Drove a 2025 Cooper S...

kicksology

kicksology

Member
uc

My wife and I were given a 2025 Cooper S as a loaner while her ’23 Countryman S was in for service (I drive a ’22 Cooper SE), and we ended up driving it for four days. Just some thoughts on the experience in case anyone is curious about the F66 (representative photo of its interior above)...

PROS
  • I thought the ride was excellent—noticeably more forgiving over bumps and rough pavement as compared to my SE, without being overly soft.
  • To me, at least, the completely re-worked interior gave the cabin a much more spacious feel, even though I don't believe interior volume has changed significantly.
  • I found forward visibility much improved—the interior area of the A-pillars has been sculpted to minimize visual blockage, and the rear-view mirror assembly also seemed to take up less visual space.
  • Overall, I thought it was fun to drive.

CONS
  • While the updated interior felt more spacious, it also felt depressingly sterile. Fun and whimsy are at the core of why people are willing to pay more for Mini, but, to me, the interior of the new Cooper is completely devoid of either (the new "Experience Modes" are no substitute for feeling like you're sitting in an econobox). This really had a huge impact on my wife and me—we love driving in my SE, but we couldn't wait to give back the new Cooper S. I've included an interior photo from J.D. Power above, which shows the cabin spec of our loaner. If you want one component that speaks to the larger problem, look at the top console that houses the controls for the sunroof and cabin lighting. In our SEs, that console is bespoke to Mini and features wonderfully tactile toggle switches, whereas the console in the new Cooper S is so clearly straight out of the BMW parts pin, with no visual connection to any other aspect of the Mini's design. Really, really disappointing.
  • Since my car is electric and our loaner was ICE, I can't offer a direct comparison on the powertrain, but I wouldn't describe the ICE engine as fun. The car also consistently lurched on low-speed braking (e.g. at stop lights). I tried to modulate the pressure on the brake pedal in all kinds of ways, but I could not avoid this lurch. Maybe this issue would subside after more miles, but it just kind of contributed to the overall "low rent" feel of the experience.
  • I know there are lots of opinions about the new, almost entirely screen-based user experience, so, clearly, YMMV, but I thought it was a disaster. The OLED screen is truly stunning, but the positioning of elements on the circular display felt random and arbitrary. Would I get used to it over time? Perhaps, but I wouldn't want to, and it was a big enough issue that I actually think it would eliminate this generation of Cooper from my consideration set if I were shopping for an ICE car today.
So, all-in-all, a pretty big disappointment. As a fan of Mini who wants to see the brand—and the 2-door hardtop in particular—succeed, I really, really hope they significantly update the interior in forthcoming mid-cycle refreshes and model updates.

Has anyone else spent time in an F66? If so, did you have similar takeaways, or do you think I'm entirely off-base? The car seems to be selling well globally (though, according to MotoringFile, not so well in the U.S.), so it's entirely possible that I'm in the minority.
 
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To me it's a 1961 Morris Mini throwback with a modern twist. As I have said before, the new aesthetic isn't Guy Fieri compatible.

5815425316_4a0c71009f_k.webp

flavortown.webp

Maybe I'll add a F66 side profile later.
 
kicksology said:
Has anyone else spent time in an F66? If so, did you have similar takeaways, or do you think I'm entirely off-base?
Click to expand...
I had an F66 loaner for a few weeks while my SE was getting its wiring redone, and I tend to agree with your observations. Although my impression of the interior was more positive, and I really like the new materials. But now that you mention the overhead console, it really is generic and underwhelming.

And driving an ICE vehicle after going all-in on EVs is really off-putting. The slow acceleration and lurching during shifting is really noticeable now.
 
kicksology said:
uc

My wife and I were given a 2025 Cooper S as a loaner while her ’23 Countryman S was in for service (I drive a ’22 Cooper SE), and we ended up driving it for four days. Just some thoughts on the experience in case anyone is curious about the F66 (representative photo of its interior above)...

PROS
  • I thought the ride was excellent—noticeably more forgiving over bumps and rough pavement as compared to my SE, without being overly soft.
  • To me, at least, the completely re-worked interior gave the cabin a much more spacious feel, even though I don't believe interior volume has changed significantly.
  • I found forward visibility much improved—the interior area of the A-pillars has been sculpted to minimize visual blockage, and the rear-view mirror assembly also seemed to take up less visual space.
  • Overall, I thought it was fun to drive.

CONS
  • While the updated interior felt more spacious, it also felt depressingly sterile. Fun and whimsy are at the core of why people are willing to pay more for Mini, but, to me, the interior of the new Cooper is completely devoid of either (the new "Experience Modes" are no substitute for feeling like you're sitting in an econobox). This really had a huge impact on my wife and me—we love driving in my SE, but we couldn't wait to give back the new Cooper S. I've included an interior photo from J.D. Power above, which shows the cabin spec of our loaner. If you want one component that speaks to the larger problem, look at the top console that houses the controls for the sunroof and cabin lighting. In our SEs, that console is bespoke to Mini and features wonderfully tactile toggle switches, whereas the console in the new Cooper S is so clearly straight out of the BMW parts pin, with no visual connection to any other aspect of the Mini's design. Really, really disappointing.
  • Since my car is electric and our loaner was ICE, I can't offer a direct comparison on the powertrain, but I wouldn't describe the ICE engine as fun. The car also consistently lurched on low-speed braking (e.g. at stop lights). I tried to modulate the pressure on the brake pedal in all kinds of ways, but I could not avoid this lurch. Maybe this issue would subside after more miles, but it just kind of contributed to the overall "low rent" feel of the experience.
  • I know there are lots of opinions about the new, almost entirely screen-based user experience, so, clearly, YMMV, but I thought it was a disaster. The OLED screen is truly stunning, but the positioning of elements on the circular display felt random and arbitrary. Would I get used to it over time? Perhaps, but I wouldn't want to, and it was a big enough issue that I actually think it would eliminate this generation of Cooper from my consideration set if I were shopping for an ICE car today.
So, all-in-all, a pretty big disappointment. As a fan of Mini who wants to see the brand—and the 2-door hardtop in particular—succeed, I really, really hope they significantly update the interior in forthcoming mid-cycle refreshes and model updates.

Has anyone else spent time in an F66? If so, did you have similar takeaways, or do you think I'm entirely off-base? The car seems to be selling well globally (though, according to MotoringFile, not so well in the U.S.), so it's entirely possible that I'm in the minority.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the report! Straight from the front lines, as it were. ;)
 
I had one for a day. The ICE car really needs a manual, that motor is just no fun with the AT. The lack of powertrain fun dominates the experience above all else.

The interior design / materials is a huge step up from the F56. The fabrics, colors, and minimalism did make my SE feel very last gen when I got it back. Some of the down low plastics on the new car were noticeably worse, but the upper stuff was awesome.

That said, the lack of buttons is horrible, especially right away, as everything is hard to find. I'm sure you'd learn, but tough learning curve. I did find the massaging seats feature which was... cool?

I'm pretty out on all the modes, each of which was nice on one regard and bad on others. Just make one mode that's good for everything, you know, like BMW used to excel at.

Other than that, I felt like it drove pretty much like an F56, which is unsurprising since it's a fresh coat of paint on the same-ish chassis.
 
I think it's only going to get worse as more and more platforms become "software defined vehicles" whatever that truly means.
 
Software defined vehicles is whatever you want it to be..just like luxury could be squatting toilets at Mount Everest base camp.

The only thing I am really annoyed by is the lack of a dedicated air recirculate button on the F66 & U25 models. I can live without the physical temperature dials and fan speed, but there are still stinky fossil vehicles on the road!
 
Maybe is wrong location to posting here for my experience driving my son BMW X4M Competiition on Saturday as many people complains about SE harsh ride take that car for a spin and you going to now what is harsh ride for a $85000 car and my wife was hitting a head entering a passenger side of a car which never happens in SE and as I put 150 miles with SE on Saturday SE on Hankooks /16” 35/32 PSI Sport mode is like driving Cadillac compared to that BMW and obviously a car is fast.
 
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