Article Comments - 2007 MINI Cooper S Full Test - READ ONLY

9 messages, Last post on May 10, 2007 at 12:42 AM

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Article comments for Full Test: 2007 Mini Cooper S - A quick check of the agency's greenhouse-gas emissions meter shows the Mini just a few shades away from its Prius gas-electric counterpart hybrid. (more)

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#1 of 9 Article Comments - 2007 MINI Cooper S Full Test by KarenS HOST May 08, 2007 (10:52 am)
Check out our 2007 Cooper S full test and tell us what you think. Full Test: 2007 Mini Cooper S
#2 of 9 Kicks Civic Si tushie by desmolicious May 08, 2007 (1:37 pm)
Wow, what a difference in performance, taken from the 06 civic si test: Mini Civic Si Observed 33 22 mpg 0-60 6.5 6.8 1/4 mile 14.9/92.9 15.2/92.1 Slalom 68.4 68.5 Braking 60-0 109 129 The 2 things that stand out are the stellar mpg and how poor the Civic's brakes are. 20 feet difference from 60mph? Wow.
#3 of 9 Bravo Mini by billymay May 08, 2007 (8:22 pm)
I test drove a Cooper S last weekend and mostly agree with the Edmunds article. The stick shift felt heavy and imprecise, but the power and handling more than compensated. Unfortunately I'll probably end up considering the automatic as this will be a daily driver, and that manual gearbox would be a chore in SoCal traffic. The base seats look a bit, well, base. But the lounge leather option helps quite a lot, as does the piano black trim that comes with it. IMO, the Cooper S is the choice in this segment. Stylish, huge cargo space (seats folded) or four usable seats.
#4 of 9 Maybe they should get that mini checked? by blueguydotcom May 08, 2007 (9:05 pm)
My 07 Cooper S's steering gets decidedly tighter when I hit the sport button. So much so, that if I don't hit it and accelerate hard, the car weaves all over the place. Pretty freaky. Maybe my car is the broken one? I love the sport seats with leatherette in my Cooper S so much that I won't get leather in my next BMW (had leather in my e46 and e90). Love the manual; much better than the manual in either of my last two BMWs. Still miss RWD though. The front-end plow is still tough to get used to. Replies to this message: british_rover (May 09, 2007 8:03 am) cct1 (May 09, 2007 8:10 am) desmolicious (May 09, 2007 12:41 pm) cct1 (May 09, 2007 4:26 pm)
#5 of 9 Re: Maybe they should get that mini checked? [blueguydotcom] by british_rover May 09, 2007 (8:03 am)
Replying to: blueguydotcom (May 08, 2007 9:05 pm) Get a mini madness or similar adjustable rear sway bar and most of that front end plow goes away. I had one on my 2004 MINI cooper S and had it set to race/autocross mode all the time. It almost made the MINI handle like a RWD car.
#6 of 9 Re: Maybe they should get that mini checked? [blueguydotcom] by cct1 May 09, 2007 (8:10 am)
Replying to: blueguydotcom (May 08, 2007 9:05 pm) I finally had the opportunity to spend some extended time with a manual 2007 MINI S, and while I agree with most of the article, there are some things I have issue with. For reference, I own a 2006 MCS, with John Cooper Works engine kit/exhaust, suspension and brakes (yes, it broke the pocket book, but this car is unbelievably fun on the track and still is practical around town). The new car is hands down more efficient. I can't approach the fuel economy of the new car. But I can't believe the article states the new car sounds better. I'd take the engine note and supercharger whine of the previous generation any day--the new S is quieter, more refined for sure, but less visceral--the older S sounds just a tad bit angry, whereas the new car sounds is smoother. I'll take the attitude over the smoothness in a sporty car. The older S is just more fun to drive, although the new S is more practical. The new car is only 10 lbs lighter from what I've read, not 70. That is minimal; for practical purposes they're the same. As for engine performance, the new power plant is awesome--the torque is great, and the overboost is sublime. It's definitely quicker than a stock S, very little turbo lag. There have been some that have said its as quick as a 2006 JCW. It's not, but its still darned quick. The next generation Stage II JCW however should be significantly