I know this review is old, but I didn't find any discussions regarding it on MCO.

Pistonheads' Robert Farago does a test drive and review of the Mini Cooper S.

Mini Cooper S Review Link

In the introduction, the reviewer completely TRASHES the original Mini Cooper. I have rarely seen such an effort being made by a car tester to trash any car, especially the Cooper.

My questions are:

1. Is this guy for real? Is this a respectable magazine whos oppinion should be considered or are they crap?

2. Is the Cooper really THAT slow?
Quote: "BMW "tuned" the Mini Cooper's Brazilian-made four-cylinder engine to produce a staggeringly pathetic 115bhp. Although this version was deemed powerful enough for US buyers, the coarse, asthmatic engine limited the car's appeal to style victims and/or drivers genetically incapable of feeling the need for speed." SO MEAN!!!

3. This one really scared me: The Suspension. Is the Cooper suspension (SS+)really worse than the Cooper S suspension? If anything I have been hearing that MC with SS+ is a bit sharper in the twisties than the MCS because of weight.
Quote: "The sports suspension did nothing to improve the situation, save making the Mini ride harder than a soapbox racer. I've driven faster, more comfortable tractors." -

4. Is the Cooper with SS+ really that much harsher riding than the MCS?
Quote: "Where a Cooper's sports suspension could be listed as an asset on a chiropractor's balance sheet, the S' strikes a perfect balance between road feel and comfort."

This is such an unpleasant review!!! leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Especially that I am ordering a 2004 Cooper with SS+ in September.

Any thoughts on this review?
Thanks.

P.S. "Inside the cabin, you get the standard Mini design overkill". "That said, the S offers buyers a reason to ignore the pretension, torture the family and risk dismemberment: fun."

 

Good grief. Sounds like he's got something to prove to someone, but he doesn't know what it is.

I hope we can all agree that his comments are senseless enough that we don't need to dignify with arguments.

 

Wow. Harsh. The guy is also judging the car by the numbers not by driving it. I thought the same thing at first, 115 horse power. But after the test drive and buying a PW/B MC. My MC has no problem hitting 60 and no real problem hitting 120. In the big picture I just want to be faster then the standard Ford Focus, Standard Civic and so on, and I am :smile: And if the speed is an issue add about 1000 in mods and you are golden.

 

RELAAAAAAXXXX

A couple of observations.

Everything he said was HIGHLY opinionated. That doesn't make it right or wrong, but it does make it HIS opinion. I can't speak for him or his reputation, as generally here in the US we don't normally give a rat's @#$%$@% what foreigners think (ok, cheap shot, forget I said it, but if you ask anyone in Europe, they're sure we feel that way, so why not).

Anyway, with all that said. You only highlighted his negative points about the MC and MCS. He actually said a lot of good things.. and gave the MCS 4 or 5 stars (out of 5) in all rated categories. 5 of 5 in Performance and Ride/Handling.

I've never driven an MC, so I can't say how slow/fast it is, though I've spoken with enough owners and read enough reviews here to know that although it is no wolf, it is no sheep either.

I'm told the stock MC is fun to drive, so with the light weight and sport suspension, you should enjoy it quite a bit.

As for everything else he said, go back to my first point. It was HIS opinion, and obviously it is not shared by a lot of people. Although, the only person who doesn't have to share it is YOU!

Have Fun!


_________________
She let's me drive her MCS (which is good, cause I gave it to her as a wedding present)!!!

Our Baby? - she's an 03 Elect Blue (white roof/wheels) MCS, w/ all the toys (premium, cold, h/k, Nav, xenon, fogs etc) !

 

Vano,

Did you test drive the Cooper? If so, and you were happy with it, than that is what should count. You can get anyone to complain about the shortcomings or someone's perceived shortcomings of a car. The qualities of this car are obviously not liked by this reviewer and therefore he makes these as negative. I have a MCS, but I thouroughly enjoy the Cooper as well. While the engine is slower, I wouldn't call it anemic, and up to 30mph in acceleration it is as fast as the S. It is quicker than a lot of cars with larger engines and more horsepower. The suspension feel is subjective. I lover harsher suspensions because the car feels tighter to me. I don't like soft suspensions. With that said, I don't think the Cooper feels worse than the S, but I also like the S suspension. As for his comments about the interior, it is a polarizing interior. Some people like it some don't. I wouldn't base your opinions on a single negative review. Some people may not like the car, the same reason people love Kia's. Each person is looking for different things in a car. If you enjoyed the car when you saw it at the dealership and drove it, then that should be what is important. You will get a lot of positive comments about it once you get it, and a lot of extra attention. It is extremely fun to drive overall, and the spirit and enthusiasm of other owners is great, and something that can't be found at a car anywhere near this price range.

