I'm interested to see whether anyone has had experience with gaining approval to drive a MINI Cooper S while on P's.

I always assumed that they were all banned, until I came across the Probationary Vehicle Database a couple of weeks ago.

This is what's on the website:


However, in the database, 2002, 2003 and 2004 Cooper S are listed as 'Application Required' (Application Form).

I think we'll head into VicRoads and see if we can find out more, but would like to here from someone who's had success or attempted.

We went and looked at a 2004 S today, and would like to know if I have any chance of driving it (although funds wouldn't even allow the purchase of an '02 base model auto Cooper at the moment...we're just looking to get an idea of what I'd like)

I like the look of the Cooper S more than the Cooper due to the better 6 speed manual, and from looking online they tend to be more optioned-up than the Coopers - although any MINI will be safer than my Mini!


Thanks,
Evan.

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Saxon Green 850: http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=62641
Nightfire Red 850: http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=66555

A mini cooper S built up to 2004 would be okay......just.

The exceptions apply to cars of less than 100 kw per tonne.
A MCS is 120kw and 1230kg.
The cars from 2004 onwards went up in power to 125kw, which is just over the limit.

Thanks for the reply Harley. The seller thought the same, but I wanted to check with the Mini community. It opens up the list of possible cars a bit more.

Which would be the better car to go for - a '02/'03/'04 MCS or a late '04/'05/'06 Cooper (the upgraded one)? I personally don't like the look of the R56, so not looking at them, and the price factor too

Evan.

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Saxon Green 850: http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=62641
Nightfire Red 850: http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=66555

The late coopers weren't so much 'upgraded' as they were 'fixed' after numerous gearbox and other problems.

If funds are tight I'd not suggest a MINI at all, mine was unreliable and expensive to maintain. A cooper would be cheaper to live with than an S, but the S will have more resale value and they're much better to drive, particularly once you change the supercharger pulley.

Whats your budget for a new car? That'll dictate.

Yes, that's the impression I got from what I read on the MINI2 forum, hence preferring the later R50s. Were the clutch problems fixed with the change in gearbox in the later Coopers? I'm assuming so.

Unfortunately I'm honestly just dreaming, deciding whether I'd like to go for a MINI eventually - I don't think I can just rely on what I've found browsing the Internet.
There is one way that the budget would allow buying a MINI (as it's nearly zero at the moment) - other than Tattslotto. However, it's possibly less likely than winning the lotto

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Saxon Green 850: http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=62641
Nightfire Red 850: http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=66555

Check out a Suzuki Swift Sport.
The new model is due for release in March, but the ones up until now (all the same over the last 5 years) are bulletproof for reliability, well priced, good to drive and cheaper to maintain than the MINIs too.

My cousin has a Swift and she loves it, calls it Lily. They seem to be the car people go for rather than a MINI. I keep being told we'll have Swift vs. Mini one day!

I was looking at Swift vs. MINI on the web a while ago and someone in the UK said they'd go the Swift because the MINI is way to common. I'd see heaps of Swifts if I were to go into town, but I'm lucky to see a MINI once a fortnight here!

Anyway, thanks again for your advice Harley!

Evan.

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Saxon Green 850: http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=62641
Nightfire Red 850: http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=66555

Thats the other thing: have you got good bmw / euro mechanics out wherever you are? That might be why there's not many of them.

None at all! The closet BMW would be Traralgon about 3/4 hour away. We were there the other day (they had a MINI that had just sold) and they said they serviced a few, and had considered stocking MINIs but didn't think the sales would warrant it. Although, in a hour or so in Traralgon we saw three MINIs on the road. Whereas locally all I have seen are rather neglected '02/'03 R50s and a nice red & black Clubman.

Fortunately I've got my Mini to keep me happy on the road. I'll just have to wait until I hopefully hit the money one day

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Saxon Green 850: http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=62641
Nightfire Red 850: http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=66555