MINI Cooper S (06 on) - Review

Review by Dan Harrison on
Last Updated: 13 June 2011
Better to drive. More space. Less fuss. That's what makes this MINI Cooper S different from the one it replaces - even though it may look virtually the same. Most of the changes are under the skin and they help make it better than ever. There's a new turbocharged engine, updated interior and every body panel is different - though not so you'd notice. But the best bits have been kept, so it's fantastic to drive, fun and even sensible to own - it depreciates slowly and is cheap to service. This means it's a hot hatch that appeals to the head as well as the heart. The addition of the MINI SD in 2011 (Sports Diesel) to the Cooper range isn't about re-inventing the popular model, but more tweaking and adding another feather to the cap of one of the best-loved cars in the UK.
4.5 out of 5

Other MINI reviews

Company Car Costs

P11D Value

The price of the car excluding road tax and first registration fee. This is used to calculate company car tax.

CO2 g/km

The carbon dioxide emissions of the car, which decides the company car tax band into which the car falls.

BIK Band

The percentage band used to calculate company car tax, determined by CO2 emissions of the car.

20% Tax / 40% Tax

The annual amount of company car tax payable based on the drivers income tax level, either at the basic rate or the higher rate.

Standard Trim

2012 / 2013 2013 / 2014
Model P11D Value CO2 g/km BIK Band 20% Tax 40% Tax 20% Tax 40% Tax

