Mini Cooper S - GET THE MANUAL! Easy & Fun to drive

[@sarahfretz3539]

Picking up my 2016 Cooper S manual 4 door tomorrow - Blazing Red, white roof. Can't wait! Thanks for the video!

[@shouldigetit]

Sarah that is such a sweet ride, enjoy it! Thank you for watching and commenting :)

[@shouldigetit]

I know the exact excitement you're feeling right now, and thankfully I still feel it every time I get to drive my MINI

[@LanceVance305]

Sarah Fretz bought my f55 Cooper a jcw package crazy had it for 2 yrs

[@josephkebbekus5780]

Just test drove a 2017 2 door cooper s in dark blue with white racing stripes and a manual! I haven't driven stick in about 3 years and it was so easy. As long as you know the theory of driving a stick, this car is so forgiving and fun to drive.

[@shouldigetit]

Awesome Joseph! Did you end up buying it?

[@kimgriffiths1750]

I love the smile the Cooper S puts on people's faces. You were no exception :-). I also agree with you about driving a manual car (I'm British, so we don't call it "stick"), I really couldn't drive automatic. I think if you love driving and being at one and in total control of your car, driving manual/stick is the only way to go. Great video by the way, you put a smile on my face! :-))

[@shouldigetit]

Thank you so much Kim! So glad you enjoyed the video :)

[@shouldigetit]

Thank you so much Kim! So glad you enjoyed the video :)

[@calypsodw]

I just purchased a 2009 mini S series, 6 speed manual, 80k, laser blue metallic. By far the funnest little car I've ever had, I absolutely love it! 🤙🤪

[@shouldigetit]

Awesome stuff! Love that color. Enjoy!

[@rodrigosiller573]

yes you can disablet it ! just turn the dsc off !

[@natelove187]

My shift stick school where I live use Mini Coopers for training. Awesome with the manual

[@TobyMichaelPortableTechReview]

I have a 2015 volcanic orange F56 S two-door hardtop. It is the automatic mainly because it was what they had available with six grand off but also because I have spinal injuries and nerve damage and I'm always worried about what my left leg is going to do. However in manual mode a couple of quick ticks of the paddle shifter and a double or triple downshift is so fast and so fun I don't regret getting the automatic. These cars are simply amazing.

[@shouldigetit]

+Toby Michael Hey Toby, that is awesome to hear! Totally agree with you on the amazingness of the cars. Glad to hear you're enjoying it and that 6 grand off is a nice touch :)

[@jenniferlevac9378]

I have fallen in love with a 2010 Mini Cooper S Mayfair edition but problem is it is manual and I have never driven a manual before. I am happy to find your video, sounds like MINI makes it easier to drive a manual.

[@shouldigetit]

Driving manual really isn’t too hard! Just takes consistent practice. Not sure how easy the 2010 makes it but I’m sure you’ll pick it up with ease after about an hour! Best of luck with it :)

[@jenniferlevac9378]

Should I Get It Thanks

[@Repodicus]

got a 2016 f57 racing green black stripes tan leather seats automatic. love the transmission. didn't get the stick due to my bad clutch knee.

[@shouldigetit]

+William Calderwood sorry to hear about your knee but that's an awesome setup, enjoy!!

[@oddities-whatnot]

The rev matching on downshifts is a clever idea, I had a Cooper S and didn't know it could do that. Great car but needed a bigger car at the time really. Update, I think if I got another Cooper S, I would get manual even though id like an auto car next. Ive tested one with that DCT or whatever its called and it was jerky, I really didnt like it, wasnt relaxing to drive at all.

[@lanebrain55]

I just got a 2015 Mini S after owning a 2013 Clubman. I am trying the dash and all the features. Vocanic Orange new

[@shouldigetit]

That is awesome, enjoy the car! Merry Christmas!

[@zephiariess8987]

Just picked up my new used 2011 Mini Cooper. Looking forward to the manual and appreciate your video. I will be sporting the brown w/tan interior mini.

