Cooper-S or GP?

[Rhymes]

Obviously the GP is the 'higher' model but is it worth the extra dollar?

Is it much better than an 'S'?


Opinions, comments and naked pictures please.

[gauldrymini]

No naked pics:blush: but what about an R56 JCW! top class machine...

A.

[Rhymes]

Iv never liked the R56. No idea why, Just dont although they are nice cars.

And your opinion doesnt count anyway without naked pics.:bigwave:

[Gismo]

The GP is what it is, a 2 seat limited edition weight reduced hot hatch, whereas the standard S is lower BHP, heavier etc.

If you're into spirited driving and don't need 4 seats then the GP is the choice :thumbs up:

[Rhymes]

The GP is what it is, a 2 seat limited edition weight reduced hot hatch, whereas the standard S is lower BHP, heavier etc.

If you're into spirited driving and don't need 4 seats then the GP is the choice :thumbs up:

With your own opinion in mind, Would you say its worth the extra few k without regretting it a few months down the line?


I bought my Cooper, and it wasnt a few months, But about a year later i was wanting Cooper-S power? Just dont want to be buying a Cooper-S and then wanting GP power.:rolleyes:


Was reading another forum where a guy said his mate had'nt spent much and his Cooper-S was pushing 260 bhp, Which has made me think twice about saving a bit extra for a GP when i could just buy a Cooper-S and tune it.:sad:

[Gismo]

You gotta decide if you want 4 seats or not ;)

You can get GP power on a standard S with tuning, if you opt for BMW tuning you will pay the premium price, but, you can gt there with other means, reduced pulley, etc

It sounds to me like you don't want to spend the cash on a higher priced car for the same power, so, go the standard S route and tune as required.

Remember all the warranty and TLC issues with non BMW approved modifications

[Rhymes]

I dont need anymore than 2 seats anyway as iv got the Range Rover for day to day use and im only 20 so no kids etc (That i know of).

Its not that i dont want to spend the extra money, I just want to know whats the better and more fun car, GP or a tuned S?

I really want a GP, i think i just need talking into it tbh.:idea:

[Gismo]

GP BHP = approx 210 (rolling roads always show lower)
If it's power you seek then a tuned S will have more of it, but, you can always tune a GP :thumbs up:

[Rhymes]

Hmmm, Didnt realise a GP was tuneable, i thought they were 'all out' already so to speak.

Thanks for your advice TGM.

[Gismo]

Hmmm, Didnt realise a GP was tuneable, i thought they were 'all out' already so to speak.

Thanks for your advice TGM.It just doesn't make economical sense, hence the cheaper route of a standard S and tune that, you can remove the rear seats, like Craig did, if you want to lose the weight ;)
What you won't have is the exclusivity of a genuine GP, but, that's why it's more expensive.
Standard S has 170 ish BHP, GP has 210 BHP but then so does a JCW S

[john]

Having owned and liked both, if you dont need 4 seats get a GP

Fantastic car and they are down it price for now but I do believe they will go back up just like the Escort Cosworth did.:thumbs up:

I will have another;)

[Forbes]

I dont need anymore than 2 seats anyway as iv got the Range Rover for day to day use and im only 20 so no kids etc (That i know of).

I am 19 so what am i doing wrong because i want a standard S never mind having a Range Rover aswell:lol::rolleyes:

Lucky sod:p

[ianking]

Go for the GP if the seats are not an issue. I had a very good test drive in one and would have went for it but the other half wanted 4 seats so I went for an R56 JCW instead.

Eastern @ Edinburgh have a 56 reg GP with only 14k on the clock for £14.7k. Bargain as I rekon like others have said that the price will remain strong for a while and may creep up one day if you look after it.

[euan]

Personally, for that kind of money with only two seats I'd be getting myself in a 3.0 Z4, but there you go.

If I had to buy a mini, I'd buy a GP and never, ever tune it, as you'll devalue it. If you have a feeling that at some point you'll want more power, buy an S and go crazy with it.

[Rhymes]

Having owned and liked both, if you dont need 4 seats get a GP

Fantastic car and they are down it price for now but I do believe they will go back up just like the Escort Cosworth did.:thumbs up:

I will have another;)


Go for the GP if the seats are not an issue. I had a very good test drive in one and would have went for it but the other half wanted 4 seats so I went for an R56 JCW instead.

Eastern @ Edinburgh have a 56 reg GP with only 14k on the clock for £14.7k. Bargain as I rekon like others have said that the price will remain strong for a while and may creep up one day if you look after it.


Personally, for that kind of money with only two seats I'd be getting myself in a 3.0 Z4, but there you go.

If I had to buy a mini, I'd buy a GP and never, ever tune it, as you'll devalue it. If you have a feeling that at some point you'll want more power, buy an S and go crazy with it.

Thanks for all your reply's, Pretty much what i was looking for.


John - Your the type of person i was hoping would reply, Someone who has owned both. Invaluable advice.:thumbs up:




P.s You all owe me naked pictures.

p.p.s Im not gay, although my previous posts would suggest otherwise.:eek:

[ELFMAN]

Oh the choices of young people today... When I was 20, I had my Mum's 1098cc Mini Clubman Estate which I 'tuned' with a Big Bore 'Peco' back box.... followed by a burned valve at (an indicated) 90mph.....