2.0 D 3d

£18,815

114

13%

£489

£978

£489

£978

2.0 D 3d Auto

£19,960

139

18%

£718

£1,437

£718

£1,437

2.0 D (Media Pack) 3d

£20,155

114

13%

£524

£1,048

£524

£1,048

2.0 D (Media Pack) 3d Auto

£21,300

139

18%

£766

£1,533

£766

£1,533

2.0 D (Sport Pack) 3d

£21,075

114

13%

£548

£1,096

£548

£1,096

2.0 D (Sport Pack) 3d Auto

£22,220

139

18%

£800

£1,600

£800

£1,600

2.0 D (Sport/Media Pack) 3d

£22,415

114

13%

£582

£1,165

£582

£1,165

2.0 D (Chili Pack) 3d

£20,850

114

13%

£542

£1,084

£542

£1,084

2.0 D (Sport/Media Pack) 3d Auto

£23,560

139

18%

£848

£1,696

£848

£1,696

2.0 D (Chili Pack) 3d Auto

£21,995

139

18%

£791

£1,583

£791

£1,583

2.0 D (Chili/Media Pack) 3d

£21,760

114

13%

£565

£1,131

£565

£1,131

2.0 D (Chili/Media Pack) 3d Auto

£22,905

139

18%

£824

£1,649

£824

£1,649

2.0 D (Chili/Sport Pack) 3d

£22,265

114

13%

£578

£1,157

£578

£1,157

2.0 D (Chili/Sport Pack) 3d Auto

£23,410

139

18%

£842

£1,685

£842

£1,685

2.0 D (Chili/Sport/Media Pack) 3d

£23,175

114

13%

£602

£1,205

£602

£1,205

2.0 D (Chili/Sport/Media Pack) 3d Auto

£24,320

139

18%

£875

£1,751

£875

£1,751

1.6 Coupe 3d

£19,605

136

15%

£588

£1,176

£588

£1,176

1.6 Coupe 3d Auto

£20,750

149

15%

£622

£1,245

£622

£1,245

1.6 Coupe (Media Pack) 3d

£20,935

136

15%

£628

£1,256

£628

£1,256

1.6 Coupe (Media Pack) 3d Auto

£22,080

149

15%

£662

£1,324

£662

£1,324

1.6 Coupe (Sport Pack) 3d

£21,470

136

15%

£644

£1,288

£644

£1,288

1.6 Coupe (Sport Pack) 3d Auto

£22,615

149

15%

£678

£1,356

£678

£1,356

1.6 Coupe (Sport/Media Pack) 3d

£22,800

136

15%

£684

£1,368

£684

£1,368

1.6 Coupe (Sport/Media Pack) 3d Auto

£23,945

149

15%

£718

£1,436

£718

£1,436

1.6 Coupe (Chili Pack) 3d

£21,470

136

15%

£644

£1,288

£644

£1,288

1.6 Coupe (Chili Pack) 3d Auto

£22,615

149

15%

£678

£1,356

£678

£1,356

1.6 Coupe (Chili/Media Pack) 3d

£22,485

136

15%

£674

£1,349

£674

£1,349

1.6 Coupe (Chili/Media Pack) 3d Auto

£23,630

149

15%

£709

£1,418

£709

£1,418

1.6 Coupe (Chili/Sport Pack) 3d

£22,665

136

15%

£680

£1,360

£680

£1,360

1.6 Coupe (Chili/Sport Pack) 3d Auto

£23,810

149

15%

£714

£1,428

£714

£1,428

1.6 Coupe (Chili/Sport/Media Pack) 3d

£23,680

136

15%

£710

£1,420

£710

£1,420

1.6 Coupe (Chili/Sport/Media Pack) 3d Auto

£24,825

149

15%

£744

£1,489

£744

£1,489

2.0 D Coupe 3d

£20,455

114

13%

£531

£1,063

£531

£1,063

2.0 D Coupe 3d Auto

£21,600

139

18%

