Archive for the ‘mini cooper review’ Category

The Mini Cooper Sport - Compensate For Nothing

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Posted in classic mini cooper, mini cooper accessories, mini cooper cars, mini cooper dealers, mini cooper for sale, mini cooper review, mini cooper reviews, mini cooper sport by admin on November 8th, 2008

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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Any Mini Cooper S owners out there? Is the Sport Package worth the money? How about limited slip differential?

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Posted in mini cooper review by admin on December 21st, 2008

Getting ready to buy my Mini S. Wondering specifically about the dynamic stability control and the 17 alloy run-flats. Saw a few bad reviews from Mini owners on those tires. May get the DSC (maybe also limited slip) separately instead of paying for the whole package. Which options are worth the cash?

someDumbAmerican's definition of "expensive" is somewhat skewed. $28,000 on a German-made Honda equivalent? Big whoop. Try laying down six figures for a brand-new Ferrari. Definitely a good investment, because Modenas are still in the six-figure resale range and even 550 Maranellos (produced almost 10 years ago) still bring $90,000. It's all in the car's initial quality and how it's maintained.

As for the question, I've heard the 17-inch run flats offer both a more uncomfortable ride and a certain safety concern. Since the tires are so low profile, the run-flats make it difficult to tell if you've picked up a nail until the tire pressure sensor kicks in, and by then it's too late. If you run on a flat at 60+mph or for too long, you'll throw the wheel out-of-round and it will have to be replaced.

I've been told the sport seats and DSC are certainly worth the money. I wouldn't waste your time with the limited slip differential; being front wheel drive cars, MINI's don't really need it. BMW just adds it as an option because Americans have limited slip nostalgia.

Also, be sure to stay away from the cold weather package. The heated exterior mirrors are fine, but the washer jets can crack your windshield if you try to use them in freezing weather.

I love, love, love MINI Coopers–and I've been considering getting an S myself. Enjoy your car! Post pictures on a 360 page and send me a link so I can drool!

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does the mini cooper take on premium gas?

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Posted in mini cooper review by admin on December 1st, 2008

i was looking up buyer reviews for the 2008 mini cooper, no particular model or anything. some of the reviews said they didn't like having to buy premium gas. was that just for the manual transmission, or for all of them?

OK, I don't know of one car company that states that they "REQUIRE" premium. it's says recommended. Yes, the BMW's and the MINI's are running a higher comperession ratio ( 10.5:1 for the Cooper S and 11.0:1 for the Cooper) and they recommend using the high octane to get better combustion, however, each vehicle BMW and MINI make all have a knock sensor, that will retard the timing to make the engine work with regular and the mid grade.
Your MINI will run smoother with the 91, and you'll sacrafice a bit of power and performance and fuel economy to save a couple of extra dollars if you use anything less than.
Personally, I've never ran anything less than 91 in either of my MINIs ( Cooper S JCW and Cooper automatic) or my BMW 325is. But the choice is yours.

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