MINI Cooper S (2006 - 2016) 2.0 D Cooper S Clubman 5d (2011/61) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

Irrelevant.

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

They seem to like it.

Would you buy this car again and why?

No, because of the poor controls/switches and lights mentioned in the previous section.

What are you likely to buy next?

Aversion of the Fiat 500, Nissan Note, or Skoda Yeti.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Didn't buy from a dealer

Did you buy this car new?

Yes

What price did you pay?

£0

When did you buy the car?

November 2011

Did you get a good deal and why?

No.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

Small for parking; with rear seats down, spacious for loads; performance; the diesel version could be fitted with towbar.

What was the dealer like?

Smooth and competent.

What's it like to drive?

Essentially very good; good low down torque and high gearing means that it is a very flexible car to drive, with plenty of punch when needed. BUT the overall experience is marred by awful switchgear. The designers seem to have added one stage of complication to many of the controls/switches - eg dipping mirror, which has a rotary knob, rather than a flickable lever - and the indicators seem to have a life of their own. (I mentioned this to a passenger who happens to be a police accident investigator and he replied, "That'll be the BMW influence.") Also, the lights are mediocre. Finally, I find that the rim of the steering wheel obscures sight of the rev counter between 2 - 5 000 revs! In many ways, not in the same league at all as my wife's rather older MX-5.

What's it like to park?

OK.

Have you had any problems with the car?

Nothing major, but at first service it was discovered that several minor bits had fallen off the underside, and the heating element for one of the rear windows had failed. Subsequently, have discovered that the wheel locking nuts are dodgy; the MINI dealer can't shift one of them, and the car is currently booked in to the dealer's BMW workshop where they have the tools to sort this, allegedly. The workshop staff tell me that the locking nuts are very effective at theft prevention, but rather less good at facilitating wheel changing.

What's most practical about your car?

Good load space in rear with rear seats down.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

Cruise control.