Mini Cooper S...the turbo version

TMP · 01-08-2012, 11:27 AM

Wifey had a 'vert S, the thirsty, angry little monster with the supercharger.....and we loved it. That was of course before kids

I may have a deal for swapping the 330d for the 2 year old manual Cooper S Chilli pack. problem is, don't think it's the right spec...but its got me thinking.

So I know a few of you have got Minis..would love to hear some thoughts on the turbo car?

Plus..few spec questions:

Does the multifunction steering wheel mean the car has cruise control?
Is Bluetooth part of the chilli pack?
When we bought our S, we added chilli pack and then specified the limited slip diff for free....is this still the case?
finally, can a centre armrest be retrofitted?

Cheers

E92Fan · 01-08-2012, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMP

Wifey had a 'vert S, the thirsty, angry little monster with the supercharger.....and we loved it. That was of course before kids

I may have a deal for swapping the 330d for the 2 year old manual Cooper S Chilli pack. problem is, don't think it's the right spec...but its got me thinking.

So I know a few of you have got Minis..would love to hear some thoughts on the turbo car?

Plus..few spec questions:

Does the multifunction steering wheel mean the car has cruise control?
Is Bluetooth part of the chilli pack?
When we bought our S, we added chilli pack and then specified the limited slip diff for free....is this still the case?
finally, can a centre armrest be retrofitted?

Cheers

Multifunction wheel has cruise control
Chilli has basic Bluetooth, USB, conical spoke alloys, bi-xenon lights, front fogs, interior light package, on-board computer, floor mats, storage pack, sports seats, half leather/cloth seats, passenger seat height adjust

Front armrest can be retrofitted but I find it pretty useless actually

No mechanical LSD from OEM anymore - replaced by brake-effected electric system. A mechanical LSD from Quaife is available - around £550 plus fitting

TMP · 01-08-2012, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E92Fan

Multifunction wheel has cruise control
Chilli has basic Bluetooth, USB, conical spoke alloys, bi-xenon lights, front fogs, interior light package, on-board computer, floor mats, storage pack, sports seats, half leather/cloth seats, passenger seat height adjust

Front armrest can be retrofitted but I find it pretty useless actually

No mechanical LSD from OEM anymore - replaced by brake-effected electric system. A mechanical LSD from Quaife is available - around £550 plus fitting

Thannks Tony...good news on BT being part of the chilli pack (it wasn't when when bought ours back in 06).

Shame about the standard LSD...that was a hoot!

So the armrest isn't any good then?

E92Fan · 01-08-2012, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMP

Thannks Tony...good news on BT being part of the chilli pack (it wasn't when when bought ours back in 06).

Shame about the standard LSD...that was a hoot!

So the armrest isn't any good then?

The armrest is only good if you're 6'2" and rack the seat back the whole way. Otherwise it's too short to be very useful

CHG · 01-08-2012, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E92Fan

The armrest is only good if you're 6'2" and rack the seat back the whole way. Otherwise it's too short to be very useful

Agree with Tony... I'm 6'2" (coincidence

) and find the armrest useful. But it is small, and you need to be tall to use it!

RagingKileak · 01-08-2012, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E92Fan

The armrest is only good if you're 6'2" and rack the seat back the whole way. Otherwise it's too short to be very useful

Tim probably want one then :-)

Matt

rogerxp · 01-08-2012, 01:06 PM

Make sure it's got a sun-roof too to stick your head out of

E92Fan · 01-08-2012, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RagingKileak

Tim probably want one then :-)

Matt

Is Tim a lanky git then? Fair enough, the armrest is probably a bit useful then!!

TMP · 01-08-2012, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rogerxp

Make sure it's got a sun-roof too to stick your head out of

Value add

Quote:

Originally Posted by RagingKileak

Tim probably want one then :-)

Matt

just over 6ft mate, but yeah reckon I would like one.

Was hoping to get more on the car than the armrest

How is the GTi... that's another fav of mine...but VW dealers seem incapable of working up a deal. Well, i say dealers, have only tried one so far!

Quote:

Originally Posted by E92Fan

Is Tim a lanky git then? Fair enough, the armrest is probably a bit useful then!!

