Hi all,

My wife is looking at replacing her Subaru Outback sedan with a Mini Cooper (non S R56 automatic). I'm a current BMW owner (E46 330i 6-speed) and highly endorse another BMW product joining our garage.

My only concern is that we're giving up an AWD car for a front-drive car. However, the Puget Sound Mini club members say that with dedicated snow tires like Blizzaks, a Mini is very competent in the snow (thanks to them for their advice and support).

Anyway, looking forward to learning more about the cars. It sounds like the non-S R56 dodges a bunch of issues like the timing chain problem as well as the vacuum pump failure that can kill the engine, so that's definitely where we'll be going. The Subaru has a flat-four and an automatic, and it's no powerhouse. Seems like we won't be giving up any performance (apart from AWD) by going to a non-S automatic Cooper.

 

I'd drive both an S and a justacooper as they are sometimes referred to here. Hopefully, MINI has resolved the timing chain issue in the 2011-12 models. If the power is acceptable to her in a non S then go for it. The S is an absolute blast but it does have more to go wrong as with any turbo.

Kind of depends how long you want to keep it. If you plan to sell or trade at 4 yrs 50,000 miles you have full warranty coverage.

I love my MCS convertible and even sold my 323 convertible when I ordered the MINI. Good luck!

 

I own an 2008 M3 and 2008 Clubman S, I enjoy driving my MINI more than the M3. I used to live in the Catskill mountains in NY and with dedicated snow tires I had no trouble driving in the snow.

 

Thanks for the responses.

We're planning to keep the car beyond the warranty period (maybe 8-10 years) so the simplicity of the "Justa" non-S is appealing.

I just ran the numbers and found that the 2012 Justa has a better power/weight ratio than my wife's 2000 Outback so acceleration shouldn't be an issue - guessing it should at least be better than the Subaru, which ran something like 10 seconds 0-60 when it was new, according to Car and Driver.

 

I'm on my second justacooper, and I love them! I had a 2006 and now a 2011. I like the 2011 much better as it is a lot roomier and I feel it has higher quality interior materials. Not to mention the mpg increase!

I have driven an S and have just have never really liked it as much. Yeah it has more power, but I find the justacooper to be more than sufficient and the ride is so much better.

 

I like my '06 Justa better than the R53, R55S and R56S I test drove, although it took a few mods to get there. It's definitely very capable in the snow with proper snow tires.

 

I am also a PNWer and have a 2008 Oxygen Blue "justa" Cooper, I think if you ran All Season M+S you will be fine, I'm running Bridgestone G019 Grids and love them, but because of your location and the smidge of a chance of Ice, I'd opt for an M+S. As far as power goes, many will tell you that the "justa's" are way under powered compared to the "S", that may be true, but they are less expensive and like you mentioned driveablility wise far more reliable.
Good luck on becoming a BMW/MINI Family you won't be sorry!!

 

We test drove a 2011 justaCooper hatch with an automatic transmission today. Pretty plain jane. No sport suspension, no leather seats. Only notable options were the sport seats and the Harman Kardon and a sunroof. The car had the base 15" 175-65/15 tires with standard suspension. I set expectations at "This thing should be a slightly more entertaining version of a Corolla or Civic".

I ate crow real fast.

The little 1.6 liter put out power that felt out of proportion to the advertised figure of 121 hp and sounded very nice doing so. Even when hooked up to the automatic gearbox, which my wife prefers. It has notably better acceleration than my wife's Outback automatic.

And the handling? Ridiculous. I didn't know a front-drive car could handle as well as that base Mini Cooper did. It digs in and grips corners like a good BMW. One of the sales guys at our local Mini dealership gave us a very good demonstration of what the Mini could do, and I was extremely impressed.

I think it's just a matter of time before we get one.

 

I just bought my R53 6 speed in January and learned to drive a stick with it through the dead of winter with ice and snow. So even during the newbie learning a stick adventure, the MINI was a beast through the snow. I definitely feel safe driving it in the winter.

And as a fellow BMW owner also, I completely endorse owning another BMW/MINI auto

Excellent choices on the vehicles!!

 

I've owned several BMW cars and motorcycles, including an e36 M3 and e39 M5. On paper, the MINI doesn't look like much. But the best thing to do is to go drive a few. They really offer great feeling, feedback, stability and are a joy to drive.

The familiar BMW connection will definitely be felt.

 

Agreed!

On a side note....nice signature pic

 

Update:

My wife ordered a '12 Cooper in Pepper White with black roof & mirrors.

It has the Steptronic, cold weather package, Harman Kardon, sport seats with leatherette, front and rear fog lamps, and a couple other things I'm probably forgetting.

We decided to forego the sport suspension. The skinny 15 inch tires and base suspension impressed us with how well they stuck to the road in the Cooper we test drove and they'll be more comfortable on the cratered streets of Seattle proper.

Our salesman quoted about 6 weeks wait for delivery, so hopefully it'll be here before October.

Can't wait!

 

You are right - it does feel like more power. The main reason is that BMW puts so much emphasis on torque at low RPM. Many cars with higher peak horsepower numbers will not pull like the MINI and BMW engines.