Finally found some time to write the 3rd part of my writeup:tup:
3.MINI Cooper S
Unfortunately I wasn't so lucky with the MINI as I've been with the 320si, but you can't have them all, can you
?
So it was a blue MINI Cooper S, the facelifted one. 1.6L supercharged engine, pumping up 170 bhp through a 6-speed manual and Limited-slip-diff to the front wheels. Like my other test drives, it happend a year ago and some of the bits and pieces I don't remember that good but oh well.
In my honest opinion, this blue color (forgot the name) fits the MINI very well, a bit more refined and sporty than the classic red with chequred flag roof or luxorious British Racing Green.
It had the chrono-pack on the interiour, along with sport leather seats and manual adjustment. I think it's so much better than the standard 5feet-wide speedo
(but as you see, I also hate the second screen for the I-drive in BMW's, so I'm a bit touchy when it comes to interior designs). It also had the sportier 3-spoke leather steering wheel.
As you'd expect from me, the first thing I'm gonna bore you with is interior space. Surprisingly, it's as roomy in the front as the 320si, and it sits 2m giants with no problems
a BIG thumbs up for MINI on that one! If you all like Jeremy Clarkson complain why the new MINI is so big, THIS is why
In the rear there's no space whatsoever (especially behind me), so you may as well throw out the rear seat. Before I forget, the car came equipped with a very nice black/blue interior that matched the exterior theme, but the rear seat leather produced some weird squeaks, so that's another reason to throw it out (like in the Cooper S GP
)
The interior quality may not be QUITE at BMW standards, but the design characteristics make up for it. The steering wheel may feel cheap when just touching it, but while going for that ultimate kick through the corners, it does matter a bit less. More on that, later
The stalks feel maybe quite a bit flimsy while using them, but the material quality on those seemed ok. They look simply amazing, just operating the power-windows felt like lowering the landing gear (using a small, chrome stalk that makes a wonderful *click* sound). As you may have noticed, much of this car's character is in the interior detailing and styling.
Starting the engine, it felt rather as it was made of plastic, no comparison to, say a "refined" 1.6 or 1.8 BMW engine. I don't know if they're made in Brazil (the engines), but starting one up and hearing idling certainly felt like it
And away we go, unfortunately in a busy Munich (and surroundings) on friday afternoon, with only one and a half hours to play. Pulling off the parking lot, you realise how notchy the gearbox really is. It's a 6-speed manual, and the throws are pleasently short, though the gearchange may seem a bit clunky. The precision is better then I expected and it certainly added to the driving experience, in a good way, it felt quite sporty 👍 The clutch is very light and maybe a hitch better in feel than in the 320si, but I think this was only my subjective thought. Rolling through the streets in such a trendy ( can anyone say women/hairdresser's car?) car through the streets near the BMW factory felt quite unique, being put forward by the design but almost hiding it's pocket rocket capabilities. (Only enthusiasts will know it's an S, for all others it'll be a cute
MINI). With the engine gently warmed up, I tried some 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear accelerations. The "brazilian" feeling of the engine immediately dissapeared, and now Brazil sounded like a meaty supercharged beast, with pops and bangs on the overrun (almost the same as on the F40), while you're literally taking a bath in the supercharger whine. I don't know if it will get boring while owning one, but as far as a test drive is concerned, I liked the supercharger whine
But what's this ? A test drive of a hot hatch in the middle of a crowded Munich
?
Of course not
I unfortunately had pretty little time to do some winding-road exploring, and the damn traffic made it even harder to try out the handling. After some interesting U-turns I finally found a deserted piece of tarmac, so I had to let the S show what it's made of. Off the line it feels quite powerful, 0-100kmh (0-60mph) in a bit over 7 seconds, achieved in 2nd gear (which goes up to 105 kmh, a bird told me
). Further up the gears, 3rd and 4th felt equally impressive, and nothing short of amazing for a 1.6 (albeit, supercharged
) Doing the same with the DSC turned on led to quite a dissapointment, even the DSC in my 150hp Renault turbo-diesel minivan was smoother and more efficient
Shifting in 2nd and pressing the gas, you feel as if someone tied the MINI to a tree, and after a second with no power and mad DSC-light lighting up, it starts to pull
I don't know if it's normal or not, but for spirited driving and acceleration, be sure to keep it off 👍 (that means using that nice chrome stalk
).
But as you may well presumed, the Cooper S is not (only) for going in a straight line in a brisk pace, right ? What's all that go-kart feeling everybody is raving about ? To be honest, I couldn't bellieve it, but they were right, it IS one of the most addictive drugs you may use, and it's legal, too ! You turn the wheel, BANG, the car turns with it, no lag, little body roll and INSTANT action.......I was simply blown away by this, as it changes direction almost before you thinking to do it, it's so good, it almost follows your mind. Mid-corner is very stable (with DSC off, of course), even showing a *small* hint of oversteer (yes, in an FF ), all solved by pressing the loud pedal and letting the Limited-slip-differential do its work on corner exits.
It's a monkey of a car, and it's set up in such manner, that you'll want to go through a corner faster and faster, and the car simply does it, with a smile on it's face and asking for more. Corner combinations never seemed so perfect playgrounds, until now 👍
Slowing down to a more normal pace, you realize that the comfort hasn't been left en-route, being quite a bit softer on your back than the 320si. Unfortunately the fuel consumption was not measured, but I had the bald impression it wasn't that good, even worse than the 320si, with people getting in the region of 14-15 litres for 100km of enthusiastic driving
This, along with it's tiny boot and equally small rear seats give it a pretty small practical value, so unless you're a young, dynamic guy/gal, you may look at a main car, and the MINI for the fun drives. I don't imagine that running it on a day to day basis will be that good for your wallet, but since you DO want a Cooper S, maybe you'll afford it's costs
Fortunately the prices for the first-gen, 163hp version went down with the presentation of the new model to acceptable levels, so 15-16.000 euros for a good equipped, and looked after one with little miles on seems quite a bargain, with the Golf 5 GTI being a couple of thousand more expensive.
Overall I liked it, as it proved that all those over-enthusiastic reviews of the S were right, it's THAT good if you know how to drive it and if you live with its spirit, but sadly.....only that. It may put a smile on your face while shredding through a corner at the tires' limits, but on the drive home, the fun factor doesn't equal that of the 320si (my personal opinion). It's smaller, less practical, drinks more and (at least in Germany), it has a bit of the image of the Mazda MX-5, a fantastic car, but 95% of the ones I saw driving it were female drivers (don't have anything against them it just makes the car seem girly
) while the 320si is a much more manly experience, with no practicality being left behind !
than she came runing towrds me and said come by later and will talk about that trade in ok.. 
than this guy in his sti says that i hope your not really going to trade in your evo for that.I said no was just bored and wanted to test drive something nice he said "I use to do the same thing when i was your age "lol...Im 17 and no my parents are not paying for the car im paying for it.. the STI driver was 34..
I wish I could have had all those Skyline's but no I had to live here in Cali.
).
a novice driver like myself needed to concentrate on just keeping it pointed straight, hence the leisurely shift to third. first needs to be pedaled severly. im sure with some prectice i could be shifting with flying fists of fury. (yeah alliteration!)
