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Old 13th April 2015, 16:06   #1
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Driven: 2015 Mini Cooper S

The 2015 Mini Cooper S has been launched in India at a price of Rs. 34.65 Lakhs (ex-showroom all-India).

What you'll like:

• Blend of retro + modern exterior and interior design
• Solid build quality. Fit, finish and quality inside-out is impressive
• Effortless performance, low kerb weight & responsive automatic gearbox
• Still a precise, go-kart-like handler. Incredibly communicative steering
• Top-notch safety equipment (6-airbags, ABS + EBD, ESP, traction control etc)

What you won't:

• Pricing is exorbitant. Being a CBU doesn't help
• Minimal standard equipment included. Everything is a paid option
• No manual gearbox. Paddle shifters are missing too
• Cramped rear seat is best suited for small children
• No spare wheel included (only run-flats)

NOTE: This drive was conducted at Aamby Valley's airstrip, hence we didn't get an opportunity to test the ride quality.

The previous generation Mini:

Review Link


Last edited by aah78 : 29th July 2015 at 18:47. Reason: Typo.
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Old 13th April 2015, 16:09   #2
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Exterior



The Mini has been a rebel since its birth. Born at a time when cars were big and expensive, the Mini went against the crowd to be small, economical and extremely practical. This tiny car measured a little over 3 meters in length and yet, was designed to seat 4 adults. With a power-to-weight ratio of ~56 BHP/ton, it offered peppy performance too. Now remember, this is the 1960s we're talking about and its performance was impressive back then. It goes without saying, the car became a success almost immediately and everyone wanted a Mini - from movie stars to regular Joes, the Mini became just so desirable! In 1963 came a more powerful version, sporting a larger 1071 cc engine (vs 848 cc) which produced 70 BHP of power and 84 Nm of torque. It was then that the Cooper S was born - a 635 kg car that could go from 0 to 100 km/h in roughly 12 seconds. Since then, the Mini has sold in several iterations worldwide and the customization options offered on the car are endless. From a revolutionary car, it slowly developed the image of a style icon.

When BMW took over Mini, doubts were raised about how the Bavarian company would remove the 'fun' from this iconic British brand. Instead, BMW retained the original iconic design of the car and its legendary driving traits, while the rest of the car was made all new. The Mini became heavier due to safety norms and grew in size too. However, it had the engines to more than make up for the added weight. The car retained that 'go-kart'-like feel and was able to communicate with its driver like no other. BMW couldn't have done it any other way, and with this, the legend was re-born.

Since the launch of the BMW Mini, aficionados have cribbed that it's too big and expensive to be called a Mini. Furthermore, the 2015 car has grown considerably in size and weight and costs a bomb to purchase (even more so when you add options)!

This is the third generation Mini Cooper. It belongs to BMW's UKL platform and is longer, wider and taller than the second generation car at 3,850 mm, 1,727 mm and 1,414 mm respectively. Its wheelbase has also increased by 28 mm, to 2,495 mm. To understand its growth in 50+ years, the original 1959 Austin Mini version measured 3,054 mm x 1,397 mm x 1,346 mm in length, width and height respectively. No wonder Mini loyalists are upset! However, for the generation that belongs to the BMW Mini age, this car is still tiny and still very mini. Its length is at par with the Swift and it is almost as wide as the Elite i20.

The Cooper S, like the model it replaces, will be brought to Indian shores as a CBU; which means it is not going to be cheap. At a starting price of Rs. 34.65 lakhs, this Mini is priced a cool Rs. 6 lakhs higher than what the 2012 Cooper S launched at. Strange, more so, since the new Mini Cooper S is cheaper than the model it replaces in several international markets.

Here in India, wearing the red-hot 'S' badge (and hence deserving to be called a Mini), the Cooper S will be the fifth addition to the Mini range. The existing range consisted of the Cooper Convertible and the Cooper D Countryman, with the Cooper D 3-Door and 5-Door being added to the range earlier this year. They have all been launched with an unimpressive 3-pot diesel engine with power figures comparable to a C-segment sedan, which is rather embarrassing when it comes to bragging rights. At least the Cooper S has got the 'go' to match the 'show'.

So what do you get for your money? Not too much more than you'd get from a fully loaded premium hatchback costing < Rs. 10 lakhs. Standard features include fog lamps, sport steering with mounted controls, automatic climate control, Bluetooth connectivity, 16" wheels and a 6.5" infotainment screen. Niceties like leather seats and a sunroof are optional extras, while electric seats aren't offered at all. By the time you finish selecting a few options on the features list, expect to be poorer by another Rs. 4-5 lakhs (if not more). To give you a small glimpse at the prices; leather seats range from Rs. 1.50 - 1.90 lakhs, panoramic glass roof costs Rs. 1.54 lakhs, 17" alloy wheels - Rs. 85,000, Harman Kardon Hi-Fi system - Rs. 1.25 lakhs and there is still a long way to go in the list. That said, when it comes to safety, the Mini is well loaded by default; 6 airbags, ABS + EBD, Dynamic Stability Control (includes Dynamic Traction Control and Electronic Locking Differential Control) as well as Corner Brake Control.

The Mini retains its own distinctive style and cannot be mistaken for any other car (except maybe a Swift ):


Notice the black plastic cladding running around the perimeter of the car. If this was any other brand, it would already be halfway to a 'cross' variant :


The side profile certainly looks stretched. The Cooper S is longer than the Mini 3-door by 29 mm and the wheelbase dwarfs cars like the Polo, Swift & Liva too:


You can have your Mini with a black, white or body-coloured roof + door mirrors. An optional chrome strip (Rs. 25,000) runs around the car, dividing the pillars from the body. It adds a nice retro touch:


Oversized tail lamps with chrome surrounds beg for attention. The rear bumper is re-designed too:


Re-designed headlamps still have the familiar chrome ring around them. These house semi-circular DRLs. You can opt for LED headlamps + cornering lights for an additional Rs. 25,000:


A single grill surrounded by a thick chrome band houses the number plate holder. Red-hot 'S' badge indicates serious performance under the hood:


Front air intakes are now larger, more rectangular and positioned lower too. The molding that surrounds them juts outwards significantly, making the entire assembly look like it was pasted on as an after-thought:


Only the top half of the front fog lamps is the illuminated section. Notice the front parking sensors on the black cladding, as well as below the number plate area. Also, the black plastic cladding now ends where the intakes begin:


It was quite a revelation to learn that the hood scoop is only for show! Moderator Suhaas307's review confirms this was the case with the older Cooper S too:


Aggressive bonnet bulge. Washers placed on the bonnet are a bit of an eye-sore. Surprisingly, the wipers aren't tucked away safely below the bonnet-line, like other Euro cars:


The side air-vent is molded into the bodywork, but it's only ornamental:


The flaps ahead of the front tyres enhance aerodynamics:


Optional 17" wheels wrapped in Hankook Ventus S1 evo rubber. They look so much nicer than the 16" designs:


Cute, almost spherical ORVMs. No integrated turn indicators:


Large chrome door handles. The passenger-side does not get a request sensor:


Chrome fuel tank lid:


The taillights are LEDs. They appear too big for this car in my opinion. Notice the Cooper badge has moved lower than before:


Re-designed rear air-dam. Notice how the new reflectors are surrounded in matte black and not chrome like the older Mini. Parking sensors are integrated onto the air-dam:


Center-mounted twin exhaust pipes are exclusive to the Cooper S:


A glossy black strip replaces the chrome one. Notice how the Mini badge is recessed into the unit:


The outer pair of parking sensors are not placed on the body-coloured bumper, but instead are camouflaged on the black cladding on the sides of the car:


Stubby antenna. Still no integrated unit:


Some track fun:

Last edited by Rehaan : 22nd April 2015 at 11:16.
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Old 13th April 2015, 16:11   #3
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Interior



Usually, when a car grows on the outside, it translates into a proportional increase in interior room too. Well, that isn't really the case for the plumped up Mini here. While the interior space has increased marginally, make no mistake in understanding that the interiors are still a very cozy place to be in.

Pull the large chrome handle and almost immediately you get that premium feel. Step inside the low cabin of the Cooper S and the first thing you'd notice are the sporty, body hugging front seats which offer an array of adjustments. These provide extremely good lateral support for the average sized Indian, with the healthier ones feeling a bit snug in them. Both the front seats can be adjusted for height as well as under-thigh support. There are enough levels of adjustment to find the ideal and most comfortable driving position in here. The fly in the ointment? The seats aren't electrically adjustable, as I would have expected them to be in a car at this price! The steering wheel is an excellent unit to grip and can be adjusted for reach and rake too. Again, the control for this is manual only. I liked the fact that the A-pillars are not intrusive and you won't need to rubberneck too often while approaching corners. The side mirrors look cute and are functional too. One complaint I have is the poor rearward visibility, due to a tiny rear windscreen and the rear seat neck restraints eating up whatever little visibility is available. The thick C-pillars only make matters worse, though thankfully there are reverse sensors you can rely on when parking.

The circular theme seems to have been toned down a little this time around. Sure, the speedometer and tachometer are in circular pods and so is the centrally mounted infotainment screen. However, unlike the older car, the designers seem to have had access to other geometrical instruments this time around (not just a compass). Speaking of speedometer and tachometer, they have been moved from the center of the dash to the conventional position - just behind the steering wheel. Like a Chevy Beat, they are mounted on the steering column and move when you adjust the steering wheel for reach & rake.

Quality of materials and build quality are top notch. The dashboard and all the areas that you come in contact with have soft touch materials. All controls are logically laid out; though I found the handbrake to be an ergonomic exception. It is positioned closer to the passenger than the driver; so when you're in the mood for some handbrake fun, its placement plays 'spoilsport'. The infotainment controller wheel is located where the handbrake should have been. Other than that, the power window switches have moved to the doors and so has the lock/unlock button (on the driver-side door). The engine start/stop button is now a toggle switch located below the dual zone climate control knobs. A lot of other control buttons have been shuffled around and the overall placement is more logical in comparison to the unconventional positions on the older car.

This car is at best a 2+2 seater. The cool thing is that after you're done pulling the lever and getting in to the rear seat, the front seat will lock back into the original position it was in. However, that is where the good part ends. Getting into the back isn't an easy affair due to the low seating + narrow opening. Secondly, if the front seat was reclined more than usual, you will need to sit cross-legged at the back to ensure the front seat can first lock back in place. The scooped seat back does help in liberating a little more knee room for the rear passengers, but it's still a tight fit. A 5' 6" passenger might be able to sit behind a driver of the same height. However, taller adults will be happier walking than sitting in the backseat of the Cooper S.

The Cooper S has many storage areas. Map pockets in each door, a cooled glove box, a storage compartment above it, 2 large-sized cup holders and a cubby area in front of the gear lever. The optional center armrest (Rs. 27,000) can hold smaller items too. There's also a cup holder in the central unit, an individual cup holder on each side, as well as seat-back pockets for rear passengers. Boot space has gone up to 211 liters (an increase of 51 liters). Those owners who wish to transport their dog or golf clubs in the Cooper S, will find the 60:40 split folding rear seat particularly useful.

A central 6.5" display comes as a standard feature. This isn't a touch screen unit, but one that can be controlled by the buttons and dial located beside the handbrake lever. It is quite easy to understand and operate, even for those who are technologically challenged. It features an on-board computer as well as USB, Aux and Bluetooth connectivity. The display was easy to read even under harsh sunlight. Sound quality from the standard audio system was impressive, as you'd expect from a car in this price bracket.

