Well, yesterday afternoon with Tom tec18554 we spend at HAMPTON MINI test driving, watching the hummer-and-coop and while having some wraps to eat reviewing the show room MINI's.
Now lets test drive! My first impression when getting in to the new MINI was WOW what a nice driver cabin! I like the seats and the extra front seats leg room by the center console being moved forward. The console bottom and the top switch bars are awesome-making you feel like you are sitting in a jet liner. I did not like the enlarged speedometer and feel that the classic one is more to my taste. The ASC and the overdrive performance button in front of the shift-stick are in my opinion too ill places and hard to engage while driving. A floor step on style button would be more appropriate for these functions. I did like the two glove compartments especially the top one for thous of us who like to add on audio performance equipment. Now comes the car key (looks like a cookie) and the racing style START button-Feels GREAT! I also love the idea of the new electronic cookie-key to open and or lock your car automatically while entering or leaving the vehicle.
The mood lights color changing option is nice but not impressive. I like the ability of both the front and the rear moon-roof windows opening simultaneously in addition looking very cool. The front seats feel a bit more snug and very comfortable but the rear seats are not as deep as before and loose the confront ride feeling while adding little extra leg room. I like the rear seat lock handles being much easier to use and more robust.
Now the performance; after starting the engine and engaging in the first gear I released the clutch---oooops this is not what I have expected. Both the clutch and the breaks felled unexpectedly weird like you do not have a complete control and there is some kind of electronic mechanical device which is doing the work for you. This feeling somewhat diminished after engaging the overdrive performance option button. The take off power with the turbocharger assistance is respectable but not at all as responsive as the supercharge will deliver. The high performance shifting is smooth and the synchronous transmission assistance helps in solid gear engaging. The danger in reversing the gears while moving forward is gone for ever thanks to the new electronic sensors eliminating the possibility to do this.
The road handling is respectful but being that I am used to stiff sway bar settings on all my three MINI's I was not impressed. I wish I could test the LSD equipped MINI but that was not possible this time.
I did not like the front bonnet and the lights being fixed on the chassis. The engine compartment was very clean and tight, and shows performance hungry power plant. The car was very quited while driving but not as much as I would expect after driving my 06 MCS.
My overall impression was OK whats next? I will wait, and see what's next. I am sure that there will be many changes to come based on the customers feedback. Ohh and I forgot to mention I did not get a change to drive the sports package equipped MINI so the suspension may be the cause of my disappointment.
I love my 03 MCS, 05 MCS and 06 MSC very much and I know now that I will not be parting any soon!
Paul.
