2007 Mini Cooper & Cooper S Road Test

Minis hold a special place in my heart. Why? I've had way too many great
This is the brand new Mini Cooper S. Honest. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)memories in them. For example, I drove over 1,500 miles in a week the first time I had the Cooper S back in 2003. Not only did I drive to and from the local mountains three times (it's about 75 miles each way from where I live), I went golfing (another 600 miles there and back, plus some detours), drove around town in style and made pedestrians and children smile everywhere I went. Then there was the launch of the Mini Cooper Convertible in Minneapolis, MN. I made friends with the local wildlife (Sparco the turtle) got myself and my driving partner lost in the middle of Nowhere, Wisconsin. Like I said, good times.I recently made some more memories with two all-new Coopers. Now in its second generation since its introduction in 2003, the Cooper and Cooper S are even better than before. Oddly enough, the two new cars look pretty much the same as the old 2007 models! Put them side-by-side with their outgoing siblings and even then it's hard to tell the difference. But hey, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. The Mini design is hailed by adults and children alike, so why go radical for something that's so iconic? Underneath that familiar skin is a brand new car, mind you, from engine to gearbox. And let's not forget the interior. I promise. Even the suspension has been modified to make it more
You can tell the difference more easily inside? The big speedo stays, but the radio lives in it now. Note the winged Mini logo design for the climate controls. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press) fun to drive. I know, it's hard to believe this “mini” BMW could get any better, but it does.Inside, the Mini's changes are a lot more apparent. The center console has been trimmed in width to increase space for knee and hip room, and the audio controls have moved north so that they're now situated just under the larger-than-life speedometer. It's nice to have all the audio controls closer to eye level, as this requires less effort and less eye-time taken away from the road ahead. The new setup not only looks good, but it adds character to an already boisterous car. All that boisterousness needs to start somewhere though. In this generation, it's under the hood. The biggest and most exciting difference between old and new is the engine, or should I say engines. As much as I loved the whine of the 163 horsepower supercharged engine, it is no more. Instead, it's been replaced by a faint hiss of a turbocharger. Using the Valvetronic variable intake valve timing technology from its parent, BMW, the 4-cylinder is now turbocharged resulting in overall output of 172 horsepower (up 9 horses) and peak torque of 177 lb-ft (up 22 from 155).
Big gains in power for the turbocharged Cooper S. Regular S is smoother, and more efficient too. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)Can the difference really be felt? You bet. The smoothness and responsiveness of the engine is much bolder than before. Yes, if you thought the old Mini hauled, it hauls even more now.Even the normally aspirated 1.6-liter, 16-valve DOHC 4-cylinder receives a kick of 3 horses from 115 to 118, and torque now stands at 114 lb-ft at 4,250 rpm, up from 110. While it has significantly less power than its turbocharged brother, the fun is still all there. Furthermore, the new engines are a lot smoother than before with less NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness).During my time with the Cooper S, I went camping, drove around the local islands, sat on a ferry and watched DVDs with my boyfriend while listening to the ocean with the windows rolled down, rode around with my friends, entertained clients at work who were visiting from out of town ... it seems that even the mundane tasks of the everyday were made more enjoyable, not only because the Cooper has such a great personality, but because it's just such a well coordinated car. Its 6-speed manual transmission shifts smoothly, the front MacPherson strut type and rear independent multi-link sport-tuned suspension (which comes as a part of the sport package
The Cooper continues to defy what a small car can be. Luxurious, comfortable and sporty, it's also incredibly thrifty to run. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)complete with 205/45R17 performance run-flat tires and 17-inch flame spoke alloy wheels for $1,500) keep the car flat in the bends, and the heated seats, keyless entry, stability control and switchable ambient lighting kept making me think, “luxury car”.It was also great to have the novelty-sized sunroof, which comes as part of the premium package for an extra $1,500, always open when the sun was shining. Heated front seats, mirrors, and windshield washer jets are also available as part of the cold weather package ($500).And what's a Mini without a funk-a-delic stereo? The Cooper S' musical stylings came in the form of a 6-speaker premium sound system with pre-wiring for SIRIUS satellite radio and an in-dash CD changer with MP3 capabilities. While it's not the 'loudest' system - loud in a sense that I couldn't crank the bass and shake the earth - at higher volumes it was clear and free of distortion. There's nothing more embarrassing than listening to a favorite song with the windows rolled down and hearing that hiss and crackle. OK, maybe there are other things more embarrassing than that, but the car already generates so much 'buzz', no assistance from the stereo is necessary. Get it? Buzz? Oh dear. Moving on...
Cargo space is a bit small, but fold down those rear seats forward and there's more room to play with. Clubman wagon version will be along next year. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)My one-on-one time with the regular Cooper wasn't as eventful, as there weren't any camping trips, ferry rides or opportunities for entertaining clients, but I still managed to have a great time with it. Like that's hard! However, at first I was not too excited about the optional 6-speed automatic transmission with Steptronic manual mode (an additional $1,250), but it soon proved to be an asset. My biggest fear was its incapability to deliver all of the advertised 118 horses quickly enough to appease my need for speed. I mean, why ruin a good thing with an automatic transmission? Boy was I wrong. I was actually quite impressed with how quickly the auto-Cooper was willing to respond. It still embodies all the pep, pizzazz and poise that I doubted would be there. Gosh, I'm such a pessimist sometimes. Nevertheless, I give the auto tranny two very large Mini thumbs up.What I also give the Mini is two very large thumbs up for all the additional gadgets and stuff that can be added. There are over 1,000 options that enable the Mini to be completely unique to its owner. For example, my Cooper came with the sport package, which, incidentally, differs slightly from the
Cooper S has an overboost function which temporarily boosts torque up for more punch when needed. Very cool. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)Cooper S' sport package ($1,500) due to a set of 205/45R17 17-inch “Crown” spoke alloys wrapped in all-season run-flat tires, plus sport seats, a rear sport version spoiler, anthracite liner, sport button and white indicator lights. The sport button essentially changes the response of the throttle, and keeps the car in gear longer, increasing its ability to get up and go.There is little in the way of drawbacks for both Cooper models, besides the usual "lack of cargo room" and "not much rear seat legroom" complaints. One thing I would like to see changed in a future generation is the placement of the DSC button. It's right beside the lock/unlock and window down button. I accidentally pressed it a couple of times when rolling the windows down, but it doesn't really hurt the car or performance, in fact, unless things are really slippery it helps it! Fuel economy is great on both models with an estimated 32 mpg in the city and
As good as the S is, I'd personally pick the regular Cooper. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)40 mpg on the highway for the Cooper (6-speed manual transmission), and 29 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway for the Cooper S (6-speed manual transmission). Is that good mileage? Definitely good enough. As much as I liked both Coopers, if I had to pick only one to have in my driveway I'd opt for the normally aspirated Cooper. Yes, I liked it just a tad more than the Cooper S even with the automatic transmission. Why? It suited my lifestyle a little more and was more convenient for all the city driving I do. That's not to say the Cooper S wasn't a close second, I just connected more with the regular Cooper. Mind you, I wouldn't object to any Mini if it just happened to show up outside my apartment with a pretty red bow wrapped around it. Hint hint, Santa...