I thought there'd be a bazillion threads on this topic but I can't find any..

Drove both last night. I like the nice ride and easy rowing through the gears of the non-S, feels like a classic Mini. Also like the kick in the *** of the S. I don't like the harsh ride and my commute is all 4 lane slab, so if I want to hoon about I need to purposely go on that kind of ride, and for that I'm usually on a motorcycle.

So, is the 16" S rim option significantly plusher than the 17"? Is the non-S a lot of work to wring any power out of? Ideally there'd be a sport button that affected suspension and engine power...

I also hear the 2 MPG difference in the real world is a lot more. If you drive the non-S like it's a sports car, how much worse is the mileage than the EPA numbers?

thanks,
jim

 

Try this
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ught-an-s.html

This is an older one
http://www.autos.ca/car-test-drives/...e-extra-bucks/

 

I opted for the 2004 Mini Cooper S that I test drove...became addicted to the supercharger whine!

 

Have you changed the pulley and air filter? It is even more intoxicating then.

 

The decision between these two MINIs is very personal. I own a '07 S and have only driven a straight Cooper a few times. Here are my thoughts:
- don't drive the S if you like the acceleration kick and even want to consider the non-S. You'll never get it in the non-S, even with mods.
- the non-S is a great little car. If you don't compare it to the S, it's a good performer.
- The non-S has proven to be pretty reliable. The S is not rated nearly as high. These are NOT Japanese cars that you drive and forget. You need to watch the fluids. Warm them up before you mash the throttle....
- The 16" wheels will ride softer than the 17". I would never pay for the upgrade in OEM wheels (way too heavy and high $$$ - go aftermarket). The easiest way to get a softer ride is to ditch the run-flat tires.

I love my MINI. I still grin when I get in to drive. I want to keep it for a LONG time. That being said, I wish I had never driven the S. I would have been happy with the straight Cooper, but I fell in love with the turbo kicking in and that was all she wrote for me.

 

I had a 2007 MCS and traded it in for my 2011 MC. The main things I did not like on my MCS were the relatively large number of problems, the harsh ride of the run flat tires, and the tendency for the car to load up if not run hard often. Since my driving is mostly back roads with lots of turns and hills, the handling is more important to me than the power. I am very pleased with my MC which has the standard suspension (non run flat) tires. The ride is still firm but not punishing, the power is more than adequate, and the problems have not been an issue. The reason I say the problems have not been an issue, is they have not required me to make a special trip to the dealer. The water temperature switch update and the A/C vibration isolater update were both handled during scheduled maintenance. These were the only problems in the 15+k miles I have driven. Every problem with either car was completely paid for by the dealer. Since the 2007 MCS was the first year of the 2nd generation MINI, many of the problems have been solved. I would estimate the gas mileage difference to be about 2 MPG if you drive the same way. If you drive both agressively, the gas milelage of the MC will be quite a bit better but you don't have nearly as much power.

Morris, 2011 MC, PW/B, Manual Transmission, Base suspension

 

I drive a base model 08 mt. I've added a NM torque arm insert and AFE drop in dry air filter. We attended MITO (Minis in the Ozarks) in October and I had no trouble keeping up with the sc's and tc's on some pretty fun twisty runs while there. I've had lots of quick and fast cars in my almost 60 years but this automobile is by far the most fun to motor in. We did a 3500 mile trip this summer out west and I can't wait for the next one. Test drive all you can before you make a decision. Go for low miles and service records to make sure it's been kept up properly. I test drove an 06 sc back in June , original owner, he didn't know where the battery was, I checked the oil after the drive and it didn't show on the stick. Some owners care for their cars and some don't. Good luck!

 

I test drove both an S and a non-S, and ordered the S. I tend to think hp is like money: no matter how much you have, you always wish you had more; plus it's just plain fun.

 

good luck. Keep us posted and post some pics.

 

But when you buy the HP, then you have less money!
Congrats on the purchase, welcome to the club!

 

Ooh, you're right, guess I didn't think this through very well...

Still, the real point is more horsepower is good. I think it's easier to get more money later than to add (real) hp to a car.

Thanks!

Back to the original poster's questions, I don't think there is any inherent ride difference between the non-S and the S. Regular suspension with 16" wheels is available in both (standard, actually), and ought to give the softest ride, which can be made better by replacing the run-flats with regular tires (or so I've read).

When I bought my motorcycle a few years ago, I opted for a lower horsepower model because it had other features I wanted. I'm very happy with it overall, but I often wish it had more power, despite the fact that it's faster than most cars and plenty fast enough to keep up with other bikes on twisty (public) roads. So it's certainly true that you don't need the extra horsepower, but only you can know if you'll miss it if you opt to get the non-S.

-Brett

 

We have two Justas, and our reasoning was like this:
1. They start out less expensive
2. They are more dependable
3. Better gas mileage
4. They have a spare tire.
5. They are just as quick in the twisties, at least at safe speeds...

You have to consider what you are mostly doing with the car. If you are mostly commuting or doing little errands, or long trips for business, the Justa is going to have all the power you need, and better mileage. If you like the speed and don't care as much about cost, get the turbo. There is no right or wrong, only your own preferences and considerations.

Good luck! Test them both, but make sure to hit that Sport button to give the Justa it's due. It has surprising effect, particularly in an automatic.

 

Braminator,

My S has the K&N Typhoon CAI and the Craven 15% Pulley. It also has the one ball exhaust mod and sounds dynamite, especially above 3000RPM!

 

Awesome

 

I test drove both. I decided a nicely equipped Cooper was better over the S for me and my wallet in the long run.

 

We got both (well, now we have the Cooper and the JCW), they're both fun in their own way and I could be perfectly happy with either.

 

I got my MCS first, then a few months later got a Justa. If I had to do it over again, I would still pick the MCS first. However, that being said, I also know now what options I would've selected in my MCS that I didn't get that I got in the Justa. The Justa is an automatic and it just shifts way too funny throughout the gears. It does have a much quieter and smoother ride than my MCS due to the non-RF tires. I have yet to try the sports button on the Justa...