Mini Cooper S Review // GTI Alternative?
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- Опубликовано: 5 июл 2024
- The Mini Cooper S is very popular because it has th perfect balance of performance without breaking the bank. With 189hp from a turbo 4-cylinder engine, the Mini Cooper S is a great combination of size, power, maneuverability and fun. Unfortunately the Mini Cooper S is not sold with a manual transmission, only a dual clutch automatic, which is quick to shift but does not have panel shifters. On the plus side, the Mini Cooper S has a lower starting price than many compact hatchback perforce cars like the GTI. It might be down on power from that car but it costs much less. The infotainment system in the Mini Cooper S is based on BMWs iDrive system, which is one of the best in the industry.
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Great review. I never understood these cars until I drove one. Now I have a Cooper s hatchback with a manual transmission in my garage.
It's one of the most fun cars you can drive. I almost bought one many years ago but the place I lived at had well not so good roads and you feel every bump in this car.
Thank you so much for listening to your viewers!!!! Great review! I just bought a new MINI with the automatic becuase they weren't offering the manual at the time. The dealer said the manual was coming, but they weren't really interseted in getting non-JCW versions with a manual. I guess it's just not what North America wants.
Anyone that says they are not reliable may not have owned one. I have three Mini's a Mini Cooper S, Mini Cooper S All 4 Paceman and a regular Mini Cooper convertible. I've never done any work on them other than oil changes. Good comparison Zack but every time i get out of my cars i always look back and those little buggy eyes make me laugh every time. When i zip around town and the corners like i'm on rails there is nothing like it the Golf GTI is bigger and a lot more willowy I've driven a few!!!!
My buddy has a 14 Cooper S and holy is it ever a rocket ship! I honestly cannot believe how quick they are. Then comes the handling, yeah, definitely a big go-kart. Driving it around for a few days almost convinced me to buy one but it is a little too small for me. Ended up with an 11 Infiniti G37S with a 6 speed manual (totally different type of car but whatever lol). Damn good vehicles. Excellent review Zack!
I have a 2012 Cooper S Clubman. My first new car back in 2011. Driven it from Seattle to NYC, NYC to Key West. NYC to Atlanta, NYC to Green Bay WI and many other trips. Best car I’ve owned. She’s still running fine at 107,000 miles!
Fantastic review, Zack. I really appreciate the comparison with the GTI. I have had a 2nd gen MINI with a manual and many other manual BMW products over the years. We went back to VW because they offered a manual for our Mk7 Sportwagen and our Mk7 GTI. I am a BMW driving instructor and have visited BMW AG in Germany. Sadly, I think BMW are straying away from their sporting heritage. I’ve also drove VW GTI race cars with a local dealer for many years, so I can attest to their performance, reliability and durability.
I totally agree that it was another excellent review by Motormouth. I've had 5 GTIs,; currently owning 2 Mk7s and a '13 S Roadster. The GTIs have all been bulletproof, but the car that puts a stupid grin on my face is the Mini. I suspect more Minis are in our future!🤣🤪 Again, an excellent review, and an excellent comment.
Great review! In this anniversary edition you have British racing green color that looks different from the usual one,it looks brighter. Is this color special for this model edition?
That MINI was a special addition. I've just checked that Cooper and Cooper S are coming back as manual and JCW. Check with your local dealer. As i love the manual.
I ordered my 3-door 60th anniversary mini cooper s last year in a manual and its great fun, easy to park and still has the retro vibe.
Comes with Apple carplay and nav pack.
Good for city driving and motorway driving.
It even has rev matching.
Not sure if there’s only 500 made in the world though.
A couple years ago I was in the market for a compact car for the family fleet since I have kids approaching driving age. We tested the Countryman S and Cooper S and they feel quite distinct. Unless you're accustomed to SUVs, the Cooper really doesn't feel tiny on the inside.
MINIs, Gotta love 'em. I've seriously considered a MINI twice in the last decade but have opted for a GTI in each case. More room, somewhat better performance, 4 doors, and a DCT with paddle shifters made the difference. And as someone with a spouse, a daughter, and a big dog, all of whom I like to have with me more often than not, the GTI just fits my needs more completely. The MINI Countryman or Clubman would make up some of those deficiencies but in doing so those models lose some of the MINI's panache (imo).
I have to say, though, that the new MINIe (the EV) even with a relatively limited range is a tempting option with a new driver (my daughter) in the family. With the US Federal tax credit of $7500, a well equipped MINIe is quite affordable and would extend the life of the family's gas guzzling SUV and my beloved GTI by a significant degree. Very tempting.
