2014 Mini Cooper S Hardtop Extended-Term Update: Back in Michigan for Winter

Long-Term Road Test Update

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Our long-term Mini rattles back to Michigan just in time for winter.

• DAVE BEARD AND


• MICHAEL SIMARI

WHAT WE LIKE AND WHY: We haven’t noticed our lengthy-term Mini Cooper S in a while, as it spent the summer time on assignment in Los Angeles. But receiving back behind the wheel reminds us of how considerably a lot more refined the most current Mini is than prior generations. The feel is more akin to a small BMW than an eager runabout, with enhanced ergonomics and instrumentation. The light, precise action of the clutch and shifter are practically perfect for spirited driving, and even though the go-kart really feel has been somewhat watered down, the Mini can still deliver smiles when hitting an apex. And there’s lots of grunt from the S’s turbocharged 2.-liter, and with all 207 lb-ft of torque peaking at a superlow 1250 rpm, it’s easier to deal with thick traffic. We’re still averaging 30 mpg overall with normal flogging, which equates to 350 miles of range.

WHAT WE Don’t LIKE AND WHY: In spite of higher initial compliance from the suspension versus prior models, the most current Mini nevertheless crashes over most bumps and has currently created several creaks and rattles in its structure. Although not as prominent as in earlier Minis, such as our flimsy extended-term 2009 JCW convertible, the clatter nevertheless lends a feeling of cheapness. Eighteen-inch wheels and 40-series rubber certainly do not assist the ride, either. And even though the most current Mini’s enlarged dimensions permit a slightly more capacious cargo region and rear seat, squeezing 2 adults in the back of the 3-door hardtop is a terrible thought.

WHAT WENT Incorrect AND WHY: In spite of the lackluster structural integrity, our Mini has been reasonably easy to reside with. The vehicle visited the dealer twice while in California about 11,000 miles, but neither stop expense us a dime. The very first was a scheduled oil and filter modify and inspection, which was covered under Mini’s integrated free of charge upkeep for 3 years or 36,000 miles. An oil leak prompted the second check out shortly thereafter, with the problem being a faulty oil-filter housing, which was tended to below warranty as a identified issue. Being Michigan in December, our biggest expense given that the vehicle returned to HQ has been a set of 205/45-17 Bridgestone Blizzak LM-60 run-flat winter tires ($ 736 from Tire Rack), which we mounted on a set of replacement 17-inch wheels provided by Mini (we were unable to acquire run-flat winter rubber in the OE size for the car’s stock 18s). Then, since we’re vain, we spent $ 62.63 for 4 new center caps that weren’t incorporated with the winter wheels. Even though the squishy winter tires make it hard to analyze any changes in dynamic overall performance from the taller sidewalls, they do at least provide a bit a lot more cushion to the ride over frozen, pockmarked pavement.

Where WE WENT AND WHY: As we talked about, the Mini just returned from California and has served mostly as a local commuter even though back residence in Michigan. It did, nonetheless, travel often while out west, which includes treks from Los Angeles to Las Vegas and the higher desert about Barstow, California. Although the onset of winter and the car’s diminutive size will surely limit its road-trip possible in the coming months, its pluckiness need to entertain on the several shorter voyages about the holidays. —Mike Sutton

Months in Fleet: 6 months
Present Mileage: 15,148 miles Typical Fuel Economy: 30 mpg
Fuel Tank Size: 11.6 gal Fuel Variety: 350 miles
Service: $ Regular Wear: $ Repair: $
Harm and Destruction: $

Continued…

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2014 Mini Cooper S Hardtop Extended-Term Update: Back in Michigan for Winter

2014 Mini Cooper S Hardtop Lengthy-Term Update: Back in Michigan for Winter

Extended-Term Road Test Update

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Our extended-term Mini rattles back to Michigan just in time for winter.