The John Cooper Works leather steering wheel is superb to hold. It features buttons for cruise control on the left and voice commands, audio & telephone controls on the right:


Neat design for the indicator (left) and wiper stalks (right):


Speedometer and tachometer have relocated from the center of the dash to behind the steering wheel. It would have been cooler had the tachometer been bigger than the speedo, to truly give it a sportier touch. Notice the digital fuel gauge on the right:


Headlamp and fog lamp controls have moved to a more conventional position. The slot for holding the key fob has been removed:


Cute little key fob, shaped unlike any other:


The overall design of the door-pads remains more or less the same. The sweet frameless windows are retained:


Door lock/unlock button is now located on the driver-side door. No button for the passenger-side door:


Front speakers are door-mounted, pointing at the knees of the driver and passenger:


Power window switches are now located where they are supposed to be; on the door pad:


Like many European cars, the Mini can be manually unlocked too:


Front seats are an awesome place to be in. They offer a host of adjustments for both the driver and passenger. Too bad they aren't electrically adjustable:


You can adjust the front edge of the seat for better under-thigh support too. Neat!


Unique shape for the 'A' and 'B' pedals. Notice the bonnet opener which needs to be pulled twice to function. Above that is the OBD port:


A 6.5" infotainment display placed in the circular console at the center of the dash. A semi-circular LED light surrounds the screen and changes colours to add some drama to the cabin:


Dual-zone climate control looks a lot more premium now that each dial has its own display:


The super cool toggle switches perform different functions and even have LEDs at the ends of them (shown in the pic above). Notice the fighter-jet-like centrally mounted engine start/stop switch:


At the bottom of the central console is a 12v socket with USB and Aux-in slots beneath it. Notice the ambient lighting. You can change it to no less than 13 colours based on your preference:


2 cup holders for the front passengers + a cubby area for smaller items:


I loved how the gear lever illuminates the mode the car is currently in (hard to see in this photograph):


Sport, Mid and Green mode - we all know the most preferred choice though:


Controls for the infotainment screen located where the handbrake should have been:


Toggle switches for the cabin lighting too. The lights dim on and off in a nice theater-like manner:


While the top storage lid needs to be pushed gently to open, the glove box has a standard handle. It doesn't have the button-style opening of the older Cooper S:


Tiny rear view mirror coupled with the rear neck restraints results in poor rearward visibility:


Oval mirrors offer quite a decent field of view. No complaints here:


With the rear view restricted, reverse parking sensors prove essential while getting in and out of tight parking spots:


Sun visors feel premium:


Air-con vents have a unique central knob to control air flow:


With an aggressive driver behind the wheel, the front passenger will need this. Useful for ingress/egress to the low seats as well:


Pulling this lever on the front seats allows access to the rear bench:


ISOFIX mounts for attaching child seats are present on the rear bench:


Scooped out front seats liberate slightly more knee room. Both front seats have back pockets too:


211 liters of boot space is tight, even by B-segment hatch standards. There's enough space to carry a couple of airline cabin bags:

Last edited by Rehaan : 22nd April 2015 at 11:19.
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Old 13th April 2015, 16:12   #4
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Engine & Driving Experience

As I mentioned in the opening post, the Mini is a rebel. While all other manufacturers are downsizing their engines, striving to achieve higher fuel efficiency figures and being cleaner; Mini has equipped the Cooper S with a larger 1998 cc 4-cylinder petrol engine! It is force-fed too, with a TwinPower Turbo. Power figures though, have been bumped up only marginally. The Mini now produces 189 BHP (+5 over the 2012 car) and 280 Nm of torque.

I'd say the soundtrack of the Cooper S is a mixed bag. While I absolutely fell in love with the violent intake sound each time I floored the throttle, the snorting exhaust sound (on gear change or when you lift off the throttle) took me a little time to warm up to. Still, I would have loved it if this car had a sweeter exhaust note with deeper bass.

The Cooper S is equipped with 3 driving modes - Mid, Sport and Green. It feels at ease in 'Mid' mode. Shifts are smooth, dampers (adjustable ones are a Rs. 90,000 option) are soft and accelerator inputs are a lot tamer. 'Mid' mode makes the Cooper S feel like a regular automatic hatchback, which you could drive to the club for a game of golf or to a 5-star hotel for brunch. It performs like a typical point A to point B commuter. Change the driving mode to 'Sport' for maximum 'go-kart' feel. The gearshifts become quicker, dampers stiffen up and the accelerator inputs become aggressive. The car portrays its true character in this mode. If you drive sedately in this mode, the car feels like a jumpy, over-enthusiastic puppy who wants to play even though you're not in a mood to. For those times when petrol prices sky-rocket, the Cooper S comes with a 'Green' mode too and is capable of returning a claimed 15.75 km/l (ARAI). Needless to say, this review was conducted in 'Sport' mode for obvious reasons.

