1.4TFSi to Cooper S
- Thread starter GlasgowRangers
- Start date
My colleague has a Cooper S, the engine is plenty powerful for such a small car and has plenty of 'Go' in the acceleration.
The interior imo wasnt the best I seen tho, especially the giant dial in the middle dash it looks like someone just hung a wall clock there. It is also quite cramp and the boot space isnt the greatest as you'd expect from a Mini, but not everyone mind having a small interior/boot.
What do you like about the Mini just out of curiousity?
The interior imo wasnt the best I seen tho, especially the giant dial in the middle dash it looks like someone just hung a wall clock there. It is also quite cramp and the boot space isnt the greatest as you'd expect from a Mini, but not everyone mind having a small interior/boot.
What do you like about the Mini just out of curiousity?
If tuning's your thing you can get some decent gains out of the 1.6 turbo engaine!
The S will be more fun/handle better.
I can't think of anything else nice to say about it , the image sours it for me if the truth be told.
p
The S will be more fun/handle better.
I can't think of anything else nice to say about it , the image sours it for me if the truth be told.
p
My missus has a Mk1 Cooper S and it is a blast. Not as quick as my 3.2DSG in a straight line, but it can sure hustle through the twisty bits.
The interior is plasticy and the boot is indeed tiny (though if there is just two of you it is surprising how much stuff you can get in the back with the seats down). I hate the central speedo, but later cars had an option where you could have a speedo on the steering wheel column - to me that would be essential.
One thing to watch out for - if you have big feet the peddles are quite close together. I find it hard to juggle accelerator and clutch without catching my feet some times, which is very disconcerting when pushing on.
All in all, not as practical or luxurious as an A3, but a whole lot of fun.
Cheers
Dan
The interior is plasticy and the boot is indeed tiny (though if there is just two of you it is surprising how much stuff you can get in the back with the seats down). I hate the central speedo, but later cars had an option where you could have a speedo on the steering wheel column - to me that would be essential.
One thing to watch out for - if you have big feet the peddles are quite close together. I find it hard to juggle accelerator and clutch without catching my feet some times, which is very disconcerting when pushing on.
All in all, not as practical or luxurious as an A3, but a whole lot of fun.
Cheers
Dan
i had a mini cooper s back in2003 i kept it for 6 months but would have given it back after 2 weeks... I would have changed it sooner but promised claire i would get her a car before i changed it... The interiors look quite cool but are poorly made, squeak from day one. Blasting down a b road would result in parts of rthe dash falling off. But the new one is much nicer inside, a lot better put together and the materials seem to be of a higher quality. I had one for 4 days when my car went in for repair.
Guys I should have said that the model I'm looking at is the Cooper S GP.
Something along the lines of this.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupe/112_0610_2006_mini_cooper_s_works_gp/index.html
http://arabam.e-kolay.net/ikinciel/detail.aspx?sid=1180519
It's only the missus and myself so no need for the rear seats. I have noticed that the A3 is starting to get REALLY common and I haven't seen many of these about. And I'm not a poof.
Bit worried about the build quality but 220bhp sounds like fun in such a wee car.
Opinions?
Something along the lines of this.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupe/112_0610_2006_mini_cooper_s_works_gp/index.html
http://arabam.e-kolay.net/ikinciel/detail.aspx?sid=1180519
It's only the missus and myself so no need for the rear seats. I have noticed that the A3 is starting to get REALLY common and I haven't seen many of these about. And I'm not a poof.
Bit worried about the build quality but 220bhp sounds like fun in such a wee car.
Opinions?
When you said Mini Cooper S I was 
esp as I was just about to join you as one of the few 1.4TFSi owners, but after seeing you were looking at the GP then to be fair I don't blame you, build quality might not be right up there but with nearly 100BHP more and a very nice interior go for it!
Being a GP the ride might be quite harsh but since you've had a sport with uprated springs probably won't fell much worse, plus its probably easier to park!
I'd of thought the resale would be pretty good esp as its a limited edition one so if in another 4 months realise you don't like it, you won't lose too much!
http://www.mini.co.uk/UK/html/model_range/mini_cooper_s/jcw_gp/main.html
Go for it, and if you do let us know what its like!
Mark
esp as I was just about to join you as one of the few 1.4TFSi owners, but after seeing you were looking at the GP then to be fair I don't blame you, build quality might not be right up there but with nearly 100BHP more and a very nice interior go for it! Being a GP the ride might be quite harsh but since you've had a sport with uprated springs probably won't fell much worse, plus its probably easier to park!
I'd of thought the resale would be pretty good esp as its a limited edition one so if in another 4 months realise you don't like it, you won't lose too much!
http://www.mini.co.uk/UK/html/model_range/mini_cooper_s/jcw_gp/main.html
Go for it, and if you do let us know what its like!
Mark
I really like the look of this wee thing. Only problem is the wife likes the Audi and I might have a hard time trying to sell her this.
I think it would be a big step forward in terms of performance but a backstep in quality. How does the Mini chassis handle 220bhp though? Putting that much power through that small chassis via 2 wheels seems to be a bit demanding surely?
How much does the Cooper S GP cost in GBP?
How much does the Cooper S GP cost in GBP?
For the example I was looking at with 4500kms on the clock and a late 2006 model they are asking for 26K Sterling. Expensive.
Your right that seems quite expensive one on the auto trader on a 56 plate with 4000 mile £18.5k then the one below has only 10 miles on it and is only 25k
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...NI&model=COOPER+S&min_pr=&max_pr=&max_mileage=
Are cars in Turkey usually more expensive than the UK?
You could get an S3 for that kind of price!
