2012 Mini Coupe Review - What makes the new MINI Coupe special couldn't be more obvious

After a day spent at the autocross with the new MINI Coupe, we're having dinner at Immogine+Willy, a boutique Jeans store in Nashville, Tennessee. Once a gas station, it's retained much of that old charm but now features some seriously retro looking equipment for making custom fitted jeans right on site.
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AutoGuide reviews the latest new cars with test drives, car comparisons and shootouts plus coverage of breaking auto industry news, auto shows, rumors and spy photos. Help shop for your new car with informative car buying tips and car recall news, and be entertained with feature stories, Top 10s and car review videos.
Produced/Shot/Edited by Chris Blanchette

[@samanthajackson758]

I have the jcw coupe and it is awesome! I've had alot of powerful cars in the past, but this is, i have to say - the best the most fun I've ever had.

[@Bulgdoom]

As of late the new mini models have been outrageously awful looking, but this is the only exception. Saw one in person and it's a real eye catcher, like a mini mustang, albeit a bit more refined

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

please - it is pronounced Mini "coopay". I own one (having owned a dozen of the original BMC Mini Coopers since the 1960's) and it stands head and shoulders above the others in the current range - fabulous roadholding, performance, purposeful cabin, quality build. And if looks sexy. A vastly misaligned car in the mainstream reviews. It is still a Mini! Dont look for practicality if you are considering a sports car!!! But actually it is with its massive boot.

[@NoxiousPond]

I fully expected this review to be terrrible but it was a actually a good review. Enough of the stupid video reviews where they complain about the most obvious and pointless things. Its nice to see an enthusiast review an enthusiasts car.

[@Burzum325]

@stoneman127 The coupe is aimed toward people who want a performance oriented roadster. This is the JCW model. If you were looking at a honda accord review, they would talk about safety, reliability, and comfort.

[@xoCharlieSheenaox]

Boxster is a poor mans porsche. I went from a BMW M Roadster to the JCW Roadster. This car handles like a porsche it's fun. It handles perfectly. I don't regret it in the least. Go test drive a JCW and you'll see what I mean. I upgraded my tuning kit and did some other mods but its perfection. I love my mini.

[@dodgehemi5045]

PORSCHE owner above say 230hp is good max. What mods?

[@stoneman127]

Unfortunately, how does a review like this help? Who drives on a racetrack day to day unless you're a performance car driver? I what to know about safety features, how it handles in bad weather, is it safe to drive on the freeway? Car manufacturers try so hard to make their boxes with four wheels seem more than it really is. Transportation. Sure make a fun car. Test it on the racetrack??? Who cares.

[@xoCharlieSheenaox]

1 series is a joke. It shouldn't even have been made. GTI's are made in Mexico and are shit after 2006. I own this car. It cost me 54k not 31. This is my 3rd mini and I went from an M Roadster to this.

[@jamlebelbeauty]

gorgeous

[@RobDamnImFine]

Totally agree, but some people don't realize that it's more than just a car haha. But they won't understand that, they want a straight line car and something that is FAST. Oh well, glad I track and autocross my MINI:-).

[@slayerette86m]

How long do Mini Coopers last? Are they reliable cars? What's the downside to a Cooper?

[@verygood7155]

Lose the stiff ass run flat tires and replace with regular tubeless performance ones plus exchange the 17" rims for 15" or 16" and the grip and ride will improve enormously. Porsche and other fine sport cars don't have a spare tire and don't have run flat tires. The great thing about the MINI Coupe is that there is enough room to carry a spare!

[@cdsmith1990]

The Mini Cooper S / JCW is one of quite a few cars I'm considering to buy in the next month or so.. As a rule, I've only ever liked the hatch, but there's something drawing me to the coupe.. I like the idea of no back seats, having a smaller interior, the dropped windscreen etc makes the car feel more focused. Really I need to drive the 2 back to back.

[@seamonkey420]

do it!! no regrets here, 2013 Cooper S Coupe... still a rare car to see on the road and the definition of a drivers car/slow car you can drive fast :)

[@cdsmith1990]

Actually ended up buying an F56 Cooper S hatch :)

[@cypeq7316]

invest 10 g in a stock miata ... custom full body paintjob... replace stock parts like filters and exhaust line... fit in turbo... got yourself 250 bhp pocket rocket

[@smgoeller]

Wow, great review and look into the car. Good work! Still wish we could get more power out of the Mini Coopers in general.

[@linkingisnonsense]

It's FWD, so whatever amount of "tuning" you did to it, you kept it under 230 hp. Otherwise your JCW is going into a fence, bush, or whatever's on the outside of the turn. The only two things you need is ceramic brakes and Bridgestone Potenzas. Everything else is money thrown in the trash. That goes for air filters, exhausts, larger turbos, chips. And as for that "poor man's porsche" comment...drive a Boxster S, and you won't have that attitude anymore.