[@shouldigetit]

Hey Zephia, congrats on the new ride! Manual is totally the way to go, you're gonna love it (if you don't already). Nice color combo ;) Thanks for watching! -Ben

[@GauravGulati2019]

Just Ordered my 2016 Mini Countryman S ALL4 (Manual) -- Loved the manual shifts on test drive Kite Blue Metallic Black Roof and Mirrors Black Bonnet Stripes Cold Weather pkg Media Pkg Harmon Kardon Audio 17" 5-spoke Anthracite Wheels

[@shouldigetit]

Very nicely specced, you're gonna love that sound system and as you already know the Manual trans :)

[@GauravGulati2019]

+Should I Get It I totally hear ya, bro. Cheers!

[@aidananchaya]

How has it been?

[@gwyndyr32]

I got it and love it! 2015 Cooper S (F56) blazing red, manual transmission (never been a fan of automatics). Ordered her so I could get exactly what I wanted. Now after a year of driving her, considering changing the exhaust but not sure what I want. Would be nice to get it before MTTS 2016. Going to try and do the last few cities.

[@shouldigetit]

+Kimberly Gwynne Hey Kimberly, thanks for watching and that's awesome to hear! I almost ordered mine (wanted a F55 Volcanic Orange, Manual, S) but decided to go with 2 doors. I just got the Borla S-Type exhaust 2 weeks ago and I'm in love, checkout the video on my channel!

[@jaxmyers]

You can disable the rev matching when you turn off dynamic stability control - at least that worked in the car I test drove. Actually I only tried it when I was test driving a car but since I've owned my manual F55s I haven't messed with DSC. I do like rev matching though so I haven't wanted to disable it.

[@shouldigetit]

Thanks for letting me know Jackson, I tried it out and decided to stick with the rev matching. The accelerator doesn't seem responsive enough to be fun without it. The sounds of a perfect rev match are music to my ears :)

[@jaxmyers]

Totally agree! One thing (sort of unrelated but related to Mini and your other video) is I only really noticed the exhaust pops on my stock Cooper S F55 (about a month old) when I first took it home from the dealer. Since then either I no longer notice them or they're not there. I'm going to drive home with some higher RPMs in sport mode and see what I can hear. Even the stock exhaust should emit some pops, correct?

[@shouldigetit]

Jackson Myers Oh that's a bummer, it should definitely pop right around 4k rpm. Here's a video I did about the stock exhaust kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zobbd4aNgKucgtU

[@autofctrl]

Duuuuude... you probably just made me change my mind. I was always a manual-guy, but for the Mini I thought... it has to be automatic! (then, the other day I testdrove one), it was great... I didn´t really miss the manual that much, but considering the market, and that a manual (at least here in the EU) is much cheaper than an automatic. I'll probably get a manual now :D

[@shouldigetit]

Woooo! Yes get the manual for sure! Glad you liked the video. Enjoy your new car when you get it! -Ben

[@xray3966]

Put it in sport mode and then turn off the traction control(dsc) and no more rev matching

[@shouldigetit]

+Kev Parry yup! Thanks for watching!

[@johndej]

Hi. I've got a 2014 Cooper S (F56) with manual as well. I've learned to appreciate the rev matching as well. I've only owned one automatic (Tundra truck) and appreciate that for truck stuff, but manual is the only way to go in my mind. Last summer I drove the Tail of the Dragon, and plan to do it again this summer. Manual with rev match was perfect!

[@shouldigetit]

+John DeJarnatt Tail of the Dragon is on my bucket list, have a blast! Thanks for commenting and watching John! Can I ask what your average MPG is?

[@johndej]

+Should I Get It On long trips, I average around 35 mph. City driving has been around 28-30 depending on conditions. I don't hold back on the throttle much either.

[@StevenSVT]

Man, I was just there last week! I flew from Puerto Rico to ft. Lauderdale, Fl (my wife is living in lauderdale). Rented a car and drove all the way to North Carolina, to stay at the Fontana village resort! Drove the rented Sonata through the tail of the dragon! Man that was awesome! I wish I had my fiesta ST over there instead... I'll return next year and take my fiesta ST, when it's finally shipped to FL.

[@Mike-pl1dz]

Each to their own, i love driving but i don't need to drive a manual to have fun. I had a brand new auto JCW the other weekend and the auto boxes are so good these days that it did everything i wanted, when i wanted.

[@shouldigetit]

Paddles? That’s a great looking and sounding car! Thanks for watching Michael, happy 4th! Hope you’re a subscriber.

[@minw88]

Thanks for the video it was very helpful in justifying my decision to get the manual

[@shouldigetit]

+Min Wang awesome! Thanks for watching, enjoy your manual :)

[@chaincommander5980]

Thank you! Regarding reliability, COMFORT and fun what's the best year to purchase from these options: 2014, 2015, 2016 or 2017 Cooper S/JCW 🙏🙏

[@shouldigetit]

2015 or newer (totally body and engine refresh), get an S! JCW isn't worth it. See the other videos on my channel for mods :)

[@LukeHkeik]

Great video!! I was having a read online and you can turn off rev-matching. You have to turn off Dynamic Stability Control, not DTC. To do this, hold down the toggle that disables DTC for a while longer and it will come up on your check control screen. Then you wont have computer Rev matching! Have fun! I have an R53 and I love it!

[@shouldigetit]

+Luke Hkeik Thanks Luke! Just tried it and you're definitely right! The blip seems a bit slow (I'm used to the naturally aspirated Miata engine blip) so I think I'll leave it on, but good to know it's an option :) Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@LukeHkeik]

I'm still learning how to rev match! Slowly getting there but I'm working on it haha the R53 doesn't come with no technology haha The Supercharger whine is infectious!

[@bonifaciomagdiwang1697]

Hi I am considering to buy mini cooper. But I am thinking about the Reliability of this car? is it Good? I think thats is more important

[@shouldigetit]

Had mine almost 3 years now and no issues at all! Only maintenance that’s been done is oil changes

[@bonifaciomagdiwang1697]

Thanks a lot

[@chicky4444]

BMW engines unlike the 2013 model's.... It's actually the 1 series BMW.. very reliable... Own my for three years and not a Problem... 2014 and up... Buy it...

[@timsa626]

I drive a pretty modified R56 MCS in a manual and I actually want an F56 in an auto. It's better on gas. I think it makes rad upshift farts when hard accelerating. Like a GTI's DSG fart. But, I have driven a F56 Manual and I feel like the clutch is waaaay too sensitive compared to other cars. Maybe I'm just used to my R56 but it grabs way too way for my liking IMHO. But hey, either way I see it, you're gonna enjoy your time because, you're driving a Mini 🤙

[@shouldigetit]

Interesting to hear and actually very understandable. Thank you for watching! Regardless of the trans, it is a great car :)

[@timsa626]

Should I Get It dang, I didn't even think you would reply hahaha my commute sucks and I live in LA so city driving suuuucckkkkssss and I also commute from LA to Rancho for work everyday. But in like 6 months I'm going to be upgrading to an 06 Cayman S and I'm gonna miss the Mini

[@shouldigetit]

Of course I would! I try my best to reply to the viewer :) Oh sick! Have fun with the Cayman. I hate hate HATE LA traffic, can't imagine living there with a stick.

[@nicholasr6381]

I have a cooper and its a 6 speed and its brilliant

[@shouldigetit]

Yeah it is!

[@allengonzalez2733]

Nick R buying mine tomorrow! 08!!!💪😳👍

[@shouldigetit]

+Allen Gonzalez congrats!🍾

[@ChezzOnBass]

My R60 is a 2011 and it does not have the features you mentioned. It shifts like an older manual transmission.

[@shouldigetit]

Hi Chris that’s correct! Only the F56 (2014) and newer have this auto rev matching feature

[@ChezzOnBass]

@@shouldigetit gotcha. I still that sport mode and manual rev match is fine but this is good to know!

[@danielarico2724]

I have one 2011 red and also I just want led to know at what speed I should change it to 3th gear because I travel a lot and so I can’t be driving it 70 miles all the time :/ thank you 😊 for all the details

[@shouldigetit]

Hey Daniela, nice! A good rule of thumb is about every 10mph. So 1st gear for 0-10mph 2nd gear for 10-20mph go into 3rd gear for 20-30mph 4th gear for 30+ mph and then 5/6th gear when cruising on the highway at 40+ mph. Hope that helps!

[@paulkelsey2458]

So I know 2014 was the year the mini was redesigned, but do you know if that year has the active rev matching or did that not get added until 2015?

[@shouldigetit]

I do not know for certain but if I remember the reviews correctly the 2014 manual transmission did have auto rev match!

[@paulkelsey2458]

@@shouldigetit awesome thanks man!

[@Alex-FFM]

Hey I'm thinking about getting this car when my BMW leasing runs out this jear. Nice car. How is the sound ? Are there any sound packages because I watched a lot of mini reviews and some have a cracking and popping exhaust sound wich is nice. Is the normal exhaust system cracking as well on down or upshifts ?

[@shouldigetit]

+Alex 1991 hi Alex, just saw this. Checkout my video on the channel ShouldIGetIt2 about the stock exhaust. It's fantastic! My cooper S exhaust crackles in sport mode which is so fun. They all crackle in sport around 4,000rpm. I love the stock system but did just upgrade to a Borla S-type exhaust yesterday. Video coming soon. Make sure to subscribe and feel free to message me with any questions!

[@cletusschneider9463]

When was the First year the rev matching got applied in a Cooper s

[@shouldigetit]

2014!

[@bonifaciomagdiwang1697]

Hi again do you have an idea how much is it the dealer ask for the deposite if you placed an order for mini?

[@shouldigetit]

I have no idea. I’m assuming 10-20% of the MSRP.

[@bonifaciomagdiwang1697]

Should I Get It the sales man from manhattan mini he told me $2,000 down payment. I just want to make sure if he trying to trick on me. Because i have a friend who placed an order 3 yrs. ago from subaru for the WRX he put down $500 for the car.

[@shouldigetit]

That sounds about right. Call other Mini dealers in the country and ask them how much they'd take.

[@bonifaciomagdiwang1697]

Hi thanks for the reply, i just went to the dealer today To order my mini I put $2,000 deposit it takes 2, 3 months to deliver. I am so happy My only concern now is the insurance, is it high? I have no i dea about the amount

[@5sunny01]

what color is this and how do you like this color compare to Black, White or Red?

[@shouldigetit]

+Sunny Sharif it is Volcanic Orange. I love it! Many people comment on it and enjoy it

[@5sunny01]

Hey Thanks, picking the same color as you, need some more advise, if possible. yours is manual, but i m getting the automatic, what do you think about these options: paddle shifter, driving assistant feature, park assistance and the HUD display? should i get them or they are useless?

[@shouldigetit]

Sunny Sharif They are unnecessary but nice to have. If I could only pick one it would be the HUD. Depending on how much you love driving, paddle shifters can be fun but doesn't seem like a huge concern to you (no offense)

[@5sunny01]

Thank you, what do you mean by paddle shifter not being a huge concern for me?

[@shouldigetit]

Sunny Sharif If you have to ask, it means it's not a must-have for you. Do you mostly drive highway or back roads?

[@Jim.Christy]

How did the vehicle hold up over the years?

[@shouldigetit]

Hey Jim. Held up great while I had it. Was a lease. I have a 32,000 mile review recap of it up on my channel. -Ben

[@Neptune8]

I bought an r53 and I didn't know how to drive manual,i lied and told the dealer that I did lol so I learned it in the test drive , sounds like this f56 is actually an auto manual. no way to rev matching, don't have to give it gas when letting off the clutch , hill start (this one is definitely a convenient feature)

[@shouldigetit]

The F56 is definitely a manual through and through, but it's as if it were on easy mode. I've taught 15+ people now in under 5 minutes each.

[@GXKid06]

Ayyy highway 85. Thats my neck of the woods.

[@arthurk579]

hey man really liked this video, it was exactly what i was looking for haha. just a question since you seem to be fairly knowledgeable. I've read online that servicing a mini is fairly expensive since it is mainly bmw parts (and prices) that you are getting in case something breaks and everyone that i ask recommends that i lease and not finance almost primarily because of this. I am interested in this exact same car you were driving and would be driving this on the east coast in the glorious nyc area and am partial to either option so any suggestions/insight would be very helpful. Thanks!

[@shouldigetit]

Glad it helps! It is fairly expensive and I would highly recommend leasing, that's what I did and my dealer has taken great care of me. The temperature sensor had a fault and had to be replaced which meant replacing the whole radiator which I was told would be around $800+ if it was purchased instead of leased (cost me $0 since it's covered). Not only are the prices expensive but labor HAS TO be done at Mini dealers, not even BMW dealerships can do some of the repairs so they can charge you outrageous prices.

[@chicky4444]

55 bucks my oil change... 2014 Cooper s.... Not expensive...

[@germane9510]

It’s not that expensive if you know where to get parts and how to fix it, because mechanic will charge a LOT

[@AlbaderBohamad]

Does the cooper s have that popping sound from the exhaust or is it an add on? Because when I tested drive it, it did have that sweet popping sound. (The one I tested is the one that they have just for test driving, so that the ones they sell are all brand new and undrived. Also it was the Mini showroom them selves that I was dealing with) However, when I turned on the one that I was going to buy, it did not have that sound at all. I asked the salesman about why it does not have the popping sound, and he said because the car is brand new and the engine is at full performance, it has to be worn out to produce the popping sound. I honestly thought he was lying and that what made me hold off buying it. What made me it obvious for me that he was lying is that I also tested their cooper countryman JCW that they had, and it did even have more vigorous popping sound than the one I tested drive it, and the JCW was brand new. So yeah, I hope you could hit me up with more info regarding this.

[@shouldigetit]

From what I've experienced, only the Cooper S (F55 or F56) has that popping sound and all of them have it stock, mine is a bit louder thanks to the Borla exhaust :) Here's a video I made about how to make it pop: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJnNnHZ8jN1ohaM

[@richrnndz2]

Maybe the dealer had the car in Mid or Eco mode. It has to be in sport mode for you to hear crackle and pops when you let off the gas.

[@87Aequitas]

get mine in Febuary gonna be Racing Green Black top, racing stripes black, black rims 17´s :) and of course the manuel Version

[@shouldigetit]

The black rims are such a nice touch and the fact that you're getting the manuel is awesome. Enjoy every mile in it! Thank you for watching

[@87Aequitas]

Should I Get It ty i will enjoy, it´s my 30 birthday present to myself,

[@shouldigetit]

87Aequitas A very memorable present for sure, that is awesome, happy birthday!

[@aidananchaya]

How have you liked it?

[@shouldigetit]

I’ve loved every day with this Mini!

[@theresonly1truth138]

Hi mate now after 2.5 years, have you found a way to disable the auto blipping? I am serious.

[@shouldigetit]

Yes. As the other comments on this video say. Hold the traction control button for about ten seconds to fully disable stability and traction control, that also turns off auto blipping.

[@Unknown__572]

If you put green mode the car spend less gas?

[@shouldigetit]

Yes

[@lucianocolitti]

How much less? I mean, I have a 2006 mini one and want to change to a new cooper s. Now I consume like 6 l/100 km. Also, does the cooper s sounds good in the more basic model? thanks

[@shouldigetit]

+Luciano Colitti yes even with the base package the stock Cooper S exhaust sounds great! Honestly the way I drive not that much better maybe 1 mile per gallon more.

