2005 MINI Cooper "S" John Cooper Works package

Author's Rating:

Pros: Handling, available options, economy, Appearance, allure, power to weight, sunroof option, folding rear seats

Cons: No factory armrest between seats, no auto up windows in US

The Bottom Line: 
Car is fun to drive, and practical for commuting. It has excellent curb appeal, and you can't get better handling. I like this car more every time I drive it.

Author's Review
The MINI has been around for a long time. But the new generation of MINIs are something all together different than the ones I raced as a kid.

I have the MINI Cooper "S" and maxed it out with all the options when I bought it new. Including the Nav system, and the extra instrument pod that installs at the bottom of the center console. The Nav system was very expensive when compared to other Nav systems, but I wanted one that was built in. When you think about what changes are made to the car to support the Nav option, the you can see why it costs so much. But if all you want is Navigation, there may be better options for you. I prefer having it built in and it was worth the money to me.

Everything I added to the car was either a factory option or a dealer option with two exceptions. I added an electronic circuit that allows me to automatically close the windows without holding the switch, by flipping the switch twice. The second item is an arm rest that is sold by BMW in Europe for MINIs (so technically this is a Factory item).

This is the only car I have ever owned that I like more every time I drive it. I am 6'3" and there is plenty of room in the front for me (more than I actually need). I get reasonable gas mileage despite having the John Cooper Works kit installed. This engine modification takes the horsepower from the original 160 up to around 210. On a car this size 210 HP qualifies it as a "pocket rocket." I do not have times to quote, but time is not as important as eating Porsche Boxters for breakfast, and a properly equipped MINI can do just that. When driven sedately the car can still muster 27MPG or more with 26 MPG a solid overall average for my particular car.

I have no complaints really except that the Bluetooth phone kit was not the most attractive installation as the control switch is simply glued onto the instrument, as is the switch for the dealer supplied PIAA driving lights.

The iPod connection on my car is just an audio connection to the radio. It works to play the iPod through the sound system, but you still have to control the iPod from the device itself.

One caution about buying one of these for younger drivers (who they are likely designed for). This car is VERY fast. It can actually reach speeds over 150 MPH. But even at lower speed the power to weight ratio can get the uninitiated driver into serious trouble. Moreover, these cars handle like go carts. It is as though they are on rails. Because of this the sensation of speed is reduced, and frequent meetings with law enforcement officials to discuss driving habits may be expected if one is not careful. But there is nothing more fun to drive on a winding road than a MINI. They do have a rather firm ride for some tastes, but this is really a good thing and it is part of the MINI experience.

As I said I have NO complaints of any substance about this car. The few things I do not like are almost all related to accessories, and todays versions of these accessories have fixed the problems. The only issue I have with a non accessory related context is with the hood (bonnet actually) release. After reengineering the entire car to convert it from right to left hand drive, for some reason they left the hood release under the instrument panel next to the right side door. To open the hood (bonnet) you either have to lean across the entire width of the car, or go to the passenger side. The third option is have the passenger pull the catch.