 

Pay no attention to such negative reviews. He probably didnt even drive a cooper with ss+!

Have you test driven a cooper with ss+?

Remember that all reviews are subjective, as in everybody has different limits, thresholds, and tastes. Just because he doesnt like it doesnt mean you wont.

I have never even heard of that magazine. I would go read something from a more known magazine or online thing. Something like edmunds.com or whatever. Even better yet, people on here! This is where the real reviews come from, people who have had these cars for over a year know much more than some silly magazine guy who drove the car for probably no more than a day.

I ordered my 2004 MCS last thursday, I have had my test drives and it isnt that harsh a ride to me (but I'm 18 though, although there are many an older person that is not bothered as well) and I've been on here for about 10 months just learning many things about the cars. All in all these people have helped me very much.

Ok...anyways go order your car and pay no attention to people like that. They are a very small group.

Good Luck!

 

What an *********!!!

 

The author is entitled to his opinion, I guess, but then again he is a "pistonhead," right? If, according to their slogan, "speed matters"...and that's it...then he might not like Coopers. I drive my MC on real roads with real rules which keep people alive....the car always delivers and never fails to put a big grin on my face!!! He probably inhabits the track...different rules there.

I think you'll love your car, but the wait can fray one's nerves, especially when one runs across articles like this. Personally I think he's nuts!!!

As a contrast, our local MINI owner's group has folks from many different backgrounds with lots of different driving interests and lots of different approaches to modding (...or not) their MINIs. We get along great recognizing that both MSs and MCSs are awesome cars "as is" and have great potential should one choose to move into mods. This attitude has also been well-articulated here on MCO. These authors are only offering their one opinion among many. I'd take it with a grain of salt.

 

To each his own. I did notice that our obnoxious Mr. Farago is a "free-lance " MotoJorno. Isn't free-lance somewhat akin to un-employed?

 

Thanks for the replys guys.

As far as the PistonHeads review. I read through some other reviews that this guy did and it looks like he is harsh about almost every car. He even trashes some parts of the M5 and Boxster S. Looks like he's a tough guy to please. The only car he really seemed to like is the Lotus Elise.

So having seen what a tough and harsh critic he is, I can say I feel a little better about the review he gave for the MC and MCS. Whew.

Though I am still upset about the "style" and "wannabe" commentary.. but its his opinion. I am buy thing this car not because I want to get looks but because the 20 minute test drives were the most fun I have every had driving any car.

I have driven the Cooper 3 times. Twice at a dealership. I haven't been able to find one that isn't loaded with 'slow' options like 16 inch lead wheels and the huge sunroof and a chubby dealer in the passenger seat. During these test drives I thought the car had just enough power to keep me happy. With 15 inch light wheels, no options and no passenger I am sure the a properly broken in Cooper will be plenty zippy for me. Though I did experience that 1st gear lurch/stumble on an uphil start at a light.

The handling/ride was great. Didn't find it in any way harsh riding. I have not been able to find a dealership with SS+ Cooper to test drive so I will just order and hope its not too harsh on 15 inch wheels.

 

>>To each his own. I did notice that our obnoxious Mr. Farago is a "free-lance " MotoJorno. Isn't free-lance somewhat akin to un-employed?

Yeah, probably can't afford a MINI, and wants to spoil as much fun as he can for those who have one. Of course, this is an impossibility.

Also, whenever someone mentions genetics to trash someone else's opinion, you can know they're not exactly being objective.

I'm *completely* happy with my MCS. He can think/say/do whatever he wants and I could care less. However, I will try to remember his name, so I'll know to take any other reviews by him with a grain of salt.

 

Of course, even with a reinvigorated engine, the Mini is a deeply flawed creation. The interior is so self-consciously funky it dates as you drive. Unless you want to violate some basic human rights, you shouldn't even think about putting an adult - never mind two - in the rear. And no amount of airbags and crumple zones are going to prevent a larger car from squashing a Mini like a bug.

________________________

Is this guy an idiot or what...name one sportscar that you can get 2 adults in the backseat of and not get squished like a bug if hit by an SUV....lol

 

About the rear seat. I don't understand why journalists always whine about that.

First of all, the rear seat is not supposed to be big. Also, when I was at the dealership my girlfriend and I did a little test to see if I could fit my buddies in the back if needed. She is 5'4" and I am 6'3". She sat in the passenger seat with me behind her. She said she was COMPLETELY comfortable and I was doing ok back there. In fact I was more comfortable than I have ever been in my friends' Celica GTS or Prelude. Had far more head room.

