Wheels24 Reviews the 2007 Cooper
Everyone loves the Cooper! Including Wheels24.co.za.
>But in fact it is a much-evolved car with better fit and finish and an improved ride. The interior has been revised too and everything on the outside has grown a little.
>Besides power differences between the Cooper S and the Cooper, the latter’s styling is more subdued.
>For example, the Cooper doesn’t get the bulging bonnet scoop or twin exhaust outlets. But despite, the Cooper’s toned-down appearance in comparison with its racier sibling, it still looks funky.
And not a single mention of the center stack!
[ MINI Cooper Tested ] Wheels24.co.za
I’ve been gathering as much info as possible lately because I’m buying a MINI soon. I still haven’t decided all the specs, but I have read the concerns of the center stack on the R56. I test drove an S last year, and noticed the quality of the parts.
When test driving the R56 Cooper and S recently, the center stack didn’t bother me. It felt a little blah when I first got in a test car a few months ago, but earlier this week, I was actually impressed. It could be done better, sure, but I could envision owning and loving the car. Functionally, it’s quirky but effective. That’s enough for me.
what center stack…?
I’m on my third MINI (2002 MCS, 2005 MCS, and now a 2006 MC) The current car is not as fast as the previous 2, but it is every bit as much fun for my 25 mile commute to work. Since I was saving money on not getting the Cooper S I even opted for the JCW Sound kit! (yes, I’m the one that bought it) There is something to be said for driving a slow car fast rather than a fast car slow. I encourage anybody who thinks they “need” a Cooper S to give the Cooper a look. It’s a ton of fun!
Yeah, I’m looking at the two as well. If I get the Cooper, I have more money to spend on leather seating, nav, upgraded sound, etc. Plus I get Oxygen Blue or Nightfire Red. But some things in the Cooper S are no-cost or low-cost upgrades, like the 16″ wheels, xenons, and such. I didn’t like the lack of torque in the 2005 MC I drove, but the 2007/2008 has closed the gap somewhat, so I’ll definately test drive the Cooper again.
Nice review but they missed lots of the best stuff! I suppose that’s to be expected.
When i was faced with my purchasing decision, I always intended to purchase an “S”, but drove the Cooper just for kicks. Cincinnati MINI has a great location for test-driving, with curves, straight-aways, railroad track crossings, you name it. I actually had more fun driving the Cooper. Of course, I was really pressing the car, to wring the most out of it, but I felt like I was driving it, instead of the feel that I get in my optioned-out 2005 Cooper S. In the end, I stuck to my plan, mainly due to the extra ponies, but I believe I would have enjoyed owning a Cooper. I do wish I had purchased Nav, though.