Back to the future. I'd get a second-hand R53 S (lots of choice for decent money out there now), and spend some cash tuning it, or buy a good R53 JCW 210 car (and tune it as well!). The GP's a great car and SHOULD hold its value better because of its comparitive rarity (but it's a LOT more expensive to buy). Personally I like the idea of not 'advertising' your car's performance too much, so it has greater 'wow factor' when you use it.

Small points - the GP's lack of a REAR WIPER would just bug me - especially at this time of year - perfect for not seeing that police car, or indeed anything... Why? How much weight did that save? Does the GP have Air Con? If so that also doesn't add up for the 'lightened most powerful' MINI, you can have perfect temperature, but you lose BHP to the aircon, which adds weight AND you still can't see out of the back window... As far as I know, the only difference with the GP (218bhp) and the JCW 210bhp - engine wise - was the GP's Intercooler.... so it's by no means 'tuned out'.

The GP SHOULD have been made along the lines of today's Renault Megane R26 R - stripped out, even lighter with more power (maybe), bespoke suspension and overall a more 'hardcore' attitude and available in 'Focus ST bright orange' or 'Porsche GT3 Green'! I suppose I don't think the GP is far enough removed from the JCW 210 (or even the ordinary S) as it could and should have been. A bodykit doesn't make up for what they could've done with it. The MINI Marketing Dept's fingerprints are too much in evidence when MINI should've given the engineers and petrolheads a free hand!

I don't really use my rear seats, but it's handy to have the option if needs must.

Right, Tea Break over, back to earning a crust...

[Rhymes]

I am 19 so what am i doing wrong because i want a standard S never mind having a Range Rover aswell:lol::rolleyes:

Lucky sod:p

Work hard, Put your mind to it, If you want something you can get it. :thumbs up:

The only reason i have the Range Rover is to tow the Jet Ski, Other than that, i could do without it.:ragin:

[Rhymes]

Oh the choices of young people today... When I was 20, I had my Mum's 1098cc Mini Clubman Estate which I 'tuned' with a Big Bore 'Peco' back box.... followed by a burned valve at (an indicated) 90mph.....

Back to the future. I'd get a second-hand R53 S (lots of choice for decent money out there now), and spend some cash tuning it, or buy a good R53 JCW 210 car (and tune it as well!). The GP's a great car and SHOULD hold its value better because of its comparitive rarity (but it's a LOT more expensive to buy). Personally I like the idea of not 'advertising' your car's performance too much, so it has greater 'wow factor' when you use it.

Small points - the GP's lack of a REAR WIPER would just bug me - especially at this time of year - perfect for not seeing that police car, or indeed anything... Why? How much weight did that save? Does the GP have Air Con? If so that also doesn't add up for the 'lightened most powerful' MINI, you can have perfect temperature, but you lose BHP to the aircon, which adds weight AND you still can't see out of the back window... As far as I know, the only difference with the GP (218bhp) and the JCW 210bhp - engine wise - was the GP's Intercooler.... so it's by no means 'tuned out'.

The GP SHOULD have been made along the lines of today's Renault Megane R26 R - stripped out, even lighter with more power (maybe), bespoke suspension and overall a more 'hardcore' attitude and available in 'Focus ST bright orange' or 'Porsche GT3 Green'! I suppose I don't think the GP is far enough removed from the JCW 210 (or even the ordinary S) as it could and should have been. A bodykit doesn't make up for what they could've done with it. The MINI Marketing Dept's fingerprints are too much in evidence when MINI should've given the engineers and petrolheads a free hand!

I don't really use my rear seats, but it's handy to have the option if needs must.

Right, Tea Break over, back to earning a crust...

Cheers for writing that up.:thumbs up:

You've pretty much put it in writing what i was thinking. The GP seems more desirable but isnt much different to a standard JCW.

I'll need to think it through.

Always wanted a PW Mini though.:blush:

[Gismo]

You're in the perfect position, you want to buy a MINI but also want to tune it, get a standard S as cheap as you can then do the upgrades
If that's what you're gonna do with a GP then fair enough, but, if it's more stealth, then...................:D

[john]

The lack of rear wiper was not an issue, the rear window doew get dirty but nothing like other minis due to the different aerodynamics, it does have heated seats and manual aircon and no Xenon lights, so I agrea with Mr ELF but I would not be put off by it.:thumbs up:

GP is still the best mini I have driven!! Bar NONE!!;)

[euan]

I saw a road legal Cooper S challenge car for sale the other day - that would shift but it would be bloody loud.

Stealth and GPs...there is a woman I work with has one and she did the Italian Job run in hers, came to the office with ALL the Italian Job stickers all over it. Subtle that car is not. Still, rarer than hens teeth and as has been said, there are some real bargains flying about just now on R53 S cars, even JCW s cars, although the choice of car is more limited they tend to be more loaded with toys if that's a consideration.

