TL to Mini Cooper S?
Thread Starter
I drive a Subata.
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From: Socal
TL to Mini Cooper S?
Hmm..........
I really really want to trade in my TL for Mini Cooper S... The only thing that I don't like about my TL is its automatic transmission... Other than that, TL has given me no problem whatsoever.
Has anyone bought Mini S before? How was it?
I really really want to trade in my TL for Mini Cooper S... The only thing that I don't like about my TL is its automatic transmission... Other than that, TL has given me no problem whatsoever.
Has anyone bought Mini S before? How was it?
Owned a MINI....loved it.
First gen cooper S were supercharged....current gen is turbocharged.
Great car....sooooo much fun to drive. Manual tranny was very nice.
Never had any problems with it. BMW service was tops.
First gen cooper S were supercharged....current gen is turbocharged.
Great car....sooooo much fun to drive. Manual tranny was very nice.
Never had any problems with it. BMW service was tops.
Thread Starter
I drive a Subata.
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 20,301
Likes: 2,603
From: Socal
nice nice. since its turbocharged, i guess i can simply reflash the ECU and get more boost out of it eh? how bad is the torque steer? and how's the fuel mileage? I commute 80 miles everyday...
i built one online and it came out to be around $27.5K. Would I be able to get some good discount on it?
i built one online and it came out to be around $27.5K. Would I be able to get some good discount on it?
Thread Starter
I drive a Subata.
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 20,301
Likes: 2,603
From: Socal
I've driven it once before, and I was so shocked by the agility and power of the little thing. Ever since that experience, I've always wanted to get one.... It's very afforable too.
I love Mini Coopers. My mom had an 04 and from what I recall, the only problem she ever had was that her battery was very weak, only lasted for 15 hours or so. The dealer replaced it under warranty. I love the Clubman.
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Thread Starter
I drive a Subata.
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 20,301
Likes: 2,603
From: Socal
and I don't think it's that girly. I will definitely modify it a little in and out to make it look a bit more muscular anyway.
As for the stripes, do you guys remember those black 5-series with thin silver stripes from Transporter 1? That's the type of look that I want my Mini to have. Smoked out with thin single silver stripe.
As for the stripes, do you guys remember those black 5-series with thin silver stripes from Transporter 1? That's the type of look that I want my Mini to have. Smoked out with thin single silver stripe.
My brother drives a Cooper S, dark metallic blue with the black stripes. Rode with him and that thing is pretty cool zipping in and out of traffic. I think he said combined city/highway/lead foot was about 30 mpg.
I've driven my sister-in-law's Mini S Works many times and its great fun. Its the supercharged one, but regardless its very nimble. Be careful though, coming from a TL, the Works has a pretty harsh ride, I'm pretty sure all the bushings are replaced with polyurethane for better response and to stiffen it up.
I might add also, maybe its just crappy luck but the car has had a few issues. Window regulators went out 3x (car only has 2 windows!) and the supercharger needed to be replaced. The first time, something was still off so it needed another reflash or something. It is good now though
Thread Starter
I drive a Subata.
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 20,301
Likes: 2,603
From: Socal
Really, I just love my car. Now, I have a lot of love for Audi, but it would be cost prohibitive to have one here in Japan.
I was really hoping Honda would get the TL right and sell it here, but they didn't and they won't. I digress.
I do like the Cooper S, and it is fun as hell. But the OP did offer up what other cars are fun with a stick. I know my Leg is fun, and with a 6Mt, it's really fun. I just didn't want to pay extra.
Personally, I'd love an Audi S4 or S5 6MT. That for me would be perfect. But living here, the Legacy is at the right price point.
My girlfriend has a 2006 MINI Cooper S Convertible. I convinced her to get it and boy does she thank me for it. She went from an 06 k24 Accord to the MINI. It took her some getting used to but she LOVES it now. The ride is many times better than a TL IMO, but I'm a big fan of responsive suspensions. My next car WILL BE an 06 MCS, maybe JCW if I find a good deal.
I have driven the R56 (07 and later) and it's nice but a lot of the characteristics of the R53 are gone. If you want MPG's then definitely go with the R56, you'd be lucky to pull 30mpg out of an R53 on average. I drove one on an autocross track at MINI Takes The States (event held at the Rose Bowl by MINI) and the power is very very good, torque steer is not bad, handling is good, surprisingly good on the JCW Clubman.
Tuning for the R56 is on its way. There is some tuning being done by Alta but its pretty lame. Jan @ RMW (Revolution MINI Works, very big on the R53 side) is saying they are a couple of weeks away from having the tools to tune R56's. He is in Irvine so that is fairly local.
I am a member on northamericanmotoring.com, if you can deal with some of the bickering there are some good reads.
Here are some threads showing some appearance modifications:
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com...-body-kit.html
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com...ub-thread.html
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com...-jcw-mini.html
Tuning:
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com...ort=replycount
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com...orking-on.html
You can also check out motoringunderground.com
I have driven the R56 (07 and later) and it's nice but a lot of the characteristics of the R53 are gone. If you want MPG's then definitely go with the R56, you'd be lucky to pull 30mpg out of an R53 on average. I drove one on an autocross track at MINI Takes The States (event held at the Rose Bowl by MINI) and the power is very very good, torque steer is not bad, handling is good, surprisingly good on the JCW Clubman.
Tuning for the R56 is on its way. There is some tuning being done by Alta but its pretty lame. Jan @ RMW (Revolution MINI Works, very big on the R53 side) is saying they are a couple of weeks away from having the tools to tune R56's. He is in Irvine so that is fairly local.
I am a member on northamericanmotoring.com, if you can deal with some of the bickering there are some good reads.
Here are some threads showing some appearance modifications:
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com...-body-kit.html
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com...ub-thread.html
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com...-jcw-mini.html
Tuning:
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com...ort=replycount
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com...orking-on.html
You can also check out motoringunderground.com
Last edited by v6cord2k5; Mar 27, 2009 at 08:39 PM.
My ex had one and it was fun to drive with the manual. She was absolutely in love with the car and actually was rear ended in one really bad causing it to be totaled and bought another one.
Oh, her sister has one too
Oh, her sister has one too













But for less than $27k, one could get an Accord V6 coupe 6MT.