The 6-speed auto transmission on the Mini is all new, but is still a conventional auto, not a double clutch unit. The shifts are quick, but what's more impressive is that it managed to be in the right gear at almost all times. It is also noteworthy, that the claimed 0-100 km/h figure for the automatic is actually 0.2 seconds faster than manual Cooper S (not available in India). I won't complain about why the Cooper S isn't available with a manual transmission, because I'm certain that more than 90% of Mini's clientèle will prefer the automatic. What I will complain about, is the absence of paddle shifters! It does have a Tiptronic mode, but why have Mini not provided paddle shifters, at least on the Cooper S? I think that being a performance-oriented car, these should have been offered as standard.

Push the gear lever to the left to engage the 'S' mode. Hold the brake with your left foot and stamp on the A-pedal. The revs climb to an ECU limited ~2,900 RPM. Eyes on the road, hands on the wheel and release the brake as quickly as you can. A little bit of wheel spin and off you go; reaching lunatic speeds before you know it. The acceleration is quick and so are the gear changes. All you need is a heavy right foot to come close to the factory claimed figure of 6.7 seconds for a 0-100 km/h sprint.

The steering wheel is a superb unit to hold. I don't have any seat-time in the older Mini, so I can't do a direct comparison here; but I can tell you that it is an amazingly direct electric power steering. It offers good feedback from the wheels, just enough to give you the confidence to aim and shoot. At all times, you know what the front tyres are doing and where the car is heading. I must comment that the steering is light enough while maneuvering the car at slow speeds and adequately weighted at higher speeds too.

Ever used a DSLR camera? Even an amateur with basic levels of skill, feels like a professional while using it. I'd say the Mini is just like a DSLR camera. A person like me, with ordinary driving skills, feels like a professional go-kart racer while behind the wheel of a Cooper S. This car is just so easy, so communicative and so forgiving, that you develop a certain confidence to push it harder. Mini had designed a slalom course where we could extract the best from this little car. It was so agile and so precise, that it performed all that was expected of it very effortlessly and with minimal body roll. After a point it almost seemed like the car was testing the driver's skill and not the other way around. The grip levels offered by the Hankook Ventus Prime2 tyres were very good too.

A 0-100-0 test was where the brakes of the Cooper S really shined. The car sheds speed in an unbelievable manner. The hazard lights come on and added some drama to the otherwise fuss free affair of coming to a hard stop from triple digit speeds. Yes, after several continuous runs up and down the airstrip, the brakes did eventually fade, resulting in longer stopping distances and additional force required on the pedal - but consider this as an extreme form of testing. Under normal conditions, the brakes perform a stellar job. At the end of the day, there wasn't a single person without a smile plastered on their face when getting out of the driver's seat of the Cooper S; and those who frowned, only did so because they had to get out of the driver's seat. The car is THAT good to drive.

2-liter petrol engine with a TwinPower turbocharger is slightly more powerful, more efficient and cleaner than the older 1.6-liter unit:


The entire front half opens upward when you raise the bonnet. The dual struts make lifting it a breeze:


The under-body is partially covered - good for aerodynamics too:


A picture that defines the Cooper S:


BMW stunt experts performing some reverse donuts for us:


A parting shot:

Last edited by Rehaan : 22nd April 2015 at 11:20.
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Old 13th April 2015, 16:14   #5
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Other Points:

• Despite having a higher capacity engine, the Cooper S returns an ARAI rated 15.7 km/l (vs. 14.9 km/l of its predecessor) and emits 151 g/km of carbon dioxide (vs. 155 g/km).

• It will be offered in 11 different exterior colours - 2 non-metallic and 9 metallic. While Pepper White and Volcanic Orange are the non-metallic colours available at no additional charge, metallic colours will set you back by Rs. 85,000 - 1,45,000. They include Moonwalk Grey, Blazing Red, British Racing Green, Iced Chocolate, Midnight Black, Deep Blue, White Silver, Thunder Grey and Lapisluxury Blue.

• Mini has priced the Cooper D 3-Door at Rs. 32.65 lakhs. For 2 additional doors of the 5-Door you'll need to shell out Rs. 36.10 lakhs. The Countryman remains the most affordable Mini due to its local assembly, and starts at a price of Rs. 28.55 lakhs, while the Convertible tops the range at Rs. 36.70 lakhs. Price-wise, the Cooper S sits bang in the middle of the range at Rs. 34.65 lakhs.

• Mini has four exclusive outlets across India - Bird Automotive (Delhi), Infinity Cars (Mumbai), Navnit Motors (Bangalore) and KUN Exclusive (Hyderabad).

• A standard warranty of 2 years / unlimited kilometers is available with the Cooper S. A 12-year warranty for rust, 3 years for paintwork and 2 years for Mini parts and accessories are also standard.

• Similar to BMW's BSI, Mini has an XXL Pack. It is a maintenance pack which covers services, maintenance + repairs for all normal wear and tear items (tyres, fuel and oil top-ups not included) for 5 years or 70,000 kms. It covers items like the air filter, micro filter, spark plugs, brake fluid, brake pads/discs and wiper blades.

• Globally the Mini range will shrink to merely 5 'superhero' models - 3-Door, 5-Door, Convertible, Countryman and Clubman. The Coupe, Roadster and Paceman are likely to be discontinued this year. (link to news article)

Disclaimer: BMW invited Team-BHP for the Mini Cooper S test-drive. They covered all the travel expenses for this driving event.

Last edited by Rehaan : 13th April 2015 at 17:44.
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Old 13th April 2015, 16:16   #6
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The Smaller yet Significant Things:

The optional sunroof is a full panoramic unit, which liberates a lot of light inside the tiny cabin:


Head-up display is a cool option (priced at Rs. 75,000):


I loved how the driver gets an additional side sun visor too:


The 3 driving modes available. No prizes for guessing which one is the most fun to use :


A nifty storage solution in the passenger side foot-well:


Even the passenger seat gets height adjustment:


Recommended tyre pressure:


Scuff plate with the 'S' marked in red:


Rear speakers are positioned where you'd rest your arms. A cup holder is available for each rear passenger too:


Since this car doesn't come with a spare wheel, there is some additional storage under the boot floor. Notice the first aid kit stuck to the left:


Warning triangle is stowed away on the inside of the rear hatch:

Last edited by Rehaan : 13th April 2015 at 17:43.
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Old 13th April 2015, 17:48   #7
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My quick observations on the new Mini Cooper-
  • The car has grown up considerably in size, parked next to the old gen car, the new one feels just too swollen up and to me it does feel too big for a Mini Cooper, the Mini Cooper has to be 'MINI'. I did not like the 5 door Cooper, slightly adds to the practicality aspect but for the kind the premium positioning even the thrummy 3 Cylinder Diesel does not make any sense to me. The only genuinely appealing Cooper to me is the Cooper S with the 2 Litre Turbocharged Petrol.
  • The new car is much more roomy and comfortable on the insides, though the rear seats are still good enough only for kids/small sized adults. The interiors quality and comfort has improves few notches. The speedometer now get a more conventional ahead of steering placement, i like them this way, with the old Cooper it was distracting although there was a digital readout on the tachometer.
  • I could not lay my hands on Cooper S, i drove the Diesel version of the regular Cooper before the Cooper S was launched. With this kind of pricing, this 3 cylinder puny Diesel is a downer. Though on sheer power to weight ratio and acceleration it fares good, but i hate the Cooper D with such a shaky, thrummy 3 cylinder Diesel. Good part is the engine is revv happy and performs good near the top end, at lower revs it's as much punchy as a Rapid/Vento DSG. The responsiveness (time taken by the engine to respond throttle input, not the low end poke) is superb, responds like a naturally aspirated petrol, even though it does not have the punch to keep you pinned to the seat.
  • Steering has lost the direct go kart feel of the earlier car, but still it is one of the nicest steering in the market because it is incredibly direct and quick, but over servo'ed, very light in weight.
  • The biggest change however compared to the old Cooper is the new car has much more cozy ride, you do not feel every undulation on the road but the go kart feel has been toned down, good part is the skittish nature of the handling on uneven roads of the earlier car has been mostly taken care of, that improves the handling and grip levels on less than perfect roads. Overall grip levels are as good as the outgoing car but the go kart flickability has been toned down to an large extent. The new car feels much more mature. Good part is it will be much more livable for daily use and just does not crash into the bumps like the old car, the bone jarring ride is a thing of past.
  • Most of the stuff in the car comes as a paid accessory, White and Orange are the only free of cost colors, you will have to pay for all other colors. The accessories pricing is expensive and everything you may like is a paid accessory. Standard car comes with fabric seats, no armrest, no camera, no parking sensors, no mode select, no HUD....the list is endless.

