Mini Roadster Cooper S 2dr Car Review - March 2012

The four cylinder engine delivers a more than adequate power output of 184 bhp at 5500 rpm with torque figures of 177 lb-ft at 1600-5000 rpm. An impressive top speed of 141 mph is more than sufficient for a car of this class and combines with rapid acceleration speeds which allow the car to reach 0-62 mph in just 7.0 seconds.

In terms of noise disruption, there is a fair amount of sound within the cabin due to excessive wind and road noise. The engine adds a fair amount of noise to this as well but most of the time this is the manner most buyers expect from this type of car. Unfortunately the handling of the car is a little less than comfortable at times due to a lack of stability and control within the steering and over-firmness.

In terms of in-car kit, this vehicle comes with a good supply of basic equipment. Some luxuries are only available for an additional charge however and that means the car could become an expensive option.

The standard equipment includes: power steering, central locking, stability control, air conditioning, electric windows, electric door mirrors, rear parking sensorsand an advanced stereo system with CD and MP3 compatibility.

For an open car, this model is fairly practical and there is plenty of room and adjustment for the driver and passenger. Both the seats and the steering column are adjustable for a range of movement and this means that driving positions are comfortable.

Some of the materials look and feel cheap whilst others are the height of luxury, making the interior a real area of contrast. However, the overall quality of the build seems high and this makes reliability a strong asset for this model. The reputation of the brand is also good for this and Mini consistently score well in customer satisfaction surveys.

In terms of storage capacity, the boot offers a modest 240 litres. As there are only two seats in this model there is no option to expand this by folding down the rear seats and this means that use may be a little limited.

Safety levels are also high within this model due to an advanced safety kit. This includes standard fittings such as driver, passenger and front side airbags with an alarm and immobiliser also fitted to deter thieves.

Priced at £20,900 this is model is evenly priced against its main rival: the Mazda MX-5. Compared to this model the Mini offers far better fuel economy and its strong resale values mean that it is a great long term investment for buyers.

Efficiency is fairly impressive with the car achieving 47.1 mpg on a combined cycle. This combines with decent carbon emissions of 139 g/km which place the car in a relatively modest road tax band (E).

For those looking for an affordable open car, the Mini Roadster Cooper S is therefore the perfect option. Performance credentials are more than sufficient for a car of this class and there is a good range of basic equipment found within the interior. On top of this, low running costs are generated due to high fuel efficiency and low carbon emissions, making this car a great performer on all fronts.