The Mini Coupe is one of those cars we just can't figure out. On the one hand it's a small, sporty, 2,700-pound toy with cool looks and decent power. On the other hand, it's more expensive and, at least in John Cooper Works trim, marginally heavier than a Mini Cooper, which offers significantly more functionality.
In our First Drive of the 2012 Mini Coupe John Cooper Works, we said "...none of these things explains why the 2012 Mini Coupe disappoints. It's not about what it does, right or wrong. It's about what it does not do, namely provide you with a single serious reason to choose one over the standard hatchback."
But we weren't ready to give up on it then. We had to get it in our hands and on our track to see if the sporty looks carried over when this thing was really pushed and if it would be enough to warm us to the little coupe. Follow the jump for the full details on the Mini Coupe John Cooper Works.
Vehicle: 2012 Mini Cooper Coupe John Cooper Works
Odometer: 1,465
Date: 11-8-2011
Driver: Chris Walton
Price: $31,200 (base)
Specifications:
Drive Type: Transverse, front-engine, front-wheel drive
Transmission Type: Six-speed manual
Engine Type: Turbocharged, inline-4
Displacement (cc/cu-in): 1,598/98
Redline (rpm): 6,500
Horsepower (hp @ rpm): 208 @ 6,000
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm): 192 @ 1,850 (overboost: 207 @ 2,000 - 5,100)
Brake Type (front): 12.4-inch ventilated discs with 4-piston fixed calipers
Brake Type (rear): 11-inch ventilated discs with single-piston sliding calipers
Suspension Type (front): MacPherson strut
Suspension Type (rear): Multilink
Tire Size (front): 205/45 R17 (84W)
Tire Size (rear): 205/45 R17 (84W)
Tire Brand: Continental
Tire Model: ContiSportContact 3 SSR
Tire Type: Asymmetrical summer performance
As tested Curb Weight (lb): 2,719
Test Results:
Acceleration
0-30 (sec): 2.6 (3.0 w/TC on)
0-45 (sec): 4.4 (5.0 w/TC on)
0-60 (sec): 6.7 (7.1 w/TC on)
0-60 with 1-ft Rollout (sec): 6.4 (6.9 w/TC on)
0-75 (sec): 9.0 (9.6 w/TC on)
1/4-Mile (sec @ mph): 14.6 @ 97.3 (15.1 @ 98.0 w/TC on)
Braking:
30-0 (ft): 28
60-0 (ft): 114
Handling
Slalom (mph): 68.5 ( 67.0 w/TC on)
Skid Pad Lateral acceleration (g): 0.91 ( 0.88 w/TC on)
Db @ Idle: 45.3
Db @ Full Throttle: 84.5
Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 68.2
Comments:
Acceleration: (58.2 mph @ redline in 2nd gear.) Fairly dramatic throttle closure with Trac on, and very easy to light tires with Trac off means a tricky launch either way. Boost hits hard at about 2,500-3,000 rpm. To make matters more frustrating, long-throw shifter has very narrow gates and I missed several shifts (e.g. 2-1 instead of 2-3!) This could spell disaster for some. Adequate cooling as trap speed fell only slightly.
Braking: Firm pedal, little dive, arrow-straight and very good fade resistance. Expected shorter distances from a 2,700-pound car with grippy tires, however.
Handling
Skid pad: With ESC off, very neutral with ability to steer with throttle alone. A little difficult to maintain constant speed with boost surging in 2nd gear, so I used 3rd. Steering weight seems a bit overdone -- needlessly so.
Slalom: Hard to determine exactly why, but this Mini feels stiff and skatey, without the amount of grip and confidence others have offered. Springs too stiff? Run-flat tires? Both? Turn-in is very good but the rear especially feels free and apt to let go. Fun for some but not for a novice. With ESC on, quick and precise corrections keep it buttoned down safely -- nearly as quick, with less effort.
gtrguy2012 says:
09:17 PM, 01/ 3/12
Who in their right mind would pay that for a ugly unpractical slow mini? Please. I can't help but laugh every time I see someone driving a mini cooper on the roads actually thinking they are "cool".
blackdynamite1 says:
09:18 PM, 01/ 3/12
Hasn't every magazine on Earth gotten a 6.4 second time 0-60 in a Cooper S?
This can't be the fastest Coop. I see this has gained some weight......
BD
blackdynamite1 says:
10:31 PM, 01/ 3/12
Mini Cooper S for $25k? Cool!
Whatever this is? Not so much......
BD
lostboyz says:
03:40 AM, 01/ 4/12
Form over function, and it doesn't even look good.
wackford says:
04:06 AM, 01/ 4/12
An ugly car, that costs more, performs no better and has less practical value than the mini cooper. Pointless!
rustyshacklfrd says:
05:20 AM, 01/ 4/12
This is just a fashion accessory, as is obvious by Mini's ads. Nothing more.
cambino123 says:
05:29 AM, 01/ 4/12
MINI, your designs are getting OLD. Your transmissions too. Its time for a make over.
urbanxj says:
05:29 AM, 01/ 4/12
This car serves absolutely no purpose.
urbanxj says:
05:31 AM, 01/ 4/12
This car serves absolutely no purpose.
hooklyn says:
05:52 AM, 01/ 4/12
I don't understand this car. Even with proper drivers doing the testing (C&D), it only manages 6.3 seconds 0-60. That is on par with a 2012 Civic Si... Somewhat slow given the cars CLAIMED 208hp and 2,700 lb curb weight?? It doesn't even make sense.
While I have always liked Minis, they seem to add up to less than the sum of their parts. 208hp from a 1.6L Turbo 4 pulling around a 2,700lb car this size SHOULD be great. Like a poor mans Lotus. But it just doesn't seem to work.
