A Motoringfile article linking to another Coupe comparison said this:

"We’ve said from the get-go that the MINI Coupe has a unique driving dynamic that can only truly be appreciated from behind the wheel. If you think it’s just a re-roofed convertible without its back seats, you’re missing the real appeal of this car. The compromises made to make the MINI Coupe what it is are precisely the kinds of things that ought to land it on anybody’s Involvement Index. Short of the GP, the Coupe is the most performance-oriented model in the MINI lineup."
I thought the Coupe was precisely a re-roofed hatchback with no back seat. Same engine, same chassis, same suspension. I know some Coupe owners have had other Minis, so I'd like to ask whether (or not) they think their Coupe is a better driving machine than their MCS or whatever.

 

Since 2003, I have had the pleasure (and pain) of owning 5 different MINIs. A 2003 MCS, a 2005 MCS, a 2007 MCS, a 2006 MC (my wife's car), and now a 2012 Coupe S.

I can state with absolute certainty, that the coupe is the best performing, most fun to drive MINI I have owned (so far!)

Take for example, the gurgle and pop of the 2005 - They took it out because some drivers thought there was a problem with their engine/exhaust - Well it's back and better than ever!

Some things I DON'T miss, are the hiccup start of the 2003 and to a lesser extent the 2005.

The ride has improved, the interior quality, fit and finish, and materials has gotten better each time (no squeaks and rattles like the first ones) and I can honestly say this is the first MINI that makes me grin every time I walk up to it to head to wherever it is I'm going!

It's also the first MINI I have a feeling I will hold onto for awhile.

The limited number of these produced, and the unique color scheme of my particular car make for a pretty cool collectible!

 

While I haven't owned as many MINI's as Artguy I can mirror his words in that while feeling 'pure MINI' the Coupe is something more. Mine is a JCW and the other hatchbacks I've driven we're all S models but that aside the Coupe just feels different in so many ways.

 

Interesting comments thanks. I had vowed to wait for the F56 next year and now I'm back to thinking about a JCW Coupe. Decisions, decisions!

 

I was listened to some YouTube video's a while ago on the different reviews for the MINI Coupe... one had a guy they said helped design the coupe... he was mainly talking about the MOG app on the new Mini Connect... and he said the suspension and few other lower pieces were changed from the Cooper Hardtop to make the Coupe. I can not find the video... but the guy's middle name was "Tennessee."

 

I think on the track, head to head with a hatch (Coupe S vs Hatch S, JCW vs JCW,...), the Coupe performs slightly better. It has lower centre of gravity, 3 box design, more inclined to lift off over-steer, etc. For most people, myself included, it comes down to the exterior looks (and mandatory rear seats) and not the slight handling differences. The look of the hatch is the only style of MINI I currently like irrespective of speed/handling/etc. If it were down to purely the engine for example, I would be driving a 135i right now.

 

I went from a non-S Clubman to a 2010 MCS with a JCW tuning kit and a Texas Speedwerks suspension to the JCW Coupé. I loved my MCS "Vera Deux", and in the weeks between ordering and delivery I sometimes wondered what the heck I was doing trading her in on the Coupé. Once I got "Raylan", though, I never looked back. At first it was the style and the JCW setup, but then I took my Coupé to the Dragon, and that's what convinced me that I had absolutely done the right thing.

The Coupé is astounding in the twisties. It has a much more aggressive yet assured feel taking those sweepers and hairpin turns -- and that's with a stock suspension. On one spirited run Raylan was chased by a friend in a GP, who had to work to keep up (and he's a superb driver); at the turnaround he couldn't stop raving about my Coupé's performance and handling. On the way back, in the first tight turn followed by a steep climb, the rear stepped out a bit on acceleration. A bit of a "whoa!" moment, followed by "oh, yeah!!"

The JCW Coupé is a beast. So is the S, as I found riding with another friend on the Dragon in a nicely-modded S. And, not having experienced one myself, I don't doubt that the non-S Coupé is too, with someone who really knows how to wind it up. I simply can't believe what a phenomenal car my Coupé is, nor can any MINI enthusiast who has ridden in it.

 

The Coupé was purpose built to outhandle anything MINI has put on the road previously. They started with the Convertible chassis, which was already rigidized (and heavier) to reduce body flex on a MINI with no roof. Then they added the cross bracing where the rear seats should be.

I know people are putting rear sway bars on Coupés, but after 2 trips to the Dragon in my MCS Coupé, I just don't feel the need for a RSB as I did in my '03 & '05 MCS's, which also had upgraded springs & front strut braces. The Coupé is bone stock base suspension, and I managed to loosen up the rear end a few times during MOTD 10.

But frankly, that would not be enough to sway me to choose the Coupé. You can toss a few suspension mods at a hatchback & meet/exceed the base Coupé handling capabilities, I'm sure. I chose the Coupé because I really dig the styling & figured it would also be more of a niche vehicle.

Not telling anyone not to wait for the F chassis MINIs to come out, but I'm personally leery of 3 cylinder engines. Engineers are squeezing quite a lot from the 4-bangers we already drive, and they may have to squeeze even harder to keep a 3-banger performing similarly. And if they do squeeze harder, that may also mean less room for you to squeeze with aftermarket go-fast bits before things start to go wrong.

Or the 3-banger could be the most reliable & powerful engine ever planted in a new MINI. I'm just not sold on the idea, personally.

 

I've had an 03 MCS, 06 JCW and now a Coupe S. I don't know if it's the "most performance oriented," but it rides better than my other two.

Unlike artguy, I hate the the gurgle and pop (it's juvenile), and the fit and finish is worse than my JCW. If you get one, go for the sports pack and the sports suspension, it lowers the car.

BTW, it's not a re-roofed hatch. They took a hatch, added weight to it to make it stiffer without a roof, took out the window auto-up and the grab handles, took the seat belt retractors off the B pillars and then put a silly roof on it that doesn't quite fit.

 

Hey Snek!

As I was reading your post (I don't mind being "juvenile" at 51 maybe it's because I spend 6+ hours a day with high school kids!) I realized you're in Boston.

Now until about a week ago I had yet to see another coupe on the road anywhere between Quincy and Framingham where I teach - then a pepper white/black roof coupe turned onto Hancock street last weekend.

I'd bet dollar to doughnuts it was YOU!

(Well, that and the fact Mark F at MOP said it must have been you)

I've not owned a JCW, but of all the MINI's this has the best fit and finish, and I've had a few real weird build problems in the past.

The only issue I have had is the HK speakers buzzing the door panels, and a trip to MINI of Peabody took care of that! The rear cover doodads needed a little velcro/felt as well to quiet them down.


Kurt

If you see a coupe that's white silver with a silver roof - you'll have found me!

 

Some of the coupe driver experience is beyond hard numbers and suspension geometry. The more intimate cabin (i.e. smaller) makes it seem more like a small airplane cockpit. It makes me feel like the majority of the machine is around and below me versus behind me and above as did my previous hardtop hardtop. I'm sure it's all perception/placebo.

<soapbox on>
I agree with those who said they bought the coupe for something different. I grew up with cars being an expression of your personality/attitude and you took pride in it.

If a new car causes some sort of emotional response from you, then consider buying it. If you buy it for the math that says it is the fastest, it will soon be obsolete.
<soapbox off>

 

Hey Kurt,

it was me - at least I think so; my dentist is in Quincy....

Anyways, I like the car and I like that it's rare (reminds me of the good old days 10 years ago.) The ride and the gas mileage are better than my other MINIs. It handles better, because of the lower roof and no sun roof. But it annoys me it's not what it could've been.

(Are you going to MOT?)

 

You jerks are going to end up costing me a lot of money LOL

 

I have had an 06 MCS, 11 MCS and now my JCW Coupe. I loved my first one and realized about six months in that I was not as fond of my 11 as I was of the 06. When I laid eyes on my Coupe, I knew it had to be. On a purely "fun" basis, it blows the others out of the water.

I have also NEVER had a car that has garnered so much attention. Just this morning I was in a parking lot eating breakfast and I look in my side view mirror and see a VW GTI stopped behind me and the driver had her phone out taking a picture. If you get a coupe, be prepared to talk about your car. A LOT!

 

Well said! Exactly why I bought my Coupe. I went in for a hatchback and saw the Coupe and Felt my past, present and future car dreams collide. Sounds cheesy but in a way very true. I've wanted a 2 seater since I was 16. If I had planned a car in my head it would've been my JCW Coupe no doubt!

 

Funny I just realized that my coupe has a similar paint scheme and kinda looks like the Eagle Talon TSI I looked at/dreamed about every weekend as a kid. So maybe that was part of the draw for me.

There is something satisfy about getting to a point in your life where a 2 seater is an option, practicality be damned.