I am yet to lay my hands on the new Mini Cooper S variant, i am desperately looking forward to it. Now that the legendary go kart feel is toned down, my expectations are low. However, the new BMW sourced 2.0 Turbo Petrol has a lot of tuning potential, a simple remap could take the already impressive power to weight ratio to sports car league.

A close friend was on the fence waiting for the new Cooper S, however the new car did not impress him much and he ended buying a used Cooper S from Mumbai. We drove it all the way Delhi last week, What a car! A report is coming soon.

Driven: 2015 Mini Cooper S-coopers_1200.jpg
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Old 13th April 2015, 18:41   #8
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Re: Driven: 2015 Mini Cooper S

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line section. Thanks for sharing!
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Old 13th April 2015, 20:00   #9
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Re: Driven: 2015 Mini Cooper S

Excellent review as usual. 5 stars.

Quote:
From wikipedia
The Mini is a small economy car made by the British Motor Corporation (BMC) and its successors from 1959 until 2000. The original is considered a British icon of the 1960s.
However good the car might be, it is becoming more and more premium. Yes, it is a completely different one than the original mini, yet whenever Mini is mentioned, the car that comes to my mind is the Mr. Bean one.

Positioning cars like the Mini, Beetle etc as 'premium' IMO makes them only for those people with lots of money and that too when there are similarly priced practical cars available in India. Is this the usual trend to be expected in the future as well ?
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Old 13th April 2015, 21:27   #10
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Re: Driven: 2015 Mini Cooper S

Very detailed and to the point review. Thank you for putting in the efforts.

The seats and interiors are so welcoming. I almost felt like jumping in the car when I was going through the pictures, although I am not sure if I would go for a Mini If I had that kind of money. I think, buying a Mini is more of a heart thing and if one uses his/her brains to make a buying decision, most certainly Mini will take a back seat. Never the less, a beautiful machine.
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Old 13th April 2015, 23:09   #11
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Re: Driven: 2015 Mini Cooper S

Thanks Somil for the excellent review. Like always every small bit was covered. The 'optional this - optional that' part is such a big turn off!

Its like a customer appreciates the colour of the demo car and the sales executive is like "Oh Sir that? That's for an extra 1 lac." Then the customer likes some other feature. SE: "Sir that's for 80k extra." And this goes on for several other features!

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Originally Posted by S2!!! View Post
Headlamp and fog lamp controls have moved to a more conventional position.
Are the two buttons for front and rear fog lamps different? Usually in other cars the rear fog lamps are activated when the front ones are switched on, isn't it? Or is it a common feature which I am not aware of?

-Bhargav
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Old 13th April 2015, 23:29   #12
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Re: Driven: 2015 Mini Cooper S

Beautiful car. This car just has its own niche that never ceases to amaze. The exteriors are just awesome. The blackened Mini looks so desirable! And oh man oh! Those toggle switches! Those large dials. That gem of a steering! The Mini's interiors have always been my all time favorite. Just go crazy when I see the pics. This car is the perfect synonym for the word 'CRAZY.'