[@lucianocolitti]

Should I Get It so do you think that it's viable to get the s in terms of consume ? Or with the Mini Cooper its already enough ? I would like to have a faster and aggressive car but I also wouldn't like to spent all the time so much combustible . Thanks again

[@shouldigetit]

+Luciano Colitti the difference is 4 mpg. If that's something you really have to think about financially, maybe hold off and save a bit more for the S.

[@kanakalela]

what year is your mini???

[@shouldigetit]

2015!

well put! I do have the Mini jcw gp 2 ! I love everything about it.

[@shouldigetit]

Very nice ride, thanks for watching Sam!

[@nabaus6170]

Awesome car

[@shouldigetit]

+Nab Aus thank you!

[@Lia-ij4mg]

what year is this?

[@shouldigetit]

2015 Mini Cooper S

[@64jestr]

Not a fan of this manual. I currently have a 2015 F56S and absolutely despise the manual, it's choppy, noisy and not very direct at all. My previous Mini was an 08 R56S manual and it was a dream. I never had any issues with shifting , miss shifts or it being noisy and plastic feeling. So much more to bitch about with the F56S transmission .

[@shouldigetit]

Interesting to hear. Now I want to find an 08 to drive and feel the difference. Might ruin the F56 for me though!

[@64jestr]

Should I Get It it could be my F56S is a Monday car, lol. I've taken it to my local dealer and got the usual "we can't duplicate the problem" and it's normal. It's got 20,000 miles on it and has not gotten better.

[@ASecureLab]

@@64jestr different manual transmission in the 2016+

[@pipigymnl]

i bought the cooper s but with automatic trasmission! do i really need that Dynamic Damper Control???????

[@shouldigetit]

+Marta Mutti I would think the car is still enjoyable without it. How long have you had it?

[@pipigymnl]

Oh i didn't pick it up yet because it's make in England and I live in the Netherlands so MINI said to me that it will be ready on October. So I will pick it up in October BUT some people say that without this "dynamic damper control" .. So I would like to know if I can get that sportive mode driving faster or not??? Thanks for your time to answer me.

[@shouldigetit]

+Marta Mutti sport mode comes in all Mini Cooper and Mini Cooper S models so yes.

[@EvendimataE]

doesnt the automatic with paddle shifter drive like manual?

[@shouldigetit]

Not even close. It’s almost like saying “Doesn’t riding a scooter feel like a bicycle?”

[@parkersokol5068]

How long have you had it for? Any major problems?

[@shouldigetit]

Had it for over 10,500 miles now. No major problems! Lots of smiles and fun but I am glad to be leasing it. I'm sure if anything goes wrong out of warranty it's a headache and money sucker.

[@Timpala44]

I've always been interested in buying a Mini. But, the horror stories about transmission and reliability problems always makes me look elsewhere.

[@shouldigetit]

Where are you located? I would highly recommend leasing over buying, but even with a purchase, I believe there is some sort of a warranty for 3 or 5 years! Thankfully 1.5 years in and no issues :)

[@reannecooper1616]

Timpala44

[@richrnndz2]

I am finally looking into getting one, just want to be sure I get as much as I possibly can for the 💰. New engines in the new gen Mini's so as I understand Consumer Reports has rates them better recently

[@anniebeyanga6525]

Hi 👋👋👋

[@aidananchaya]

Good first car?

[@shouldigetit]

Amazing first car! Amazing 50th car even, just an overall great and fun car!

[@panda4605]

Just got mine and its my first car, looking forward to be driving this.

[@lancercool1992]

Either mini owners haven't experienced better or I was driving a lemon, I test drove a 2014 JCW and thought the manual transmission was the biggest piece of cluster shit fuck ever put in a car. Disgrace to John Cooper's name.

[@shouldigetit]

Sounds like you drove a citrus

[@anniebeyanga6525]

Hi

[@sethstearns2090]

my dad wants me to get a manual mini thEn dRivE the CAR wITH nO exPeriENce

[@shouldigetit]

You’ll be fine! Just had a viewer who bought a manual one and learned to drive literally on the way home.