[RyanK]

GP all the way.

[gpmick]

I have to say go for the GP

I have had 5 MINIs before the GP Cooper, Cooper s works, x 2 Cooper S, x 2
The GP wins hands down for me

On a Rolling road with no mods I got 226 bhp and other un modded GPs report the same figures

Some GP owners have modded there cars. Snowie is up around 240 BHP (I need to check that )

As already said the rear window does not get as dirty as other MINIs

The price of GPs has fallen and if you can afford BUY ONE

You will always make people look twice as you drive past as there are so rare

[ELFMAN]

Don't get me wrong, I'd still have a GP above anything else in the price bracket (and a good few brackets above that!), I just preferred to tune up a 'standard' S through time to see how it can be improved. Also at the time (2003), although I loved the idea of the performance of the GP, it was out of my price range when I traded in my COOPER and I actually preferred the more 'traditional' styling of the standard car (must be something to do with owning 2 'classic' Minis in my younger days - except they were just 'Minis' then, not 'Classics'...)

Interesting about the aerodynamics keeping the back window clean(er) - my back window gets dirty sitting in the driveway!

[Crombers]

I had a very good test drive in one and would have went for it but ............

:idea: (dons teacher bunnet)

Grammer young man !!

"would have gone for it"

(tisk tisk) :rolleyes: :Whistle:

Oh & I'd go for a GP, just because I could

[Rhymes]

Just had the report back regarding a potential vehicle..

Yes, It was a GP :D But, No, Wont be making a purchase :frown:
Independant vehicle inspection advised to look elsewhere as some work on it was 'questionable'.

GP number 444.

[ELFMAN]

:idea: (dons teacher bunnet)

Grammer young man !!

"would have gone for it"

(tisk tisk) :rolleyes: :Whistle:

Oh & I'd go for a GP, just because I could


Er, Crombers hate to do this to you mate... it's 'GrammAr', not 'GrammEr' :idea: :thud: Let's hear it for being pedantic. (and no, that DOESN'T mean you're on an Offenders' Register). :blush: :hand:

[Rhymes]

Elfman, Are you not supposed to put a capital letter at the start of an open bracket? :moonie:

[gpmick]

GP 0444 was owned by a 16 year old:eek::eek::eek:
He was a Karting champion Nino Angelides and he and the GP were featured in the Modern MINI mag issue20 March 2008
He did a lot of mods some done by Lohen
Theres a full list of mods in the mag
So if you want a modded GP then this could be the one for you
Not sure what BHP it was kicking out

[Rhymes]

GP 0444 was owned by a 16 year old:eek::eek::eek:
He was a Karting champion Nino Angelides and he and the GP were featured in the Modern MINI mag issue20 March 2008
He did a lot of mods some done by Lohen
Theres a full list of mods in the mag
So if you want a modded GP then this could be the one for you
Not sure what BHP it was kicking out

I'd rather start of standard to be honest Mick.

Spoke to the actual guy on the fone who carried out the inspection and he said a few hoses were 'cowboyed' and the service history seemed un-connected.

Im getting the report through the post anyway so i'll have a read over it but i think i'll be steering clear.

[gpmick]

I would agree with you starting standard
Should be a few about if you want one
If that GP has been round a few tracks too, steer clear
Worth having a look at the feature in modern mini 4 page write up

[euan]

I've seen a few for sale on Pistonheads at the moment. 1132, 828, another without the number in the advert. Two others are listed but have been sold. All about the 15K mark, the latter two are about 18,000 miles on them.

There is also a very nice JCW S Checkmate on there that looks tempting.

[AndyP & Lenore]

Elfman, Are you not supposed to put a capital letter at the start of an open bracket? :moonie:

:off topic:He is, but you're not supposed to put a capital at the start of "Are." Your capital letter begins with Elfma's name therefore doesn't require a capital for the second word.:moonie:

A.:D

[Rhymes]

:off topic:He is, but you're not supposed to put a capital at the start of "Are." Your capital letter begins with Elfma's name therefore doesn't require a capital for the second word.:moonie:

A.:D

Is his name not Elfman? :confused:








:Whistle:

[Rhymes]

I would agree with you starting standard
Should be a few about if you want one
If that GP has been round a few tracks too, steer clear
Worth having a look at the feature in modern mini 4 page write up

I'll have a look at that just out of intrest, Cheers Mick.


I've seen a few for sale on Pistonheads at the moment. 1132, 828, another without the number in the advert. Two others are listed but have been sold. All about the 15K mark, the latter two are about 18,000 miles on them.

There is also a very nice JCW S Checkmate on there that looks tempting.

Seen the checkmate aswell, Looks not too bad. Interiors are a bit....blue lol.

[Crombers]

Er, Crombers hate to do this to you mate... it's 'GrammAr', not 'GrammEr' :idea: :thud: Let's hear it for being pedantic. (and no, that DOESN'T mean you're on an Offenders' Register). :blush: :hand:

Ah feck :rolleyes: ;) trust me :blush:

[gpmick]

I do know where theres a GP with 4500 miles Mint condition for about £16000
:cool: