I'm interested in buying a Mini for my daily driver and occasional track/autoX. I'm going back and forth with which one to get. The regular 07 one gets great gas mileage and any year of the S version is more fun to drive. Just wondering if some could give me a breakdown of the major differences between the model years for both the std and the S.

 

I've had an '03 S, '04 S JCW and currently an '07 S. I don't think the regular, non-S car has enough power to be exciting...as for my opinion...the '07 R56 S car is way more refined than previous years...don't get me wrong, my '04 JCW was VERY quick and alot of fun but a bit rough around the edges. Also, my '07 S gets very good gas mileage...AND...it's FOR SALE.

 

the new mini s has a turbo instead of the supercharger, and gets a lot better gas mileage+has more power. the newer model is also 7cm longer so you can actually fit in the back. new design of the interior too which I find is better looking and easier to use.

 

Thanks for the info so far guys...I have more questions.

While this car will be used occasionally on the track and at autoXs, it will primarily be a daily driver, so I have to take gas costs into consideration (read be able to put more money into my 996 ). I see that the manual version of the 07 S gets 29 mpg / 36 mpg. The regular 07 model gets 32 mpg / 40 mpg. How do these numbers hold up in the real world? Also, I figure the S version takes premium gas (please confirm). Does the regular version take regular, mid, or super?

On the performance subject, I figure the s/c version of the will not have much if any lag, but does the 07 turbo have a turbo lag problem? Also, what are the brake/suspension differences between the regular Mini and the S versions? Do all S versions come w/a limited slip differential? If not, which do and how can I tell if a Mini has one?

 

Cool, I've been looking into buying the new mini cooper s for a while and hopefully there will be a deal next week so if there are any other questions I'd be glad to help out, I've literally read the mini brouchure outside and in and driven all the new models. Notice that my answers to your questions is only for the Mini R-56, the new model that is.

I can't calculate the gas mileage in american numbers but what the dealer and brouchure says here in sweden is
(mini cooper/cooper s measured in litres) notice that the s model has 10l more in the tank.

City: 7.8/8.9
Highway: 4.6/5.7
Mixed: 5.8/6.9

these numbers are quite accurate and the boardcomputer did show the same numbers, although I didn't ahve the chance to test it for a weekend to see a full result. remember the engines are only 1.6 l and it weighs 1200kg, it doesn't need a lot of gas
Recommended fuel is between 91-98 octane according to Mini.

I havn't driven the s/c version so I cannot tell how that is, but the new s didn't have too much of a lag. The max torque (240nm) kicks in at 1500rpm and goes on to 5000 while the maximum horsies run free at 5500rpm. I thought it pulled away early and it had grunt when you needed to overtake.

Couldn't test the brakes fully, so no comment on that. If you've driven both the s and normal cooper you really feel the difference in suspension, chassi and rigidity. The cooper s sits nice and firmly on the ground and doesn't roll at all like the cooper while cornering. The go-kart feel it provides is phenomenal, I just love it!

The limited slip-diff is an option to all cars (about $250 in Sweden). Not sure if you can spot a slip-diff on the car without looking at the spec sheet.


Feel free to ask more question! It's a great little car


J

 

How much and where's the car located?

 

Miami, Florida. $24.5k

 

^^the mini looks fantastic in that black or dark blue, havn't seen on in that color great choice, almost makes me reconsider the dark grey metallic I'm looking at

 

Has anyone tracked the regular mini? Is it about the same as a miata since both have lower hp than most of the cars at track?

 

i drive a 06 MCS, but have friends who have tracked the MC's. it is tough to make a comparison.....even w/ a modded MCS, i'm one of the lower hp cars with which i'm running. i drive at Sebring, Homestead and Moroso. hp helps on all of these tracks. my friends in MC's don't have my experience or mods. they do have fun, however. on a typical a/x course, the MC can be very competitive. on a road course, however, i think that you might be disappointed w/ a MC. gas mileage is totally a function of driver. i can get 28 mpg if i baby it all of the time or 22 if i'm having fun. i get 6.5 mpg on the track!

here is a link to a session at Sebring: http://s166.photobucket.com/albums/u...BOCSebring.flv

this was my last session in "advanced", before moving to "solo". the P-cars are now more difficult to pass, as i'm driving w/ instructors and other solo drivers. i have, however, passed former instructors in a Mazdaspeed Miata, 996 and an older M3. the MCS makes a nice trackday ride.

 

^^hahah loved that you passed the carrera in the beginning the mini is a quick little thing and a good driver can make a lot out of it, great vid!

 

Thanks for the feedback! Thus is the kind of information I have been looking for. Are the brakes and suspension components the same and/or easily interchangeable? I will keep what you've shared in mind when trying to choose between the STD and S.

 

DON'T buy a std. Buy an S! I own four MINI's right now of varying years, etc. I love all of them, but the std. isn't much fun in terms of performance. PLUS if you haven't purchased one yet and an 07 is an option, they are a far better platform to start from. The new turbocharged motor is REALLY good and can easy make 260 WTRQ (I know.)

I am happy to help with any MINI questions but I can't list my e-mail here and risk the rules of the forum. If you send me a PM though I can send it to you and we can get to chattin!

Good luck no matter what you do!

 

Did a little digging and found a great website that allows you to do a quick comparison between the models. http://db.theautochannel.com/db/Mini...040&car4=18041