Test drove a 2016 Mini Cooper S Hardtop

[overdrivex]

So I'm sitting here at the mini dealer waiting for my E92 to get inspected, and im walking around the showroom looking at Mini's. I decide to go to a salesperson and ask if I can take one out for a test drive. I have to say, I am VERY impressed! The interior I think is gorgeous and its a really fun car to drive! Suspension is very similar to the one in my E92 with sport package, and the steering is heavy, although lacking a bit in feel. The test drive wasnt for that long of course, but I was impressed...I would definitely consider one if I was in the market for a new car. And yes, I dont live far from the dealer so I drove it home where I took the picture.

[Chez]

I agree with your impressions. My wife has the '15 Cooper S Hard Top, which was the first model year of the current platform/engine.

It's a riot to drive and feels fast (probably due to it being smaller).

My only issue is the lack of steering feel/feedback.. sliding it around a corner doesn't feel anywhere near as predictable as it did in my F30 or my F82, but then it's also FWD..

[overdrivex]

Originally Posted by Chez

I agree with your impressions. My wife has the '15 Cooper S Hard Top, which was the first model year of the current platform/engine.

It's a riot to drive and feels fast (probably due to it being smaller).

My only issue is the lack of steering feel/feedback.. sliding it around a corner doesn't feel anywhere near as predictable as it did in my F30 or my F82, but then it's also FWD..

[IMG]http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/att...1&d=1445029471[/IMG]
[IMG]http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/att...1&d=1445031055[/IMG]

Wow thats a nice looking Mini!!!! Yeah my only complaint would be the lack of steering feel/feedback, otherwise, I really enjoyed it and would consider one! Definitely does feel fast.

[FriskyDingo]

I considered buying a 4DR S 6MT before I got my GTI. It was a little sharper and more playful, but the far inferior interior and small back seat were deal breakers.

For the 2 DR model, I think the older gen cars are much more fun and engaging to drive. The new cars are also hideously expensive.

[Chez]

Originally Posted by overdrivex

Wow thats a nice looking Mini!!!! Yeah my only complaint would be the lack of steering feel/feedback, otherwise, I really enjoyed it and would consider one! Definitely does feel fast.

Personally, I think it's the nicest I've seen, certainly in person. It's very "her" (i.e. not something I'd drive lol).

Originally Posted by FriskyDingo

I considered buying a 4DR S 6MT before I got my GTI. It was a little sharper and more playful, but the far inferior interior and small back seat were deal breakers.

For the 2 DR model, I think the older gen cars are much more fun and engaging to drive. The new cars are also hideously expensive.

My wife also considered a new GTI. It was really nice, but she didn't like the interior (too generic/plain for her). Hers also has nearly all options, which certainly makes the interior a nicer place to be.

[Boxtyp3]

Completely agree! My wife has a non-S and it really feels like a go cart in handling. What more is an S. I would really consider manual hard top S for my next car, but that would give us two small cars.

[BEM-S4]

My cousin has a few really nice cars, everything from old Speedsters and Alfas to modern stuff like a G-wagon and a soon to arrive GT4. His daily? Cooper S.

[Chez]

Originally Posted by Boxtyp3

Completely agree! My wife has a non-S and it really feels like a go cart in handling. What more is an S. I would really consider manual hard top S for my next car, but that would give us two small cars.

My wife went from a Land Rover to the Mini - there are still times we miss the ability to move huge things, but between the M4 and Mini we get by.. you can get a surprising amount in the Mini, as long as you only have one person in it (the driver) and of course, there's the rear seat load-through in the M4.

[mremg]

I have the previous gen Cooper S (R56) and it is super fun. I want to trade in to get the new F56 Cooper but I've read that it feels like a Sports Sedan rather than a go-kart like previous gens.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars...works-hardtop/

I really hope that isn't the case.

[aktif8]

I had a heavily modded 2006 r53 s(fbo, plus nearly everything else, dynod at over 210 to the wheels vs 160 crank stock,) and it was a riot. Loved it. If a newborn didn't come in to the picture a few years into my ownership, definitely would have kept it longer. I'd be curious to drive a new one, as the 53 really did feel like the proverbial go-kart. Mine was dropped, and handled like an absolute beast.

[Chez]

Originally Posted by mremg

I have the previous gen Cooper S (R56) and it is super fun. I want to trade in to get the new F56 Cooper but I've read that it feels like a Sports Sedan rather than a go-kart like previous gens.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars...works-hardtop/

I really hope that isn't the case.

I haven't driven the older generation, but "go-kart" is exactly how I describe my wife's F56.

Go test drive one, they're fun!

[overdrivex]

Wow hearing all this makes me want to get a Mini now! If only I could...

