Hi All, it's been a while since I was last on the board.

I'm looking at a 2011 Cooper S and was wondering how to tell if it has the Sport Package?

Any hints and tips on specific things to look for when I go test drive it?

 

They can tell you all the options through the vin. If it isn't from a mini dealer you can give your local one a call and they would be glad to help usually. Also I belive one I'd floating around on this site. Otherwise I'm not to sure how to tell by the car itself. Sorry

 

BMW VIN Decoder

 

That's perfect!
Thanks!

 

Sport package isn't really worth it. All you'll really get is a stiffer ride.

 

A common misconception is the sports package includes the sport suspension. It didn't.

Knowing whether the MINI has the sports package doesn't tell you anything, all the options are available outside the package. So check if the car has all the options you're interested in.

If on the otherhand, you're actually interested in the sport suspension, looking for "sport" labels on the shocks are a clue.

 

use the vin decoder as posted ... look for:

S226A
Sportliche Fahrwerksabstimmung Sports suspension settings

I love my all4 with sport suspension, more so with michelin pilot super sports after getting rid of the pirelli p7 summer rfs

 

The VIN decoder will tell you the individual factory options installed on the car, which is what you want to know.

"Sport Package" is a sales promotion specific to MINIUSA. The name is misleading because it isn't performance oriented (e.g. fog lamps and bonnet stripes). The options they decide to include are arbitrary and changes from year to year.

 

The struts/dampers say "sport" on them if you're looking to find out about the suspension in particular.

 

Thanks everyone.
The listing states "Sport Package", but running the VIN brings up these options. Note that S226A is conspicuous by its absence!
I'm not specifically looking for a car with the Sport Package, but wanted to make sure that the listing was accurate.
Now I know it's not, it'll make a nice negotiating point!

Code Sonderausstattung Optional Equipment
S1CAA Selektion COP relevanter Fahrzeuge Selection of COP relevant vehicles
S249A Multifunktion für Lenkrad Multifunction f steering wheel
S2GDA MINI LM Rad Conical Spoke
S2RVA MINI LM Rad in schwarz MINI LA wheel in black
S2VBA Reifendruckanzeige Tyre pressure control (TPC)
S329A Zierstreifen auf Frontklappe schwarz
S345A Chrome Line Interieur Chrome Line Interieur
S383A Aussenspiegel/Dach in schwarz
S403A Glasdach elektrisch Glass roof, electrical
S4CUA Interieurfarbe Carbon Black
S4UFA Sport Button
S520A Nebelscheinwerfer Fog lights
S534A Klimaautomatik Automatic air conditioning
S550A Bordcomputer On-board computer
S5AAA Nebelschlussleuchte
S5DDA Wagenheber
S655A Satellitentuner Satellite tuner
S674A HiFi System Harman Kardon Hi-Fi System Harman Kardon
S6NDA Freisprecheinr. Bluetooth + USB/Audio
S8SPA Steuerung COP Control unit COP
S925A Versandschutzpaket Transport protection package

 

As mentioned earlier, S226A (sport suspension) is not part of the Sport Package (never was, for any year). I don't know what was in the Sport Package for 2011, but the listing may be completely accurate concerning the Sport Package.

 

My memory says the sport suspension was part of the sports package in 2009 but not thereafter.

 

The sport suspension was not part of the sport package in '07.

 

Just to summarize:
Sports "package" is a figment of dealer's and/or MINI-USA imagination. There is no BMW/MINI code for that (unlike ZHP package in BMW world).

What does exist in MINI world are specific sport-themed feature codes. My '08 MCS has the following:

Code Sonderausstattung Optional Equipment S255A Sport-Lederlenkrad Airbag Sports leather steering wheel S481A Sportsitz Sports seat S226A Sportliche Fahrwerksabstimmung Sports suspension setting


S226A is what's commonly referred to as "sports suspension", and includes stiffer shocks and different progressive springs (various reports and opinions about their rates).

One had to add it to all cars, from Just-a to MCS and JCW, otherwise all US-bound cars got standard/default suspension package.

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You can say the same for other MINIUSA packages as well (e.g. Premium). These are packages invented by MINIUSA that are specific to the local market. Similar to how MINI-UK has packages "Chili Pack" and "Pepper Pack", etc.

 

Hummm. my shocks don't say sport.. They say KONI...

 

Mine say Bilstein, but that's got nothing to do with the Sport Package. They did say sport before I changed them, but still nothing to do with the sport package.

I'm still not sure Highlander understands what he's looking at. "Sport Package" does not show up in the VIN reports. I have two for which I specified the sport package, and neither says anything about it. I can believe the notion that its just a BMW NA bundling of various options, so the VIN decoder knows nothing about it.

I also have two VINs for which the cars had no sport package, but did have the sport suspension which seems to be coded S226A.

"Sport Suspension" (aka S226A) has no relation to "Sports Package". Just because someone claims to have the "Sport Package", but doesn't have S226A on the report means nothing, and you'd just be making a fool of yourself if you tried to make it a negotiating point.

 

For my 2012 R56S the "sport package" was Xenon headlights, 17" wheels, and DTC. To the OP: look for the specific features you want and run the VIN through the decoder. Don't get wrapped up about terminology on the order sheet.

 

Sorry. I was being sarcastic... Anyway, for my 2010, Sport Package was stripes, Xenon lights, white turn signals, and maybe some other stuff... Absolutely nothing to do with the completely horrible suspension. (which has been cured of all nastiness...)

 

As I remember on my R59 I didn't get the "sport package" because after I had added the JCW interior/exterior I only really needed to get the Xenons to have all the bits I wanted from it, everything else was replaced by stuff in the JCW package.