£777

£1,555

£777

£1,555

2.0 D Coupe (Media Pack) 3d

£21,785

114

13%

£566

£1,132

£566

£1,132

2.0 D Coupe (Media Pack) 3d Auto

£22,930

139

18%

£825

£1,650

£825

£1,650

2.0 D Coupe (Sport Pack) 3d

£22,320

114

13%

£580

£1,160

£580

£1,160

2.0 D Coupe (Sport Pack) 3d Auto

£23,465

139

18%

£844

£1,689

£844

£1,689

2.0 D Coupe (Sport/Media Pack) 3d

£23,650

114

13%

£615

£1,230

£615

£1,230

2.0 D Coupe (Sport/Media Pack) 3d Auto

£24,795

139

18%

£892

£1,785

£892

£1,785

2.0 D Coupe (Chili Pack) 3d

£22,320

114

13%

£580

£1,160

£580

£1,160

2.0 D Coupe (Chili Pack) 3d Auto

£23,465

139

18%

£844

£1,689

£844

£1,689

2.0 D Coupe (Chili/Media Pack) 3d

£23,335

114

13%

£606

£1,213

£606

£1,213

2.0 D Coupe (Chili/Media Pack) 3d Auto

£24,480

139

18%

£881

£1,762

£881

£1,762

2.0 D Coupe (Chili/Sport Pack) 3d

£23,515

114

13%

£611

£1,222

£611

£1,222

2.0 D Coupe (Chili/Sport Pack) 3d Auto

£24,660

139

18%

£887

£1,775

£887

£1,775

2.0 D Coupe (Chili/Sport/Media Pack) 3d

£24,530

114

13%

£637

£1,275

£637

£1,275

2.0 D Coupe (Chili/Sport/Media Pack) 3d Auto

£25,675

139

18%

£924

£1,848

£924

£1,848

1.6 3d

£16,845

149

15%

£505

£1,010

£505

£1,010

1.6 (08/10 on) 3d

£18,005

136

15%

£540

£1,080

£540

£1,080

1.6 (08/10 on) 3d Auto

£19,150

149

15%

£574

£1,149

£574

£1,149

1.6 3d Auto

£17,990

165

15%

£539

£1,079

£539

£1,079

1.6 (Media Pack) 3d

£18,810

149

15%

£564

£1,128

£564

£1,128

1.6 (Media Pack) (08/10 on) 3d

£19,345

136

15%

£580

£1,160

£580

£1,160

1.6 (Media Pack) (08/10 on) 3d Auto

£20,490

149

15%

£614

£1,229

£614

£1,229

1.6 (Media Pack) 3d Auto

£19,955

165

15%

£598

£1,197

£598

£1,197

1.6 (Sport Pack) 3d

£18,865

149

15%

£566

£1,132

£566

£1,132

1.6 (Sport Pack) (08/10 on) 3d

£20,265

136

15%

£608

£1,216

£608

£1,216

1.6 (Sport Pack) (08/10 on) 3d Auto

£21,410

149

15%

£642

£1,284

£642

£1,284

1.6 (Sport Pack) 3d Auto

£20,010

165

15%

£600

£1,200

£600

£1,200

1.6 (Sport/Media Pack) 3d

£20,830

149

15%

£625

£1,250

£625

£1,250

1.6 (Sport/Media Pack) (08/10 on) 3d

£21,605

136

15%

£648

£1,296

£648

£1,296

1.6 (Sport/Media Pack) (08/10 on) 3d Auto

£22,750

149

15%

£682

£1,365

£682

£1,365

1.6 (Sport/Media Pack) 3d Auto

£21,975

165

15%

£659

£1,318

£659

£1,318

1.6 (Chili Pack) 3d

£18,835

149

15%

£565

£1,130

£565

£1,130

1.6 (Chili Pack) (08/10 on) 3d

£20,040

136

15%

£601

£1,202

£601

£1,202

1.6 (Chili Pack) (08/10 on) 3d Auto

