2005 MINI Cooper S Ratings
Getting firsthand information from an actual car owner is one sure way to get an idea of car performance once it leaves the lot. Autobytel features real consumer reviews that give the unbiased experience of a car.
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2005 MINI Cooper S
MINI Cooper's One Major Flaw
Pros: Precise
Cons: Unable to by transmission parts.
I love this car. It has one major flaw. This flaw was discovered when an aftermarket part failed and damaged my transmission. MINI does NOT sell replacement parts for the transmission, if any thing goes wrong you have to replace the whole transmission! This makes out of warranty transmission problems VERY Expensive. This is a flawed company policy that will keep me from recommending this car to friends and family.- Recommend this vehicle to a friend? No
- How long have you owned this vehicle? 5 years
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2005 MINI Cooper S - Convertible
Pros: Top and handling
Cons: back up visibility, but you get used to it...love the back up sensors
Advice: If you want fun and economy with great handling - buy it!!
More fun to drive than my Audi TT Roadster...love the sunroof and top. Brakes, transmission and steering are all excellent. Always over 35 to the gallon.. -
2005 MINI Cooper S - Convertible
Pros: Convertible Convertible Convertible Performance Performance Performance!!!!!
Cons: Most BMW dealers are not Mini dealers and most Mini dealers seem to be ignorant, lying jerks
Advice: Buy through a credit union or inland state to avoid huge markups. Some dealers wanted $7995 over MSRP in CA
I am 5'8' and my teenagers do not have much legroom in back. The back seat is not very comfortable, weirdly shaped. The front seats are comfortable. The base stereo is quite nice sounding with all types of music. Love the stereo controls on the steering wheel. Cruise control is well laid out. The handling is totally awesome especially after you dump the run-flats and get real tires with a compressor/repair kit. The acceleration pushes you back in your seat above 3000RPM. Shifts like a dream. Clutch has very nice feel. Parks in the tiniest spots. Once I found Nick Alexander BMW/Mini the service has been very good. The other two dealers I dealt with in the LA area left very much to be desired. Power steering pump went out about 15000 miles, top was replaced due to rubbing marks from being too tight. There was a rattle in the roof bracket above my window. Were some trim problems. Nick Alexander took care of them all under warranty without any BS. LOVE DRIVING MY MINI!!! -
2005 MINI Cooper S - Hatchback
Pros: Handling
Cons: Dealer Location (100+miles)
Advice: Replace the Run Flats
The ride is fairly stiff...the way I like it. Handling is great, excelleration is good (OK, I came from a BMW M Roadster). Shifter is good. Fun car to drive, reliable. Only bad things: Dealer location and tire life. -
2005 MINI Cooper S - Hatchback
Pros: Looks of the car
Cons: the run flat tires
Advice: Get the S if you can
Well the steering wheel response is so tight that I do not recommend trying to remove your wallet while driving, if your leg or knee hits the steering wheel you just might think that you are going to roll the car. It is tight in the corners, quick off the start, great gas mileage, great looking car and just plain fun to drive, my wife has a BMW and my prior car was an Infinity G35 sports coupe and this car is a real nice replacement, nothing boring about it, get one see what I mean, I a have the Pepper White Cooper S, hard top with sun roof, heated seats, etc. -
2005 MINI Cooper S - Convertible
Pros: The exterior
Cons: The instrumentation
Advice: Look out for the 'go-kart ' handling
This car looks great on the outside, but the inside is a horror. Gray plastic dashboard just waiting to scratch. Cheesy cup holder I could snap off with my hand. Strange perforated screen under the the sunroof that throws irritating shadows off the shiny dash. Weird tach over the steering wheel that you cannot really see. Speedometer in the tach you cannot read if the sun is coming from the side. Tiny clock that is impossible to see. The interior is so busy, it's like a passenger that won't shut up. Now for the performance. When they say go-kart handling they are not kidding. You take your foot off the accelerator and the care immediately slows. Annoying.The brakes are goosey,too. Instruments at night are an ugly amber and way too many lights. -
2005 MINI Cooper S - Convertible
Pros: Power Top
Cons: Interior Comfort
Advice: Drive it for a while to be sure you can get used to its size.
Bought the new S convertible in December. Overall well designed, nice extras, tight and responsive. Very poor visibility out of the back window, bordering on dangerous. Seats terribly uncomfortable, hard to get in and out. Performs well, but too small and uncomfortable . Will probably sell!