You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, at no cost, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, so please join our community today!
Well, I purchased a MINI Cooper back in 04 and managed to slam 100k miles on it without any major issues. I am finally hitting repairs that are getting very costly and it is time for a new one. Now I am facing the dilemma on finding the right color scheme (and debating between Coup and Convertable) - but any feedback on some of the changes between 2004 and 2010 models of the cooper is greatly appreciated.
Definitely looking forward to a nice new NAV System.
Current mini is blue with white hardtop. Not an S. Saved some cash on it so excited to go with an S this time around. Def going to get every "fun" feature, sports, cold, etc... and nav system.
I am toying around going the Mayfair route, but also liked how this red mini cooper S looks:
Last edited by jaelae; 11-03-2009 at 03:22 PM.
Reason: added link
The biggest difference is that for except the body pan and a few suspension parts, the 2nd gen car is a whole new animal. Opinions will vary as to whether this is good or not, but I had a 2005 S that had very sketchy build quality, and by far my 2009 is a much better built car--more fuel efficient, faster, more refined, etc.
Also, you will see this if going from a first gen to second gen: to lighten the cars and reduce manufacturing costs, BMW used cheaper build materials (headliner, carpets, etc) throughout.
Caveat emptor: before you buy an S, check out the numerous threads on the cold start knock/rattle, and make sure you're comfortable with your car possibly developing this problem. OTOH, if you go with a Justacooper, you won't have to deal with this potential issue. Good luck
__________________ I say, boy, you dont seem to be apprehendin' the general gist of what I'm tryin' to convey here. Maybe you oughta take a second, let your head catch up to your tongue before it gets all sunburnt. That was a joke, son, I say - a joke! Nice boy, but he's about as sharp as a sack o' wet mice.
I went from an 06 MCC to an 08 MCS hardtop and am totally pleased with the switch. My car has been problem free at 30,000 miles. Rattle free too. You will enjoy the power gain and the fuel economy, I average 35mpg. If you want to do some canyon carving get the hardtop. My MCC just didn't handle as well. Too much body flex. My 08 is Chili Red/Black roof with the carbon fiber package. Agreat combo IMHO.
I've not driven a 1st Gen MCS, but what I hear is that thethe 2nd Gen MCS has more power, but is not quite as go-cart like in handling feel. This may have to do with the soft rubber bushings used to damp road noise.
You will fund the low-end torque of the 2010 MCS to be quite good, and the mpg should be much better than you are used to as well.
If you want a convertible, you might want to hold out for the 2011 Speedster.
__________________
Robin Casady Bombadil: 2007 MINI Cooper S, R56, Pure Silver, LSD, Wood Shift Knob, Rota Slipstream 16x7, NAV, HIFI...
Speedster looks great, and hopefully it will come out in 2011. But for now I don't want to risk any more repairs on my current MINI now that I broke 100k miles. Hopefully I won't get completely burned on my trade-in.
Looking at a Chili Red MINI S Convertable with:
convenience / premium / cold weather / sports package
Automatic (yea I know), sports suspension, nav system, sirius, and the JCW Aero Kit.
I think I will be happy with this, just have to decide on my interior.
I have an 05 MCS and an 08 MCS. I like the power and ride of the 08, my wife likes the wining noise of the supercharger and the old school charm of her 05. It is up in the air but the inside of my 08 definitely looks cheap compared to the 05. And I have only had the 08 for one week and today I heard a rattle when I first started the car cold and revved it to 2k RPM's for about 30 seconds and then went away. Hope I am not going to have the dreaded rattle problem with the timing chain but it is under warranty.
__________________ Organizer for the Pittsburgh MINI Cooper Meetup Group "Motorin the Burgh" http://www.meetup.com/motoringtheburgh/ VP of the PittStop MINI Club- www.pittstopmini.org
'05 MCS Electric Blue w/ White Top '08 MCS Chili Red w/ white top Trailer Hitch
And I have only had the 08 for one week and today I heard a rattle when I first started the car cold and revved it to 2k RPM's for about 30 seconds and then went away. Hope I am not going to have the dreaded rattle problem with the timing chain but it is under warranty.
You have it. Report it to your dealer. No reason to wait. Oh, and not good to rev it much when this is happening.
__________________
Robin Casady Bombadil: 2007 MINI Cooper S, R56, Pure Silver, LSD, Wood Shift Knob, Rota Slipstream 16x7, NAV, HIFI...
I have an 05 MCS and an 08 MCS. I like the power and ride of the 08, my wife likes the wining noise of the supercharger and the old school charm of her 05. It is up in the air but the inside of my 08 definitely looks cheap compared to the 05. And I have only had the 08 for one week and today I heard a rattle when I first started the car cold and revved it to 2k RPM's for about 30 seconds and then went away. Hope I am not going to have the dreaded rattle problem with the timing chain but it is under warranty.
I'm shopping around for a used MCS and couldn't tell by the pics that the 2nd gen has cheaper looking materials. Nice to know that. So I guess based on your feedback the "rattle noise" is not for 1st year model ('07) only but can occur in '08-09 models.