£21,185

149

15%

£635

£1,271

£635

£1,271

1.6 (Chili Pack) 3d Auto

£19,980

165

15%

£599

£1,198

£599

£1,198

1.6 (Chili/Media Pack) 3d

£20,410

149

15%

£612

£1,224

£612

£1,224

1.6 (Chili/Media Pack) (08/10 on) 3d

£20,950

136

15%

£628

£1,257

£628

£1,257

1.6 (Chili/Media Pack) (08/10 on) 3d Auto

£22,095

149

15%

£662

£1,325

£662

£1,325

1.6 (Chili/Media Pack) 3d Auto

£21,555

165

15%

£646

£1,293

£646

£1,293

1.6 (Chili/Sport Pack) 3d

£20,165

149

15%

£605

£1,210

£605

£1,210

1.6 (Chili/Sport Pack) (08/10 on) 3d

£21,455

136

15%

£643

£1,287

£643

£1,287

1.6 (Chili/Sport Pack) (08/10 on) 3d Auto

£22,600

149

15%

£678

£1,356

£678

£1,356

1.6 (Chili/Sport Pack) 3d Auto

£21,310

165

15%

£639

£1,278

£639

£1,278

1.6 (Chili/Sport/Media Pack) 3d

£21,740

149

15%

£652

£1,304

£652

£1,304

1.6 (Chili/Sport/Media Pack) (08/10 on) 3d

£22,365

136

15%

£671

£1,342

£671

£1,342

1.6 (Chili/Sport/Media Pack) (08/10 on) 3d Auto

£23,510

149

15%

£705

£1,410

£705

£1,410

1.6 (Chili/Sport/Media Pack) 3d Auto

£22,885

165

15%

£686

£1,373

£686

£1,373

1.6 (184bhp) 3d

£16,845

136

15%

£505

£1,010

£505

£1,010

1.6 (184bhp) 3d Auto

£17,990

149

15%

£539

£1,079

£539

£1,079

1.6 (184bhp) (Media Pack) 3d

£18,810

136

15%

£564

£1,128

£564

£1,128

1.6 (184bhp) (Media Pack) 3d Auto

£19,955

149

15%

£598

£1,197

£598

£1,197

1.6 (184bhp) (Sport Pack) 3d

£18,865

136

15%

£566

£1,132

£566

£1,132

1.6 (184bhp) (Sport Pack) 3d Auto

£20,010

149

15%

£600

£1,200

£600

£1,200

1.6 (184bhp) (Sport/Media Pack) 3d

£20,830

136

15%

£625

£1,250

£625

£1,250

1.6 (184bhp) (Sport/Media Pack) 3d Auto

£21,975

149

15%

£659

£1,318

£659

£1,318

1.6 (184bhp) (Chili Pack) 3d

£18,835

136

15%

£565

£1,130

£565

£1,130

1.6 (184bhp) (Chili Pack) 3d Auto

£19,980

149

15%

£599

£1,198

£599

£1,198

1.6 (184bhp) (Chili/Media Pack) 3d

£20,410

136

15%

£612

£1,224

£612

£1,224

1.6 (184bhp) (Chili/Media Pack) 3d Auto

£21,555

149

15%

£646

£1,293

£646

£1,293

1.6 (184bhp) (Chili/Sport Pack) 3d

£20,165

136

15%

£605

£1,210

£605

£1,210

1.6 (184bhp) (Chili/Sport Pack) 3d Auto

£21,310

149

15%

£639

£1,278

£639

£1,278

1.6 (184bhp) (Chili/Sport/Media Pack) 3d

£21,740

136

15%

£652

£1,304

£652

£1,304

1.6 (184bhp) (Chili/Sport/Media Pack) 3d Auto

£22,885

149

15%

£686

£1,373

£686

£1,373

Cooper S

2012 / 2013 2013 / 2014
Model P11D Value CO2 g/km BIK Band 20% Tax 40% Tax 20% Tax 40% Tax

1.6 Cooper S Roadster 2d

£20,730

139

15%

£622

£1,244

£622

£1,244

1.6 Cooper S 2d Auto

£21,875

153

15%

£656

£1,312

£656

£1,312

1.6 Cooper S Roadster (Media Pack) 2d

£22,165

139

15%

£665

£1,330

£665

£1,330

1.6 Cooper S Roadster (Media Pack) 2d Auto

£23,310

153

15%

£699

£1,398

£699

£1,398

1.6 Cooper S Roadster (Sport Pack) 2d

£22,595

139

15%

£677

£1,355

£677

£1,355

1.6 Cooper S Roadster (Sport Pack) 2d Auto

£23,740

153

15%

£712

£1,424

£712

£1,424

1.6 Cooper S Roadster (Sport/Media Pack) 2d

£24,030

139

15%

£721

£1,442

£721

£1,442

1.6 Cooper S Roadster (Sport/Media Pack) 2d Auto

£25,175

153

15%

£755

£1,510

£755

£1,510

1.6 Cooper S Roadster (Chili Pack) 2d

£22,705

139

15%

£681

£1,362

£681

£1,362

1.6 Cooper S Roadster (Chili Pack) 2d Auto

£23,850

153

15%

£715

£1,431

£715

£1,431

1.6 Cooper S Roadster (Chili/Media Pack) 2d

£23,720

139

15%

£711

£1,423

£711

£1,423

1.6 Cooper S Roadster (Chili/Media Pack) 2d Autio

£24,865

153

15%

£746

£1,492

£746

£1,492

1.6 Cooper S Roadster (Chili/Sport Pack) 2d

£23,900

139

15%

£717

£1,434

£717

£1,434

1.6 Cooper S Roadster (Chili/Sport Pack) 2d Auto

£25,045

153

15%

£751

£1,502

£751

£1,502

1.6 Cooper S Roadster (Chili/Sport/Media Pack) 2d

£24,915

139

15%

£747

£1,494

£747

£1,494

1.6 Cooper S Roadster (Chili/Sport/Media Pack) 2d Auto

£26,060

153

15%

£781

£1,563

£781

£1,563

2.0 Cooper S D Roadster 2d

£21,575

118

13%

£561

£1,122

£561

£1,122

2.0 Cooper S D Roadster 2d Auto

£22,720

143

18%

£818

£1,636

£818

£1,636

2.0 Cooper S D Roadster (Media Pack) 2d

£23,010

118

13%

£598

£1,196

£598

£1,196

2.0 Cooper S D Roadster (Media Pack) 2d Auto

£24,155

143

18%

£869

£1,739

£869

£1,739

2.0 Cooper S D Roadster (Sport Pack) 2d

£23,440

118

13%

£609

£1,218

£609

£1,218

2.0 Cooper S D Roadster (Sport Pack) 2d Auto

£24,585

143

18%

£885

£1,770

£885

£1,770

2.0 Cooper S D Roadster (Sport/Media Pack) 2d

£24,875

118

13%

£646

£1,293

£646

£1,293

2.0 Cooper S D Roadster (Sport/Media Pack) 2d Auto

£26,020

143

18%

£936

£1,873

£936

£1,873

2.0 Cooper S D Roadster (Chili Pack) 2d

£23,550

118

13%

£612

£1,224

£612

£1,224

2.0 Cooper S D Roadster (Chili Pack) 2d Auto

£24,695

143

18%

£889

£1,778

£889

£1,778

2.0 Cooper S D Roadster (Chili/Media Pack) 2d

£24,565

118

13%

£638

£1,277

£638

£1,277

2.0 Cooper S D Roadster (Chili/Media Pack) 2d Auto

£25,710

143

18%

£925

£1,851

£925

£1,851

2.0 Cooper S D Roadster (Chili/Sport Pack) 2d

£24,745

118

13%

£643

£1,286

£643

£1,286

2.0 Cooper S D Roadster (Chili/Sport Pack) 2d Auto

£25,890

143

18%

£932

£1,864

£932

£1,864

2.0 Cooper S D Roadster (Chili/Sport/Media Pack) 2d

£25,760

118

13%

£669

£1,339

£669

£1,339

2.0 Cooper S D Roadster (Chili/Sport/Media Pack) 2d Auto

£26,905

143

18%

£968

£1,937

£968

£1,937

2.0 Cooper S D (Sport Pack) Clubman 5d

£22,190

115

13%

£577

£1,154

£577

£1,154

2.0 Cooper S D (Sport Pack) Clubman 5d Auto

£23,335

141

18%

£840

£1,680

£840

£1,680

2.0 Cooper S D (Sport/Media Pack) Clubman 5d

£23,530

115

13%

£611

£1,223

£611

£1,223

2.0 Cooper S D (Sport/Media Pack) Clubman 5d Auto

£24,675

141

18%

£888

£1,776

£888

£1,776

2.0 Cooper S D (Chili/Sport Pack) Clubman 5d

£23,360

115

13%

£607

£1,214

£607

£1,214

2.0 Cooper S D (Chili/Sport Pack) Clubman 5d Auto

£24,505

141

18%

£882

£1,764

£882

£1,764

2.0 Cooper S D (Chili/Sport/Media Pack) Clubman 5d

£24,270

115

13%

£631

£1,262

£631

£1,262

2.0 Cooper S D (Chili/Sport/Media Pack) Clubman 5d Auto

£25,415

141

18%

£915

£1,830

£915

£1,830

Cooper S Highgate

2012 / 2013 2013 / 2014
Model P11D Value CO2 g/km BIK Band 20% Tax 40% Tax 20% Tax 40% Tax

1.6 Cooper S Highgate Convertible 2d

£23,910

139

15%

£717

£1,434

£717

£1,434

1.6 Cooper S Highgate Convertible 2d Auto

£25,055

153

15%

£751

£1,503

£751

£1,503

1.6 Cooper S Highgate (Media Pack) Convertible 2d

£24,820

139

15%

£744

£1,489

£744

£1,489

1.6 Cooper S Highgate (Media Pack) Convertible 2d Auto

£25,965

153

15%

£779

£1,558

£779

£1,558

2.0 Cooper S D Highgate Convertible 2d

£24,720

118

13%

£642

£1,285

£642

£1,285

2.0 Cooper S D Highgate Convertible 2d Auto

£25,865

143

18%

£931

£1,862

£931

£1,862

2.0 Cooper S D Highgate (Media Pack) Convertible 2d

£25,630

118

13%

£666

£1,332

£666

£1,332

2.0 Cooper S D Highgate (Media Pack) Convertible 2d Auto

£26,775

143

18%

£964

£1,928

£964

£1,928

Camden

2012 / 2013 2013 / 2014
Model P11D Value CO2 g/km BIK Band 20% Tax 40% Tax 20% Tax 40% Tax

1.6 Camden 3d

£21,390

149

15%

£641

£1,283

£641

£1,283

1.6 Camden 3d Auto

£22,535

165

15%

£676

£1,352

£676

£1,352

1.6 (184bhp) Camden 3d

£21,390

136

15%

£641

£1,283

£641

£1,283

1.6 (184bhp) Camden 3d Auto

£22,535

149

15%

£676

£1,352

£676

£1,352

Cooper S Bayswater

2012 / 2013 2013 / 2014
Model P11D Value CO2 g/km BIK Band 20% Tax 40% Tax 20% Tax 40% Tax

1.6 Cooper S Bayswater 3d

£21,250

136

15%

£637

£1,275

£637

£1,275

1.6 Cooper S Bayswater 3d Auto

£22,395

149

15%

£671

£1,343

£671

£1,343

1.6 Cooper S Bayswater (Media Pack) 3d

£22,160

136

15%

£664

£1,329

£664

£1,329

1.6 Cooper S Bayswater (Media Pack) 3d Auto

£23,305

149

15%

£699

£1,398

£699

£1,398

2.0 Cooper S D Bayswater 3d

£22,060

114

13%

£573

£1,147

£573

£1,147

2.0 Cooper S D Bayswater 3d Auto

£23,205

139

18%

£835

£1,670

£835

£1,670

2.0 Cooper S D Bayswater (Media Pack) 3d

£22,970

114

13%

£597

£1,194

£597

£1,194

2.0 Cooper S D Bayswater (Media Pack) 3d Auto

£24,115

139

18%

£868

£1,736

£868

£1,736

Cooper S London

2012 / 2013 2013 / 2014
Model P11D Value CO2 g/km BIK Band 20% Tax 40% Tax 20% Tax 40% Tax

1.6 Cooper S London 2012 3d

£19,955

136

15%

£598

£1,197

£598

£1,197

1.6 Cooper S London 2012 3d Auto

£21,100

149

15%

£633

£1,266

£633

£1,266

2.0 Cooper S D London 2012 3d

£20,805

114

13%

£541

£1,082

£541

£1,082

2.0 Cooper S D London 2012 3d Auto

£21,950

139

18%

£790

£1,580

£790

£1,580

1.6 Cooper S London 2012 (Media Pack) 3d

£21,220

136

15%

£636

£1,273

£636

£1,273

1.6 Cooper S London 2012 (Media Pack) 3d Auto

£22,365

149

15%

£671

£1,342

£671

£1,342

1.6 Cooper S London 2012 (Chili Pack) 3d

£21,105

136

15%

£633

£1,266

£633

£1,266

1.6 Cooper S London 2012 (Chili Pack) 3d Auto

£22,250

149

15%

£667

£1,335

£667

£1,335

1.6 Cooper S London 2012 (Chili/Media Pack) 3d

£22,015

136

15%

£660

£1,320

£660

£1,320

1.6 Cooper S London 2012 (Chili/Media Pk) 3d Auto

£23,160

149

15%

£694

£1,389

£694

£1,389

2.0 Cooper S D London 2012 (Media Pack) 3d

£22,070

114

13%

£573

£1,147

£573

£1,147

2.0 Cooper S D London 2012 (Media Pack) 3d Auto

£23,215

139

18%

£835

£1,671

£835

£1,671

2.0 Cooper S D London 2012 (Chili Pack) 3d

£21,955

114

13%

£570

£1,141

£570

£1,141

2.0 Cooper S D London 2012 (Chili Pack) 3d Auto

£23,100

139

18%

£831

£1,663

£831

£1,663

2.0 Cooper S D London 2012 (Chili/Media Pack) 3d

£22,865

114

13%

£594

£1,188

£594

£1,188

2.0 Cooper S D London 2012 (Chili/Med Pk) 3d Auto

£24,010

139

18%

£864

£1,728

£864

£1,728

Mayfair

2012 / 2013 2013 / 2014
Model P11D Value CO2 g/km BIK Band 20% Tax 40% Tax 20% Tax 40% Tax

1.6 Mayfair 3d

£21,645

149

15%

£649

£1,298

£649

£1,298

1.6 Mayfair 3d Auto

£22,790

165

15%

£683

£1,367

£683

£1,367

1.6 (184bhp) Mayfair 3d

£21,645

136

15%

£649

£1,298

£649

£1,298

1.6 (184bhp) Mayfair 3d Auto

£22,790

149

15%

£683

£1,367

£683

£1,367

Inspired by Goodwood

2012 / 2013 2013 / 2014
Model P11D Value CO2 g/km BIK Band 20% Tax 40% Tax 20% Tax 40% Tax

1.6 Inspired by Goodwood 3d

£40,830

136

15%

£1,225

£2,450

£1,225

£2,450

1.6 Inspired by Goodwood 3d Auto

£40,830

149

15%

£1,225

£2,450

£1,225

£2,450