MC= a well balanced car. MCS=a well balanced car too (But at a higher price) The MCS is fun, but think of the accomplishment you'll feel when your able to keep up with MCS on FLAT twisties!!!! The MC is more "involving" and (to me) more of a "driver's car".....plain and simple it felt like the MCS was cheating!!! I LOVE my MC and when the time comes for a new MINI, I'd pay EXTRA for a MC over a MCS!!!!!

 

MC owner here as well. I have no need for the S so there was no reason to buy it, I don't plan on racing.

 

Haha, well I wouldn't go THAT far, I do have to say that I am very pleased with my Cooper, and don't regret not buying an S.

And I *DO* consider myself a "driver", since my Cooper is used almost exclusively for autocross and track days. We have a different car that we use for a daily driver. Every now and then I'll drive the Mini to the store or something, but mostly it only comes out of the garage for the fun stuff.

 

WoW! I didn't expect this many responses, but many, many thanx to all who offered their opinions (and to those who have yet to offer theirs...) Frankly, at first I was leaning toward the Cooper, then, after reading more (opinions, reviews (both "expert" and non), I leaned more to the "S." I am definitely going to have it (whichever model I decide upon) in a manual transmission because I just LOVE the sound and sensation of going up thru (and down) the gears! I don't know exactly when I will get one, hopefully w/in the next 3 mos., but I'll keep you posted. Many thanks, people, for your input/opinions...

 

I still would rather go for an optioned up MC over a bare bones MCS any day

You can get quite a lot of the options you might want on a MC and STILL be under the base price of a MCS... It all depends what options you want too... To me, the added stuff to the S I couldn't really care less about other than the sport seats... I don't need the extra power, 6-speeds confuse the hell out of me for some reason, I LOATHE the sport suspension plus, and who really NEEDS bigger wheels and those horrible run-flats?!

Not that I am against the S, it's just to me, it's not my cup of tea. I love ALL MINI's... just don't like the way the S's drive

 

You've never had to merge on the Capitol beltway during rush hour.

Nice car btw.

 

I went for the "purpose built" MCS.. I would rather go without all the accessories and assorted crapola. A fully optioned out MC only adds weight and takes away from the minimalistic approach to handling and performance and adds unnecessary.complexity.
I got mine optioned for handling.. no sunroof or automatic wipers for me.. I kept it light and got LSD, xenons and DSC.. Nothing like hitting a corner hard and being able to power out onto the straight. Not to mention the addicting SC whine...
The benefits of supercharging are great and there are not many negatives. The SC is very intergrated with linear power that is very useable on the street and track. This is why the MCS feels so right. It's not the peaky power you expect from a turbocharged 4 cyl engine..
The weight difference between the MCS and MC is about 150 lbs.. When you option out the MC, you lose that advantage quickly. The MCS already includes the sport + suspension and seats... Just adding those items to the MC will add a good bit of weight... For me the choice was easy.... I like the extra power and having the go-fast parts standard... The MCS is a bargain...

 

How do you figure? The sport seats might have a couple pounds more padding, and the thicker swaybars in the SS+ might add a pound or two, but I don't see anything significant.

I do agree with your general point, though.

 

Going by the numbers on miniusa.com, the weight difference is 176lbs when both have the manual transmissions. Of course, those numbers are not to be trusted.

And the xenons are heavier than the halogen lights. An extra fluid tank for the washers, and the washers themselves. Not that it really matters, of course.

 

Of course that is your opinion. Like I was saying, it really depends on people's choices... I agree with you about loading it up. I for one am not 'loading' up my MC. I'm only adding MFSW, Auto AC, sport seats and rear fog. That is it. I think it ultimately comes down to how you like to drive and what suits you.

Btw, yours sounds pretty nice

 

As others have stated, it's all about personal preferances and and available funds. The way to determine which model fits you best is to test drive both.
For me, horsepower was more important than the difference in fuel mileage. Ride harshness wasn't a concern, in fact I prefer a stiff suspension. I could justify spending the extra $$ on a "S" but couldn't justify the JCW. If money weren't a factor, a JCW would be in my garage.
Whatever option you choose you'll have a car that handles great and won't be dissapointed.
Good luck!!

 

Thanks... You are right... it all comes down to personal preference... Either one has its own merits and will be fun to drive... You can't go wrong either way..