I have posted on this before. I have owned over an 11 year period, a Mini Cooper S 2 door, then a JCW 2 door , then a Countryman . The JCW was fun but like the other 2 I owned not reliable. ( Countryman was the worst by far ) The 2 doors are tiny with zero trunk and just not a day to day car. I now own a GTI Autobahn manual and would NEVER get another Mini. Not even close and to be fair its not a good comparison Zach . GTI I have is 225 HP, 5 Door, just more comfortable and more room. Mini too has now turned into a Chick Car like the Beetle....honestly just look for yourself driving around. Usually Carrer oriented Single women with no kids. Why No manual transmission, demographics are mostly women buyers who don't want a manual so voila , gone. Are there Male drivers ? Of course but now a minority. ( don't believe me, do your own survey and look for yourself) Hey, if you love Minis and are a diehard fan go for it. Im certainly not going to defend VW, they didn't give me car for free to say nice things about them...so buy what you want....just relating my viewpoint .Getting back to Minis.... just way way way overpriced, Mini is now more about marketing and styling than performance. Its a brand, an image more than a vehicle you are paying for . So Steve, you saved yourself a lot of money and frustration.
Stephen Hendricks I love the mini but hate the circular interior display.
I prefer to drive my wife’s Cooper S in the city more than our big X5 . The Cooper S is great on gas and quite peppy. The 4 cylinder Turbo in the Cooper S is made in Germany and it is the same engine as the BMW one series over there. Our 2017 has not had one problem. I drive it sometimes on the highway and it is not a bad highway car too. Last summer I did a few laps at the old Mosport ( Now Canadian Tire Track ) and at the end of the long uphill strait the Mini hit 175 km/hr with no problem. It handled really well with good summer tires. The brakes were great too. As mentioned only a few laps and if I put racing brake fluid in she would have been great for hours . Thank you as always for your great reviews.
George Chisholm Same here. I like to drive the mini more than our F16 X6. We have a 2015 Mini 4 door and it has 0 issue so far.
Nice Review! I own a 2013 R56 Cooper s .(IE> the very last of the previous body style) It is a great car to drive, but there's no doubt you have to be on top of the maintenance, which can be expensive through the dealer. A basic maintenance with oil, air, cabin filters is $400 to $500 CAD. A replacement clutch was $1600 plus tax at about 105,000 KM. Then of course there are the weird warning lights that show up and disappear again without ever being resolved.
I don't know what MINI Canada is thinking not offering a manual for the 2020 model year. A more cynical person would think they're testing the waters to see if they lose sales or not by saying this move is only "temporary."
If you're out there MINI Canada, I (and many others) won't drive DCT equipped cars. When the time comes, I'll buy a GTI, Civic SI or Veloster N instead.
I love original minis I owned two and they was massive fun to drive and easy to work on, My heart says buy one and treat yourself to a Cooper S 2019/2020 but after researching the new minis like the man said in the video I also found that they are not reliable, and also they are not cheap to repair and unforgiving on bumpy roads, I still want one though in a manual gear box
I agree with you. Manual is so much fun. The younger generation do not drive them anymore. What a shame. They don’t know what they are missing
They are bringing the manual back for 2021.
Awesome channel thank you
In Australia, it’s a available as a manual, and the DCT gets flappy paddles as standard.
It looks like a premium product. I think the only other car (2-door) that might have competed (premium feeling) might be that small hatched Volvo (C-30?). I love seeing these Minis on the road. Quite handsome. Especially when parked beside any VW product (even their Golf R). Thanks for the video Zack.
Have you ever been in or seen that Rolls Royce inspired Mini ‘Goodwood’, from a few years back?
I have a GTI, and I really like to have a Mini again. My last Mini saved my life
How did it save your life?
Timothy L : probably because it was at the mechanic 👨🔧
@@tlf361 3 years ago, I got T boned by a suburban that was running a red light. I got out of my Mini with only a little bruise on my right arm
@@GhostOfAMachine And, you believe the result would've been drastically worse in a GTI or any other car, because...?
@@tlf361 when did I imply such? I just happen to be in my Mini at the time when a dd tboned me in his suburban, and I happened to not be hurt. Its common for modern small cars to be well structured. I drive a GTI now and its fantastic and solid car. And I just hope no one crashes into me
Does the Mini have limited slip differential like the GTI?
Does it still have tons of legroom? 10 years ago, or so, I went in to try one on for size. I am 6'4", and north of 300lbs. The first thing I did was put the seat all the way down and all the way back. It was a manual, and when I sat down I couldn't reach to put the clutch all the way in. Does the Mini Cooper SE feel the same?