• DAVE BEARD AND


• MICHAEL SIMARI

WHAT WE LIKE AND WHY: We haven’t observed our long-term Mini Cooper S in a although, as it spent the summer season on assignment in Los Angeles. But receiving back behind the wheel reminds us of how much more refined the newest Mini is than previous generations. The feel is far more akin to a tiny BMW than an eager runabout, with enhanced ergonomics and instrumentation. The light, precise action of the clutch and shifter are almost excellent for spirited driving, and while the go-kart really feel has been somewhat watered down, the Mini can nonetheless deliver smiles when hitting an apex. And there’s lots of grunt from the S’s turbocharged 2.-liter, and with all 207 lb-ft of torque peaking at a superlow 1250 rpm, it’s easier to deal with thick traffic. We’re still averaging 30 mpg overall with typical flogging, which equates to 350 miles of range.

WHAT WE Don’t LIKE AND WHY: Regardless of greater initial compliance from the suspension versus previous models, the newest Mini nonetheless crashes over most bumps and has currently created many creaks and rattles in its structure. Though not as prominent as in preceding Minis, such as our flimsy long-term 2009 JCW convertible, the clatter nonetheless lends a feeling of cheapness. Eighteen-inch wheels and 40-series rubber certainly do not aid the ride, either. And although the newest Mini’s enlarged dimensions permit a slightly more capacious cargo location and rear seat, squeezing 2 adults in the back of the 3-door hardtop is a terrible thought.

WHAT WENT Incorrect AND WHY: Despite the lackluster structural integrity, our Mini has been reasonably easy to reside with. The vehicle visited the dealer twice although in California around 11,000 miles, but neither stop cost us a dime. The 1st was a scheduled oil and filter modify and inspection, which was covered below Mini’s included totally free maintenance for 3 years or 36,000 miles. An oil leak prompted the second pay a visit to shortly thereafter, with the difficulty being a faulty oil-filter housing, which was tended to under warranty as a identified concern. Becoming Michigan in December, our biggest expense since the auto returned to HQ has been a set of 205/45-17 Bridgestone Blizzak LM-60 run-flat winter tires ($ 736 from Tire Rack), which we mounted on a set of replacement 17-inch wheels provided by Mini (we had been unable to receive run-flat winter rubber in the OE size for the car’s stock 18s). Then, since we’re vain, we spent $ 62.63 for 4 new center caps that weren’t incorporated with the winter wheels. Despite the fact that the squishy winter tires make it tough to analyze any changes in dynamic functionality from the taller sidewalls, they do at least provide a bit more cushion to the ride over frozen, pockmarked pavement.

Where WE WENT AND WHY: As we talked about, the Mini just returned from California and has served mainly as a local commuter while back residence in Michigan. It did, nonetheless, travel regularly whilst out west, which includes treks from Los Angeles to Las Vegas and the high desert about Barstow, California. While the onset of winter and the car’s diminutive size will surely limit its road-trip possible in the coming months, its pluckiness should entertain on the many shorter voyages around the holidays. —Mike Sutton

Months in Fleet: 6 months
Current Mileage: 15,148 miles Average Fuel Economy: 30 mpg
Fuel Tank Size: 11.6 gal Fuel Range: 350 miles
Service: $ Normal Put on: $ Repair: $
Harm and Destruction: $

Continued…

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2014 Mini Cooper S Hardtop Lengthy-Term Update: Back in Michigan for Winter

2014 Mini Cooper S Hardtop Lengthy-Term Test Intro: Bulking Up For a 40,000-Mile Exercise

Long-Term Road Test Intro

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Hello, new Mini. You happen to be looking really, uh, hearty.

• DAVE BEARD AND


• MICHAEL SIMARI

There are all sorts of techniques to pay compliments to buddies who have obviously lost weight, but there’s not a lot to say to those who have gotten bigger. Normally it is ideal to just say absolutely nothing, but we do not want to be rude. So to our newest long-term tester, a 2014 Mini Cooper S, we say: Hola! Welcome! You are looking awfully, er, lush these days!

