Mini Cooper S Review

Good Points
Ride / Handling
VFM
Personalisation Possiblities
Image
Fun

Bad Points
Small Boot / trunk

General Comments
As an Automotive Engineer who previously worked at Lotus, I'm probably in a better position to qualify how the MINI handles relative to other cars available.



The finest front wheel drive car ever produced was the FWD Lotus Elan ('89-'95). The MCS is probably the closest direct rival to that car, in terms of entertainment, safety of road-holding, grip and pure chuckability.



To get a more responsive car, you would need to go to a mid engined vehicle, but you would then lose out in terms of safety, as a mid-engined car tends to swap ends very quickly.



My issue with the MCS is not to do with speed or acceleration, but it's perception of speed. The car is fitted with a "drive by wire" throttle. This means there isn't a physical connection between the pedal and the throttle body. The ECU, determines driver demand by road speed, throttle position, gear selected etc. It is purely the response of the throttle that is at fault.



A friend has a Civic Type R (0-60 in 6.7 secs), whilst I would not be able to overtake him, keeping up is certainly possible. The MCS does not suffer from a shortage of go....just the driver's perception, based on it's responsiveness.



In terms of VFM, there is very little in the price range to compete.....throw in resale value, TLC servicing etc, and the question becomes a "no-brainer" to answer.



TBH the reference to a Daihatsu (spelt correctly this time!) is frankly pathetic. Someone interested in a Daihatsu would not consider a MINI and vice versa.



Car and Driver tested the MCS on their handling test......it beat some notable names including Porsche, Honda NSX etc. Factor in the low cost in comparision, and there is nowt else to touch it!



BTW, if the test drive was so bad, why did you go on to buy one?????



Robert