I am very happy that BMW did not downsize the engine. As they say, 'No Replacement for Displacement.' Glad to hear that the auto 'box does its job very well. I ended up with real disappointment to see that Fiat launched the 595 ( another great car) with that lacklustre auto.

Wish it were cheaper. The accessories mentioned should be a part of stock fittings. 75K for that heads-up display(no matter how cool it is!) is too high IMO. But, that's the case with most of these cars. They have now become icons. Would love to see our very own Nano become an icon down the line

If I were to choose between a Fiat Abarth 595, VW Beetle RSI and the Mini Cooper S-I would no doubt choose the Mini.

A gem of a review. Immaculate attention to detail. Rating thread a 5 Stars.

Cheers,
petrolhead_neel
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Old 14th April 2015, 09:58   #13
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Re: Driven: 2015 Mini Cooper S

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Originally Posted by Octane_Power View Post
Thanks Somil for the excellent review.
It's Saumil

Quote:
Originally Posted by Octane_Power View Post
The 'optional this - optional that' part is such a big turn off!
Absolutely But then, I think Mini has cleverly executed the personalisation trick wherein the customers think that theirs will be the most unique Mini around town and go on checking the optional accessory boxes, and in the process, Mini is laughing away to the bank.

The most confusing part about this review was figuring out what is standard and what is optional. I was toggling between 3 cars, each of which had something extra and something missing.

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Originally Posted by Octane_Power View Post
Are the two buttons for front and rear fog lamps different? Usually in other cars the rear fog lamps are activated when the front ones are switched on, isn't it? Or is it a common feature which I am not aware of?
Yes, these buttons are different. Previously, these were positioned on the centre toggle switches. Their current position is much more sane. In several cars, it is this way. For example, in VW cars, you pull the rotary headlamp switch once for the front fog lamps and pull it once more for the rear fog lamps.
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Old 14th April 2015, 11:43   #14
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Re: Driven: 2015 Mini Cooper S

Lovely review Saumil. Attention to detail is fantastic!

The MINI sadly, is no longer MINI. I fail to understand how it has managed to be one size too big and still be a cramped place inside. I vaguely remember the sales person squeezing himself into the rear seat. I'm pretty sure he was grossly uncomfortable and was merely hiding his discomfort. His discomfort became evident when I went over a rumble-strip.

On the other hand, the front seats are a delight to be in. The under-thigh support is superb. Not to mention the fighter-pilotesque switches that surround you and look oh-so-fancy. It's all about the drama, the theatre and the emotion of being in a pseudo-luxury go-kart. The driving position is extremely easy to find, even for a six-footer like me. You are seated with your elbows wide and knees in.

I'd like to add the Heads Up Display is pretty useless if you are a tall bloke. No amount of adjustments make it convenient to glance at while driving. I for one had to consciously look down to see it. It kinda defeats the purpose of a 'Heads-Up-Display' doesn't it.

And it'd be fun to see this go up against the 328i; which I reckon is better in every single way. Is BHPian karan561 listening?


PS: Had the chance to drive the new CooperD and that drove like a slumbering grizzly. All show, no go. 1.5L 3 Cylinder Engine in a 50L rupee car? Excuse me!


Cheers!
Cartman

Last edited by Cartman : 14th April 2015 at 11:44.
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Old 14th April 2015, 15:41   #15
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Re: Driven: 2015 Mini Cooper S

Lovely review of an awesome car! I love the Cooper S and hope to add it to the garage one day. To me, the single downside of this car is the atrocious pricing. Seems like the market agrees as they depreciate rapidly. 20 odd lakhs for a pristine Mini (previous gen) is doable, and it won't be too different for the 2015 model 2 - 3 years down the line.

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However good the car might be, it is becoming more and more premium. Yes, it is a completely different one than the original mini, yet whenever Mini is mentioned, the car that comes to my mind is the Mr. Bean one.
It's only in India that the Mini is so overpriced. In the USA, the Mini starts at a price between the Civic & Accord. At $20,000, it is still expensive, but not so much.
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