Mini Cooper S vs. Fabia

Hey people...

If you guys remember, I put up a reveiw about 2 weeks ago analysing & comparing the Mini Cooper S Works & the Skoda Fabia vRS/2.0.

Well, this week, it's the Mini Cooper S (2004) vs. the Furbies.

I was once again given a phone call by the beautiful Lithuanian Sonata, who informed me that the Cooper S was now available for a one-day demo drive. So off I go with my friend to pick it up.

Sitting outside the showroom it is...blue, black panoramic sunroof. Only 10,000kms covered too, so pretty much brand new, although somebody cracked the windscreen...it wasn't large, but it was there. Nice zenon lights, but I still prefer halogens.

The interiors in it seemed better...probably coz it was cleaner than the Works...otherwise, the same thing. Except for the leather seats..those were good...again, the seat design nothing compared to the Fabia vRS/2.0, but the leather was nice.

Performance-wise, I got a 0-100kmph time in about 7-7.2 seconds, depending really on the kind of road I was on...100kmph til 140kmph was ok, but onwards it takes quite a long time to reach 200kmph. The shorter gears to make it a sixer really don't do much for it, a Fabia 2.0 reaches 200kmph faster than the Cooper S on the longer 5th gear. Top speed for the S is 215kmph, I've managed 220kmph on the 2.0.

Handling of the car is absolutely fantastic! I mean, damn! It handles superbly! There is hardly any risk of oversteer in anyway when you compare a lowered vRS/2.0's maximum handling abilities. Going to pick up my little sister from school, a modified Golf MK5 GTI pulled up and started teasing...started the race, with him up my a**...come a long fly-over roundabout with a sudden steepness in the curve, I handled the car superbly, the 16" S rims and 205/45 Michellins griping the tarmac, flooring it on 3rd at the exit of the curve...looked in the rear-view mirror and he was quite far off...then again it ain't only the car, it's the driver I raped the guy easy:) One of the coolest races I've ever had on curves

The steering is hard, but solid. Car feels very stable on the ground. Hard clutch...just the way it should be for a sports car. Shifting is swift & easy as a result.

Comfort-wise, MUCH more comfortable than the S Works...the Works was toooooo rough. The Fabia rules in the comfort zone.

The Cooper S is a nice car, but again, like the Works, a bit too much plastic for the high price-tag. The Works is much much faster but I prefer the S, it seems to handle better and it's more comfortable.

Still, Fabia on my #1 spot. Next target for review, a Honda Civic Type-R.