A british icon with german underpinnings? Where do I sign? This time, we review a Mini Cooper S R56, made by Kyosho.
If you like hot-hatches, you're probably fond of the Cooper S. And why shouldn't you? It looks good, it's very fun to drive, it's endlessly customizable and it goes like stink. It makes for a very interesting track car, too.
Yes, we admit it, it's a little overpriced. Do we still want one? Of course!
Miniature's Review
Mold
Is it a Mini Cooper S? Yes it is, perfectly molded without perceptible imperfections although the fuel cap could be more detailed, having the optional and beautiful fuel cap we can find on Mini's catalogue. The positive camber hurts this diecast a little, too.
About the remaining details, it's a good Kyosho's diecast.
Photorevvin' gives: 4/5
Details
It has all the chrome stuff we can see on the regular Cooper S, we can see the spiral the antenna has, the lateral turning lights are well detailed with the red "S", naming this Mini version and those rear seats? Well they are actually folding seats, which is a pretty rare detail in a diecast.
The interior is well detailed, specially the front seats and steering wheel (we can see buttons) and we do have real carpet on it. Not plastic, but flock.
The engine bay has plenty of details too, although we think it could be a bit better. The hood should be sustained like the one's we can find on AUTOart's AE86, with a stick.
Oh, the fuel cap, we already said it could be way more detailed.
Photorevvin' gives: 4/5
Build quality
It's as it looks. Everything well put together, very little gaps and durable materials.
Everything but that positive camber on the rear axle. It could be more accurate and it is a sad fault on a frankly good diecast
.
Photorevvin' gives: 4/5
Value for money
It has a surprising value for money, getting a diecast like this one for under 50€ makes it a great deal.
Photorevvin' gives: 5/5
Final Evaluation
Although there are imperfections we can't forgive the fuel cap and the positive camber on rear axle, it is a solid and well detailed diecast from Kyosho.
The British Racing Green is also very appealing, specially with white stripes, wheels, roof and mirror and we would like to see a clear interior, but it's OK like it is.
The value for money is the best reason to buy it.
Photorevvin' gives: 17/20
