2008 MINI Cooper S Hardtop

Bytes & Bullets

Summary
• Works as a retro—nifty styling, great packaging and it’s only 12-feet long
• A premium small car; gets pricey when you add options; this car makes it possible for BMW to introduce a BMW 1 Series premium small car
• 1.6-liter direct injection turbo 4-cylinder with 172 bhp

Engine/Transmission
• Responsive and fast; turbo and DGI make a world of difference; really exhilarating performance
• Extremely flexible engine; can lug it down to 1000 rpm, but it kicks butt above 3500
• Smooth and quiet revving; minimal NVH
• Has Sport program for throttle and steering; in Sport you get noticeably quicker throttle response and faster revving
• The gearbox feels a little rubbery but I never missed an up or downshift
• Good location of pedals for heel/toe

Steering/Suspension/Brakes
• The MINI is a 4-letter word spelled FUNN
• It could only come from a company like BMW
• It’s a sports car with a roof and space for four
• Handles like a go-kart—short wheelbase, quick steering, flat cornering
• Font wheel drive but you’ve got to drive really hard before it start to understeer
• The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and traction control prevent wheelspin, but without intruding into the driving fun
• Under hard throttle and turning, you do notice some torque steer and understeer, but you can minimize these effects if you modulate the throttle until enough steering lock is removed to allow you to apply WOT and scoot away
• The steering is heavy but direct and responsive
• The brakes are firm and positive; excellent stopping power and easy to modulate
• The steering quickens in the Sport setting
• The ride is flat but firm; very firm, especially at the rear over rough or broken pavement
• If you disable DSC you can generate enough torque in 1st and 2nd to chirp the tires when accelerating and to spin the front tires in 1st gear when turning a corner from a stop
• In quick lane change maneuvers at around 40 mph you can’t generate enough Gs to cause the wheels to lose grip with DSC off

Accommodations
• Amazing amount of interior space considering the footprint on the ground
• Comfy, supportive, multi-adjustable manual seats
• Lever on seatback allows the front seats to slide and flip forward to assist rear ingress/egress
• Huge central speedo; tach is on the steering wheel
• Retro toggle switches surrounded by safety cages used for many controls
• Audio controls with three levels of knobs and switches take time to learn
• Steering wheel has rake and reach adjustment; cruise control and audio controls on wheel
• Separate flip-down side visor for driver
• Windows drop down/raise up slightly when doors are opened/closed to reduce wind noise
• Sunroofs are noisy, especially the front one
• Split, folding rear seats aid cargo flexibility
• Climate controlled glovebox but no lock, so make sure any ice you store isn’t diamonds
• Excellent fit and finish and use of high-grade materials
• This car has SOLID body structure

2008 MINI Cooper S Hardtop
Base Price, MSRP: $21,200
Exterior Dimensions & Weight
Wheelbase: 97.1 in.
Length: 146.2 in.
Width: 66.3 in.
Height: 55.4 in.
Curb Weight, MT/AT: 2668/2723 lb
Engine & Transmission
Engine: 4-cylinder, inline, turbo
Displacement: 1598 cc
Bhp@rpm: 172@5500
Torque (lb-ft)@rpm: 177@1600
Transmission, manual/automatic: 6M/CVT
EPA MPG, City/Hwy, man (auto): 26/34 (23/32)

Active & Passive Safety Features
Braking & Traction
4-Wheel Anti-Lock Disc Brakes
Corner Brake Control
Electronic Brake Force Distribution
All-Season Traction Control
Brake Assistance
Vehicle Stability Control System
Hill Start Control
Safety
Advanced Head Protection System (AHPS II) Side Head Curtain Airbags
Crash Sensor Unlocks Doors, Turns On Interior Lights and Flashers
Driver & Passenger Airbags With Dual Stage Deployment
Passenger Airbag Cutoff Sensor
Seat Mounted Front Side Airbags
Front Pretensioners With Force Limiters
Emergency Fuel Shut-Off Device
Wheels & Tires
Alloy Wheels, 16-In. X 6.5-In.
P195/55R16 Run Flat Tires