Many fun-filled thousands of miles later, I have not lost one bit of admiration or love for my Cooper. The sports package and sports suspension plus have provided me the pleasure of superb handling and agility in tortuous roads oftentimes considered torturous for others. The CVT has not detracted from my having fun and yet has provided a different experience of extracting power from a hard-working engine, whether in the twisty mountains, on the highway, or in city traffic.

Part of the fun driving the Cooper is making it work to sprint and play hard; it is no less whiptastic than an S. Knowing how to make the Cooper work optimally was part of the challenge.

I credit the whole motoring experience in my Cooper for my desire to learn to drive a manual tranny. And with this desire awaits a whole new experience with my next MINI – more challenge and ultimately more FUN!

Boy, Mini makes great cars and tough choices!!!

LIGHTEN UP FOLKS!

RB, I bet you there are a lot of JCW owners giggling at your original post thinking about your S exactly what you think about the Cooper.

So Nah!

Hahaha…

I came to MINIs from the old school – 1275S’s, original Coopers, and woodie Countrymans, and there are many presumptions I’ve had to leave by the wayside, because this car confounds all preconceptions. There a many in the Classic Mini world who wouldn’t waste spit on a new ‘S’, but I’ve always had an open mind, and my first sight of MINI almost sold me right then, so the test drives just cemented the new MINI into my soul.

I will also add that the folks in extended family of MINI owners, (and the Classic owners who can open up their hearts), with rare exceptions, are the BEST, most enthusiastic, least pretentious motorers on the planet.

It’s been almost three years now, since that evening in June, when I nervously drove out of Long Beach for San Diego – excited, amped, chuffed, just plain a grinnin’ fool – and knew I was driving one of the best road machines ever – no brag, just fact. Hell, I’m still grinnin’.

        BCNU,
      Rob in Dago

A couple of back-to back runs on the Dragon, 1 done in a Cooper, the other in an S, both with a reasonably competent pilot at the wheel, should be enough to lay the “S-vs.-Cooper” trash talk to rest. From what I saw there last year, the only difference was which gear each car spent most time using; the Coopers had no trouble keeping up- they just buzzed along at a slightly higher pitch. =)

As you were, I was also thoroughly impressed with the Cooper during my first test drive. The deciding factor for me was probably the gearbox more than the engine, actually. I love my ’03 S, and plan to keep it ’till the day I’m no longer physically able to drive (it wouln’t be fair to keep him penned up in a garage just because I couldn’t take him out any more!)

That said, if I was buying a new MINI today, I’d likely choose a Cooper, and spend the price difference saved “me-ifying” it to a greater degree early on… lightweight forged wheels, sticky shoes, maybe some minor suspension and brake mods, if I ever got good enough to put them to good use.

And I’d enjoy even less frequent opportunities than I now have to smile at SUV owners when I pull up to the pump.

grin

Having just traded my 2002 Cooper in on a 2005 MCS JCW I see them as two very different exhilarating driving experiences. The Works car is terrifyingly fast and the transmission is overthetop tolerant. Makes me feel a little detached from the car. As my 11 year old said, “dad, it feels like we’re floating.” The Cooper needs to be driven precisely to maximize its potential, so it can play with the big boys, and the need to do so makes it a purer driving experience. It’s about finesse.

They’re both great cars, just different.

And……..I can’t disagree more with your statement.

They go BOW WOW, unless enhanced as you just described. But it’s kinda like saying one of my kids is better than the other their both kool one is just a D…

And I think you rehashed the debate, as far as I’m concerned, in your article. And as long as new folks climb aboard the Mini carousel the debate is fresh.

Nah….so there.

The MCS 6-speed is pure joy and and the power of the MCS makes it a lot more fun getting on an on-ramp or passing. The 5- speed has been a problem and replaced twice. I do fidn the Cooper to be just as entertaining because without the power you have to think a little more when zipping around the traffic. It makes you think and plan ahead and work the car. I have just as much fun in the Cooper.

Our Cooper is also three years old. I bought it at Concord MINI. They were selling first-come-first-served and there were 10 cars available. I was at the dealer the minute they opened at 12 noon March 22, 2002.

My new MCS with an automatic is due to arrive in April to replace the Cooper but I can honestly say I am not completely sold on having two MCS. We’ll see.

My Cooper has the optional SS+ suspension – the exact same thing on the MCS. So saying they are much different in the handling dept is just incorrrect. Technically is handles better since it weights less. Further the base suspension (also found on the MCSc) is hardly any different from SS+. I guess in general, having driven an MC and MCS back to back many many times, I can’t disagree more with your statement :)

Except for maybe that the Cooper can be a dog. But only in situations where you’re accelerating from a high speed. Otherwise it’s certainly quick enough with the right gear.

And I seriously can’t believe this is still being discussed at this point.

I have driven both and can say I can’t agree less.

The “S” is so superior to the Cooper its amazing to me that anybody would think otherwise. Yes the 1st gear acceleration is similar but after that it’s adios and not slightly either. Cornering is similar but once you exit a turn it’s, again, adios. The only Coopers that have come close are the ones with enhancements to their engines or suspension.

Not to start the MINI Cooper Wars but………… give me a break, there a DOG!

Interesitng thought about the accident. Although I would bet if that accident hadn’t have happened I would have waited a few more months and gotten a dark silver/white MCS :)

That said I think me owning a Cooper has been better for the site. I can’t quite say why… it’s just a feeling.

Did you test drive at Patrick? I first tested there soon after they opened and was told I had to wait months to even TEST drive an S! They instead gave me a base cooper with 15′s…I was disappointed after getting all four wheels to slide at very low speeds in a neighboring lot. However I figured it was just the budget rubber. No intention to buy just wanted to see one for myself.

Skip ahead several years, and now there’s one in my driveway. :)