I think that if properly maintain it will last past 100k miles ... what u think ?
I thought that Mini Canada was offering the 6 speed manual on the non - All 4 models this spring? Has that changed?
I haven’t heard anything about that changing. Not sure Zack is aware, or why mini dropped it for a model year, but should be back shortly.
As of this time, there are no manuals offered. If that changes, great but right now no. Look on-line, they have no manual in the system and the material supplied to me from BMW states only auto
@@Motormouth... thanks for the reply. I was looking at the Mini S a couple of months ago and noticed that only the auto was available online. I did find a few articles stating that the manual will be offered this year again. When I went to the dealership, they said the same and they were expecting them to be offered this March/April. I guess we'll just have to wait and see, fingers crossed. Thanks again for the reply.
@@pta3407 Unfortunately it looks like we're gonna have to wait another year with everything going on lately
I had a MK6 GTI and I’d go mini next time for more fun and personality.
My dream car
Review The JCW hatch 3 Doors. Is The most fun Mini. 🖒
The f56 Cooper s does come with a manual
What's even stranger than the fact that it doesn't come in a manual transmission is that paddle shifters aren't available for the automatic. On a MINI model that's supposed to be fun to drive? That's really bizarre.
Has to be a manual open top MIni in BRG.
Why no paddle shifters, all the ones I’ve seen locally have them with the auto, and they burble when you use them to gear down.
Mic volume is a bit low
This is fantastic car we have one! I still love standard shift I'm (70) unfortunately our car is sitting rotting away! :( My husband fell and broke his hip and probably will never drive it again! :(
Is this the BRG II or the BRG IV?
I sold my 07 GTI to a friend that split up with his wife. That GTI HAD NEAR 300,000 KM on it when I sold it to him. It was a wonderful car. I'd buy another GTI any day. Mini? No.
It was Zach's video on the Mk7.5 that made me get my '18 GTI base 4-dr. The car is awesome and with 4 doors, it does double-duty hauling the family around too. If I were to get a Mini, it would be an original.
Yet here you are watching the Mini review :)
@@buildmorefarms1007 I watch all of the reviews posted by Zack. I wish I had the money to buy all the car reviews I have have watched. Cheers!
@@markthibault8579 Mark, enjoy your GTI. I miss ours. My friend still has it and really enjoys it. I'm happy it went to a good home.
Wanna know what's better than the Cooper S? The Cooper SE. Too bad you didn't mention it. With the govt grant (especially in Quebec and BC), it's the same price or cheaper than the normal S
I'm glad Mini never really charges. Too bad they didn't put a manual in. I'd probably look towards a Mini for next car since VW ruined the Golf.
At least the 2021s came back with manual 😁👍
I would take a stick shift mini over a gti all day everyday
No manual offering in the Cooper S is a huge letdown. A car of this size and design, with all its sporty and fun intentions is exactly why a clutch and gear shift exist. Also, I find the front end on the more recent Minis to seem too bulbous and out of proportion to the rest. Maybe it’s the pedestrian crash standards, I don’t know.
The Mini is not that mini anymore. This one is 2900 lbs
Manuals are now available
No manual? Not even paddles for the DCT??
The lack of paddles really struck me as a strange thing to omit. At least they got the +/- oriented correctly on the gear lever.
Paddles are available on some trims. Not all of them get it. Kind of like the adaptive cruise control option. Mine has the paddles. I just let the transmission do it’s thing in auto mostly. It’s pretty smart most of the time.
7:22 😂 yes! You’re trapped! Jk
Volester N for me
Manuals will return for 2021 MY sometime in spring 2020.
No more manuals for Countryman and Clubman JCWs.
No manual trans available?
Not even going to consider it.
for 2021 the manual is back.
I test drove the GTi manual and the Mini Cooper turbo...honestly the Mini felt like much more fun to drive, light and playful. The GTi seems too big.
I'd take the John Cooper Works version of this, anyday
No shit Sherlock... that's like saying you'd take a C63 AMG over a C43 AMG anyway...
No I would not pay an extra $7k for a commemorative edition of a Mini. That would add about zero extra value when it comes time to sell it 5 yrs down the road. They don't sell manuals because nobody buys them anymore. If there was even a remote demand, they would, but I agree, if there was ever a car that _should_ offer a manual, this would be one of them.
The cooper s is available in an auto or a manual, but the 60th birthday edition is only an auto
They didn't have a manual for about a year in all models, it is back now.
