new user just saying hi, and soliciting some advice.

i'm looking to get back into a mini soon - i had a 2003 green/black Cooper S, was an awesome car. i sold it after about 3 years and 90K miles.

now i'm looking for a new (or used) one

iirc, the 2003 Cooper S had something like 157 hp. that was plenty for me - maybe more than i needed, especially in New England winters (i'm in Socal now). so i'm trying to decide between S and no S. given that the newer Coopers have more hp than the earlier ones did.. will i go down dramatically in power from a 2003 Cooper S to say... a 2008 Cooper?

i did like how the supercharger handled and sounded - if i do go the S route, is the turbocharger that much different?

also, i do sorta like the older body style better, although i know there are some reliability problems. i'm not opposed to a new-style one, either, but is there a "best" year for the pre-2008 ones? or should i really avoid em to not worry about cooling, fuel, etc, stuff that more often goes wrong.

i've been all over Consumer Reports, and it doesn't look like there is one particular year for the pre-2008s they like better, but what's the lore from the folks here?

 

The S/C gives constant power that builds. The Turbo gives little or no boost at idle and then builds power at higher RPM's. I'v held onto my 05 with the S/C just cause the upgradeable and power band.

The early body style stayed till 2006 in the hard tops BUT the convertible held onto the body and S/C till 2008 (might be a good thing in so cal) There are low mile 08's out there and some still have warranty.

My wife has a 10 cooper and it's OK but the lack of power compared to mine makes me not like driving it as well as my own

 

thanks BV. that was my impression of the MK1 ones too (see, now i know the lingo).
is your wife's a S or non-S?

i do think i need a hardtop, as i fill my car with drums or camping gear a couple times a month, but the prices on MK1 convertibles here in LA are really attractive. cheaper than comparable S's.

assuming you were comparing between MK1 S / MK2 S, i just need to figure out if a MK1 Cooper S or a MK2 Cooper would do the trick.. anyone driven both?

 

I've driven them all , and I'll stick with an S , my wife wanted the standard clubman with an automatic and it goes OK , but even in sport mode not near the power or sportiness
we love the extra room in the clubman might be something for you to look into hauling drums ect

 

Go for S all the way, with turbo More fun on those curvy country roads.