Hello, I am a newbie to this site. It appears to have just about everything necessary in this site. I do have a couple of questions if you don't mind.

I am planning on purchasing a new MC or MCS soon. I just can't decide which one.

I don't plan to race or autocross, etc. I do appreciate very spirited driving but don't drive anywhere like I did several years ago. I have driven a MC but not the S version. Just how much faster or better yet quicker (in seat of the pants jargon) is the S? What I like is the ability to get great gas mileage if I want, but have a lot of punch if I choose to use it. How much gas mileage penalty will I pay for the S if I should try to really get good mileage?

Maybe like some of you, several of the features I want are only availalbe in the S version. Just looking to start a discussion because I have a lot more questions.

thanks,

YD

 

MCS ALL THE WAY!!!!!!

 

Check this thread
This topic had been discuss many times....
It is hard to say which one is good to get, since different person have different priority, and both MC and MCS have their own good.

 

Drive both and based on your description you will choose MCS

 

Welcome Yo'sDad!!:smile: You referred to "spirited driving", "faster", "quicker", and "punch"...if those items are in the forefront of your mind, get an MCS. MCs pull...MCSs pull harder. Both drive like gokarts, though, so if fuel economy trumps accelleration an MC will serve you very well.

 

I would definately go or the MCS. I have had mine for 3 weeks and haven't regretted my decision yet. The gas mileage is great (averaging about 28 MPG) in mixed highway/city driving and it is a blast to drive. I recommend definately driving the MCS and you won't be disappointed. If you want the zip and power (money not being a major concern) go with the MCS. If you really need to keep the final price lower, the MC is not a bad option, just not the G puller the MCS is.

usna92

 

You have to ask yourself, "Do I want fuel economy? or do I want SS+, supercharger whine, agressive look of the MCS bumpers, 6 speed, more HP, and center mounted exhauts?" Once you answer that question, you're going to know which one to get.

 

I went through the same dilemna. You'll have to drive both and decide for yourself...that is if cost isn't the issue. The MCS doe cost a bit more than the MC. For the additional cost, you get a more power engine, additional gear on the transmission, a slightly stiffer suspension. For that, you trade off a bit of gas mileage.

After checking my finances, I ended up getting the MCS. But feel I could be just as happy with the MC if I didn't have to climb all those hills and drive on the freeway to get to and from work.

 

Dig down a bit and you'll learn that the engine internals are different, with the bottom end of the S engine being a bit beefier. May not be relevant to you, but interesting nonetheless.

 

I would cut that list way down. You can add SS+ to the Cooper for $500. Pick up some take-off S bumpers on ebay for a couple of hundred. You could even get a muffler shop to make an custom center exit exhaust for a c-note.

 

Thanks guys, I am very familiar with the specs of the two cars, but am wondering.


Just how much mileage penalty?

My friend who let me drive his MC, said he can get over 40mpg if he tries. If you really tried, how good could the MCS be if gas was $4?
How much reliability or maintenance penalty?
Is the ride too harsh?

I keep my cars for 300 to 500K miles, will the mini do it?

I am a maintenance freaque, drive hard but very smooth, never abuse any machinery. I appreciate a fine machine with great engineering and purpose. Sounds like I'm talking myself into the MCS. hummm

I really like the red and black two toned seats and the red door and dash trim. Is there any way to get that in the MC?

Sorry for all the qs but I figured I'd ask the guys who know.

YD

 

Technically Red Dash and Door trim are only available from the factory, and only on the MCS

That aside I am 100% confident that a dealer somewhere could get them for you and you could install them on the MC

Gotta love the modular design of these cars

I wanted a MINI and had nothing to compensate for.... I went MC.

If you drive on public roads at the posted speedlimits etc, a MC will give you 90+% the performance of a MCS. With the better fuel mileage! Mileage is MANDITORY considering that all MINIs must use atleast 93 octane.

Now if you are going to race... On a strip, solo or against others, that is simple... MCS JCW 100% factory warrenty.

 

- I've seen about a 5-6 mpg difference on average between my Cooper (25k miles) and my Works S (29k miles to date). I don't think you'll be able to coax the S much beyond 35 mpg, and that would be very painful.

- I can imagine, all other things being equal, the additional power will wear the clutch, transmission, cv joints, etc. more quickly, and you'll have to replace supercharger belts every now and then. In the very long run, I would guess the S would be slightly less reliable and more expensive to own.

- You must test drive to determine if you think the S ride is too harsh. Harsh is good!

- I would not consider the Mini as a 300k car in the way I would a Toyota. Ok, not even close. It will "do it" but so will any car, with enough money invested. I drove an Alfa for many years that had more than 300k miles on it, but it had been completey rebuilt mechanically multiple times. I think the Mini will be closer to the Alfa than the Toyota on that spectrum, both in longevity and parts cost.

- Just built an MC on Miniusa and was able to add the red/black cloth/leather upholstery.

I would say if you drive both and are at all undecided, get the Cooper, maybe with the SS+. It is an incredible car. I loved mine. If you enjoy modding, you could do an intake, exhaust, cam and software and probably get 140hp out of it - normally aspirated.

 

It depends on your foot. My 2003 MC gets around 21MPG around the city and 24MPG at it's best. Yes, this is an MC not MCS. Why such low MPG?

Well let me see, I like to change gears at 6,500 rpm and sometimes 7,000 (I've got the MTH ECU mod that raises the rev limiter)

I like to drive very spiritedly. Recently I've had the chance to drive a 2005 MC and MCS. I'd say the new gearing of the 05 MC combined with the notchier Getrag, it feels peppy, and I'm actually in the process of upgrading to a 2006 MC. But, and this is a big But, I'm tempted to buy a 2004 or 2005 MCS instead if I come across one with relatively low miles.

Why?? The MC is a great car if you drive alone exclusively, or maybe have one lightweight passenger, but for best performance, you'll want the AC off, drive alone, and really work the gearbox which is lots of fun--but since I'm driving my car at max performance all the time---sometimes I want just a bit more oomph, and the MCS has it. Of course, when I drive the MCS like I drive my MC, I go waaaaay tooooo fast, which means, I can drive the MCS more relaxed--don't have to care about AC or how many passengers I got, but I will have to worry about my loss of a spare tire, since run flats are pretty crappy (unless I'm running from the cops and want to be impervious to spike strips--as was shown on a recent police chase here in LA). Just my 2cents.

Richard

 

Word 2 tha *****.

 

God I'm getting tired of this euphemism. Let's be honest. You flog the living sh#t out of your Cooper. And it loves every minute of it.

 

MCS for speed MC if in need

 

For me it was the MCS that filled the need for me. Yes the mileage won't be as high as the MC. That's ok with me. Both cars are great & you'll love either one. My friend drove her MCS from DC to Ohio today & averaged 35 mpg. Not too shabby.

Chuck

 

MCS.... even a base one, can't go wrong

 

Crashton:

Thanks for a real number. That's what I'm looking for, as in what sort of mileage do you get when you flog it, drive 'normally', or drive for mileage. I really want the S, just trying to justify it.... hard to part with money without making sure of what I'm doing. I realize that the S is meant to run hard and is a blast when you do, but surely it can be driven softly if one ever wanted to.

Thanks to all of you for your input.

YD

 

I can't compare my MCS to a regular Cooper, but I knew when I made my decision that I might not be content with the Cooper. In addition to the oerformance differences I also like the look of the MCS better, such as the hood scoop and the double exhaust.Gas mileage depends on your driving style, but I average out city and highway despite relatively aggressive driving 27mpg.
H

 

and no spare....

 

Regarding not driving like you used to...
I haven't driven like this since i was in my teens.

 

I don't think I could even afford a car capable of driving like this when I was in my teens.

 

Zman brought up the tire thing, that was a hard decision for me...tires for my MCS are ridiculous but living in Texas and needing to run the AC all the time I went for the motor with a little more umph...as many before me have said it really boils down to your personal preference and needs. I don't see how either is a "bad choice"!