And once you have a coupe that starts over $30k you get in some pretty serious territory. 128, 370z, Mustang/Camaro V8, STI, Evo, Golf R, etc. ALL of which would dominate this car in every way.
bankerdanny says:
07:14 AM, 01/ 4/12
The Roadster version of this car is the only one that makes any sense, and even then you are getting less for more when compared to the standard MC Convertible from a funtionality perspective. But in the case of the Roadster, I think it looks better than the standard convertible.
ptcdawg says:
07:18 AM, 01/ 4/12
I just picked up a very nice 2007 Cooper S. Manual/sport package/pano roof. That's a fun car. Too bad my Son is taking off to College. At least the Wife and I had fun New Years weekend driving it around town.
Back on subject, this Cooper I don't get, but some folks will buy it just for the funkyness.
minibro77 says:
07:43 AM, 01/ 4/12
This cart is awesome. I have had a lot of seat time in it lately at the dealership and I also own a 2006 Cooper S JCW Hardtop. Very different cars however I do somewhat agree with the shock damping. Not bad however I feel they could have done a little bit more as far as suspension adjustment and feel. The only thing ever holding me back from buying a Coupe is the fact that my MINI is my only car and I like to carry people out with me from time to time. I have owned two RX-7's of 1983 and 1986 vintage and I am a lot more active than I was back then so unfortunately this car would not really work well for my lifestyle. Its a great car though nonetheless! The Roadster will be the one to have though.
blueguydotcom says:
08:04 AM, 01/ 4/12
Just don't get this car. Why? It's slower than a Cooper S hardtop and even less practical. Oh and the Cooper S hardtop is 6k cheaper. Baffling decision by Mini.
fst1 says:
08:38 AM, 01/ 4/12
@hooklyn: Are you still the only one on here that doesn't understand the term "rollout"?
dougnash2009 says:
11:16 AM, 01/ 4/12
Who buys these silly cars? I can see girls and effeminate men buying the cheap, base Mini. But who is buying those costly non-performing "performance" versions???
Look at those times. Look at that weight. Without even bothering to track down the numbers, I would assume that the new ubiquitous lane-hogging Camry is faster to sixty and shorter to zero than that Mini.
Again. The only thing more embarrassing than that car, are the actual people who buy it.
agentorange says:
12:32 PM, 01/ 4/12
@hooklyn
"I don't understand this car. Even with proper drivers doing the testing (C&D), it only manages 6.3 seconds 0-60. "
You mean after C&D's crack team of number massagers have fiddled the figures.
I see IL says it has summer tyres fitted. Are they runflats? If so, I'm gone.
subytrojan says:
12:33 PM, 01/ 4/12
C/D drivers aren't any better than the Edmunds Testing Team drivers, hooklyn. I'd be willing to put a lot of money down on Chris, Josh and Mike any day of the week. I'm sure Dan and Jay would school thousands of people, too.
And just in case you missed it...
0-60 with 1-ft Rollout (sec): 6.4 (6.9 w/TC on)
stupidlefty71 says:
12:44 PM, 01/ 4/12
I wouldn't care if this car ran 0-60 in 5 seconds, it still doesn't give you anything extra. I'm sure it will only be in production for 2 years tops. $31K! I'd buy a Honda Fit and spend an extra $6k on a turbo kit and brakes. Utterly worthless.
sixwheeler says:
03:12 PM, 01/ 4/12
Could any reasonable, rational human being explain to me why any reasonable, rational human being would actually choose this thing over a Miata?
bodyblue says:
03:36 PM, 01/ 4/12
"C/D drivers aren't any better than the Edmunds Testing Team drivers, hooklyn."
+1000
I dont always agree with what they say, but I sure as hell think they are fine test drivers.
gotak says:
06:41 PM, 01/ 4/12
Can any of us guys here explain why a woman would spend 2k or more on a LV or Burberry bag? Or 3 to 5k on a Burberry jacket (if they can afford it) but complain if her husband buys a new camera, L lens, bike, computer, cell phone, tablet, etc the list go on and on?
It's a simple fact that sometime people buy stuff cause they can afford it want it for impractical reasons.
Is this mini really that special? Likely not but I still saw one at a starbuck up here in Toronto just last week.
People say a lot of good things about the Fiat 500 but it is all that practical or economical given it's price and utility factor? Or for that matter what about the smart car? Cost as much as a entry level compact but only has 2 seats. You still see a fair number of them putting around.
hb22 says:
07:24 PM, 01/ 4/12
MINI needs to give the JCW models proper tires and larger too 225/45/17 would help a hell of a lot.
joe_scuba says:
10:53 AM, 01/ 5/12
At least it is not a JC Whitney version
epbrown says:
08:29 PM, 01/10/12
@gotak: actually, yeah. The Fiat 500 offers the same functionality and practicality of the Mini hatchback, with more rear seat room, cargo room, nicer ride and better fuel economy for less money, while offering the same idiomatic style.
The Smart Fortwo is sensible as a city car, as it's inexpensive, small, and covered with dent-resistant panels for incosiderate parkers in a city environment.
The Mini Coupe offers no advantage over the Mini Cooper in space, performance, ride quality, ease of parking, price or fuel economy. You can't even claim people are buying it as a fashion accessory because ...dang!
Even the roadster's appeal is suspect - the 2-seat roadster is the last bastion of the true driving enthusiast, the person that buys a car purely for driving pleasure and is willing to sacrifice practical features for open-air motoring with good driving dynamics. So why would they get a nose-heavy FWD 2-seater for about $40k (208hp Works model) over the numerous cars out there with more power and better balance for the same money?
BMW seriously should have stuck with updating the original variants. These cars look like someone took a regular Mini to one of those lame custom shops on tv.