The newly maximized Mini is massive for a cause. For its 2014 overhaul, it moved onto BMW’s new UKL global front-drive platform, which quickly will underpin a complete family members of Mini and BMW cars, all of them bigger than the Cooper hardtop. So the new Cooper, internally dubbed F56, had to stretch a bit as a compromise for its shared architecture. Park the new next to the outgoing R56 model (or particularly next to BMW’s original 2001–2006 R50), and the variations are dramatic. The new Cooper has turn into something but mini.

Blasted by the Gigant-o-Ray

The length grows in this generation by 4.5 inches while the width expands by 1.7 inches. That might not sound like considerably, but in an industry that sweats each millimeter, that is a double-barrel blast from the Gigant-o-Ray. Your driveway may possibly suddenly appear a lot smaller sized, but all of this, uh, blossoming is not without its positive aspects, specially to all round interior spaciousness (despite the fact that there are nonetheless some ergonomic challenges in the cabin).

Not only is the platform new, the engine is, too. The 189-hp 2.-liter turbo 4-cylinder is the middle youngster of BMW’s new expandable engine family members, which makes use of a standardized 500-cc cylinder and simply stacks it, from the base Mini’s transverse 1.5-liter 3 up to the longitudinal 3.-liter inline-6. With all this newness in the ’14 Mini Cooper, we had been obliged to preserve 1 for a while to see how this overhauled Mini stands up to longer scrutiny.

This Volcanic Orange example arrives for its 40,000-mile run as a completely loaded Cooper S with a appropriate 6-speed manual. And by fully loaded, we actually imply it, due to the fact Mini gives a Fully Loaded choice pack that wads up a bunch of other option groups, like the Premium, Sport, and Wired packages, into a single huge $ 4500 hit. It contains navigation, a sunroof, 18-inch wheels, LED headlights, and mongo connectivity choices amongst its extended list of amenities. We also got a couple of nice-to-haves such as the fancier Cross Punch Carbon Black leather for $ 1500, the Cold Weather pack for $ 600, Dynamic Damper Handle and a head-up display, every for $ 500, and a 1-year subscription to satellite radio for $ 300. The rear spoiler, storage package with an adjustable rear cargo floor, and an anthracite-hued headliner every price $ 250.

Crunching the Stats

Total: $ 33,795. That’s a massive value for what is, and in spite of all the current swelling, nevertheless a modest vehicle. The initial test-track numbers, beginning with the 2839-pound curb weight and the 6.6-second zero-to-60 run, do not show progress more than a 2622-pound Cooper S we tested in 2007, which hit 60 in 6.2 seconds. But it is nevertheless the early days of this new engine. As factors loosen up, the times should come down, despite the fact that possibly not by sufficient to make the 2014 model any faster than its predecessor. Nevertheless, the new Mini’s .91-g skidpad-grip figure shows real capability, and we appear forward to exploiting it over the miles to come.

So far we’ve noticed that the maxi Mini is less of a toy than its predecessors and far more of a grown-up car. The steering is still hyper-reactive compared with most cars’, but the ride has mellowed out, at least more than the milder bumps, and the Cooper’s road presence feels more substantial. We’re still understanding the new ergonomics, but factors such as conventionally placed window switches and the new giant super knob for the infotainment unit are helping. All the connectivity possibilities and ease of use are currently garnering praise from these who like to stream music from their phones.

The Mini is now on the West Coast carrying out typical shuttles amongst Los Angeles and San Francisco, and it makes the dull miles in between these metropolises melt pretty quickly with a composed highway ride and a powerful engine. So far, we’re averaging 30 mpg from the lengthy-stroke 2.-liter, which is welcome considering the tiny, 11.6-gallon fuel tank.

There will be more maxi Mini observations to come as we maintain you updated on the car’s progress in the course of its keep.

Months in Fleet: 2 months
Existing Mileage: 6629 miles Average Fuel Economy: 30 mpg
Fuel Tank Size: 11.6 gallons Fuel Variety: 345 miles
Service: $ Typical Put on: $ Repair: $

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2014 Mini Cooper S Hardtop Lengthy-Term Test Intro: Bulking Up For a 40,000-Mile Exercise