Well, I broke down and paid the crazy markup that I swore I never would two days ago. The good news is I am now the happy owner of a brand new Cooper S. I got the Chili Red with black leather, sport & premium packages, Xenon, and white top. Instead of the bonnet stripes, I got the single stripe that runs down the middle of the front and back. I am not sure if I like it, though.

My first impression after driving it is how different it feels than any other car I have ever driven. It obviously has a lot of power but I expected it to be a little more responsive. Of course I am absolutely babying it because it is new and I am breaking in the engine. I guess I am just used to the brutal power of my '68 Cooper. No complaits here, though. I am a very happy man!

 

Toss it hard into a corner and it will feel responsive!

Enjoy your new MINI and welcome to NAM.

When you decide you need more power, check out the "performance modifications" and other forums for your tuning delight

 

:smile: Lots of people have paid over MSRP for theirs, so if you're happy, that's all that matters... Many Happy Motoring Miles to you...

 

Take her for a run through Trabuco Canyon and notice the quick response. :smile:

 

Congrats on the new purchase. The 1200 miles for break in will be pure hell as you'll want to open her up. It was for me and I did go beyond 4500 a few times during break in.

So what kind of power you have from your 68 Cooper?

 

It will get more responsive with time, it's still breaking in. Add a cold air intake and an exhaust if you need more response. I just drove in another NAM members car yesterday with 4k miles on it with a pilo intake and cat back Miltek, man did that thing fly!!! He had upgraded the suspension and swaybars and by the end of this little power drive I figured that I've totally babied my S.

 

Thanks guys and gals. I am not complaining about the power - it has plenty to spare. I guess that the car is refined so much that the power is not as noticble. After driving classic Minis for so long I got used to:
Noise + Rattles and More Noise = Power! My highly tuned '68 puts out just over 100 horsepower but you really feel and hear it in a 1,300 lb car made to have 40 horsepower! I absolutely love my new MINI. The license plates on my old Mini says, "B4 BMW" and I just ordered the plates for my new MINI - "EX BMC"

 

congrats on the new car. also have you seen the old minis with Honda VTec engines?

they're cool

Nick

 

>>Thanks guys and gals. I am not complaining about the power - it has plenty to spare. I guess that the car is refined so much that the power is not as noticble. After driving classic Minis for so long I got used to:
>>Noise + Rattles and More Noise = Power!

You'll need to get the Alta intake as most say it's the loudest of the bunch. This will bring supercharger sound right into the cabin for all to enjoy especially the motorer. It makes a HUGE difference...Psychologically it makes your car "feel" faster.

 

"Psychologically it makes your car "feel" faster."

That is what I am talking about. It is fast and powerful but it doesn't "feel" like it - at least in the way I am acustomed to. I only drove it 5 miles after buying it last night, so I didn't have a feel for it yet. After driving it to the office today, I have a much higher appreciation of what a great car it is! I am in love!

 

I second the Alta Intake. THAT will give you LOTS of noise. I love mine.

 

Congratulations on your new MCS! I highly recommend following the break in procedures to the "T"...then once the clock rolls around 1,250 miles, you can crack the whip on it!

 

Yes, congrats on your new MINI. Where is your '68?
I enjoy the sounds of the MINI but I do miss the rumble and rattles of my '67 AH Sprite. The Abarth exhaust really had a sweet sound that became sweeter when race tuned. Wish I had never sold it.
Do give Trabudo Canyon the opportunity to test your MINI. It's not a long drive but will show you how MINI eats up the twisties leaving you with tons of grins and an urge to do it more. It is a very fun little road.

 

>>"Psychologically it makes your car "feel" faster."
>>
>>That is what I am talking about. It is fast and powerful but it doesn't "feel" like it - at least in the way I am acustomed to. I only drove it 5 miles after buying it last night, so I didn't have a feel for it yet. After driving it to the office today, I have a much higher appreciation of what a great car it is! I am in love!
>>
Yeah, you'll like it even more the next time you drive it, and the time after that, and the time after that....

Wait till you finish your break-in period, and you can start to discover how to get the most out of it. You'll be grinnin' from ear to ear.

Enjoy!

 

Hey, congrats! Nice color combo. My wife opted for the Liquid Yellow/White.

I think the MC/S is perfectly balanced for great driving. The power doesn't overwhelm you when you get on it, but instead lets you stay in control and get the most out of it. With our Saab Aero, I feel like I'm just along for the ride when I nail the gas. It has almost too much power for anything other than straight line runs. The predictability of the supercharger compared to the turbo helps too.

Looking forward to 1200 miles and +4000 rpm!

 

I am REALLY sorry to hear you fell for that old ploy. Someone should have warned you that by definition, Chilli Red ones are real stones (as in slow) In fact they are the slowest MINI´s of all......so slow that they don't make MINI ONE's in that color cuz if they did, they wouldn't even move.......