I want to try and drive an older gen Mini to see what thats like.

[1MOREMOD]

Has the interior improved. Packaging seemed weird and non functional.

[mremg]

Originally Posted by overdrivex

Wow hearing all this makes me want to get a Mini now! If only I could...

I want to try and drive an older gen Mini to see what thats like.

It seems like whatever gen MINI people drive first like it better than all other gens.

My first experience is with second gen MINI (R56) generation and it was just ridiculous fun. I was told by many people that the first gen R53 was even better, so I test drove one. But, to my surprise I didn't like it very much. The supercharged engine was really slow to rev.

I never drove an F56 but was a passenger in one and it does feel slightly bigger (in reality the base Cooper is slightly lighter than previous gen) and has a much forgiving ride.

[Ric in RVA]

My 2002 MCS is a ball. Never drove a newer one to see how different they are.

Before someone says they are junk....207000 miles and counting and I drive the piss out of it.

[Chez]

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

Has the interior improved. Packaging seemed weird and non functional.

The speedometer is where it should be now and if you opt for NAV, it has the standard BMW iDrive offering. Still no power seats (at least for 2015, not checked 2016).

Originally Posted by mremg

I never drove an F56 but was a passenger in one and it does feel slightly bigger (in reality the base Cooper is slightly lighter than previous gen) and has a much forgiving ride.

Forgiving is not a word I'd associate with it. Brutal would be closer. I hate being a passenger in her car lol

She doesn't have the adaptive suspension.. perhaps that was why your experience was different?

[mremg]

Originally Posted by Chez

Forgiving is not a word I'd associate with it. Brutal would be closer. I hate being a passenger in her car lol
She doesn't have the adaptive suspension.. perhaps that was why your experience was different?

I take it you've never in been older gen Coopers. They are much softer now. The adaptive suspension only slightly lower default spring rate (-10%) as the regular suspension and they can be made stiffer (+10%) on demand unlike regular suspension. The now discontinued factory 'Sport Suspension' had a spring rate of 30%. It was available until 2015 MY. Now, the real kicker is the JCW suspension which is 60% stiffer than stock regular suspension. Mind you, we're still in F56 territory.

The R56 generation had even firmer suspension and the R53 generation had even more firmer suspension. R53 is probably the most hardcore of them all and the R56 is slightly softer and more stable. The F56 is even more softer and stable now.

[Chez]

Originally Posted by mremg

I take it you've never in been older gen Coopers. They are much softer now. The adaptive suspension only slightly lower default spring rate (-10%) as the regular suspension and they can be made stiffer (+10%) on demand unlike regular suspension. The now discontinued factory 'Sport Suspension' had a spring rate of 30%. It was available until 2015 MY. Now, the real kicker is the JCW suspension which is 60% stiffer than stock regular suspension. Mind you, we're still in F56 territory.

The R56 generation had even firmer suspension and the R53 generation had even more firmer suspension. R53 is probably the most hardcore of them all and the R56 is slightly softer and more stable. The F56 is even more softer and stable now.

I have not. Only the 2015.

All I can say is that her car is harsher than my M4 (in all but Sport+) on the terrible roads around DFW.

[mremg]

Originally Posted by Chez

I have not. Only the 2015.

All I can say is that her car is harsher than my M4 (in all but Sport+) on the terrible roads around DFW.

Much of the harshness might be because of the runflats that come stock. Ditch them as soon as you can and get proper summer tires. Not only the ride is much better, the handling will improve too.

They're getting more BMW every generation, but I still think Coopers are a blast. Also did you test drive the base Cooper? It is awfully close to the 2nd gen Cooper S, numbers wise.

[Chez]

Originally Posted by mremg

Much of the harshness might be because of the runflats that come stock. Ditch them as soon as you can and get proper summer tires. Not only the ride is much better, the handling will improve too.

They're getting more BMW every generation, but I still think Coopers are a blast. Also did you test drive the base Cooper? It is awfully close to the 2nd gen Cooper S, numbers wise.

Eh, no need for any of that.. it's my wife's car.. she doesn't care and I rarely, if ever, drive it (or even get in it) lol

You make a fair point though, the ride on my F30 definitely improved when I got PSSs on it.

We didn't test the base Cooper, she wanted the S so that's what she got

[mremg]

Originally Posted by Chez

We didn't test the base Cooper, she wanted the S so that's what she got

Smart man

[WolfGTI]

My modded 2002 Cooper S is a hoot - had it from day one, it puts 230 to the wheels and has 205,xxx miles on it. It is a a true joy, I've driven several newer sports cars / sports compacts but still love it. It has it's quirks but it also has a lot of character which is harder and harder to find nowadays.