Hello everybody, my daily-driver MR2 has turned into more of a project car, so I'm looking for something fun to replace it with as a daily driver. I'm considering both the mini and the new GTI.

I'd really like to keep it as base as possible, with the exception of cruise control and the LSD. I will be autocrossing it on a fairly regular basis, so I assume that the LSD is a good option. Is DSC necessary or worth it?

I'm in the very early stages of buying this car, so I'm really just looking for your thoughts as to what options are good to have, which ones to skip, and so on. Also if anyone has driven both the new GTI and the Cooper S I'd like to know what made you decide on the Cooper.

Thanks,
Jimmy

 

A friend of mine at work drove an MCS for a few years and then bought a new GTI a few months ago and says he dearly misses his MCS. He bought the GTI for more space, basically, but still wanted something that could move. He likes the car, just says it is nowhere near as sharp as the MCS was.

 

As I think you'll find around here, not only is there a ton of enthusiasm for the Cooper S but it is an excellent car. I haven't driven the GTI but the S handles extremely well, has good acceleration and torque, and is very solid. In my opinion, it would be worth every penny because not only are you buying an amazing car but you would be joining a very active and supportive community of MINI enthusiasts. On Saturday I was at the local MINI dealer and I spent about 15 minutes with a salesman discussing mods I could do to my MINI. These weren't just the John Cooper Works mods either, they were additional mods that the dealer offers and this particular dealer covers them under the manufacturer's warranty! Now how often can you go into a car dealer and have that type of a conversation with a salesman who isn't just there to sell the car but is an enthusiast and is as excited about your car as you are? Again, I don't know the GTI well enough to make a comparison, but the MINI Cooper S is awesome! And if you really want to make it quick there are plenty of great aftermarket suppliers out there.

 

That's pretty much what I've heard, the GTI is nowhere near as responsive on the handling as the MCS. I'd much prefer good handling to higher horsepower, and I think I'd like the response of the supercharger over the turbo. My MR2 is supercharged, and I've always liked the torque in the low rpm's.

 

So what options would you guys recommend? Does the base come with no oil pressure gauge?

I'm really just looking at getting a LSD and cruise control, anything else ya'll would recommend?

 

Have you test driven the S and the GTI? I gave a ride to a guy who recently bought a new GTi all he had to say was WOW! He too should have tested the S. The Mini is a natural autoX car. Pure driving pleasure, the 1st thing I do when I get in the car is start it, the second is turn off the DSC. Hate it, but after the mods I've done it's probably good for when my wife drives the car How sexist of me, she too loves to drive the Mini, just not in the same fashon I do. VW,perhaps has the best tv advertising but the Mini is the better car. As you can see by my login name, VW's "MyFast" advertisements were, I thought, a true expression of how people feel while driving the Mini S Good Luck on your decision

 

The chrono package comes w/ oil pres gauge, i think it's $200 or so?, but that would move the speedo from the center, which is not good. The only other thing i would get would be xenons but they're not really necessary. And maybe front and rear fogs.

also you can install a nice looking aftermarket oil pressure gauge, it's a win win situation.

 

The chrono package gives you the oil pressure, oil temp, water temp, and fuel gauge all together, and moves the speedo more in your line of sight where it should be.

 

I did want to hear about your thoughts on the DSC, thanks MyFast.

I would like to see the chrono pack in person, not sure if I like the way it looks...

 

Of all the options, I highly recommend LSD, since you've made reference to responsiveness and handling.

Since this will be my second (but primary) car, I decided that I can drive without all the other options. My car: MCS, LSD, "Seven" Piano Black dash. That's it.

(Yes, I cannot live without the Seven Piano dash.)

 

I have the chrono package and love the looks and the functionality. I think the LSD is worth the money but the DSC is too intrusive on dry payment (I turn it off when the road is dry). You'll love the handling and the fun to drive quotient! FYI - both of our MINIs are daily drivers (no garage queens here).

 

We just got an 06 MCS and did not get the sport package so no DSC, but did ask for the LSD which is working out great so far. I'll also confirm that the default traction control gets out of hand on the track...

At both of the first track events of MTTS (LSIR and Sandia) I had to turn it off to get good acceleration out of turns... Otherwise the computer would suspect wheel spin was imminent (never got more than a chirp) and would bog like crazy.

