Prolly going to pick up a Mini within the next few months. Really want an S but may have to get a standard Cooper. My question is why do some standard Coopers really feel zippy and seem to have plenty of power and some just feel heavy and slow? Other than general maintenance is there any reason for this? I've driven about 5 over the last few weeks and it's 50/50 on how it feels. I need some education

 

Mantaince..(plugs, filters, etc)

Geneneral condition...

Fuel...(better fuel can mean more power on a performance car)the mini requires premium ...some have used less..less performance now, and long term mantance isues could result.

Modifications....(pullies on the sc to make extra hp, exausts, etc)similar types of changes can be done to newer turbo mini's...


Year by year model changes....what years are you looking at?
many changes occured in 2005...the gearing on the transmission was changed to add more zipp, and the SC was updated.

If you look at the basic cooper, imo be very careful, many cvt transmissions (auto) have fail prematurely , and the 5 speed unit in that car sometimes has issues...).

 

Mostly been looking at 02's to 04's. No CVT's! The one I test drove today (02 Cooper). Was very quick. If it wasn't so beat up I'd have bought it!

 

Could be gearing too, the gearing changed for 05 I think?

I have an '06 standard Cooper. It was fairly zippy when I test drove it. After getting lighter wheels, lighter and better tires, a cold air intake, catback exhaust, sprint booster, and rear sway bar, it FEELS fast. Sure, it's not fast in the literal sense, but it sure feels like it. If you have to get a Cooper, don't despair! A few mods and it is a really punchy little car.

Edit: as to the previous posters comment about the 5spd, the later (05-06) have the more robust Getrag 5spd, not the older Midlands 5spd that some people had trouble with. If you can find a late model R50, you'll have a very reliable car.

 

Take the time and get an "S".
While you'll be happy with the "Justa" initially, you'll look
back at some point and think I should have got an "S".
If you are planning to mod your car the "S" gives you
inexpensive and abundant opportunities to develop a little
pocket road rocket.
Just my opinion.......

 

Not only all that, but you forgot: the bloody time of day, phase of the moon, or what you had for breakfast. Seriously, sometimes it just runs better and there's no apparent reason. But for sure, if its cooler out, and its getting a nice dense air charge, it will definitely be peppier.

 

We have an 05 justacopper and an 06 S - the S for sure is quicker and has more ummph - but it also has a heavy sunroof, more interior toys etc so weighs more - so while it is faster and accelerates more quickly when you push it, the 05 it feels lighter on it's feet in some of the twisties ...

Both have 17" rims, the 06 has newer and nicer tires but OEM rims on both cars are heavy.

Both get good synthetic motor oil and are well cared for.

I like them both, they each have a unique personality .

Don't know if that helped at all, agree with others that condition and maintainence are part of the puzzle but so is the weight and gadgets and luck of the draw on the power output of each car's engine etc