This one is Sprint blue with only 2.5k miles and is 23.5k
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...UDI&model=S3&min_pr=&max_pr=&max_mileage=5000
Mark
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...NI&model=COOPER+S&min_pr=&max_pr=&max_mileage=
Are cars in Turkey usually more expensive than the UK?
You could get an S3 for that kind of price!
This one is Sprint blue with only 2.5k miles and is 23.5k
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...UDI&model=S3&min_pr=&max_pr=&max_mileage=5000
Mark
They are usually MUCH more expensive. Especially when the car goes above 2.0 litres or 200bhp. Crazy tax laws here. The S3 is 70K Euros here. Stuff that.
Wow 70k euros for an S3 
and i thought our cars were overpriced! Guess 26k isn't that bad then!
Mark
and i thought our cars were overpriced! Guess 26k isn't that bad then!Mark
Nooo stop showing Minis that actually look nice your making me start to like the damn things, need to have a word with meself lol 
Just found this and remembered why i don't like most of the minis!
A hot chocolate coloured clubman.....
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...&make=MINI&model=&min_pr=&max_pr=&max_mileage=
Just found this and remembered why i don't like most of the minis!
A hot chocolate coloured clubman.....
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...&make=MINI&model=&min_pr=&max_pr=&max_mileage=
Nooo stop showing Minis that actually look nice your making me start to like the damn things, need to have a word with meself lol
Just found this and remembered why i don't like most of the minis!
A hot chocolate coloured clubman.....
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...make=MINI&model=&min_pr=&max_pr=&max_mileage=
I wouldnt buy a new one anyway,prefer the supercharged versions,but they can certainly be made to go and handle cant see my S3 keeping up with my old blue one (except on the motorway)
I would not trade the A3 for the Mini... sure it is a funky car but interior quality is disastrous.... also a friend of mine had a Mk1 Cooper S and it just drank petrol!!!!!!
In the end it is only a Mini... not worth the price tag... maybe an option as a second or wives car...
Pedro
In the end it is only a Mini... not worth the price tag... maybe an option as a second or wives car...
Pedro
About the same here - maybe 55-60k. The S5 is about 95 grand and an RS4 is about 110 grand. The R8 comes in at about 170,000 too.
I have scrubbed this idea. I went to the BMW garage last night and sat in one of them. Total pish is the only way I can describe the inside of it. There is no way I could live with that being my main car. Maybe as a second car but not at that price. The Audi is lightyears ahead in terms of build quality, practicality and looks.
A stupid idea but thanks guys for steering me in the right direction again. My wife nearly fell off her chair when I suggested I sell the Audi for a Mini.
I'll wait for the remap for the 1.4TFSi.
A stupid idea but thanks guys for steering me in the right direction again. My wife nearly fell off her chair when I suggested I sell the Audi for a Mini.
I'll wait for the remap for the 1.4TFSi.
When you say remap is this from Superchips? If so did they say if it was a europe wide release, just would like this doing myself esp if they release it on Bluefin.
Cheers
Mark
PS Glad your staying with the Audi
Cheers
Mark
PS Glad your staying with the Audi
you've made the rifght choice 
one other thing i didn't mention was the shocking economy on m commute to work. 155 miles round trip, most of which was on the m3 i only averaged low 20's!
one other thing i didn't mention was the shocking economy on m commute to work. 155 miles round trip, most of which was on the m3 i only averaged low 20's!When you say remap is this from Superchips? If so did they say if it was a europe wide release, just would like this doing myself esp if they release it on Bluefin.
Cheers
Mark
PS Glad your staying with the Audi
The distributor for Superchips in Istanbul told me that the chip would be available late summer but they couldn't be more specific. I'm not sure if they will do it in Bluefin or not. I'll try to find out and let you know. Just what is the big difference between Bluefin and Superchips though? Aren't they one of the same?
Thanks for the words of encouragement regarding my choice guys. I have just completely convinced myself to stay with athe Audi after a BEAUTIFUL drive in comfort through the Turkish countryside. Lovely day and the car got a LOT of looks as I was driving through town. One of the adavantages of living in a third world country is that there are many nice motors around so mine tends to stick out from the crowd.
Cheers
Bluefin and superchips are the same company except with superchips its just a remap on your ecu were as bluefin you get a module that you plug into your car and it allows you to switch between std and remap, which would be good for me as mine is a company car so when it goes in for service could do with switching it back to std, I know people say remaps are undetectable but would rather not take the risk lol!
well remaps are detectable and even if you switch to standard some of them can be detected on the ECU log... there is a log on how many times the ECU has been flashed!!
Some remaps manage not to change that counter, though
Pedro
Some remaps manage not to change that counter, though
Pedro
True, although I have heard that superchips can reset the flash log, if someone can confirm this that would be great!
Mark
Mark
I just want to know the figures they are planning for the 1.4T map, I reckon on the region of 150-160bhp would be feasible without suffering from too much turbo lag. The VAG 1.4TSI has already been pushed past the 240bhp area but thats with the aid of a supercharger so it doesnt suffer from turbo lag from low revs.
Hells bells GlasgowRangers only just read this one Swap an Audi for a Mini Performance yes but the rest is rubbish.
Nice to hear your sticking with the A3. Still quiet on the remap front at the moment over here.
Swap an Audi for a Mini Performance yes but the rest is rubbish.Nice to hear your sticking with the A3. Still quiet on the remap front at the moment over here.
hatmeow
Turbo is the only way....
- Joined
- Feb 29, 2008
- Messages
- 247
- Reaction score
- 1
- Points
- 16
I cant stand the interior of the mini for over 5 minutes... I cannot understand how BMW can go so far into making a "designer" interior. Total crap that ruins an otherwise great car..
Good Choice!! A3 All the way!!
Good Choice!! A3 All the way!!
