I've had my 182 now for about 2 months and I absolutely love it, but I got a chance yesterday to drive a new cooper S.
I went and picked the mini up for my parents from Leicester and drove it back to Manchester, drove on the motor way and then over the snake pass.
I got to say, I've always been a fan of the cooper s, I think it feels and drives brilliantly, very refined on the motor way and has got go kart characteristics. Very similar to the clio sport.
The mini is a much nicer place to be in, more comfortable and no rattles and squeeks, on the motorway it was great (that 6th gear makes a massive difference) and then over the snake pass which was very fun indeed. However I couldn't help but think "I wish I was in my Clio".
As good as the mini is, I found the 182 more involving and more raw!!
Had a choice this morning to either drive the Cooper S or the 182 (which is two years older then the mini), I chose the 182. The clutch on the mini is so soft It doesn't feel sporty at all.
Now the mini cost us 12k, thats nearly 3 times what I paid for my 182, in terms on how it drives, imo is it worth the extra? NO WAY. Although I did like the refinement on the motorway and the German Quality.
Put it this way, Its okay for my parents because I can't really see my mum in the 182, but personally I wouldn't be able to justify the extra money for a cooper S over a 182. :lolup:
I went and picked the mini up for my parents from Leicester and drove it back to Manchester, drove on the motor way and then over the snake pass.
I got to say, I've always been a fan of the cooper s, I think it feels and drives brilliantly, very refined on the motor way and has got go kart characteristics. Very similar to the clio sport.
The mini is a much nicer place to be in, more comfortable and no rattles and squeeks, on the motorway it was great (that 6th gear makes a massive difference) and then over the snake pass which was very fun indeed. However I couldn't help but think "I wish I was in my Clio".
As good as the mini is, I found the 182 more involving and more raw!!
Had a choice this morning to either drive the Cooper S or the 182 (which is two years older then the mini), I chose the 182. The clutch on the mini is so soft It doesn't feel sporty at all.
Now the mini cost us 12k, thats nearly 3 times what I paid for my 182, in terms on how it drives, imo is it worth the extra? NO WAY. Although I did like the refinement on the motorway and the German Quality.
Put it this way, Its okay for my parents because I can't really see my mum in the 182, but personally I wouldn't be able to justify the extra money for a cooper S over a 182. :lolup: