Hello! I'm glad I came across these forums. I've been doing a lot of research looking for a new car and out of a list of about 40 the MINI cooper S came out on top. Yay!

I did have a couple questions that I wasn't able to find online easily.
Question about mileage (I'll be getting a MINI around 02-05 year range)
Most of what I've seen rate the MCS as getting about 34 mpg highway.
Is this a fairly accurate representation of what I should expect?
I drive about 40 miles to work and back most days of the week on the interstate. I'm sure I'll be hopping on it around the city here and there.

My current car (96 saturn coupe) is rated at about 32mpg highway but regularly gets 35+. So I was wondering what the highest avg mileage was for an MCS.

The other question is mechanical. I do ALL the work on my own car and have plenty of experience in just about every area. Are there any other DIYers out there? Is the MCS difficult to work on under the hood? For example, is it very difficult to change the clutch w/out a hoist or other special equipment?
I don't expect my MINI to need extensive maintenance but I do expect I'll want to do some upgrades myself.

Thanks so much!

 

50 mile commute to work round trip, 28mpg 50/50 mix hwy city. One size up on tires, I think 215 vs. 205 (mpg went down 3 mpg). Best tank was 35 @ 65-70mph. '05 MCS stock. Neighbor sees avg of 40 w/'04 MC 5sp. My awd A4 gets 28mpg, the mini should do better.

 

Thanks that helps a bit. I have some racing hart 15" rims that I'll be putting on the mini. They only weigh 8lbs ea plus the 205 tires.

Are there any aftermarket performance upgrades that have a tendency to increase mileage? Such as a lightweight flywheel?

 

The '06 and earlier MCS (R53) isn't really an economy car. I drive 38 miles one way to work (36 highway) and get around 29-30 MPG during non-winter months (27-28 winter). The '07 and newer MCS (R56) gets better gas mileage (4 MPG better according to the Feds).

 

Good! My past 4 cars have been economy and I want something with some sport in it! I am asking so I can get a better idea of what to expect and how to budget for those costs.

 

I have an `07 MCS (R56) that I drive for my commute but its not a whole lot of highway. I get between 30 and 33 MPG. If I'm doing all highway I get upwards of 37-38 but I drive conservatively (not a lot of fast starts). Also you have to keep high octane gas in or your gas mileage will drop.

 

I live in FL and have only ever seen 93 octane around. I don't ever notice any real differences in mileage from season to season either.

I don't think I'll be able to afford an R56 though.

Another question, what kind of improvements can be seen from a higher flowing exhaust setup? (Header back)

 

Sorry if I was confusing, by high octane I mean 91-94

 

Sorry if I was confusing! I understand what high octane is. I was just saying that I certainly wouldn't be using anything less than 93. I know a lot of places have 91 octane.

 

ahhh ok, think we're on the same page now. I just didn't want you to think I was putting that racing fuel crap in. There was a place in town a few years ago that was selling ultra-high 100+ octane gas and called it "racing grade". A few friends ruined their engines with that crap.

 

Yeah I've never seen anything over 93 octane.
I keep seeing MCS on ebay that I've been watching get relisted. I'm not saying I want to buy one off of ebay but I am trying to get an idea of what kind of price I should pay.

Also what would you think the mileage cut off would be? 90K? I don't want to be doing TOO much maintenance in the near future. I haven't read much on the longevity of the car and how it holds up after 100k or so. I guess maybe not too many people have pushed it that far yet.