2003 Mini COOPER S Review

macpowah
11/6/2007

Ownership Status: I use to own this vehicle.
Recommendation: I recommend this vehicle.

Pros Fun styling Amazing steering feel and handling Good on gas Cool BMW touches Awesome sunroof

Cons Terrible ride quality Passenger door latch problem Took forever to heat up in winter NO CRUISE at this price point Engine a little less refined than expected

Fun, sporty and easy on the eyes, the Cooper S was a fun 6 months of ownership









Disappointing choice of materials and layout of controls, but it was hella cool to look at. Everyone who got in it was amazed.

Sounded faster than it was. Gotta love that supercharger whine

Unbelieveable steering feel. If this is what makes BMWs famous, I want one. This is what I miss most.

Not as great as I thought - My A3 does the same or better.

Cooper S at 31000 didn't even come with cruise control - had to add the premium package!

$100 oil changes, and if work had to be done, dealer was charging for a LOANER $130/day! Yeah right! Had to replace brakes (4) and tires(4) at 450/each





Loved the MINI Cooper S but had to get rid of her as I bought it at 40,000KM and it needed 4 new tires and all brakes replaced. This makes me wonder if the previous owner took it to track days. The work would have cost me 2500, so I decided to trade in for an Audi A3 with a much better ride. With the Mini I couldn't even take a week's worth of groceries without folding back the seats, then stuff would fly everywhere while driving. I thought I could deal with how small the car was but found that to be annoying. The ride quality was just beyond horrible, and I guess the run flat tires attributed to this. Overall, though I do miss the car and would consider a slightly larger new one with turbo motor.