The 2025 MINI Cooper S: More Power, Tech & Design. But is it Better?

[@LucienDupont]

Great review and comments. I had a convertible almost 20 years ago, miss that fun. This sounds a lot better.

[@dg7438]

Awesome review btw. I think it's best in Flavoured trim, Iconic style for that anthrocite headliner and center console storage box, etc.

[@rdh11201]

Superb review. I've watched a bunch and you're the only one to mention a JCW in the works, the fabric improvements and that this is the last gasoline mini. Pretty important for serious shoppers. Although it doesn't look like the JCW trim in the UK has paddles available.

[@dougb100]

The two styling things that don’t like is the lack of centre exhaust & the black oval trim going all around the grill, would be tempted to paint lower section the body colour. As for the paddle shifters on my S I prefer to use the manual control on the shifter.

[@ZappBranning]

My other negative on the new mini is I got level 3 but was shocked to see it has no sun visor lights and no indicator side scuttled on the A panels so it has less but is not cheaper . No lashing eyes or a 12v socket in the rear either .

[@dg7438]

During test drive, It took me a short minute to get use to the more short slatted up right windshield, but got use to it fast. it felt refined , quiet. a little more road noise from tires..perhaps tire type. Felt telepathic and nimble. I really want one in Chili Red pls

[@meluvYT]

im waiting for the convertible

[@bevarnold-wiregrasshometea5744]

Waiting on the 2025 MINI custom ordered. At the dealership but Nationwide Stop Sell?

[@ZappBranning]

The Cooper S sport is the best buy 😊

[@FK-tf9tp]

Do you have DDC in this mini?

[@MotoringFile]

No - it's not listed in the build sheet. Option "223 Dynamic Damper Control" is a $500 stand alone option on the Cooper S for the US market.

[@FK-tf9tp]

@@MotoringFile can DDC make daily drive on the highway more comfortable? The road quality is not that good.

[@MotoringFile]

@@FK-tf9tptheoretically but as we say in this video, the F66 with the standard suspension is already easily the most comfortable Cooper we’ve ever tested.

[@FK-tf9tp]

Do you have DDC in this car?

[@ZappBranning]

@@FK-tf9tp yes it has

[@ZappBranning]

@@FK-tf9tp Yes this mini does have DDC and is a great drive .

[@MotoringFile]

No - it's not listed in the build sheet. Option "223 Dynamic Damper Control" is a $500 stand alone option on the Cooper S for the US market.

[@FK-tf9tp]

Is DDC for sport mode only?

[@johnpeace23]

Where's the hood scoop? Doesn't look right without it on the cooper s!

[@ZappBranning]

I like this new mini but I think it lacks storage space like the arm rest is fixed and has no storage compartment and the glovebox is very small inside compared to the f56 , the door panels I’m not sure about and the door storage is really bad I can’t get hardly anything in the door bins . This car could have been so much better storage wise but I love my cooper s sport .

[@ponceloic]

they even got rid of the lights in the glove box and sun visors (coming from the F56). And as you said, very few storage : no rear cup holders, no storage in the non-leveling armrest, no secret compartment...

[@ZappBranning]

@@ponceloic 🤨

[@dg7438]

@@ponceloic oh that's unfortunate :/ Hope they come out with some aftermarket. no lights in glovebox is major cost cutting, and no side visor..wth?

[@dimitrisblatsios4706]

You can actually turn the gear box manual. Press the gear lever to D and keep pressing until you get a notification on the screen:M1.Takes 10” app. Then use the + - on the cruise control part of the steering wheel. Works fine. When you want ot reverse, switch off the engine and reignite as R cannot be selected while in Manual😅 BMW sucks…

[@dimitrisblatsios4706]

The removal of the air intake in the bonnet and removal of the exhaust pipes is a downgrade, it removed some of the character of this cute little devil…out goes Paddy Hopkirk from the legend. What a shame…..on the practical side, the complete absence of any storage space in the middle combined with the narrowness of the door pockets that can hold only chewing gums ( no, not the round 50pcs plastic one) shows why BMW group is on the way down. You have to park the box of tissues on the back seat.. which is not tha awful cause there is no room for anyone there🎉well done BMW!

[@nickcheema907]

wow!!!!! shift paddles are coming!!!! LOL you'll completely forget about a manual transmission in a Mini Cooper.......LOL

[@MotoringFile]

The fact the manual is not coming back is clearly mentioned in the video and we’ve written about the MINI killing probably a dozen times (at least) for 18 months now.

[@willi19671]

The interior : IKEA . This dashboard looks my sisters livingroom.

[@OkayJose]

Honestly I think that’s what they were going for. They wanted to feel like you were home sort of way

[@nickcheema907]

so true! it's embarrassing.

[@tjtull]

Isn't the engine larger? You indicate it's the same engine.

[@MotoringFile]

It’s essentially same B48 engine with changes to the tune.

[@ponceloic]

In my opinion, it's a huge downgrade compared to the outgoing F56. This S looks like a base Cooper, except the S badges front and rear. The interior materials doesn't feel premium, the only customizable thing in each trim is the color of the seats. They even got rid of the lights in the glove box and sun visors (coming from the F56). Also very few storage : no rear cup holders, no storage in the non-leveling armrest, no secret compartment... And as you said, no manual or shift paddles if you don't get the JCW trim. But 8 driving modes 😂 There could be 24, it would still not be enough to forget how low cost this new Mini feels compared to its predecessor.

[@alioscopy-glasses-free-3D]

Hi - are you now driving an F66… or are you still driving the F56 in your videos? While it's true that MINI has removed a few small (but useful) things; including the lights in the sun visors and exterior door handles, plus the two-position adjustment for the backrests of the rear seats and even the catch that allowed the boot/trunk floor panel to be held in its 'lifted' position - I can tell you that, after 2,000 miles in my new F66, the new Cooper is a vastly improved car. I previously owned two F56 models, which I drove for a total of 130,000 miles, and I expected to F66 to be a little better to drive. However, the improvement in both the build quality and the driving experience is huge - and I love the new interior materials (I have the Exclusive trim). NB: the Vescin material on my seats & steering wheel is so impressive, I simply can't understand why 'real' leather is still in use on other cars. The round OLED screen and OS-9 make the MIU an absolute delight to use… and the image-quality / content design delivered by the HUD is excellent. (Although, when the indicators are in use, I'd like to see this in the HUD - as well as on the MIU). Having been in the Oxford Plant (on the tour) at the exact moment when my car left the production line (more by luck than planning!) - and having enjoyed this tour on two previous occasions, I'm aware that the manufacturing standards have greatly improved over time… as is to be expected. Finally, and as might be obvious, I could not be happier with my F66… and I'd recommend everyone to arrange a test drive at their local MINI dealership.

[@ponceloic]

​@@alioscopy-glasses-free-3DI'm driving a F56 Cooper S and a R55 Cooper SD Clubman. I have test drived the new Cooper S F66 in Classic trim and couldn't feel anything different than my F56 unless no rattles as you would expect from a brand new car. Don't like the way you need to access AC with screen. I have no doubt this car will make happy customers. But loving manuals, pop and bangs, chrome toggles and other gimmicks, I think I'll stick to my F56.

[@alioscopy-glasses-free-3D]

@@ponceloic - I'm sure you'd soon get used to using the MIU… and the air-con controls are really straightforward to operate. Your test drive, compared to my (current) 2,000 miles - in every type of UK weather! - has clearly given us a different point of view… but I will reiterate that, in comparison to 130,000 F56 miles, my F66 is a vastly improved car! BTW: the integration of the MINI App with the F66 (and other new MIU-equipped models) is another major improvement.

[@ponceloic]

@@alioscopy-glasses-free-3D I don't think I'll switch to the F66. I've had so much regrets when I sold my R56 for the F56, I bought the R55 Clubman last year. My F56 is fully loaded, all I need is here: HUD, Sat Nav, Park Assist, rear camera, music with Android voice command, a Sport button and not faked engine noise. But I think it's sad that they removed all customization options and all the nice or useful stuff making this car practical and fun.

[@alioscopy-glasses-free-3D]

@@ponceloic Enjoy your two MINI models… I'm definitely enjoying mine! NB: There's no fake noise on my Cooper - I think that is a Cooper S & JCW thing. In fact, I really appreciated how quiet my F66 is - and also… the Harman Kardon system has been greatly improved over the F56 version. One more thing… the F66 version of adaptive headlights + high-beam assist is another major benefit. The best headlights of any car I've owned or driven, by far!

[@wackit6756]

Ugh. MINI has always been about sporty driving and sporty appearance, now they are neutering it? No manual, no shift paddles, no visible exhaust pipes, less audible exhaust sound, lack of hood scoop (not really important). I don’t want to go to a JCW (Had one) to get these items. I’ve been waiting for this new generation but now I think I’ll pass. Good review though.

[@MotoringFile]

In talking with MINI, they're strongly hinting that shift paddles will come to the US market on the F66. In fact they've already begun selling them on the five door F65.

[@tjtull]

At least drive one for yourself. I had some of the same concerns but went and drove one at the dealership and loved it. Lots of new things to like about it. I enjoy the minimalistic aspects of it.

[@tjtull]

...and I agree with the reviewer, the hood scoop (and dual exhaust) did nothing, it's more of an honest design.

[@barry144]

Great review. But what an ugly interior. With all the heritage and style, how could Mini get it so wrong? I was going add another Mini to our family, but when I saw this interior, no way. Mini, you’ve got to course correct. Stop trying to be ‘high tech.’ This design is soul robbing.