GTI - no brainer
I have a true 60th anniversary model and now what I thought was a unique car from the 1 of 500 built, now the 60th year package is just a checkmark on a form. So MINI has purposely devalued what should’ve been something special and I think that is just absolutely pathetic of them. The car is great but their marketing and what they have done has made something special nothing more than just another MINI.
I saw the headlight design and thought of Porsche which is owned by VW, but then I realized Mini is actually owned by BMW
I would totally buy one if I were a single with no kids and 30 years younger
KIA SOUL GT or Mazda 3 Hatchback over the Mini. Its expensive to repair and has a abysmal resale value
Volester N I think is better choice
You mean Double U 😏. Not dubba Bubba !
BMW is also known for cars that break down and are expensive to repair.
Great fun to drive, awful reliability.. Like any other modern BMW.
Elaborate
What is a good option for a Mini
Like: Lease
Comment: Buy
Your description claims that the Mini won't break the bank? Seriously? Anyone who buys a Mini gets thousands upon thousands of dollars of options. BMW purposefully packages options ridiculously, so if you want to get one thing, you have spend thousands more for crap you don't want. This 60th anniversary "dress kit" costs SEVEN THOUSAND dollars!!!! It's just like any BMW. The base car looks temptingly affordable, but as soon as you start adding things that you want (and that come standard on many other competitors), you drive up the price in a hurry! Value? Nope. This also doesn't even mention the fact that you aren't going to find any Mini with a financing rate less than 3%, so there's even more cost.
MINI = Mechanic Is Needed Indefinitely
I still loved driving my 2012 Mini but it became a money pit and I won't buy it again.
R56 Mini with Peugeot/Citroën engine was very unreliable from what I heard. This gen Mini use BMW own B38/B46 engine which seem to have better record so far outside of first yr model.
@@kevinchung1492 My 2012 was when BMW made the engine as well and I had electrical issues along with repeated head gasket issues. Perhaps they've finally worked out their unreliability but I won't risk it again.
@@Coolsam2000 maybe I am wrong. From my understanding all gasoline engine from R56 were Prince engine which is join design by BMW and PSA but components made by PSA in France. PSA still using this design today. None of the BMW model used this engine.
The B38/46/48 now used in most BMW includes Toyota Supra.
I've always wanted one but have shied away because of their notorious reliability reputation. A Miata/MX-5, although less practical, is a much better option.
@@OMGWTFLOLSMH I would also take any Miata over Mini if you sure you never need the back seat or trunk (or you have other car). Not just reliability but higher fun factor.
no manual is hilariously ill concieved
So basically it's a slower, less reliable GTI with more polarizing looks. I think I'd take the VW.
You havent driven one clearly.
i would follow Scott Kilmer's advice to stay away minis... or lease and forget if you must have one
You know he's an idiot right?
Looks like both you and Scotty are Dumb and Dumber. The new Mini is an excellent vehicle.
I've owned MINIs for the last 7 years. Been some of the most reliable vehicles I have owned. My R56 was hard on brakes, but that's hardly a downfall of the car, more of my driving style. The only downside I can see with one is the residual trade in value. Not everything can be a Jeep Wrangler when it comes to resale value. I say stop listening to idiot RUclipsrs advice on vehicle financials, and buy what makes you happy in your budget. Vehicles are not an investment, anyways.
But he also recommended buy a cheap low mileage used current gen.
The F generation Minis are very reliable, more reliable than Honda.
Don’t like countryman. If you need more space, get the 4 door cooper. I can carry 2 kids in the back.
Girl car.
Awful car, one of the worst cars I have ever driven, aside from the Fiat 500X. I have been driving a Cooper S for two weeks, I do a 100 mile round trip to work each day, some motorway some urban. Its like driving a fish tank with a fisher-price steering wheel. Ok the 2 litre is pokey and it handles well, but the driving position is uncomfortable, the steering wheel can only be adjusted
up and down. The door speaker is right where your knee rests, the centre console has an edge that digs into the other leg. What is that handbrake thing? in 2021? The dash is just shite, the faux carbon fibre is cheap and tacky, why not use real carbon? It's not expensive. Gauges hard to read; just the speedo and rev counter, the fuel computer is in litres/ 100km so is useless unless you have a calculator on hand. You can't read what the switch gear does and its just too far away for practicality. That big round thing with the screen is just ugly, infotainment is non existent and the connectivity is awful and for android: only bluetooth connectivity (Before July 2020). Boot is tiny. Oh, and the exhaust sounds terrible, like somebody with diarrhoea farting into a biscuit tin. The car is all quirk and no substance. I'm sure there's more. Just awful. Avoid like the plague.
Driving a 2016 Cooper S.... Never a Mini again, NEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!