2005 Mini Cooper Review

Specifications

As Safe as it is Sassy

It is refreshing to see that the novelty of the MINI has not worn off. The infamous funster still brings smiles to peoples faces even though every third car on the road seems to be one!

I was out driving on the highway in a MINI Cooper when a new 4.8L BMW X5 popped into my sideview mirror. As it gained on me, I admired its elegance and grace while it danced past. Little did I know that there were little monsters (okay, children) in the back seats admiring my MINI.

Through the tinted glass I could see the one boy summon his riding companions to turn around and take a look at it. They pointed and stared, smiled and then waved. The excitement it brings to kids, adults and everyone in between goes to show that the MINI is in our hearts and minds, to stay.

The MINIs personality, good looks and peppy attitude just got a little sharper, too. The 2005 Cooper has received a few upgrades. Although the changes are minor, and probably only recognizable to a serious MINI enthusiast, they further enhance an already excellent ride.

The exterior boasts changes both in the front and rear. Revised headlights (still featuring xenon technology) and a new bumper comprise the front end changes. The 2004 model had a set of rub strips which have now been replaced with a lower valance which hosts a set of integrated foglamps and a thin chrome strip that runs across the front intake. Out back are new taillamps featuring integrated reverse lights and bezels, and a new bumper with repositioned rub strips and a low-mounted hexagonal foglamp.

On the other hand, the cabin features but one small, yet significant, upgrade - a new leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel with an optional multifunction control system. I find that steering wheel-mounted audio and cruise control buttons come in very handy, but when the buttons are too small, they hinder my usage of them. The audio controls were quite snugly placed beside each other and were often hard to press. Okay, this is a girl thing, but my finger nails arent exactly short… yet again theyre not that long either. I found that pressing the buttons were a pain in the fingers, but I was still able to use them and benefited from their convenience.

Just because the interior technically only received one major upgrade, other than the deeper door bins, new overhead map lights and repositioning of the overhead clock, doesnt mean the interior trim options for the 2005 model year dont exceed last years.

Chrome instrument bezels, or body-colour dash panels and a chrono gauge cluster which includes analog readouts for fuel level, coolant temperature, oil pressure and oil temperature, are all options to spice up the spacious interior. Other choices such as a navigation system, Harman Kardon sound system and a variety of wheel and upholstery combinations further add to the list of (almost) endless customization possibilities.

The Coopers engine carries over into the 2005 model year - a 1.6 litre, 16-valve, SOHC four producing 115 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 110 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm. The naturally aspirated engine still delivers quite the kick at mid-range revs and takes off at about 6,000 rpm, its peak performance level, with the standard five-speed manual.

Whether supercharged or not, I am never disappointed with the output of a MINIs engine. The MINI just wants to fly, and because it only weighs in at 2,524 pounds, it has the capability to soar through the city streets.

A great engine, coupled with a sturdy sports suspension that doesnt make its driver absorb every bump and jump in the road, is the formula for a sporty yet civilized little car. Navigating in the MINI is also razor sharp and precise due to its Electro-Hydraulic Power Assisted Steering (EHPAS) system with vehicle-speed-sensitive variable ratio, not to mention a set of Sport Package 195/55R16 performance run-flat tires and 16-inch 5-star spoke alloy wheels. Whether taking a tight turn like a go-kart, or flying down a straight stretch, the MINI can do it all, and put a smile on its drivers face, too.

Active and passive safety have always been top priorities for the MINI brand. With standard features including ventilated front and solid rear disc brakes with antilock, electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), cornering brake control (CBC), automatic stability control plus traction (ASC+T), front and rear crumple zones, driver and passenger airbags, front and rear advanced head protection systems (AHPS) and more, the MINI is as safe as it is sassy.

As mentioned above, my test MINI came with a rear spoiler, sportier seats and foglights. A few of the options featured on my test car included the multi-function steering wheel, glass sunroof and heated front seats. But thats not all.

The standard AM/FM/CD sound system with MP3 capability was upgraded to the premium Harmon Kardon HiFi system. I am usually pleased with high-end audio system upgrades but this time I wasnt. For the last few days of my test drive, the driver door speaker began to rattle. When bass kicked in on any song, whether hip hop or soft rock, something started to shake and it was really irritating. The rattling was not due to excessive volume, but perhaps a part coming loose in the speaker case. In any case, the rattling has not been a typical observation in the last few MINIs Ive driven with the same stereo.

The MINI is a premium brand, as one would expect coming from BMW, and it offers its driver a long list of standard features including power windows and locks, keyless entry, leatherette interior trim with front sport seats, cupholders, tilt steering, air conditioning, cruise control, silver trim high-gloss instrument rings, 50/50 split folding rear seats and many more.

There may be lots of MINIs on the road after a few years on the market, but there are still just as many smiles from people outside the Cooper as there are from those lucky enough to be in the drivers seat, and that makes the MINI Cooper experience even more fun.