VS MINI Hardtop S

[SUB-FT86]

I can't stand the way these cars look for the life of me. Every time I see one I think 13 clowns is going to jump out and gave me a good laugh.

[Devie]

Originally Posted by djdnz

Subaru reliability. Don't forget, Subaru engineered and manufactured the cars


Speaking of Mini's, my fiancee has one and it's a great car. It's an 09 Cooper (non-s), base model with a few options. It's had one major issue, the water pump went at about 30,000km. I have a bad feeling that the one that has replaced it is on it's way out as well, but the car is out of warranty now.

It's a blast to drive, but maintenance down the road always scares me a little given that it's a BMW product.

It has a Toyota badge on it, I'll keep my statement .

But also, Subaru are reliable as all hell aswell, except for the thrashed and modded WRX's. Poor things.

[86'd]

Oh I forgot too that the Mini doesn't really have a lot of space in the "trunk."

You can fit a suitcase or two in the back, standing up, or laying flat if you put the seats down. Getting groceries, you WILL have to put the seats down.

Although all we've seen are pics, the FRS/BRZ seems to have a lot more space.

[Turbowned]

Originally Posted by Devie

It has a Toyota badge on it, I'll keep my statement .

But also, Subaru are reliable as all hell aswell, except for the thrashed and modded WRX's. Poor things.

You're comparing the second most-reliable carmaker (Toyota) to the most reliable car-maker (Subaru). We're getting a reliable car either way you look at it!

[no_name]

A used Cooper S is on my short list with the FRS and Veloster Turbo.

[DeepHunta]

Phew, good thing I finally found this thread. I was seriously considering a John Cooper Works as a back up for the BRZ (if I didn't like the test drive). I test drove a 2008 JCW a few days ago and that exhaust sound is just stimulating. The wastegate noise when you switch gears makes my teeth cringe. Threw it into some corners and was impressed.

But yes, it is BMW. German car maintenance just sux! They are reliable only if it is cared for. My current Subaru Legacy now has over 45,000 miles on it and no major repairs, except for normal maintenance. I might just scratch JCW from my list indefinitely.

[Lighting Red]

Originally Posted by DeepHunta

Phew, good thing I finally found this thread. I was seriously considering a John Cooper Works as a back up for the BRZ (if I didn't like the test drive). I test drove a 2008 JCW a few days ago and that exhaust sound is just stimulating. The wastegate noise when you switch gears makes my teeth cringe. Threw it into some corners and was impressed.

But yes, it is BMW. German car maintenance just sux! They are reliable only if it is cared for. My current Subaru Legacy now has over 45,000 miles on it and no major repairs, except for normal maintenance. I might just scratch JCW from my list indefinitely.

You could almost buy a JCW just for the sound alone.

[Capt Canuck]

Originally Posted by DeepHunta

Phew, good thing I finally found this thread. I was seriously considering a John Cooper Works as a back up for the BRZ (if I didn't like the test drive). I test drove a 2008 JCW a few days ago and that exhaust sound is just stimulating. The wastegate noise when you switch gears makes my teeth cringe. Threw it into some corners and was impressed.

But yes, it is BMW. German car maintenance just sux! They are reliable only if it is cared for. My current Subaru Legacy now has over 45,000 miles on it and no major repairs, except for normal maintenance. I might just scratch JCW from my list indefinitely.

It might be better to spend sometime reading up on Mini forums about the costs of running a Mini Cooper before discounting it so quickly. Especially instead of a short thread on a website for a car no one actually owns yet ;-)

[KeepGuessing]

Originally Posted by Turbowned

BMW in general is dealing with high-pressure fuel pump issues, so anyone shopping a 135i or 335i should keep that in mind.

BMW has remedied these issues for leaning on a year now after their...5th re-model of the pump.. Long time waiting but it has been fixed, However if you're shopping for a older car (couple years old) then yes it could be a problem..EASILY remedied though with a new pump.


As for all out performance..IF you are looking for OEM out the gate thrill/speed performance..The mini S is the clear winner..Not only will it win in a straight line, i'm willing to pet a hefy chunk of change it'll outlap it 9/10 times simply based on the fact it produces it's power in a much more desirable pattern with no falloffs etc....

but mod for mod..there's no telling yet..Yes the FRS will be a difficult/mean b**ch to tune..but it COULD be a long term thing vs the mini's ease of swapping a part for quick gain then hitting a performance wall so to speak.

[Turbowned]

Originally Posted by KeepGuessing

BMW has remedied these issues for leaning on a year now after their...5th re-model of the pump.. Long time waiting but it has been fixed, However if you're shopping for a older car (couple years old) then yes it could be a problem..EASILY remedied though with a new pump.

Good to know they finally fixed it. Must've been a pain for existing owners. The 3.0 twin turbo is one hell of an engine.


I'd like to drive a JCW and an old S/C Mini S to get a feel for them, but the 6spd S turbo I drove was not impressive. To feel as much torque steer as I did with a low stock power output was unsettling. What happens when you crank up the boost? I don't want to find out. FWD ain't my cup o' tea, anyways.

[Subie4life]

Originally Posted by miata

Torque steer.
Bad engine reliability.


Used to own a 2007 turbo.

Mini R53's rule.

OK, its not my GD STi by any means, but as a third car for track use, its amazing. I've made some minor mods to the wheels/tires/rotors&pad and CAI, but everything else is stock. 140,000 miles and its as strong as ever. Still on the stock clutch as well. The BRZ has a very high bar to reach the performance of the R53. Newer is not always better.

[TuxedoCartman]

Last daily driver I had before coming to Japan was an R53 JCW. I loved that car, and god it was a blast on backroads.

I just noticed the other day just how close the HP and weight on an FR-S is to the R53 JCW. Wish I still had that car, so I could do a direct back-to-back test drive comparison. Drivetrains and engine types may vary, but apparently I have a type when it comes to car size/ power!

[Lasse]

Originally Posted by TuxedoCartman

Last daily driver I had before coming to Japan was an R53 JCW. I loved that car, and god it was a blast on backroads.

I just noticed the other day just how close the HP and weight on an FR-S is to the R53 JCW. Wish I still had that car, so I could do a direct back-to-back test drive comparison. Drivetrains and engine types may vary, but apparently I have a type when it comes to car size/ power!

AutoBild magazine did compare Mini Coupe and BRZ, and Mini didn't have a chance.... BRZ was that much better in every category. And i think it was rather surprising how big the difference was in driving dynamics. Mini was good, BRZ was even better.

I'm going to test drive Mini Cooper today

[TuxedoCartman]

Originally Posted by Lasse

AutoBild magazine did compare Mini Coupe and BRZ, and Mini didn't have a chance.... BRZ was that much better in every category. And i think it was rather surprising how big the difference was in driving dynamics. Mini was good, BRZ was even better.

I'm going to test drive Mini Cooper today

People I've spoken with don't have as much good to say about the newer ones, as opposed to the R53's. I can't say, personally, since I haven't driven one. I hope the reports are wrong, and if they aren't I hope MINI gets back on track. Let us know what model you end up test-driving, and what your impressions are!

I'm still getting an FR-S, but I think there's room enough in this world for more than one lightweight, 200-ish horsepower sports coupe/ hatch! In fact, as far as I'm concerned, when it comes to great cars... the more, the merrier! :happy0180: