I have a large collection of MINI related stuff including dealer brochures, magazine articles, press releases and even some “internal” dealer stuff like the Product Brief. I have the 2002 and 2003 issues and just received the 2004 issue (bought from strtgng on eBay):
Updates for the 2004 issue include John Cooper Works Package, an expanded Competitor Overview which includes the Scion Xa & Xb, Dodge Neon SRT-4 and Nissan 350Z!
Also updated is the fuel comsumption data. In earlier issues the CVT Cooper and the Cooper S had no city or highway figures, just a combined figure; also the Cooper figures have been changed:
| MC (5spd) | MC (CVT) | MCS | |
| City mpg | 28 (was 26) | 25 | 24 (!) |
| Highway mpg | 37 (was 43) | 32 | 33 |
| Combined mpg | 33 (was 35) | 30.6 | 29 |
The new John Cooper Works section includes the following:
The cornerstone of the package is an enhanced Eaton supercharger with specially coated vanes that generate increased flow pressure … A high performance head is also a key ingredient … enhanced ECU has been recalibrated to optimize power output and drivability, resulting in a lively throttle response and increased acceleration in the mid-range torque band …
The [sport exhaust system] adds a throatier, more powerful exhaust note …
Visual cues are understated and will appeal to the MINI enthusiast …
The in-car entertainment section is interesting – although there is NO SPECIFICATION of the Harman/Kardon system! The basic system is spec’ed at 4x15W with 6 speakers (2 x 1″ tweeters, 2 x 6″ mid-bass, 2 x 6×9″ rear low-bass) chosen specifically for the MINI … audio quality is always excellent … the volume of the audio is actually linked to the speed of the car (this is the standard set-up on all cars which are not specified with the harman/kardon option) – does that suggest that speed compensation is not offered on the HK?
The HK is described as representing an even higher level of audio quality … 8 speakers and digital amplifier … tweeters are replaced by mid-tweeter co-axial speakers, while the rear speakers become dual coil and focus purely on low bass and sub-bass …
The digital amplifier is more powerful than the amplifiers integrated in the head units – that is as close as we get to the spec!
The Competitors section is interesting, although it contains only table data and no text. For example the MINI Cooper length/height/width (142.8″, 55.9″, 75.8″) is compared against other cars; although the MINI is the shortest in the table (next shortest is the Scion Xa at 154.1″), it is also the widest (next is the Audi TT at 73.1″). I wonder how the internal widths compare …
The Scion Xa & Xb are significantly less expensive than the MC but offer less performance (0-60 times for the Xa:10.2s, Xb:10.6s, MC:8.5s). Interestingly the front interior space of the Xa is almost identical to the MINI: front headroom 39.6″ compared with 38.8″ for the MINI, front legroom 41.3″ (identical) and front shoulder room 50.9″ (identical). Of course rear space suffers in the MINI.
The Xb offers much more headroom, but a little less shoulder room.
Very similar pricing to the MCS for the (base) Dodge Neon SRT-4, but with 230hp (at only 5300rpm) and 250ft-lb torque, the 5.8s 0-60 time easily beats the MCS 6.9s. Interior headroom is very similar, with a little more leg and shoulder room front and rear. The data says that the SRT-4 only offers a 5 speed transmission and no traction control, which seems surprising. And no options at all to make it more comfortable!
The Nissan 350Z loses on cost ($26,370 compared with $19,899 for the MCS) but offers a 0-60 time of 5.8s compared with 6.9s for the MCS (has anyone achieved 6.9s in their MCS?) Not surprising with 287hp and 274ft-lb torque! Headroom for the Nissan is slightly lower, but compensated for with a little more leg and shouldr room. No rear figures for the Nissan of course!
Apparently there are very few options for the 350Z – no heated or leather seats, navigation, etc. I guess if you buy the 350Z you simply want to go FAST!
Enough! If you can get hold of one of these booklets, it is an interesting read 🙂
M&I / GBMINI 