based on reliability
Not sure of previous model years but, my 2006 MINI Cooper S is rock solid.
http://money.cnn.com/popups/2006/autos/reliable/5.html

[flannelhippie]

I had a Cooper, and the only reason I sold it was because it wasnt an S, I would trade straight up for an S, with my z any day.

[kellzir]

My 05 MCSa is completely reliable. I would not have it any other way, S for me only.

[murdoc158]

Mini > Honda

You may want to look at the MazdaSpeed3. It's very close in price, FWD, 250+hp, go-kart handling. I've never driven one, but I've heard very good things about them, and the styling is A+

[ddnmkun]

Before you consider that, go watch The Italian Job a more time and you cant get rid of it. You may consider a Type R (not in our country), but definately not the RSX Type-S that discontinuing soon.

[AlpinaM3]

I like my 2003 S.' Electric Blue, white roof, 6sp, gray/blue leather, Zenon, with a full sunroom. Fun factor is 100%. The M3 is more tricked out and more powerfull, but the MINI is just a fun car to get in and go. However, if had only one fun car I would have to take the M3 over it just becuase it has more room and is faster.

As a side note; I drive it hard with no problems and the other driver's that blink at you is kinda' cool. Buy as new as you can afford.

[Fantiz]

My Mini is my favorite car today by far. I have owned 3 M3's, a Z3 Coupe, a Z3 Roadster, 4 Mustangs, 3 Vetts, 2 Hondas, 318is, 330s, and few more. This Mini has won me over enough to consider buying one just to build up. It is the most fun in 4 wheels you can have. My best suggestion is go test out the cars on your list.

[BimmerFreak]

My Mini is my favorite car today by far. I have owned 3 M3's, a Z3 Coupe, a Z3 Roadster, 4 Mustangs, 3 Vetts, 2 Hondas, 318is, 330s, and few more. This Mini has won me over enough to consider buying one just to build up. It is the most fun in 4 wheels you can have. My best suggestion is go test out the cars on your list.

Hey stranger!

Im thinking about picking up a Mini S as well :)

(do you still own my former E30 M3?)

[sprp85]

i admit hondas do make better engines but tritec engine isn't crappy either..
it was voted once for engine of the year in small displacement category..

it is capable of pumping out 230whp with head, pulley and some minor stuffs, NO Ecu tuning.. also they are capable of hitting 200whp easy with pulley and ecu... since the ecu is completely cracked now...

o and them turbo conversions.... 400+++..

anyways..

04 and upward minis, they are very reliable..

[vdubkid]

I'd say do it.

I've been driving a couple every day for the past week now (granted, it's been from the service bay to the parking spot) and they're fantastic little cars.

[Renato]

My father has one and he just loves it!!

[Beamin']

So the consensus among mini owners is that they like the car.

But what if you don't want it to be a race car? Maybe a car for my little sister?

[pup]

So the consensus among mini owners is that they like the car.

But what if you don't want it to be a race car? Maybe a car for my little sister?




i would imagine she would like it as well.

[NCMINIGUY]

I have a good friend with an RSX-S and I like my MINI a LOT more. His car is - nice -, but my car is a LOT more fun to drive.

The 07s have a turbocharged engine as opposed to the 06 and older supercharged car. My 06, my wife's 06, and my original 03 all experienced no reliability problems to speak of.

You'll like the MINI more than the RSX-S, I'd wager. The new GTI and MazdaSpeed 3 are closer competitors to the MINI. I would test all four and see what you like best.

[M3Eater]

Resurrecting a month old thread...

I just drove the new R56 (turbo) 2007 Mini Cooper S today with a manual transmission. It was an absolute riot! I seriously had more fun driving (flogging) it than in my C32 AMG, and that is a 435HP car. The Mini is just so tossable and you can put a wheel exactly where you want it. Sure, it's slower, but the thing to keep in mind here is an old, old lesson from prior generations that I finally learned recently:

"It's more fun to drive a slow car fast than it is to drive a fast car slow"

[delirious]

how does one compare to an e30 for daily driving fun?

i need to go test drive some.

[M3Eater]

how does one compare to an e30 for daily driving fun?

i need to go test drive some.


Having now experienced both, I'd say the MCS is more fun than an E30 as a DD. It is way more expensive though. For the cost of a new MCS I can build a monster E30 M3 in mint condition with a Euro s50b32 that would turn circles around the MCS and never depreciate - food for thought!

[delirious]

yes those are my two thoughts. two e30s (one dd, one project). or one mcs.

[ih8fizzix]

I love my Mini Cooper S, it drives like a slot car, and it truly doesnt behave like a FWD.
Well anyway I hate to sell it, but have to, for financial reason(monthly car payment).

If any of you are interested or know anyone looking to get into one, heres the link.
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=796486

Its an 04 S 6 speed, with Navigation, pretty much fully loaded.

[Nics]

Well to randomly come in and post, I got an '06 S, and since it was the last year before the model change, I haven't had any problems with reliability. Only issue I've had in the last 30k miles I've driven her was that the a/c pump had a hose that was leaking or whatever, thus lack of cool air in hot Texas summer. But the guys in the MINI department are MUCH MORE laid back than the BMW service, that's for sure. Coming from an E46 3'er, the S is just more FUN!

Granted torque steer is donkey balls sometimes, but you will get that with ANY FWD car as far as I know, though there are some racing bushings that eliminate this for the MINI but makes the car insanely rough.

The only Honda I'd give up the S for would be the S2K, and that's because those are RWD beastly.