Hello - I'm new to the forum, just made a post on 1st gear. I apologize in advance if this topic has been discussed ad nauseum - I didn't find anything on a quick perusal.

I bought my lovely 2005 convertible non-S model a couple of weeks ago. The roof retraction failed last week, so I brought it in to be serviced (yay warranty!). So for the past several days, I've been driving a loaner. It's also a non-S, a coupe. I suspect it's a 2009 or 2010 as it only had about 4k miles. There were some immediately apparent differences, such as the push-button start and dash layout.

At first I thought it was my imagination, but since I'm back in my car as of tonight I realize it wasn't. The late-model loaner was noticably less peppy. It felt like a watered down version of my older model. While my car has some vroom and zip, even though it's a non-S, the newer loaner was comparatively dullsville to drive. The acceleration is very different, but it was more than that...the loaner felt like driving a regular small car. The MINI je ne sais quoi that is everpresent on my car was missing.

I hope I don't offend any later model coupe owners. I'm just curious whether my opinion is a widely-held one, that the later model MINI's are missing something?

 

Did you play with the sport button? I've noticed the 2nd gens are an on or off type deal, so you're not pumping out the extra gas commuting, where as the first gens are always on and well I tend to drive them on three wheels (figuratively) everywhere as a result of that.

 

I can't say I noticed a sport button. I didn't realize they exist! That may explain a lot.

 

Just to set it straight first off. It isn't a non-S, it is a Cooper. Cooper, Cooper S, and John Cooper Works are MINI performance levels and the body style is the model which are hardtop, Clubman, and convertible.
I loved my BRG/W '05 MC Hardtop! Since it only had a 5 speed, the engine was always turning high RPMs so it easily accelerated at any speed. It handled more like a go-kart(sport suspension) and I loved the interior, especially the center speedo. Only did 20k miles in it but it didn't have any problems during that time. That said, I loved my BRG/S '08 MC Clubman just as much. It gave me the room I needed for my family but still had my sport driving ability. My current MINI(in my signature) is too nice! Not the room my Clubbie had, not the go-kart handling as my '05, but a natural progression of any car line. I still would like MINI to come out with a real retro MINI, taking it back closer to the original size.

 

The button is between the cup holder an shifter, and simply says sport. I thought I wasn't going to be able to enjoy driving the new MC at all until I realized the car came to life after hitting the button.

But that said the 2nd generation is more "refined" the inputs are all a little different, the cabin is quieter and there is just an all around different feel to the car.

 

Interesting. I do believe that answers my question! I'm glad to learn that such a button exists - at the same time I'm quite happy mine is an older model and is "on" all the time.

 

i have an 06 S and got an 08 S as a loaner and noticed it was more refined and slightly less sporty, even with the sport button on. it was basically softer, the shifting, clutch, ride, steering, etc. 1st gens FTW.

but with that said, i drove MK5 jettas and GTI's and those feel ALOT mushier than even the new minis. so either way minis are still better.

 

Driven both and I like my R56 better than the R50, just got to push in the sport button!

 

I feel that the new R56 in either S or justa guise is a lot more homogenized than the R50 & R53. Not bad just different.

 

Very different indeed. Even with it's problems, I'll take my R53 any day.

 

This 1st vs 2nd gen thing is lame. I say each to their own. 1st and 2nd gen both FTW

J

 

Sweet car you've got and I feel the same about mine being "on" all the time. The less I have to think about, the better.

 

+1 on the R53.

 

What type of transmissions in your car and the loaner?

Funny but I've had a rather opposite reaction. I own a 2006 non-S convertible (manual transmission), and when I've driven the newer model I thought it had quite a bit more torque especially at lower RPM. I haven't driven a non-S with auto transmission (either old or new models). The old and new auto transmissions are completely different and could make big difference in how the car feels.

 

+1

 

rkw - they're both auto.

 

Yeah, I'll take the Aisin over the CVT, thanks.