better than the previous generation (I think the stage I will be close to the previous generation, maybe a tad slower). I'm not sure what they're comparing with regard to track times--probably a pre 2004 S. The 2005 and 2006 had a gearing change that substantially improved acceleration and the 0-60 times. They should be closer than one second, but the new generation should be faster. The article states there isn't much difference in the gearbox. I'd disagree with this--the new gearbox is substantially improved, and I wish I could transfer it over to my car. I can throw it into gear more confidently and smoother than I can on my 2006. Clutch feels about the same. I agree sport button probably doesn't make much of a difference; an automag track tested the new Mini with the sport button on and off, and there was no difference in lap times. Ride quality is unquestionable improved on the newer Mini. As for suspension, I drove one with the standard suspension--I think this is would be great for everyday driving, but there was a bit too much body role for me. I'd definitely opt for the sport suspension on the new Mini (My car is slightly lower and much, much tighter than the newer Mini, but it should be with the JCW suspension). I definitely prefer the steering on the previous generation--the newer steering is too soft for me; it's definitely easier to turn at low speeds, but it sacrifices road feel. I'm not nearly as confident taking a turn at high speed in the newer Mini as I am in mine (but thats not just the steering; the suspension is also partly to blame). The brakes are, as the article suggested, superb. They are for all practical purposes the JCW brakes I have on my car (I believe the pads are different though). Simply fantastic for a car in this segment. As for the interior, again, give me the old layout. It's cleaner, more ergonomic, and doesn't look as cheap and plasticky. Don't even get me started on the new speedo and nav system... The new seats are an improvement. Hands down winner to the new Mini here. The new Mini is a more civilized traveler; its a quietet, more luxurious ride. But it comes at the expense of a more quirky, visceral driving experience. This is what BMW was going for; specifically to make the Mini more appealing to the masses--they've succeeded in spades. The car is now a bit more mainstream, which most will probably prefer. Personally, I enjoy the 2006 more--its a more entertaining, visceral drive, with the snarling and popping. I truly miss that on the 2007. That being said, as an everyday driver, the 2007 is an improvement, and despite the changes, its still every bit a Mini. Replies to this message: desmolicious (May 09, 2007 12:41 pm) cct1 (May 09, 2007 4:26 pm)
#7 of 9 Re: Maybe they should get that mini checked? [cct1] by desmolicious May 09, 2007 (12:41 pm)
Replying to: cct1 (May 09, 2007 8:10 am) Nice comments cct1. I've had loads of funning driving the "old" sueprcharged model. Does the new one also have the "fake" exhaust popping sound? Replies to this message: cct1 (May 09, 2007 4:26 pm)
#8 of 9 Re: Maybe they should get that mini checked? [desmolicious] by cct1 May 09, 2007 (4:26 pm)
Replying to: desmolicious (May 09, 2007 12:41 pm) No, the new model doesn't have the burbles and pops--and I really, really miss that. It wouldn't surprise me if this came back; the backfire was introduced on the 2004 standard S (and all the JCW models), but there was actually a fair amount of complaining about it. Its inefficient for sure, and doesn't add anything to performance, but its one of my favorite characteristics of the previous generations exhaust note. It wouldn't surprise me to see some enterprising aftermarket tuners come up with a quick mod for the newer model to reinstall this feature though.
#9 of 9 Limousine service Cooper s by haschde May 10, 2007 (12:42 am)
Incredible but I know a limousine service company which even offers the cooper S as a cheap shuttleservice at the Munich airport. We spoke last week with this company and they said the car is booked very often and most people tell the chauffeur they want to drive on their own. Funny story. Limousinenservice München deutsch Chauffeurservice Munich englisch Flughafen/Airport Transfer Munich Limo Rental