[@thesmallcheval]

230-250hp on a car that weighs so little would make torque steer a nightmare. It's already pretty ballsy in that regard as it is.

[@piscataway53]

The black one looks pretty good I must say

[@BrandonONeal1]

Word of advice, Stop saying "ah" between sentences.

[@dodgehemi5045]

Hope and "ah" change....

[@jlee11190]

You say uh a lot

[@yyyy2999]

i never liked the mini but the red and black one looks so nice

[@mudslider20]

definitely not pepper white. That's white silver, looks great with red accents. Pepper white is more of a cream color.

[@scalku]

the coupe is actually heavier than the hardtop. the "added performance" is kind of a farce. if you want the fastest mini... get a jcw hatchback version and take out the back seats. it's more practical like that too.

[@hakopb]

@handmouth in an ideal world that would be perfect, but if we up the hp to 250 we throw the handling out the window, which is mini is known for

[@kkawing]

Great review~ but... do check the "uhh's"

[@r56mini]

Really wish MINI had designed the rear round like the front. Kind of like 911 or Audi TT. That would have been perfect.

[@willd750]

Said "uh" over 40 times.

[@thesmallcheval]

They have the highest resale in their class and they couldn't have earned the title if they weren't reliable. The downside to most Coopers shy of the Countryman is size.

[@husky2423]

13 years later I found a JCW for $5k 😍

[@Mr.Brolic]

Car is hot

[@TribelessWolf]

I'm assuming that the front seats have more room considering that the back seats have went away, dunno tho.

[@cbdrummer19]

does anyone know what color the lighter one is? is it the pepper white or white silver?

[@PezRadar]

@jsiszero Uh what? There is plenty of space in the front two seats. They removed the two back seats which didn't have much use in a normal hatchback anyways. Someone clearly has never been in a MINI..

[@johntucker23]

Mini Coop....bless you Americans...

[@CASSINOx]

minis should be going 0-60 in about 5.0... 6.1 seconds isn't really fast

[@TimonWanga]

He keeps standing in front of the ugliest part of the car. Its a shame; if they fixed the look from the center to the back, it'd be a sexy car

[@phantomloita]

@AndrewAllenBrown Mini are not small cheap cars, they are small, expensive and fun car. Go buy a Sonic if u want cheap.

[@licarcar]

tbh i think this car looks ugly.. i would rather go with the usual cooper s, if not the clubman..

[@Statimtek]

Have to look up to see the traffic lights? Not in California ; )

[@matzklim]

@Predpool some people like the looks, if you don't, why even bother coming to a mini video?

[@jlee11190]

Can you say "uh" one more time?

[@jvrdlc]

i like it but the butt is ugly, specially in the convertible version. also i was expecting better engines with more horses, more interior refresh. and wayyy better nav system

[@jayczyzyk9707]

good thing u don't reveiw cars anymore

[@civivsi11]

please note ur talking to the public try not to swalow ur words

[@StrangerStel]

is this an auction? why the shit are you talking so fast?

[@fetusness]

id still take a miata or s2k over this any day

[@handmouth]

@lomadonkey Don't like the Elise. Nice car just not my type. very deep door sills, way to low. like the new coupe look just want a leaner meaner car. mini overly luxurious same with the new challenger. wish they would just make some stripped down models. CHEAP SPEED RULES.

[@robertonjr10]

Not really, to be Honest I dont like the Camaro

[@AnonymoussourceL0L]

@socalpimp1974 I would have agreed with you, and I was going to get one, but then I saw that Ford's MT-86 transmission in the 5.0 is made in China and as a result, they have massive problems at just 2-3000 miles. Look up "mustang grinding gears." Unfortunately this is a common problem. I heard that customers finally got Ford's attention and they are going to commence a mustang recall, but I'm not sure. At least the only problems you would expect in a mini would be electrical.

[@linkingisnonsense]

I came here expecting an overpriced, underpowered, ugly car, and I am not pleasantly surprised. The JCW is 31 grand. For that money you're looking at a Scirocco or a GTI or a Golf R. Or even a nice 1 series i coupe.

[@seamonkey420]

but the thing is that it really is a BMW in mini clothes.. all that ESD/DSC/DCT tech is BMW tech not mini :) design/frame design is mini and design cues but it really is a M3 FWD in disguise.. #warning mini cooper s coupe owner :P

[@techdude6693]

@TheCashistrash not to mention the Chevy, Ford, and Nissan are probably more reliable

[@blueorangelettuce]

Nice review, but it would have been nice if you hadn't stood in front of the car the whole time. Only at 5:39 did you move out of the way. Also, what's the price?

[@xoCharlieSheenaox]

Yes... 54 thousand dollars of my own money. I have every upgrade Mini made available for the car. It's hard to believe I manage finances for huge tours that you pay your hard earned money to go see. Lastly, I used to work for Volkswagen of America headquarters for 3 years. I took escalated safety issue problems and I can honestly tell you every recall and issues they didn't want getting out that they had on cars up until I left in 2008. Those cars went to shit. End of story.

