Nice to see a review over here. I’m one of the Dublin owners of these, #1571, an original BMW Ireland-imported car. Had it nearly 8 years, and probably the most fun car I’ve owned. In a lot of ways it’s the perfect Irish fast road car, due to size and dynamics Few points from my experience: - Original RFTs were terrible, I run MPSS currently and the handling and ride are far better - The boot brace is non-load bearing, but does help stop stuff sliding about - Car drives best with traction off, allowing the diff function well - Can’t understand why they didn’t fit the JCW Sparcos as standard instead of the heavier Recaros. They’re also leather and heated - Fuel consumption isn’t great, hard to get much more than low-20s even on a sedate drive. Will drop to mid-teens on a harder run
Firstly, thanks so much for the kind comments 😀 If you can highlight the channel anywhere on social media I'd be very grateful, I really want to put an Irish perspective forward. Secondly, the extra info is great to read. It's the kind of info you can't get on a shorter drive and review so it will be interesting for others to read. Thanks 👍
great video. i have a R53 Cooper S Highly Speced From Factory with Heated Recaros ETC. i have spoken to some people who have owned all 3 Cooper S, JCW and GP1 and all agree that all 3 are the same in terms of speed mainly because of how easy and cheap it is to get a Cooper S to the same pier figures as the JCW/GP1 however what all did agree was that the GP1 feels a million times better and more stable at high speeds. another thing to mention that wasn’t mention is the Dials on the GP1 where all dark grey which wasn’t an option in other models as well as the colour of the GP1 was GP1 exclusive.
Nice balanced review John, interesting that it’s not as harsh as many journalists said back when it was new. The R53 Mini in general and the normal Cooper S look tempting used buys, in the UK they are cheap but that can’t be forever.
I think values of examples like the GP are already going up and given how fun even a Mini One is I can see them being very desirable in time. For context on the ride comfort, I've a very bad back and I found it absolutely fine so I can't understand why others think it overly firm.
Great review John, my brother has the Cooper S. They go like the clappers, but have to be treated with respect, as they are a bit giddy on the road. Fun car though and certainly not a woman’s car as one commenter said.
I'd love to have really pushed it on a track. It just seemed to br egging me on and was feeling better an better. Can't agree with the female car comment either, they said the same about the MX5 back in the day.
Nice to see a review over here. I’m one of the Dublin owners of these, #1571, an original BMW Ireland-imported car. Had it nearly 8 years, and probably the most fun car I’ve owned. In a lot of ways it’s the perfect Irish fast road car, due to size and dynamics
Few points from my experience:
- Original RFTs were terrible, I run MPSS currently and the handling and ride are far better
- The boot brace is non-load bearing, but does help stop stuff sliding about
- Car drives best with traction off, allowing the diff function well
- Can’t understand why they didn’t fit the JCW Sparcos as standard instead of the heavier Recaros. They’re also leather and heated
- Fuel consumption isn’t great, hard to get much more than low-20s even on a sedate drive. Will drop to mid-teens on a harder run
Firstly, thanks so much for the kind comments 😀 If you can highlight the channel anywhere on social media I'd be very grateful, I really want to put an Irish perspective forward. Secondly, the extra info is great to read. It's the kind of info you can't get on a shorter drive and review so it will be interesting for others to read. Thanks 👍
great video. i have a R53 Cooper S Highly Speced From Factory with Heated Recaros ETC. i have spoken to some people who have owned all 3 Cooper S, JCW and GP1 and all agree that all 3 are the same in terms of speed mainly because of how easy and cheap it is to get a Cooper S to the same pier figures as the JCW/GP1 however what all did agree was that the GP1 feels a million times better and more stable at high speeds. another thing to mention that wasn’t mention is the Dials on the GP1 where all dark grey which wasn’t an option in other models as well as the colour of the GP1 was GP1 exclusive.
Who told you that standard mini cooper S didn't have an intercooler.?......all of the R53 cars had intercoolers!
3:32, Of course they all came with an intercooler, its supercharged so you need an intercooler for the car to run.
It's just pointing it out to viewers as not everyone will be fully aware of what's under the bonnet.
Nice balanced review John, interesting that it’s not as harsh as many journalists said back when it was new. The R53 Mini in general and the normal Cooper S look tempting used buys, in the UK they are cheap but that can’t be forever.
I think values of examples like the GP are already going up and given how fun even a Mini One is I can see them being very desirable in time. For context on the ride comfort, I've a very bad back and I found it absolutely fine so I can't understand why others think it overly firm.
Argh Fifty Tree!
Jim's shed in kilkenny also has one aswell
Great to know, I know the owner is keeping an eye and comments so will be happy to see there is more out there!
Buy one for the rarity..but you can modify a standard r53 to be better for half the price easily
Great review John, my brother has the Cooper S. They go like the clappers, but have to be treated with respect, as they are a bit giddy on the road. Fun car though and certainly not a woman’s car as one commenter said.
I'd love to have really pushed it on a track. It just seemed to br egging me on and was feeling better an better. Can't agree with the female car comment either, they said the same about the MX5 back in the day.
Missing a screw on the intercooler cover
10:22 - you in Australia for a bit? or just testing we are actually watching the video 😁
Ha! Put another shrimp on the barby
Not a massive mini fan, but this one looks nice 👌🏻
Well loved and cared for by uts owner and it shows
I found this review quite OK, OK?
OK 👌
ok
😂jak to zrobisz żebym za swoją kasę chciał sobie takie auto kupić?
Strictly a woman's car, in my humble opinion
Nah, I think the day of a woman's car and man's car is long gone.