Another reason to stick with the manual tranny found a Cooper S is the combination of tighter gearing and a slight increase in horsepower. The 1.6-litre straight-four engine found in the base Cooper is untouched for 2005, but the supercharged version variant in the Cooper S gets a five-pony boost to 168 and torque is now rated at 162-lb. ft.
Those who really want to test out the LSD can pop for the John Cooper Works kit ($6,975.50 plus 8-9 hours labour), now pumping out 210 horsepower.
Having driven the MINI numerous times since 2002, one would think familiarity might have bred some contempt. Quite the reverse.
What hasn't changed for this year is the way the Cooper S puts a big, wide smile on my face after a run through on some of my favourite Lanark County back roads. Unfortunately, this particular Cooper S came with the 17" tires; they tend to remove any fluidity the standard chassis is blessed with. With the standard Cooper S suspension and 16" rubber, this is one of the best-handling cars extant--front-, all-, or rear-wheel drive. With all four wheels as far out to the corners as possible, there's literally no body roll. The front wheels hang on like Poligrip and the steering is full of feel and accuracy, and, as mentioned, virtually no torque steer.
The Cooper S is easy to place on public, pockmarked roads. Very communicative, well balanced--and one more time for
emphasis--astounding grip. No wonder BMW Canada enters the MINI in the annual Targa Newfoundland rally.
On a tight road, the Cooper S can easily hold its own against the likes of "real sports cars" like a C6 Corvette or Porsche 911. And the drivetrain upgrades for 2005, however subtle, only add to the Cooper S's driving experience. Nice.
Once you start breathing after that last turn you took at rates that astonish even the most cynical of car zealots, it's comforting to know that the MINI is probably also one of the safest compact cars in the world: something I like to remind those who are concerned with the car's diminutive size. Front-, side-impact, and curtain airbags, side-impact door beams, and anti-lock brakes are all standard on all MINI models, as is electronic brake distribution.
Although the options on my tester rang up the cash near $40k, you can ignore the Premium Package with the potentially rattly (and heavy) sunroof, the Sport Package with its rubber-band 17" tires, and the costly cowhide, and get a Cooper S for under $33,000 that still includes such worthy features as the LSD and DSC. Still the deal-of-the-millennium in my books.
While early build 2002 Coopers have suffered several reliability issues (all diligently dealt with by BWM, I might add) the 2005 MINI is a noticeable step-up in both build quality and refinement. That coupled with the new options, better gearing, and more power simply makes this year's the best new MINI ever made.
And unlike what's anticipated at Canada's Wonderland this summer, no lineups.
-John LeBlanc is an automotive critic and publisher of www.straight-six.com
Those who really want to test out the LSD can pop for the John Cooper Works kit ($6,975.50 plus 8-9 hours labour), now pumping out 210 horsepower.
 |
| Unfortunately, this particular Cooper S came with the 17'' tires. (photo: John LeBlanc, straight-six.com) |
What hasn't changed for this year is the way the Cooper S puts a big, wide smile on my face after a run through on some of my favourite Lanark County back roads. Unfortunately, this particular Cooper S came with the 17" tires; they tend to remove any fluidity the standard chassis is blessed with. With the standard Cooper S suspension and 16" rubber, this is one of the best-handling cars extant--front-, all-, or rear-wheel drive. With all four wheels as far out to the corners as possible, there's literally no body roll. The front wheels hang on like Poligrip and the steering is full of feel and accuracy, and, as mentioned, virtually no torque steer.
The Cooper S is easy to place on public, pockmarked roads. Very communicative, well balanced--and one more time for
 |
| (photo: John LeBlanc, straight-six.com) |
On a tight road, the Cooper S can easily hold its own against the likes of "real sports cars" like a C6 Corvette or Porsche 911. And the drivetrain upgrades for 2005, however subtle, only add to the Cooper S's driving experience. Nice.
Once you start breathing after that last turn you took at rates that astonish even the most cynical of car zealots, it's comforting to know that the MINI is probably also one of the safest compact cars in the world: something I like to remind those who are concerned with the car's diminutive size. Front-, side-impact, and curtain airbags, side-impact door beams, and anti-lock brakes are all standard on all MINI models, as is electronic brake distribution.
 |
| (photo: John LeBlanc, straight-six.com) |
While early build 2002 Coopers have suffered several reliability issues (all diligently dealt with by BWM, I might add) the 2005 MINI is a noticeable step-up in both build quality and refinement. That coupled with the new options, better gearing, and more power simply makes this year's the best new MINI ever made.
And unlike what's anticipated at Canada's Wonderland this summer, no lineups.
-John LeBlanc is an automotive critic and publisher of www.straight-six.com