TEST DRIVE: Mini Cooper (Warning: Long and lots of pics.)

[BlueDog]

For those that read from the Sterling/Leesberg GTG posts about my appointment to test dirve the new Mini Cooper, below is my quick review of the car.

The subject: 2002 Mini Cooper





When the group and I went by last Friday to check these cars out we noticed a silver Mini that looked to be other than stock. Upon talk to the sales manager she informed us that indeed this car has been modded.

When I arrived for my test drive Monday I was able to persuade the sales rep to allow me to test drive this very car.

The mods:
- Cat back stainless exhaust system
- 30mm lowering springs and shocks
- 17" Kahn RSS wheels and Kuhmo tires
- Cold air intake
- 6 piston caliper and carbonfiber brakes

I was able to take the car out for a 10-15 mile jaunt around the AOL headquarters. Although I was never able to get it into 5th gear the car had a very even power curve through every gear. The 115hp motor acceletated quickly from a light and revved happily up to red line without a single complaint. The exhaust and intake made for a very low throaty sound that was not at all like a rice-burner with coffee can muffler. The sound was a definate head turner.

At about 40mph I entered the turn around of a ded end road hoping to get a little tire noise. I also anticipate a push from the front end as many small car seem to do. With the blink of an eye the car was whipped around and heading back in the direction I came from. Not a sound, not a slide. Very cool.

The car's stock shift linkage would make you swear it had a short shift kit in it. Shift were solid feeling. Not light like a small econo-box tranny typically feels. Throws were short and clutch engaged quickly.

I ran through an nearby empty Walmart parking lot (store has closed down) to try a little weaving through the lights and islands. The car allowed my to toss it every which way, like a NY pizza man preparing the dough. Every time I threw it in a little harder it seemed to snap back and ask "Is that all you got?"

I did two fast straightline break test. Although you couldn't feel anything out of the ordinary from the pedal with the upgraded brakes, the performace was noticable as I pulled my nose off the steeringwheel. The pavement was a little sandy from not being used and the car still stopped on a dime.

The design of the interior is very well done. Quality of fit an finish is impressive. The fighter plane style switches in the center console for the windows and a few other items is a nice touch. The climate control is much like the Audi system and the layout of the buttons and temperature dial plays on the mini logo very nicely.

The dual sunroof is a nice feature. From the outside the entire roof appears to be glass (if you choose black as the accent color instead of white.) Only the front roof is functional and the rear is provided for added light. The sunroof can be covered somewhat by a shade, rather than the solid cover as in most cars. This is nice for those days when the sun is bright through the roof, but you don't want to close it off entirely. I did not notice if there is an additional solid cover, but it did not appear to be there.

Seats are confortable and hold you in place for normal and spirited driving, but if you plan on some performance could help from some contoured seating. Rear passenger leg room is minimal to nonexistent. I would say that if the driver and passenger are 5'8 or more you may as well consider this a two-seater (but then it is called a Mini!)

For $17,000 this car has a sharp styling that is both retro and contemporary. It's got the performance to back it up and a higher quality than you would expect for a car that if $17k. It's everything the PT Cruiser wanted to be for thosands less. If you have the means it would make an excellent addition to the A4.

P.S. For those that are mod crazy, there seems to be lots of stuff out there and more coming out. Even though the Cooper S is higher performance (164hp vs 115) I would say that there is more in terms of mods for the smaller engine. The mods on this test subject were provided by Mini Madness

Below are some pics of the test car.


Exhaust: "100% stainless steel construction, free flow design, killer looks and a stunning tone. This system has a 25 year anti corrosion warranty and generates a 4-6 HP increase." ($419.00)


- 6 piston Tarox Big brake kit ($1,799.00)
- High performance brake pads ($?)
- Stainless steel brake lines ($?)


17" Kahn RSS Wheels with Kumho tires ($1,200)


Cold Air Intake ($159.00)


Engine bay


Center mounted tach. Optioal nav system replaced speedo with screen and replocates the speedo to a second similar gauge on the steering column.


Center console with fighter plane style switches.


Dual sunroof.

[ColoradoMark]

but I still go back and forth on whether to get a MINI or a CooperS.

Pro's of S: Power

Pro's of MINI: Cheaper, making more money available for mod's and, because it's not forced induction, if I go crazy I could still take it road racing.

Decisions, decisions...

[Longwolf (Christian)]

[Nogaro Nitwit]

Hopefully they will have the S models available for test driving. If not, I will try to get that same silver one you tried.

[Dolmangar]

on Friday instead of having to go back to work! I'll have to make some time to swing by and check that place out.

Mike '01.5 1.8TQMS

[Pizzicato]

[Liam in Montreal]

[mjbrox]

[Nogaro Nitwit]

You will just be be practically in the back seat. And forget about passengers in the back seat. But then again that is about the same situation now with the A4s.

[exA4]

I'm not sure I'll be able to adjust from my A4 ride though.