motor

adlinyusman · 02-29-2004, 08:04 PM

I'm on the verge of getting a mini cooper, but i don't know which is best. Should i get the Hartge S or the John Cooper works? I don't really like the styling of the works, but i was told that it balances the qualities of the Mini really well without ruining it's original feel. Anyone out there who has driven both or own one or the other? I haven't driven any yet, since the dealers in Melbourne and Malaysia don't seem to want to sell any of these cars. BMW's arrogance really pisses me of sometimes. Oh and please don't suggest any of the other iteration for mini (BBR, Digi Tec etc..) cause i don't think i can find any of those in either country, and it makes me feel bad.

TT · 02-29-2004, 08:07 PM

Of course I didn't drive them, but from what I read and from my personal opinion, the Work package is the way to go.. sure not cheap, but you can keep your warranty.. and if you don't like the visual touches, you can buy an Hartge bodykit

BADMIHAI · 02-29-2004, 08:26 PM

Works all the way. Just look at how good Clarkson rated it! And it still has the factory warranty!

ambry · 02-29-2004, 09:19 PM

Originally Posted by adlinyusman

I'm on the verge of getting a mini cooper, but i don't know which is best. Should i get the Hartge S or the John Cooper works? I don't really like the styling of the works, but i was told that it balances the qualities of the Mini really well without ruining it's original feel. Anyone out there who has driven both or own one or the other?

I looked at the Mini here in Dallas, TX and drove a CooperS and Cooper Works. The Works did keep a similar overall feel to the S with a noticably harder suspension, louder exhaust (sounded great) and the extra ponies were noticable in the lower to mid range. I think the Cooper Works would be a fun track car and still be usable as a on the road driver. Don't think I would like the Works as a daily driver though, the one I test drove had much harder ride than my M3. Have not driven a Cooper Hartge.

adlinyusman · 02-29-2004, 09:48 PM

ambry, thanks for your advice, but in relation to the S vs the Works, is the change in bhp really worth the extra cash? Or is the Cooper S good enough as it is? I like the Cooper S since it doesn't have the additional bodykit on it, which i think is a little bit much.

Besides i'm buying it for everyday use, since my 355 is not practical (in a sense that ppl look at it too much and i can't park it just anywhere without worrying about someone scratching the paint or tearing the tonneau cover..), so i don't want another car which is not practical. I want a car that has a respectable amount of push, but not at the expense of ride quality or an increase in cabin noise. The cooper S has a good whine coming form the supercharger, and the cabin noise is bearable. Is there an increase in db levels in the Works?

TT · 02-29-2004, 09:51 PM

BTW, can't you have the Works engine tuning withouth the bodykit?

budagboy2 · 02-29-2004, 10:06 PM

Im learning how to drive stick w/ a john cooper mini, lots of fun to drive and very easy and the turning is great.

adlinyusman · 02-29-2004, 10:11 PM

Originally Posted by TT

BTW, can't you have the Works engine tuning withouth the bodykit?

hmm..that sounds interesting. Maybe you can i suppose, but then you'd lose out on the whole performance package. If that's the case, then i'll probably opt for a normal Cooper S then just tune up the engine with the works kit. Brilliant. But do they do individual tuning packages? Or is the Works package just for the engine?

skituner · 02-29-2004, 10:20 PM

i would just go with the cooper s and tune it up. I am pretty much obsessed with mini and have found a lot of aftermaket tuning parts avaible for the mini. you could easly get a mini up the 200bhp with after market parts. its really a question of i you want the warrenty or not.

ambry · 02-29-2004, 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by adlinyusman

ambry, thanks for your advice, but in relation to the S vs the Works, is the change in bhp really worth the extra cash? Or is the Cooper S good enough as it is? I like the Cooper S since it doesn't have the additional bodykit on it, which i think is a little bit much.

Just my opinion, but I would go with the CooperS as a daily driver - more civilized on public roads. If you found you wanted more power, you could always add the works package later at your BMW/Mini dealer and still have the full BMW warranty.

Tomerville · 03-01-2004, 12:15 AM

I'd take the Cooper S Works because of the balance, and the factory waranty. But honestly, for a hatch, I say Civic Type R for the delightful VTEC, or an R32. Just my opinion tho!

levensnevel · 03-01-2004, 12:23 AM

Well adlinyusman

you should stick to the original

Surely you can find one in both Malaysia and Melbourne

TT · 03-01-2004, 05:40 AM

Originally Posted by adlinyusman

Originally Posted by TT

BTW, can't you have the Works engine tuning withouth the bodykit?

hmm..that sounds interesting. Maybe you can i suppose, but then you'd lose out on the whole performance package. If that's the case, then i'll probably opt for a normal Cooper S then just tune up the engine with the works kit. Brilliant. But do they do individual tuning packages? Or is the Works package just for the engine?

Of course I'm not 100% sure, but I think yes, you can buy your Cooper S and then choose wich parts of the Works kit you'd like installed. IMO there should be something like an list where you can tick whatever you want.