I know what a Mini Cooper S is, I think everybody does. However the car I am currently looking at claims to be a Mini Cooper S however it has no "S" emblems anywhere and it also does not have a spoiler on the roof. The only thing that it has that would show that it is a "S" is the "Sport" button.

Is this okay? I know that the "Sport" button is what makes the Mini Cooper S, but how come all the "S" emblems are missing? Are they optional or something?

Cheers,
MiniCooperGuy42

 

I believe The non-S also has the Sport Button...U should look if that car has a hood scoop and centered-dual mufflers.Hope this helps.

 

Sounds like you don't know alot about cars so im not going to tell you to open the hood and look for the turbo. BUT, you can look on the registration card or look at the exhaust. If its a dual exhaust in the center then its an "S". Also, does it have a hood scoop?

 

The sport button is standard for any Mini, S and non-S.

The only major exterior difference I know besides the S emblems is the hood scoop. If the Mini doesn't have this, then it's not an S.

 

Lol just look under the hood

 

Yeah, Just look and see if it has a giant (well not giant, but pretty dang big compared to the engine bay) turbo.

 

As a few others have pointed out, the non-S also has the sport button. The difference between the non-S and the S is that the S will be either turbocharged or supercharged depending on the year. Easiest way to tell without opening the hood is that an S will have a dual exhaust and a hood scoop.

 

if you can look in the trunk under the floor mat, S' had their battery in the back instead of a spare tire/jack kit.

 

Isn't the battery in the rear specific to certain model years? Mines in the front passenger side under the hood, bonnet, whatever, on the 2010 model.
Just asking. . .

 

This is funny.....

 

Take it to your local tuner and pay to put it on a dyno and see what the HP reading is. If it's under ~130 you have a base model, if it's over 200, you have a JCW. In between it's an S.

 

Lol never heard it referred to as giant, I was surprised at how small it was.

 

thats what she said last night to me too

 

What's the difference in speed between the two models? Also, is it really worth it or should I just go for a non S model?

Cheers,
MiniCooperGuy42

 

The S is much faster in a straight line. Both are quick through the bends. Test drive both and see which one you like, the answer to that question is totally subjective. I have a lot of fun in my Non-S, but plenty here wouldn't be caught dead without a super/turbo charger.

 

More like Baby turbo, hahaha.

 

it might be specific to the supercharged S's of the 1st gen. i couldn't say for sure where it is on the turbo S's

 

Actually, It must have been too long since I looked at the 2nd gen engine bay. now that I look at it again, that is pretty small.

 

1st gen battery in back, intercooler on top of the motor, lights in the hood.
2nd gen battery in the engine compartment, intercooler in the fron down toward the bottom of the front bumper, headlights not in hood.
If you are still not sure take a picture and show us.