Mini Cooper 2007 Review

Mini became an icon of the 1960s with stars such as the Beatles, Rolling Stones and Twiggy driving them.

It symbolised the younger generation's lust for a happy carefree life.

When the BMW-owned Mini was resurrected in 2001, it retained much of its retro looks, including the happy face and cute lines, but was substantially bigger than the original.

Now comes the second-generation Mini.

With its retro design, there isn't much they could do to modernise the looks.

Subtle tweaks here and there, but largely the same car.

Cosmetic changes include a higher bonnet, higher and wider mirrors, more chrome, a higher shoulder line and new wheel designs.

It's also a little bigger.

Have a look at it next to other light-category cars and it stands a little wider and taller than most. It's almost in the small car category.

However, with its minute boot, this is a happy little city car for four very close young people who don't mind a few quirks.

After a week of living with a Mini Cooper, I found the quirks a little difficult to overcome for this 50-year-old humbug.

Quirks such as having to jam my hand down between the armrest and seat to adjust the driver's seat back.

Quirks such as having to look at the speedo in the centre stack, instead of right in front of me. (There is a small digital speed format on the screen in front of the driver, but it is difficult to see in some light conditions.)

Quirks such as the unlocking switch which toggles both ways and alternately locks and unlocks the door. (I could never get it right as my youngest daughter tried to open the door when I picked her up from school.)

Quirks such as a panoramic sunroof that stretches all the way from front to back and can't be closed. Only a “fly” screen of gauze kept my bald pate from the sun, and in summer it will be like a tandoori oven.

And quirks such as the difficulty of applying the handbrake because the arm rest is in the way.

There is no denying this car tries to be different. You either love it or hate it.

Just look at the circular design of the door trim. And how about that relocated school-clock-sized speedo?

Apart from the speedo relocation, other internal changes include new instruments and centre stack, a steering wheel that is thankfully now reach as well as height adjustable, more aircraft-style toggle switches up by the interior light and a start/stop button on the dashboard.

Women will also love the interior lights which can be changed from blue through orange, pink, and red by flicking the switch.

For all these changes, the price has increased $1110 to $31,100.

The five-speed manual has been replaced by a slick-shifting six-speed manual, but I had the six-speed auto with steering wheel paddle shifters.

It's an additional $2200, whereas previously it was an extra $2110 for the CVT.

I found the auto did some crazy things.

It was trying to out-think me and consequently couldn't be trusted to pick the right gear; or was it me that couldn't be trusted to drive in a sensible and non-erratic manner?

If you allow it to do its own thing, it can be annoying, but if you use the paddle shifters, it rewards with rapid-fire Formula One-style shifting.

One thing I couldn't fault was the famous go-kart handling.

Yes, it does go round corners like a train. A train with torque steer.

Go-kart handling goes hand in hand with go-kart ride characteristics and this one is no different. I hit one pothole on the inner-city bypass that I thought may have dislodged the whole wheel. At least it happened near my chiropractor's office.

The engine feels a little asthmatic and could benefit from an aftermarket breather.

However, according to the figures, power is up 3kW to 88kW at 6000rpm. That's not a discernible difference to anyone but maybe Formula One champion Fernando Alonso.

Torque is supposed to be 140Nm from 2000rpm with a peak of 160Nm at 4250rpm, which is up 10Nm. Yet someone didn't tell the automatic box about these figures as it fished around for gears.

This new all-aluminium engine is a joint development by BMW and Peugeot, proving that the French and the Germans can work together.

Not only does the car produce more power and torque, but Mini claims a 16 per cent improvement in fuel economy at 5.8litres/100km.

Owing to my game of hide and seek with the gears, that blew out to over 7litres/100km.

Mini Cooper

$31,100

Engine: 1598cc, 16-valve, in-line 4-cylinder

Power: 88kW @ 6000rpm

Torque: 160Nm @ 4250rpm

Acceleration: 0-100km/h in 9.1sec

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Economy: 5.8L/100km

Fuel: 91RON ULP, 40L tank

Dimensions (MM): 3699 (l), 1683 (w), 1407 (h), 2467 (wheelbase), 139 (ground clearance)

Suspension: single-joint MacPherson strut with anti-dive (front), longitudinal struts with centrally-pivoted control arms, Z-axle (rear)

Brakes: 280mm front vented disc, 259mm rear, ABS, electronic brakeforce distribution, cornering brake control and brake assist

Driver Aids: stability and traction control, optional dynamic stability control with hill start assist

Steering: electric power assisted

CO2 Emissions: 139g/km, EU4