Archive for the ‘mini cooper reviews’ Category

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

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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your review on the Mini cooper s?

Im looking into buying a mini cooper s. I had a friend who had one an he realy didnt like it.. whats your opinion on them.
if you have one, do they work good, are they worth the cost and whats the gas for them like. ho fast can they go?

HELP!! i realy like cars, especially this one??

great on gas mileage this is actually on foreign car that i actually like oh and about the speed thing, its got turbo..

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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.