Looking for my first mini...S question
 

I'm looking for my first mini, and I'm looking for a 2008 or newer S. I've noticed that in the classifieds (on whatever site) that often dealers list the cars as S in the title...but in the photos, it doesn't say 'cooper s' on the body itself.

If the car is an S, will it show up on the exterior? Thanks!

S has a hood scoop

Oh!?

So the ones without a hood scoop are not the S model?
Will it also show as a CooperS on the rear?

yes there should be S badging on the rear and the repeaters on the fenders should have an S

OK thanks. Looks like they are listing them as S but they're really NOT!

Consider non-S
 

Bought my wife a 2009 S, because she's a moderatly aggressive driver. But she never pushes it to the S's limit. In hind-sight wish we'd skipped the S. Lower cost, lower insurance, better gas milage and avoid the whole run flat tire mess. Look in the Tire section of this forum and you'll note that only S owners are having tire issues.

Also, you can quickly recognize from the back... the tailpipe is centered on the S, but is on the side for the standard. Which, of course, is what leads to the whole run-flat issue in the first place. When test-driving, I felt a marked difference bewteen the S and the standard. Tire issues aside. Definately something to consider though.