New car (That doesnt cost 25k)

Conanius

Conanius

Conanius

Soldato
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
12,904
A far cry from my 'longterm strategic goal of synergy and empowerment of the german car gods' of my what car for 25k thread, or as fox called it 'the lolconanius' thread, I'm considering changing my s2k

I've absolutely loved, and do indeed still love the car, however, I just fancy a change. Ideally for the same/similar value to my s2k.

I'm really tempted by an R53 Cooper S. Yes, I know this means I need to continue getting Julian the style director at Toni and Guy to cut my hair from now on, and I need to start frequenting Heaven down in London on nights out, but I really rather fancy one. I've driven a few, and enjoyed them throughly. However, like the S2K it will have some pennies spent on it.

At an initial glance, getting to 200 ish BHP is no major drama, and if I wanted to go mental you can get over 260 BHP. Unlikely I'd ever go that far, but its good to know.

The car will definately see track work, so I know a lot of purists are screaming at me for considering S2000 to Mini Cooper S, but I am also interested to know what sort of 'first step' modifications I should be considering here.

What I was hoping was that the past and present Mini owners on the forum could lend me a bit of advice, tell me what to look for, and what forum its worth signing up to for information. I've been quite active in the s2k forums, so I'm ideally after a decent community.

This is also the opportunity for people to throw in other car options at me. I recon I'll have 7.5k to play with when all is said and done with my S2K, so let me know your thoughts !
 
Ever thought about a Focus RS Mk1?? Can pick one up now for just over 8k and they only need a few choice mods to take them to 300bhp and bags of torque

Great track car aswell as the widened track and lsd give the car lots of grip and also sound the mutts nutts with the right exhaust and induction kit

"whrooooomm....pssssssttttt" :)
 
Interior is nowhere near as nice, but knowing you like your track action and the difference in price...Clio 172 Cup?
 
I had a JCW Cooper S (210BHP) a couple of years back and I really enjoyed it. I'm not sure how to define it other than it was a typical small car with powerful engine in it.

Acceleration was very linear, pulled well right from tickover to redline, was quite easy to find yourself doing well in excess of 100mph. Handling was cliched "FWD go kart" like although in the wet the traction control light did flash annoyingly often. Interior quality was above Renault, but below Audi if that makes any sense. Everything felt fairly solid but it did develop some annoying squeaks and rattles that I never managed to resolve (I specifically remember one really annoying one from behind the dashboard, grr!)
Fuel economy was around 22-26mpg most of the time although this goes down to 7mpg when you floor it (I didn't manage any lower than that)
Had it for about 18 months in total and all it needed in that time was a radiator about a month after I got it, apart from that it was reliable although 2nd gear was getting a bit clunky, not sure if the syncro was about to go or something.
 
Gonzo0 said:
... focus rs ...
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I like them, but im not convinced. I had a Focus before and see this as a chance for something different. Surely 8k would get a nail?

Ricochet J said:
You'll regret changing your S2k for a Mini. :)
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It certainly wont be the same, but I'm after something different. To me the mini cooper S is a nice inbetweenie from striped out hot hatch and something with a bit more comfort

spaz said:
Interior is nowhere near as nice, but knowing you like your track action and the difference in price...Clio 172 Cup?
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Hmm, so I kind of get a clio, but at the same time, I just dont. Id prefer a megane really and I doubt I could get a decent renaultsport one for this sort of budget?

eidolon said:
.. great post ...
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I thought I remembered you owning one. How would you compare it to something like your EP3 Type R for performance?

Gaygle said:
Leon Cupra R?
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As much as I like Silentbobs R, I dont really see myself having one at the moment, good suggestion though ! :)
 
Elise?

Will retain your stiffy for hairdresser cars - just kidding ;) :p

And will be bloody quick and excellent on the track whilst not being that expensive to run.
 
Conanius said:
I thought I remembered you owning one. How would you compare it to something like your EP3 Type R for performance?
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It's difficult to say really, realistically they're probably pretty comparable but the Mini *felt* quite a bit faster. Very different power delivery obviously, the Type-R as you know has to be revved to get the best out of it but the Mini pulls well at all times in all gears, it's a very easy car to drive (although remember that mine was the 210BHP one, I don't know what the lower power ones are like)
 
eidolon said:
It's difficult to say really, realistically they're probably pretty comparable but the Mini *felt* quite a bit faster. Very different power delivery obviously, the Type-R as you know has to be revved to get the best out of it but the Mini pulls well at all times in all gears, it's a very easy car to drive (although remember that mine was the 210BHP one, I don't know what the lower power ones are like)
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Reading tuner websites 195 bhp is only 550 notes (chip, pulley reduction and colder plugs)
 
i have a Mini GP and can vouch as a track weapon they are really good. Might be worth looking at over a normal Cooper S.

I can drop some pics of mine in thread if needed.
 
[Duff]Chef;15596508 said:
i have a Mini GP and can vouch as a track weapon they are really good. Might be worth looking at over a normal Cooper S.
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Not for around 7.5k though :)
 
Mini gp is a total waste of time discussing. I'm not willing to spend much if anything more than I can get for my s2k.

Tim, what are your thoughts ? I did consider maybe a 98 spec jdm dc2 itr, but I can't seem to see that I'm going to be in anything that different. Aware that sounds hillarious, but I see the mini as a random yet semi sensible decision. Again if people have good alternatives to consider I am all ears !
 
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