2009 mini Cooper S Convertible reviews

Mini Cooper S Convertible John Cooper Works 2009

Small, sharp and engaging just like yesteryears ’Works’ Mini Cooper S whose original score BMW has so brilliantly remoulded, todays car is a pure driving machine for feel and entertainment, - through its seats, helm, brakes and tyres. It’s right up there with the best of them. In todays closed ranks of mixed and obstructive traffic, this Mini is spirited enough to break free from the scrummage - and in the right hands it can achieve great ends, displaying all the qualities that earned its predecessor such approbation. If there was ever any doubt that one could aspire to heights of motoring pleasure without buying an inordinately expensive and impractical supercar - that doubt is now dismissed by the Mini John Cooper Works Convertible. So, I took it where fast and twisty bends come thick and fast: to the Welsh Marches - a stern test for any car with claims to performance. The Mini took it all in its stride ; fast through the bends and fabulous hill storming urge between them. The truth is good enough to need no exageration - the performance is beyond question. On the straight and with gearchanging done for a while, I watched the needle on the rev counter climb in the sixth and final ratio. Inspired by the wonderful fruity soundtrack of the exhaust, a glance at the huge speedometer was a rude reminder of the forces at work - 211 bhp from that 1.6 litre turbocharged engine with its turbo overboost. Surely not ...45mph so soon and so easily! By the Lord Harry does this Mini go! - Like a terrier on re-heat. And it doesn’t gobble too much fuel either. 36mpg overall was about the norm during my test, but BMW claim 39.8mpg. Delivering solid response from right down in the doldrums it has a smooth and seamless power delivery. The John Cooper Works Convertible looks teriffic, of course. You can see that. Sideskirts and other aerodynamically beneficial tweaks over and above the standard Cooper S mean there’s not much buffeting at speed as they aid the car in its quest to cleave the air. And for a convertible it is fairly quiet at speeds in excess of Mach one. Inside it’s an intimate car with plenty of room for driver and front passenger,but there’s lttle chance of aged parents clambering into the backseats to criticise your robust driving style - so it’s ok to enjoy yourself. This Mini exhibits real precision: you move the steering wheel and the car follows. You command with fidelity, so on roads designed by spaghetti manufacturers, you don’t need to do too much of that ungainly elbow twirling, and you’d need freakish bad luck to lose adhesion. Put simply, the John Cooper Works Mini feels brilliant to drive. Ride is firm - as you would expect - and there’s not the chassis rigidity you’d get, for example, in an Audi convertible: but then that’s part of the appeal. This is not an anodyne boulevardier: this is an interesting and involving ’living’ car like they used to make, to set your heart racing and it’s all the better for it. With this version of the Mini, ’performance fun’ really is a major constituent of Mini funkiness. I loved it immediately.... but then doesn’t everyone? It’s beautifully made too, and you get that German meticulous attention to detail and finish, so it should be impressively durable. Of course, the Merchandising Men have had to have their input, with the trumpery of tricks on the extras list guaranteed to confuse all but the most dedicated train spotter - but then I’m an old cynic who considers the car before its flags, badges and tatoos. Drive it and whatever the weather, the sun seems to be shining, so - as one who is addicted to a life freezing on motorcycles - I spent most of my time with the hood and windows lowered. And there’s nothing to it. You just flick a switch and - Hey Presto! - you’re topless. This, of course, in anyone with well oxygenated blood coursing through their veins, induces a hormonal response encouraging knowing grins, obligatory sunglasses and enthusiastic driving. It’s seriously big fun, but seriously expensive too, being a whisker short of £25,000. - but it’s worth it. Syd Taylor.