Yeah the rattle only happens on 07+ cars, not 02-06. Our 05 has not been problem free however. It had all of the lower seals changed out on the engine at 15k miles and a new clutch at 11k miles. I would buy an 06 under warranty if you possibly can.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Galactor
I'm shopping around for a used MCS and couldn't tell by the pics that the 2nd gen has cheaper looking materials. Nice to know that. So I guess based on your feedback the "rattle noise" is not for 1st year model ('07) only but can occur in '08-09 models.
__________________ Organizer for the Pittsburgh MINI Cooper Meetup Group "Motorin the Burgh" http://www.meetup.com/motoringtheburgh/ VP of the PittStop MINI Club- www.pittstopmini.org
'05 MCS Electric Blue w/ White Top '08 MCS Chili Red w/ white top Trailer Hitch
If you like a little bit of raw power, gen 1's are more fun. If you want less connection with the road, some would say more refinement, the gen 2 is for you. They are each very different, each with different problems. Similarites are generaly only skin deep....but they are both uniquely MINI!!
__________________
l 2005 MCS l 11-04 Production l owned since new l RMW Tuned l Craven -17% Pulley l Craven Speed STD l Dinan CAI l JCW 380's l H&R 19 MM Swaybar l MSD Ignition l Power Steering Fan Duct l LightInSight l "EURO" MINI Armrest l Euro Parcel Shelf l Brake Light PULSAR(gen2)l Detroit Tuned Tensioner Stop l Blitzsafe/xmradio l Cobra 19IV CB l 4.5' Francis CB25 CB Antenna, mounted on the rear tow rig!!
I did not say toatal hp, or faster....the word is RAW. The way in which it delivered....more like a go-cart.
__________________
l 2005 MCS l 11-04 Production l owned since new l RMW Tuned l Craven -17% Pulley l Craven Speed STD l Dinan CAI l JCW 380's l H&R 19 MM Swaybar l MSD Ignition l Power Steering Fan Duct l LightInSight l "EURO" MINI Armrest l Euro Parcel Shelf l Brake Light PULSAR(gen2)l Detroit Tuned Tensioner Stop l Blitzsafe/xmradio l Cobra 19IV CB l 4.5' Francis CB25 CB Antenna, mounted on the rear tow rig!!
No need to justify or apologize. many of us motor (and track!) automatics by choice, and we ****ing love it!
__________________ I say, boy, you dont seem to be apprehendin' the general gist of what I'm tryin' to convey here. Maybe you oughta take a second, let your head catch up to your tongue before it gets all sunburnt. That was a joke, son, I say - a joke! Nice boy, but he's about as sharp as a sack o' wet mice.
I'm shopping around for a used MCS and couldn't tell by the pics that the 2nd gen has cheaper looking materials. Nice to know that. So I guess based on your feedback the "rattle noise" is not for 1st year model ('07) only but can occur in '08-09 models.
Not just cheaper looking, but cheaper feeling. If U get the chance, compare the carpets and healiners on both gen cars and U WILL see and feel the diff.
Also, the cold start rattle/knock is also affecting early build 10s.
__________________ I say, boy, you dont seem to be apprehendin' the general gist of what I'm tryin' to convey here. Maybe you oughta take a second, let your head catch up to your tongue before it gets all sunburnt. That was a joke, son, I say - a joke! Nice boy, but he's about as sharp as a sack o' wet mice.
I think I will be happy with this, just have to decide on my interior.
My 09 is CR/B with black stripes, and I opted for the anthracite headliner, English Oak trim and steering wheel (you should also get an EO shift knob on yr auto) chrome-line interior, and red/black cloth/leather seats. sweet.
__________________ I say, boy, you dont seem to be apprehendin' the general gist of what I'm tryin' to convey here. Maybe you oughta take a second, let your head catch up to your tongue before it gets all sunburnt. That was a joke, son, I say - a joke! Nice boy, but he's about as sharp as a sack o' wet mice.
And I have only had the 08 for one week and today I heard a rattle when I first started the car cold and revved it to 2k RPM's for about 30 seconds and then went away. Hope I am not going to have the dreaded rattle problem with the timing chain but it is under warranty.
What Robin said: don't rev it when it's a-knocking, just let it settle on its own (30 seconds to 2 minutes) and report it to your dealer.
Also, try this: when you know the engine will go dead-cold (6+ hours), when you are parked slowly rev the engine to 3K, hold it there half a sec, then shut off power. I and a SAE engineer are convinced the root cause is with the S's variable oil delivery system*, and this shut-down technique seems to mitigate that nasty and scary rattle.
*justacoopers and justaclubmans dont have this feature, and they dont rattle.
__________________ I say, boy, you dont seem to be apprehendin' the general gist of what I'm tryin' to convey here. Maybe you oughta take a second, let your head catch up to your tongue before it gets all sunburnt. That was a joke, son, I say - a joke! Nice boy, but he's about as sharp as a sack o' wet mice.
I say, boy, you dont seem to be apprehendin' the general gist of what I'm tryin' to convey here. Maybe you oughta take a second, let your head catch up to your tongue before it gets all sunburnt. That was a joke, son, I say - a joke! Nice boy, but he's about as sharp as a sack o' wet mice.
sweet.
