Archive for November, 2008

The Mini Cooper Sport - Compensate For Nothing

Real men drive a Mini Cooper because we’re not compensating for anything. But even real-er men drive a Mini Cooper S.

 

If you’re a Cooper-fan, chances are you know that the Mini Cooper S is Supercharged - Turbocharged in the most recent models. However, the “S” in its name doesn’t stand for “Supercharged”. Instead, it stands for “Sport” - the Mini Cooper Sport.

 

The difference between stock-standard Mini off the production line, and a Mini Cooper Sport is reletively simple.

 

Unlike other variations of the Mini (which there are thousands! - millions perhaps!) there are three features common to the Mini Cooper S that are not part of other Mini’s… And I’m just talking about visible features - not including the increased performance, with the increased 175 HP (Horse Power) supercharged/turbocharged engine.

 

The first feature you’ll notice is the badge at the rear of the car…. because if you see a Mini Cooper S, chances are it’s as it’s zipping past you. Whereas the standard Mini Cooper badge is a standard “COOPER”, the Mini Cooper S badge also includes a swooshing red “S”. Similar stylized red “S” logos are on each side of the Mini Cooper - over the air intake / indicator unit.

 

The third significant feature that you’ll find different on a Mini Cooper Sport is also an air intake… But it can be deceptive. Let me show you. The front of the Mini Cooper S has an air-scoop in the bonnet - “proof” that the car is supercharged (or in current models, turbocharged). HOWEVER - the bonnet scoop is mainly for show. The air intakes used for the supercharger / turbocharger are actually the left-hand side air intake, beside the indicator - and beneath the radiator.

 

The reason for the bonnet scoop? It looks pretty. ;)

 

Now because I know you are all mini mad I have collected a few more mini cooper articles you may be interested in:

  • Mini Cooper Grille Badge Installation » Playing With Sharp Objects - I installed a grille badge holder on the Cooper and here are the pix for those interested in doing the same. Your comment is awaiting approval by a moderator. Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
  • Mini Cooper Grille Badges » Playing With Sharp Objects - After a bad experience with a Mini Accessories vendor, I decided to make my own grille badges. I used a Stapes Item# 386943 magnetic inkjet sheet and am spraying clear enamel on top. I’ll be cutting out these guys and displaying pictures of the badges mounted on the grille over the next few days.
  • mini driving on water in sotogrande - mini driving on water a few days ago, on the weekend of the 21st and 22nd of july you could see something very ridiculous on the water. a mini cooper. yes, the car. it is a kind of advertising or publicity for mini. …
  • Mini - A real size fibreglass Mini was attached to a ramp that would move the car up and down creating a Yo-Yo effect. Agency: BBDO, Italy.
  • MINI Cooper Shaped Computer Desk - Made by MiniStatements, the Mini Desk looks good enough to drive. The entire desk is constructed from what looks like a real Mini with its top chopped off, interior gutted, and left door panel removed. It supposedly retails at a whopping $4,400, email the company for additional information.
  • Mini Cooper Salutes Great Filmmakers at eternallycool.net - In a new ad campaign, Mini Cooper reminds everyone that they’re supporters of the Rome Film Festival. Uniquelly embellished cars pay homage to Alfred Hitchcock (above, left) and Sergio Leone (above, right), as well as Lars von Trier (below, left) and Quintin Tarentino (below, right). Dave King, Writer Dexigner Food Vagabond Four Months in Rome Franklin Tartaglione Friends of Rome iDC City Shop iDC Rome Jersey Walz John Kelly Josh Spear NotCot.

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how fast is a 2008 mini cooper s with sport package?

cand find any info id like some stats please, or if you own own

The Sport Package just makes it handle better and look better, but it does not increase acceleration.

0-60mph in 7.0 seconds with a top speed if 138mph.
Some sources say the Top speed is 139mph.

172HP
177ibs. Torque
Look at the link provided for more info on the Mini Cooper S.

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Consumers Digest Magazine Announces ‘07 Automotive Best Buys

Thirty-two vehicles and six companion models made it to the 2007 Consumers Digest’s best buys. Vehicles were grouped into 8 categories - Small Cars, Family Cars, Luxury Cars, Sporty Cars, Trucks, Vans, Compact/Midsize SUVs and Luxury/Full-Size SUVs. They were given ratings based on ergonomics, safety, behind-the-wheel testing, styling and amenities, warranty, ownership costs, and price. Further, performance is assessed according to starting and acceleration, shifting, steering, handling, ride quality, braking and fuel economy.

In the small category, best buy ratings go to Chevrolet HHR, Dodge Caliber, Honda Civic, Honda Fit, Jeep Compass and Nissan Versa. In the family car category, the auto best buys are Chevrolet Impala, Ford Fusion, Hyundai Azera, Hyundai Sonata, Mercury Milan and Toyota Camry/Solara. Luxury car best buys are Acura TL, Buick Lucerne, Infiniti M35/45 and Toyota Avalon.

Chevrolet Corvette, Ford Mustang, Mazda6, MINI Cooper, Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky are the best buys in the sporty car category. At the topmost list in the best van values are Chevrolet Avalanche, Ford F-150 and Honda Ridgeline are the top pickups, and the Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Caravan, Honda Odyssey, Hyundai Entourage and Kia Sedona.