Saw some guy pull into the dealership with an MC - his rear left tire was flat (run flat) - 6 people got out of the car!!!!
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And why didn't the pistonheads guy make the same point of getting squashed if in an accident for the Lotus Elise. Its the same size, doesn't have as many safey features, and weighs 800lbs less than the MC. Rather biased review IMO.

 

Yeah vano, I'm 6'2" and my girlfriend is a volleyball player, although @ 5'10" she's not the biggest but..., she sat behind me whilst I was in the drivers seat and I still had room to drive, but on long journeys I dont think it would work, but I havent tried yet.

I'm not getting the car to put people in the back (they can sit behind the passenger first!) anyways!

My mom said that when I take the car over for good that I'll regret it cause it has 'no' back seat, I said what, you want me to buy a Minivan, or another big slow ugly SUV, I'm 18 ma, what do you expect!

 

I think he gave a pretty positive review to the MCS though... Just look:
and

So, he's not completely out of line...

 

I just got back from a 1000 mile-plus trip to and from SF in my PS/B MC. During my visit, I had several commutes to restaurants, etc. in which I had 4 adults in my MINI. I'm only 5'8", so even the adult behind me was comfortable enough- the passengers comments were always of the "Wow, this is really roomy!" sort. On the handling, one male's comment, as if he'd read the script, was "This car rides handles like a go-cart!" And regarding the interior design, the comments were also very positive. One woman kept going on about how it was like being in a spaceship as she noticed little thing after little thing, squealing about how she loved it. As far as speed, well, after driving a minivan for 8 years, I might not be able to hit 100 mph easily on a 6% ungrade but I sure can hit 60 mph easily where the curves read 25 mph, and that's plenty good enough for me. To each their own-I've got mine and I couldn't be happier.

 

>>Though I am still upset about the "style" and "wannabe" commentary.. but its his opinion.

Regarding the interior style - I thought the interior was the best piece of industrial art I've ever seen!!! The door handles, control wands, buttons, everything put a huge smile on my face.

I test drove something like 7 cars before I test drove the MINI, and every single one of them had boring or just plain ugly interiors. The most I could hope for was good ergonomics and lots of black so nothing stood out. The Acura CL Type-S had the best ergonomic and luxurious type interior, but it's just an okay car to drive.

When I got into the MINI I thought Finally! Finally someone has thought outside the box. Finally someone was more of an art/creative type than engineer type.

As with anything that makes a loud, clear artistic statement, you either love it or you hate it. I love it! MINIs rule!

 

Watch that freelance bashing! I just finished writing an article on hybrids -- now THAT would be a top-seller, a MINI hybrid!

Anyway, I went to a MINI dealer to make fun of it -- I was a classic Mini 'purist.' When I sat in it I was impressed by the roominess (I'm 6'3&quot so I took it for a test drive, and 30 minutes later I bought the damn thing!

Forget reviews, go with your gut, this car is the biggest thing to hit the market since the Benz gullwing coupe!

 

>>Watch that freelance bashing! I just finished writing an article on hybrids -- now THAT would be a top-seller, a MINI hybrid!
>>
>>Anyway, I went to a MINI dealer to make fun of it -- I was a classic Mini 'purist.' When I sat in it I was impressed by the roominess (I'm 6'3&quot so I took it for a test drive, and 30 minutes later I bought the damn thing!
>>
>>Forget reviews, go with your gut, this car is the biggest thing to hit the market since the Benz gullwing coupe!

Obviously, you're an intelligent and astute freelancer, who knows a good thing when he sees one. (ahem)

 

Phobol,

I agree, the review he gave the MCS was pretty good, especially considering how much of a harda$$ he is when reveiwing some of the other super cars. He managed to find something wrong with the Boxster S. Thats not an easy task IMO.

I was initially more concerned with how badly he seemed to trash the regular MC while comparing it to the MCS. But I have calmed down a little now and can just dismiss some of his harsh comments as just his thoughts. To each his own i guess.

I have to admit his reviews are really fun to read. He is so sarcastic and mean as he bashes all these expensive cars. He does seem like a big VW Golf R32 fan though.

 

Isn't the SS+ suspension on the Cooper the exact same suspension as the ones standard on the MCS?

 

I look more than post here but I must give my tow cents on this one.

I have a MC.

DaMINI has SS+.

I like the ride and if you are not a sissy you can make the car move. Perhaps the good gentleman is lacking something between the legs.

He would be better off with a more middle class car with a auto lots of cup holders and a V-8
John