Comparison: 2006 MINI Cooper S Checkmate vs. 2008 MINI Cooper S
While at the local BMW dealer this past weekend, I had the urge to drive some MINI Coopers. I’ve always had a keen interest in these vehicles. My father bought one of the first MINI Coopers imported in 2002 and has had nary a problem with his car after 45,000 miles. Thus, I have been considering a MINI for quite some time now. However, I am more keen on the 2002 through 2006 generation, versus the new, updated R56 MINI Cooper and Cooper S. I decided to drive both and find out which one I fancy more.
I started off by driving a 2006 Cooper S Checkmate Edition. This was a special trim option for the Cooper S, the one I drove being Navy metallic with navy blue leather upholstery and contrasting gray checkered cloth seat inserts. Never having driven a Cooper S before, I was taken aback by how much more punch it had over the regular Cooper. The supercharger whine definitely adds to the drama, suggesting much more than the 168 horsepower that’s under the hood. Everything else felt like typical MINI fare, from the switchgear to the very BMW like gearbox and suspension setup. After driving Mercedes-Benzes for almost a decade, it was a revelation being able to bomb about in a fast, compact hatchback. This car was one of a few that has put a smile on my face lately.
Then it was time to drive the new generation Cooper S. This time I turned to a 2008 model with black on tan leather. The new MINI is noticeably bigger than it’s predecessor, which to me misses the point of what this car is about. I am also not a fan of turbocharged engines, and this new Cooper S has one. Out on the road, the turbocharged was barely perceptible, however. A little bit of hiss from the turbo while swapping cogs is all that would tip one off to knowing this was a forced induction engine. The power band was very strong, however, as expected, the four extra horsepower in this version isn’t noticeable. During a brisk second to third shift, torque steer was prevalent after getting back on the throttle, but fully controllable.
I am not a big fan of the new MINI’s interior. It seems to be a caricature of the old MINI; almost too retro for its own good. The center speedometer has increased in size and I found the heating and air conditioning controls to be much more complicated than the previous generation’s setup. Also, the tan leather contrasted with a lighter tan swath across the dashboard. There were almost too many textures and colors going on in this car for its own good.
In the end, it is the original 2002-2006 MINI Cooper S that won me over. The sonorous supercharged 1.6 liter motor and classic bulldog stance is a great combination. The new MINI Cooper just seems to be an answer to a question no one ever asked. Change for the sake of change, if you will. Everyone loved the original, so it seems rather hasty of BMW to have gone and changed it after five short years. That said, the new generation MINI is not a bad car. If you are looking for a small car with luxury features and German quality at a reasonable price, this ride is for you.