Oi...I am still here

creepy coupe · 01-09-2012, 02:01 AM

My Missus has just sold one. She couldn’t get on with the

Rock hard ride (Run flats)
Sticking sunroof
Eight different squeaks and rattles
Leaky tailgate seal

Go for a really good long test drive

TMP · 01-09-2012, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

My Missus has just sold one. She couldn’t get on with the

Rock hard ride (Run flats)
Sticking sunroof
Eight different squeaks and rattles
Leaky tailgate seal

Go for a really good long test drive

our 'vert was pretty good o the rattle stakes...but yes was a hard ride.
Good point, does need a long drive then

TMP · 01-09-2012, 06:15 AM

Well, been to look at a car locally and the first deal they have come up with is pretty good.

Basically, it would save me about 1,600 this year as my cars needs about 450 on MOT/servicing this month, plus i pay the ext warranty etc.

sat in a Cooper S car in the showroom. Stating the obvious, its very different to the BMW and the seats dont feel as supportive as the 3/5ers (bu then i guess I am a bit lanky

). Plus its alot smaller than I remember - I dont even think our McLaren folding buggy wold fit in the boot (just as a backup to the 5er).

But the mini is all about smiles when driving from memory, so will try and drive the car on Friday when back (about to put 600 miles on mine)

Tony yes the arm rest is a bit short, but Matt is indeed right, it is fine for me

BGM · 01-09-2012, 04:21 PM

interested in one myself... but ones with nav are like rocking horse shit :s

jonw · 01-09-2012, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BGM

interested in one myself... but ones with nav are like rocking horse shit :s

navs not as good in the Mini as the BMWs, similar sort of operation but with a little joystick down by the gear lever.

TMP · 01-09-2012, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonw

navs not as good in the Mini as the BMWs, similar sort of operation but with a little joystick down by the gear lever.

But that can be said of most of the bits of the Mini... (except the fun factor)
and still better than a tomtom though?

jonw · 01-10-2012, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMP

But that can be said of most of the bits of the Mini... (except the fun factor)
and still better than a tomtom though?

yes very true that.

i had a launch spec cooper s clubman for a short while, which Mini loaded up to all the dealers as top spec demos when they launched the clubman.

good little car but was in and out of Halliwell Jones all the time for leaks in the boot, sticking sunroof, rattles and well known timing chain/valve issue which makes it sound like an oil burner.

it also had the hifi option in it which for an upgraded sound system was absoloutely shite !

it went back into Blue Bell in the end where I bought it from to get most of the top end replaced under warranty.

TMP · 01-10-2012, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonw

yes very true that.

i had a launch spec cooper s clubman for a short while, which Mini loaded up to all the dealers as top spec demos when they launched the clubman.

good little car but was in and out of Halliwell Jones all the time for leaks in the boot, sticking sunroof, rattles and well known timing chain/valve issue which makes it sound like an oil burner.

it also had the hifi option in it which for an upgraded sound system was absoloutely shite !

it went back into Blue Bell in the end where I bought it from to get most of the top end replaced under warranty.

Build quality seems to be a running issue.

What was the performance and economy like from th 1.6t?

Cheers

Masterplan · 01-10-2012, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMP

Build quality seems to be a running issue.

What was the performance and economy like from th 1.6t?

Cheers

I have a 2011 MCS, and try to drive it reasonably sensibly. A £65 tank will get me 350-360 miles with mixed driving roads. According to the trip computer I get ~33.7mpg.

Imran@Evolve · 01-10-2012, 08:27 AM

I get 27 MPG out of mine ,mainly short journeys and it has 275 BHP/325 ft/lb torque.

It is a lot of fun.

Carbon build is becoming an issue on these also. I have seen cars with as little as 30k miles suffering from this.

TMP · 01-10-2012, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Masterplan

I have a 2011 MCS, and try to drive it reasonably sensibly. A £65 tank will get me 350-360 miles with mixed driving roads. According to the trip computer I get ~33.7mpg.

Is that all....was hoping for more.

What about on the mway cruising?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Imran@Evolve

I get 27 MPG out of mine ,mainly short journeys and it has 275 BHP/325 ft/lb torque.

It is a lot of fun.

Carbon build is becoming an issue on these also. I have seen cars with as little as 30k miles suffering from this.

Well that makes the above look fab

I trust my evolve switch will work as well Imran? Oh and what would it map to...assume yours is a stage 3?

Cheers

rogerxp · 01-10-2012, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMP

Is that all....was hoping for more.

Must admit I was surprised how low those figures were - makes mine look positively efficient

.

Masterplan · 01-10-2012, 08:51 AM

Motorway cruising with cruise control on at 70 is about 43mpg I've had at best. I achieved this on an Edinburgh to Newcastle A1 drive, an the same on the way back. It's a go-kart like car, and it begs you to drive it like so. Especially with the Sport button activated!