[@cktruong1]

@cktruong1 rushed. He inserted too many uh, and ums. Please eliminate these filler words so you can elevate the production quality of your show to the next level

[@sleepercell9926]

Shame they dont make the diesel S model in the USA. Its actualy faster than the gasoline version and does 62MPG.

[@Sthemmm]

if i got a dollar for everytime he said uh i could buy one of these in cash

[@RobertMoua]

how tall are you and how is the seating like for someone whose about 5'10-5'11

[@zosvajloogtsua]

how many "uh" did he said?

[@Blunder1248]

What is it - front - rear - all ???

[@stangkillinS10]

@socalpimp1974 i was under the understanding it was 2 door 4 seat but i looked it up. you are right my bad

[@linkingisnonsense]

Every auto maker in the world has recalls. The only difference between a car made overseas and a car made in Mexico is that the visibility of those recalls is higher. I've owned a 2006 GTI for 6 years now. Aside from one problem with the AC compressor (Which happens to a lot of cars in cool climates) I've had no issues with it. Shit? Right. For 54 grand, you're getting a Boxster or a TT... Blowing it on one Mini Cooper seems like a poor investment. Especially for a "finance manager"

[@take10daily]

Great Review again... but i'de prefere the M1 10x...

[@dngl21]

Looks like a fun car to drive but seems a bit overpriced. I'm still fixed on the Scion TC.

[@IrishLincoln]

@Epic0fear0 Yes, Nashville.

[@IbeJigsaw]

stylish whip

[@HackoDis]

@handmouth very true, would sick be without a roof, 2.0 liter super chaged :P or even a retro mini :D

[@amanda81473]

this is cute! joshua tree! minis are fantastic! u wouldnt know if urve never had one

[@mikesmith5375]

The ONLy thing REALLY missing is a LOWER starting PRICE TAG (its not a BMW) even though they bought MINI!

[@cbdrummer19]

awesome thanks!

[@lomadonkey]

@handmouth buy a lotus elise ;) thats exactly what you*re talking about.

[@cpolo88]

This guy talking about dorkly when he looks the part lol

[@MrAvalanche2004]

I want to upgrade to one of these... the convertible version...

[@linkingisnonsense]

So is the Countryman. Right? Well have fun with that...

[@Brucewayne519]

@Zyphon400 its a 200 hp hatchback type car needed my ass

[@markjwil]

Stand away from the car so I can look at the roof lines!

[@IbeJigsaw]

Let me guess, your fav car is a Chevy Camaro? LOL

[@KastorBlk]

think it would have been better in rear wheel drive.

[@handmouth]

get rid of the silly retractable wing and put a fixed wing or forget the wing. Just another thing to break. Make the hardtop removable like a targa. put a bigger engine in atleast a 2.0 and bump up the hp to 230-250hp. Also, lighten the car up and dump all the luxury stuff. drop the price to 20-25k. then you have a lean mean street fighter.

[@phantomloita]

People don't buy Mini's because they are cheap. Beside from the best front drive handler this side of a Megane RS. It's a statement and an accessory. Evidence in the million ways you can customize one and make it your own. It is style over substances. And style is something you etheir have it or don't. So don't feel so bad that you don't understand it's appeal.

[@Carsandgamesdude]

the front good, the back, well.... it looks bad

[@TheKurtster]

It's a MINI thing. You wouldn't understand.

[@AutoFocusHD]

Why is there no review of the base model MINI?

[@ddemouchet1]

why do mini always use the cooper design!

[@A_Sicallyo]

@matzklim to ask, cause i dont really see why, i mean, it looks pretty weird

[@ddemouchet1]

That's right KING OF MUSIC! MICHAEL JACKSON!

[@Anoush13]

I don't like the rear. Looks like a squashed sedan. They should have kept it as a hatchback.

[@Igreendaylinkinpark]

@ddemouchet1 its ronnie james dio

[@KyleMassey1]

That is the most sexiest car ever!!! Eye- gasm

[@Odafinga]

like a big HotWheels Car, i love it!

[@RickCosmo]

good reviews man..I like what you do

[@Epic0fear0]

Is this in tennesee?

[@Nizon]

Thumbs up for m83!

[@jayb13079]

@macachan1 $25,300

[@king95MK]

looks pretty nice

[@5347]

UHH!! i want one?

[@iiCbOz]

NJ plates!!!

[@ryan4888]

nahhh. he's right.

[@RobDamnImFine]

Drive a MINI and tell me it's overpriced after you can tell dramatic differences compared to a Scion.

[@handmouth]

@yeldm23 Leave the roof on for rigidity, but make it aluminum. Ditch all the audio and Gps crap. Lean out the interior with racing seats. Manual windows, no cruise, plexiglass the back window. Add a bigger turbo, and larger inter cooler. Mini lost it's soul. They need to get back to the original essence of the car. Not, making mini BMW's.

[@mashoorful]

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