Mini Cooper S

[ayo232]

Does anyone have any experience with these? I'm looking to purchase a slightly used car with under 20k miles and these are on my list. It seems to be like a great deal - pretty quick, great gas mileage, and I hear they are a blast to drive. I'm still in college and drive quite a bit each week (downtown to work and across town to school) and gas mileage is real important but I don't want a boring car.

I'm test driving this weekend (don't plan on purchasing until June so I can have a larger down payment), but thought I would see if anyone had experience with them! Thanks!

ps. save the gay comments :nono:

 

[KingJay]

I've driven a few and all I got to say is I hate torque steer. Pretty gay I think.

 

[mooch29]

They've grown on me...I wouldn't mind one as a DD :shrug:

 

[97cobra1]

They handle pretty well. They're up on the list of cars like s2k and miata's over at the gap. Torque steer is the gayness though. for sure.

 

[Thursday]

They're like you'd imagine driving a go-cart. Never driven the supercharged model my dads is a turbo with the variable vanes, and I always enjoy driving it. Awesome gas mileage, and zero problems.

 

[Common]

2007 and up are turbocharged and if you can try to stick with the manual 6spd. I was doing some research on one as a DD and found out quite a few issues with the automatics.

 

[ayo232]

I am definitely getting a 2007-10 manual. I want to avoid paying the tag for a new car, but won't settle for one that isn't up to "like new" condition with very little miles.

 

[MKSVT]

I had one for a company car for 2 years,Was the supercharged S auto. Biggest POS. Might be because the car gots it first oil changed at 20k miles.

 

[Thursday]

I am definitely getting a 2007-10 manual. I want to avoid paying the tag for a new car, but won't settle for one that isn't up to "like new" condition with very little miles.

Then you should be good.

 

[firebird1999us]

Test drove one when my girlfriends litle sister was looking at them...the dealership near me has 3-4 "test drive" cars and afetr they take your info they cut you loose sans sales guy to take a spin. The one we drove was an auto but we drove the cuk out of it. Handled like it was on rails and accelerated quicker than I thought!:beer:

I looked at them again when I was looking for a daily but ended up going with a cheaper option because I didn't want to end up buying expensive replacement parts down the line:shrug:

 

[astrocreep96]

I'd be interested in hearing more about them as well. We'll need another car at the beginning of next year and my wife is thinking she wants a Mini. She wants an auto and I said ok as long as it is the Cooper S.

 

[Lt14life]

My friend had one and he had nothing but problems with it. It was in the shop geting fixed all the time and parts are expensive. It blew up on him about a week ago just driving down the highway and it was a write off, he drives a corolla now . He said it was super fun tho.

 

[Thursday]

I'd be interested in hearing more about them as well. We'll need another car at the beginning of next year and my wife is thinking she wants a Mini. She wants an auto and I said ok as long as it is the Cooper S.

Convince her on the manual. My dad gets about 35-38 MPG

 

[astrocreep96]

Convince her on the manual. My dad gets about 35-38 MPG

I'd like to, but it's going to be "her" car. She has to drive my car right now and it's a manual and I never hear the end of it.

 

[pan7eraboyca]

Ive done the Mini test drive thingy here a few times. Closed course and you can drive it like you stole it. Was a total blast to drive. If I didnt need more room i would have one in a heart beat.

A friend that has been leasing BMW's forever decided to get a Cooper this time around. The sales guy didn't even attempt to get her back in a BMW, lol. No service issues what so ever (unlike her last bimmer) and she is just ending her 3 years.

Im pretty sure she will get another one

 

[PudgeTheMidget]

In the exact same boat as you, except looking to get it around May-ish

 

[Riddla]

I just traded my 2002 Mini S last month. The mpg is not that great or perhaps because it has a small tank (mine averaged 26.1 mpg). It also uses premium only so get ready to pay more. Parts are expensive so hope they dont break. Also it's a PITA to work on. The fan kept giving me problems so i replaced with a new one and it still kept giving me problems. Had to connect it direct.

Car looks small but has plenty of space. The moonroof was very nice. Rolling your windows down from the bottom of the center console takes time getting used to. Engine and the 6 spd never gave me a problem. Traded it at 66k miles. Also the run flats are expensive to replace. Also oil changes are suppose to be every 20k miles but i recommend you check the oil every 5 just in case.

 

[CobraRed01]

Never owned one...but test drove one. Mucho fun...pretty damn tight and did handle on rails...like a big-ass go cart, for sure. Durability? Can't say.

 

[HYBRED]

I am definitely getting a 2007-10 manual. I want to avoid paying the tag for a new car, but won't settle for one that isn't up to "like new" condition with very little miles.

Thing is, they don't really lose value. Those cars have excellent resale.

 

[CobraBob]

Interesting about them holding their resale value. I had read that their build quality is pretty poor. Not anywhere near BMW's standard. Not true maybe?