Automobile Mag's MCS Long Term Test

Sections: Uncategorized Nov 10th, 2004 6 Comments

Automobile Magazine's December issue has a four-season wrap-up of it's long-term MINI Cooper S. The staffers at Automobile found much to like about the car, paying particular respects to the handling. The only complaints they had was a boot rattle and the alloy patina dash seemed to scratch easily.

Here's an excerpt:

Overall, the Cooper S was a blast, never failed us, and was universally loved. Web intern Stuart Fowle said: “If I had $20,000, a Cooper S would be in my driveway right now. For this price, I can't think of anything that provides such a great all-around package.” The Cooper S proves that you don't have to spend lots of money for access to great enthusiast motoring or BMW quality. It also proves that Americans will buy small cars – they just have to be the right ones.

It was also great to see both owner comments written by MotoringFile readers. Even the upcoming LSD option was mentioned… way to go Jerry!

And finally congrats to Automobile on their recent redesign. They now are the first US car mag that can approach the clean and modern excellence that is found in Car and Evo from UK. Now if they can just do something about that US spec page size! You can find Automobile Magazine for sale at most newsstands.

Written By: MF Staff

Paul

What else to expect but a favorable review? I was surprised that they complained about the tires without mentioning they were runflats. That would have been a simple clarification.
Randolph Lee

did autoweek ever print a wrapup of their long term MINI… And I too like the new design of Automobile… the typography is much improved
Jon

can't wait to pick up the issue. i'm curious to see what they say about the boot rattle. mine rattles too, bugs me how i had to put duct tape around the d ring to get it to stop!
Ryan

Jon – Go to your dealer and ask to have the boot latch replaced. I had Patrick Mini replace the latch on my '04 MCS, and the rattle is now gone. The repair was covered under warranty. I believe Motoringfile ran an article on this problem a few months ago.
elmor fudwel

Anyone here experience a rattling coming from the sun roof button panel. It's the oval that houses the acutal button and the other slot.

My 02 has begun to rattle loudly. At first if I popped the roof open (slanting) it would stop. Now it seems to rattle whether or not the roof is in closed or slanting mode.
?

where does the boot rattle come from? my 05 has no rattles at all.

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