For the compact/midsize SUVs, the best buys are Honda CR-V, Jeep Wrangler, Mazda CX-7 and Toyota RAV4. Honda CR-V is loosely derived from Civic. Wrangler is the successor of the famed World War II vehicle. CX-7, on one hand, is the slot between CX-5 and CX-9. It uses some Mazda Miata body parts to boost its overall appeal. Finally, RAV-4 is a crossover SUV, is a vehicle that had most of the benefits of an SUV.

For compact/midsize SUVs, 4 vehicles made it to the best buy standard. They are Acura RDX, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon and Mercedes-Benz’s GL-Class.

According to Randy Weber, Customer Digest’s publisher, “Value, as we see it, is based on purchase price and ownership costs relative to quality, performance and subjective factors like comfort and design.” Webber added, “Few purchases are more important, or require more research, than buying a new vehicle. Our analyses underscore our commitment to ensure that consumers are as satisfied with their auto purchase years after making it as they were on the day they drove off the lot.”

It was divulged by Rich Dzierwa, Consumers Digest editor that this is the first time the number of represented manufacturers reached 20. Also, for 5 years now, Chevrolet Tahoe, Dodge Caravan, GMC Yukon, Honda Civic, Honda Odyssey, MINI Cooper, Toyota Avalon and Toyota Camry retained the their best buy standing.

Consumers Digest, launched in 1959, is an American magazine publication that is intended to inform, evaluate and recommend products. It also tolerates other companies to use its reviews in their marketing strategies.

Is Mini Cooper Dead?

Mini debuted the all-new Cooper and Cooper S at the recently held 2007 North American International Auto Show. These models feature an entirely different body design, interior and engines.

Though at first glance, the overall design of the Mini Cooper is still identical to its predecessors, the automaker confirmed that each body panel is different. Under the hood of the vehicle is a set of new engines that include the 1.6-liter four-cylinder which is capable of producing 120 horsepower. The Mini Cooper S, on the other hand, features an intercooled and turbocharged version of the same 1.6-liter engine that generates 175 units of horsepower. The automaker also claims a 0-62 time in just 7.1 seconds, and a top speed of 140 miles per hour.

Each body panel has been redesigned by the automaker. However, the vehicles still bear that distinguished look of Mini vehicles. Mini’s pool of designers made continuity and fluidity as their concept. Moreover, the concept also emphasized modern traditional designs and significant engineering features. The newly launched Minis are immediately recognizable both dynamically and visually.

The new vehicles retained some of its predecessors’ Mini Cooper parts accessories like short body overhangs, the popular wheel-at-each-corner stance, high shoulder line rising towards the rear, hexagonal radiator grille, and the huge, round headlights. Subtle changes are also made to new Mini Cooper parts to create a brand new aura. New Minis have become a bit bigger compared to the first generation. As a fact, the new MINI Cooper is 60mm longer than its predecessor while the new MINI Cooper S is longer by 61mm. To maintain proportions, Mini also increased the size of the rear portion by giving the vehicle more rounded contours.

The headlights of the vehicle are now stationary to the body. They are turned protruding to some extent to the outside to keep the geometry of the car from the front. The indicators are housed within the main headlight units. Also, the radiator grille is now composed of a closed, self-contained element inspired by the air intake scoop on the classic Mini.

The Mini Cooper S has a more prominent front end because of the featured bonnet that curves up by about approximately 20mm more to provide extra space for the turbocharged engine under the hood. The feature is also resorted to comply with the pedestrian impact regulations. The new Cooper S rises gently to the rear to accentuate the stance of the vehicle. Its shoulder line is made 18mm higher than the previous model. With regards the rear lights, they are made larger and now come with external surrounds.

Both the Mini Cooper and the Mini Cooper S feature vertical airflow edges on the C-pillars and individual spoilers at the rear end of the roof enhance the level of aerodynamics to an even higher standard than before. In addition, 0.33 is the current drag coefficient of the Mini Cooper.

Critics in the industry are saying that the Mini Cooper is dead because of the redesign. They added that from the moment the new Minis are displayed in the recent auto show they are pronounced DEAD. However, are they really dead and insensible? Enthusiasts say it is the other way around.

Now, Minis are open to a wide range of customization. It is given broad variety of paintwork and body colors, 7 of which are brand new.

Buying a used 2003 mini cooper?

I am in a process of looking at a 2003 use mini cooper. The only thing the mileage is at 80677 and the price is $11,995.Is this car worth buying at that price and also I do not know if the mileage is to high and car might break down soon. Please let me know yes or no to buy this car.

The average automobile starts requiring routine maintenance at 50,000 miles. They also start to develop smaller mechanical problems starting at 50-60,000 miles larger and more expensive mechanical problems start at 120-130,000 miles. So, how many miles are you going to put on this car in one year. If you are only going to drive it 5,000 miles per year it will be fine. If you are going to drive 20-30,000 then by the end of the year the car will be in the shop with a 500 or 700 dollar bill and it will just go up from there. for 12,000 bucks you could find a used car with only 20-30,00 miles try mazda 3, they are nice and less expensive.

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