I have noticed that quite a few members here have owned a MINI Cooper S. And I was wondering if anyone has driven or owned both and can tell which is best?
03-06 Mini cooper s or 07- ?
- Thread starter BMW_Z4_Norway
- Start date
*AL* said:
Would be fun, but as the goverment hates cars and put ridiculous taxes on them 175 bhp is enough
I picked up a real neat Cooper S with my daughter 3 months ago during which we tested the original and opted for the new model in the end. Limited test miles on the earlier version, but I'd say the new model is much more grown up. The old being more noisy, edgy and having the supercharger seemed more go kart like, while the new is far more refined, but seems even quicker.
Power and performance and quality is amazing, so I'd go for the later model, but make sure it's got a full BMW warranty as there are some nasty engine problems out there that need watching.
Power and performance and quality is amazing, so I'd go for the later model, but make sure it's got a full BMW warranty as there are some nasty engine problems out there that need watching.
I had an 03 MCS for a couple of years, fully loaded, tuned, bigger pulley, sports exhaust etc and was putting out around 193 BHP. It is a nice car and fun to drive. Torque steer was an issue, it was damn hard getting the power down onto the tyres. The general feel / switchgear felt a lot more flimsy / plasticy compared to my zed. I believe it's better on the newer ones. I didn't have any major problems with the car, the tailgate lock had to be replaced (common problem), it was good on fuel and great around corners, a real go kart experience. I also had a ride in a tuned MCS with Brembo brakes, uprated springs, shocks, remapped engine and some other stuff and it felt awesome.
When I recently bought my Z I was actually thinking of buying a new or newish Cooper S and then my partner convinced me to go for something different. I am really pleased I went for the Z as it feels a lot more solid, it has the feel of an expensive sports car (mine is a fully loaded 3.0) and well for me it was the right choice. My advice is test drive the two plus any other things you like, go for the longest test drive you can and see which one feels right for you. They are both good cars in their own ways but ultimately I would / did go for the Z. Hope that helps
When I recently bought my Z I was actually thinking of buying a new or newish Cooper S and then my partner convinced me to go for something different. I am really pleased I went for the Z as it feels a lot more solid, it has the feel of an expensive sports car (mine is a fully loaded 3.0) and well for me it was the right choice. My advice is test drive the two plus any other things you like, go for the longest test drive you can and see which one feels right for you. They are both good cars in their own ways but ultimately I would / did go for the Z. Hope that helps
I have had MINI's (the BMW version) since they came out. I've had 2 Coopers and 1 John Cooper Works S. Loved them all. The reason I went for something different this time was I didn't like the shape of the re-vamped version (and I still don't) and they got rid of that great sounding supercharger! I still miss that sound! 
I would buy another '02 - '06 model tomorrow if I could fit another car on my drive! I actually wish I'd kept my JCW and bought the Z4!
I would buy another '02 - '06 model tomorrow if I could fit another car on my drive! I actually wish I'd kept my JCW and bought the Z4!
I had an '03 Cooper 'S' with upgraded pulley putting down approx. 190Hp, and the handling was superb as stated by others. The biggest drawback was the torque steer and getting the power to the ground. That disadvantage was what brought me to the Z4M, great power and able to get it to the ground
Thanks for all replies
I love the Z, I just miss a couple of more seats and something a bit more fuel friendly and practical. Plus the roof can only go down for a few months and the winter here doesn't love the Z4 Im currently looking at a cool 05 grey MCS. I must admite, every time I look at my 2,5i Z4 it makes me smile, don't know if the MCS will do that
I love the Z, I just miss a couple of more seats and something a bit more fuel friendly and practical. Plus the roof can only go down for a few months and the winter here doesn't love the Z4
Im currently looking at a cool 05 grey MCS. I must admite, every time I look at my 2,5i Z4 it makes me smile, don't know if the MCS will do that In regards to the fuel efficiency, my Cooper 'S' got around 30-32mpg (US) IF I didn't stay in the high-rev area too much. Comparitively my //M only gets about 21mpg with the same style of driving (read 'just cruising'). The MINI is a great car, but even better if you can have both 
Broaders said:
My JCW S was the 210 HP one and I was only getting around 1mpg better than my Z4! I'm getting around 28-29 MPG on my Z4. The road tax was the same cost also! Not a cheap little car.
I had the LSD on my car so the torque steer wasn't to bad at all. Great little pocket rocket. I still think down a good bendy road in the UK, that JCW MINI was quicker A-B than the Z4. :wink: And the JCW had a bigger supercharger and that thing used to scream when reved!!
Must look for another one next year as I am missing that car!
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=3553&start=0&hilit=jcw+mini
ovrkll said:In regards to the fuel efficiency, my Cooper 'S' got around 30-32mpg (US) IF I didn't stay in the high-rev area too much. Comparitively my //M only gets about 21mpg with the same style of driving (read 'just cruising'). The MINI is a great car, but even better if you can have both
It's not very fair comparing the Cooper S to the Z4 M tho... 8)
Frederik said:ovrkll said:In regards to the fuel efficiency, my Cooper 'S' got around 30-32mpg (US) IF I didn't stay in the high-rev area too much. Comparitively my //M only gets about 21mpg with the same style of driving (read 'just cruising'). The MINI is a great car, but even better if you can have both
It's not very fair comparing the Cooper S to the Z4 M tho... 8)
No because the JCW S would leave it on an B road!
Breaker said:Broaders said:
My JCW S was the 210 HP one and I was only getting around 1mpg better than my Z4! I'm getting around 28-29 MPG on my Z4. The road tax was the same cost also! Not a cheap little car.
I had the LSD on my car so the torque steer wasn't to bad at all. Great little pocket rocket. I still think down a good bendy road in the UK, that JCW MINI was quicker A-B than the Z4. :wink: And the JCW had a bigger supercharger and that thing used to scream when reved!!
Must look for another one next year as I am missing that car!
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=3553&start=0&hilit=jcw+mini
Love your MINI, one of the coolest I've seen
Breaker said:Frederik said:ovrkll said:In regards to the fuel efficiency, my Cooper 'S' got around 30-32mpg (US) IF I didn't stay in the high-rev area too much. Comparitively my //M only gets about 21mpg with the same style of driving (read 'just cruising'). The MINI is a great car, but even better if you can have both
It's not very fair comparing the Cooper S to the Z4 M tho... 8)
No because the JCW S would leave it on an B road!
Depends on the driver... Some people would be left to eat dust even in a Caterham or Enzo...
It broke my heart but I traded in my '02 Audi TT Quattro for a '07 manual MCS and loved getting 26MPG town/36MPG highway with spirited driving. The MCS just didn't have the wow factor that I was looking for so I traded it in after 18 months on a '05 Z4 3.0i. I haven't given it a second thought and am happy to be getting 24MPG city/32 MPG highway currently.
-Tom in SC
-Tom in SC