My girlfriend can get it 36-37mpg with the way she drives, however she also have a different commute.

01-08-2012, 11:27 AM	#1
TMP Brigadier General 349 Rep 3,022 Posts Drives: M6 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Cheshire iTrader: (0)	Mini Cooper S...the turbo version Wifey had a 'vert S, the thirsty, angry little monster with the supercharger.....and we loved it. That was of course before kids I may have a deal for swapping the 330d for the 2 year old manual Cooper S Chilli pack. problem is, don't think it's the right spec...but its got me thinking. So I know a few of you have got Minis..would love to hear some thoughts on the turbo car? Plus..few spec questions: Does the multifunction steering wheel mean the car has cruise control? Is Bluetooth part of the chilli pack? When we bought our S, we added chilli pack and then specified the limited slip diff for free....is this still the case? finally, can a centre armrest be retrofitted? Cheers __________________ M2 Arrived! Family 5er
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01-08-2012, 01:06 PM	#7
rogerxp Major General 165 Rep 5,950 Posts Drives: M3 Comp Pack / QQ+2 Tekna Join Date: May 2008 Location: Stockport, Cheshire iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 350Z GT Roadster [2.00] 2004 Honda S2000 [0.00] 2005 Nissan 350Z GT ... [0.00] 2006 E92 BMW 335i SE [9.00] 2003 Maserati 4200 [6.00] 2006 E90 330d M Sport [0.00]	Make sure it's got a sun-roof too to stick your head out of __________________ Current -: MW E92 M3 Competition Pack / Qashqai+2 Tekna 1.6dci Gone -: 370Z GT Roadster; BMW X3 3.0d xdrive M Sport; E46 330i M Sport Coupe; Mazda RX8 231; Nissan 350Z GT Roadster; BMW E90 330d M Sport; BMW E92 335i SE; Maserati 4200; Nissan 350Z; Honda S2000; Astra Coupe Turbo; Ford Probe
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01-09-2012, 02:01 AM	#10
creepy coupe Lieutenant General 1867 Rep 13,043 Posts Drives: BMW M340I G20 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (2) Garage List 2015 BMW 435d [0.00] 2009 335i [0.00]	My Missus has just sold one. She couldn’t get on with the Rock hard ride (Run flats) Sticking sunroof Eight different squeaks and rattles Leaky tailgate seal Go for a really good long test drive
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01-09-2012, 06:15 AM	#12
TMP Brigadier General 349 Rep 3,022 Posts Drives: M6 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Cheshire iTrader: (0)	Well, been to look at a car locally and the first deal they have come up with is pretty good. Basically, it would save me about 1,600 this year as my cars needs about 450 on MOT/servicing this month, plus i pay the ext warranty etc. sat in a Cooper S car in the showroom. Stating the obvious, its very different to the BMW and the seats dont feel as supportive as the 3/5ers (bu then i guess I am a bit lanky ). Plus its alot smaller than I remember - I dont even think our McLaren folding buggy wold fit in the boot (just as a backup to the 5er). But the mini is all about smiles when driving from memory, so will try and drive the car on Friday when back (about to put 600 miles on mine) Tony yes the arm rest is a bit short, but Matt is indeed right, it is fine for me __________________ M2 Arrived! Family 5er Last edited by TMP; 01-09-2012 at 09:13 AM..
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01-09-2012, 04:21 PM	#13
BGM Colonel 58 Rep 2,398 Posts Drives: F20 M140i Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Farnborough, UK iTrader: (0)	interested in one myself... but ones with nav are like rocking horse shit :s
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01-10-2012, 08:27 AM	#19
Imran@Evolve 5371 Rep 3,789 Posts Drives: All of them Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Bedfordshire UK iTrader: (0)	I get 27 MPG out of mine ,mainly short journeys and it has 275 BHP/325 ft/lb torque. It is a lot of fun. Carbon build is becoming an issue on these also. I have seen cars with as little as 30k miles suffering from this.
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01-10-2012, 08:51 AM	#22
Masterplan Lieutenant 124 Rep 572 Posts Drives: F87 M2 & G05 X5 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Motorway cruising with cruise control on at 70 is about 43mpg I've had at best. I achieved this on an Edinburgh to Newcastle A1 drive, an the same on the way back. It's a go-kart like car, and it begs you to drive it like so. Especially with the Sport button activated! My girlfriend can get it 36-37mpg with the way she drives, however she also have a different commute.
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