SWMBO is making ominous new car noises. I'm liking the utility-interior space-safety and fun of the Mini Cooper. Specifically the little wagon with the barn door rear and the suicide passenger door. A couple who visited the winery Saturday had rented one for their vacation and were so sold on it they said they were going to buy one when they got home. Remarkable interior space for a little dink of a car.
I'd probably semi retire the Element for AWD winter driving and she can zip off to wherever it is she goes every day in the Mini. Phx dealer has some new 2012s at pretty deep discounts. 20K OTD.
Thoughts?

__________________
You're a daisy if you do.
__________________________________
84 Euro 240D 4spd. 220.5k sold
04 Honda Element AWD
1985 F150 XLT 4x4, 351W with 270k miles, hay hauler
1997 Suzuki Sidekick 4x4
1993 Toyota 4wd Pickup 226K and counting

The cooper S is a blast to drive

__________________
TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

Get the "S" or don't bother with one.

__________________
“Whatever story you're telling, it will be more interesting if, at the end you add, "and then everything burst into flames.”
― Brian P. Cleary, You Oughta Know By Now

I have not driven one but I understand they are a barrel of fun. I expect a little more maintenance than a vw but really have no basis. Built by BMW so they can't be too bad I wouldn't think.

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Why?

__________________
You're a daisy if you do.
__________________________________
84 Euro 240D 4spd. 220.5k sold
04 Honda Element AWD
1985 F150 XLT 4x4, 351W with 270k miles, hay hauler
1997 Suzuki Sidekick 4x4
1993 Toyota 4wd Pickup 226K and counting

A guy at work just bought one. He got the standard non-S version and loves it. He did say that the sales person told him if you are set on the non-S do not drive the S. There is a substantial power and "fun" difference that goes along with that. The guy at work loves his. Great mileage, not under powered and lots of room.

I test drove one when I thought my car was going to get totaled. The car was way fun. Cornered like it was on rails and lots of room. I'm 6'4" and I had plenty of leg room and head room.

__________________
Sent from an agnostic abacus

2014 C250 21,XXX my new DD ** 2013 GLK 350 18,000 Wife's new DD**

- With out god, life is everything.
- God is an ever receding pocket of scientific ignorance that's getting smaller and smaller as time moves on..." Neil DeGrasse Tyson
- You can pray for me, I'll think for you.
- When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.

I see the reasoning behind the S now. Bigger wheels and more power, and about 3-4K dollar price bump.

__________________
You're a daisy if you do.
__________________________________
84 Euro 240D 4spd. 220.5k sold
04 Honda Element AWD
1985 F150 XLT 4x4, 351W with 270k miles, hay hauler
1997 Suzuki Sidekick 4x4
1993 Toyota 4wd Pickup 226K and counting

Yup, like David said. Go test drive the two and you'll see why. Night and day difference. Nothing wrong with the standard Coop but once you zip around in the "S" you'll wonder why you even considered the other.

__________________
“Whatever story you're telling, it will be more interesting if, at the end you add, "and then everything burst into flames.”
― Brian P. Cleary, You Oughta Know By Now

Drove one of these once and they were a barrel of fun,

__________________
With best regards

Al

What's the fuel economy difference between the two versions?

__________________
This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.

One issue I'd need to check out is the competence and availability of indy service here locally. We keep cars a long time typically. The element is the last new one we bought in 04. To what extent is there crossover between BMWs and Minis? There is a good BMW indy locally, I'll give him a call.

__________________
You're a daisy if you do.
__________________________________
84 Euro 240D 4spd. 220.5k sold
04 Honda Element AWD
1985 F150 XLT 4x4, 351W with 270k miles, hay hauler
1997 Suzuki Sidekick 4x4
1993 Toyota 4wd Pickup 226K and counting

I would look at it this way, if you are open to the idea of spending the extra cash for the S then by all means test drive it. How ever if you drive the non-S first and are content then do not drive the S as it will just spoil the non-S.

It would be like driving a E350 and then a E63. The E350 is perfectly adequate. The E63 takes it to a different level.

__________________
Sent from an agnostic abacus

2014 C250 21,XXX my new DD ** 2013 GLK 350 18,000 Wife's new DD**

- With out god, life is everything.
- God is an ever receding pocket of scientific ignorance that's getting smaller and smaller as time moves on..." Neil DeGrasse Tyson
- You can pray for me, I'll think for you.
- When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.

I haven't looked at them recently but some time back I decided I would not have one with an automatic, troublesome and expensive. I think it is a good choice.

I knew a guy, back in the late '60s early '70s (when I was into BMW 2002s), who ran a Cooper in gymkhanas. I swear he could do right angle corners at speed. Simply amazing handling.

__________________
62 220sb
67 250S
72 280SE 4.5
74 280C
77 300D
82 240D
85 190E 2.3
86 300E RIP 12/28/09
85 300SD
92 300D 2.5
00 E320 Current
Over 1,000,000 miles in Benzes, Since66

....and a whole passel of BMW 2002 and Tii

"Get a job and pay for your own farking car."