I opted against the runflat tires ($300 each to replace!!) and chose to order the car with whatever stock 16"s they wanted to fit to it at the factory. By the time the car I arrived, I had a set of anthracite powdercoated S-Lites with some stickier non-run-flat rubber ready to go.

I noticed too late you could get a leather trimmed dash as part of the JCW options... oh well... could have been interesting although I have yet to see one in real life. Automatic wipers and headlights probably would have been a good idea too but we didn't think about that one either...

All in all we've had it about 6 weeks and have piled on 6000miles so far.
Other than an annoying aero whistle at 90mph on the freeway the car is perfect - absolutely perfect. I'm 6'2" and I still have plenty of headroom even with a helmet on.

Good luck,

-e

 

DSC is highly recommended if you live where it snows. It saved my bacon a couple of times when the road turned slippery. You can always shut it off for autocrossing.

 

Agreed, DSC might come in handy on a daily driver, especially on a MCS. To me it seems less needed on a Cooper because there's not as much grunt to manage.

 

How much does the GTI weigh? The MCS is a great car for daily driving, making on ramps a "woohoo" event. The LSD is a must have- my car was built before that became an option, and it is the one thing I envy about the '05 and '06 MINIs. Don't get a sunroof if you autoX, it ads something like 70 pounds where you least want it. From what I hear, factory "gauges" are more like idiot lights, and don't give you vital info- but look around on NAM, and you'll find how to's on installing aftermarket gauges. And I'll echo the comments about DSC. It's good to have if you live where the weather gets nasty.

 

the GTI is no nowheres near the handing of a baseline Cooper, forget the S version.

GTI is great for those that always wanted a GTI and like volks a whole lot.

that's about it. MCS is a much much much more classy car as well.

I considered a civic si, supercharged Scion and a GTI before I settled firmly on the MCS. The regular cooper without any options handles better and more comfortably than any of those cars. So, the mcs was a no brainer as it had even more stability (although it doesnt need it I feel) and a lot more mid rpm acceleration.

DSC should be standard. It is more vital to safety than front airbags. You cause accidents as a defensive driver only when the situation is beyond your control or conservative planning. The last 2 factors:

1. side impacts, drunk drivers, moron suv cell phone people as one factor
2. road conditions

THe 2nd is controlled with the DSC. First one cant be controlled except for the standard side airbags. The cooper regular does well as any car with the DSC. Power of the car has little meaning when the roads are wet and you are cautious driver. Getting an MCS or regular, both should have dsc if it is your regular car and not a sunday/dry weather car.

 

powerband I had no idea you liked your baby stripped! I have one question why the seven piano dash?

 

I'm on the fence as far as DSC is concerned. I live in Austin, so it never snows, and it's rained twice in the last six months.

As of right now I think the only options I'm going to get are the LSD, cruise, and black hood stripes. I'm happy to hear that you can order non-run-flat tires...

I drove a covertible S today, and it handled and accelerated well for the ~600 lb of passenger in the vehicle (me roommate salesguy). I can only assume that a hardtop with just me would handle like a dream.

I also drove a new mx-5, and I'm happy that I can finally fit into the miata, but unhappy that it no longer handles like the go-cart it once was. It still handles great and is fun to toss around, but i think i'd prefer the extra storage space the mini has to offer, and the slightly better highway mileage.

 

I remember another thing I meant to ask - leatherette or cloth? which one wears better? which one holds you to the seat better? Would it look decent with an anthracite dash?

 

I don't have DSC and have never missed it, but I have a Cooper. You may want it...a good safety feature and you can turn it off when the roads are dry or you think it might interfere.

Seats........cloth for breathability in the Texas sun. Cloth for less slipping. Leather/leatherette for durability/clean-ability. I'd probably go w/ the latter for a match w/ anthracite, too, but honestly anything your get will look darn good.

 

Big Jim...my only advice to you is...........order it now!! Options of course are a personal choice - whatever makes YOU happy...

We've had both Leather and Leatherette - like them both..Never had cloth so I can't give an opinion on that.... Good luck...

Donna

 

should i get cloth with silver then? I'm flexible I just want something that matches, and I think I'd prefer cloth seats.

 

Climbergirl, I like most good things stripped.

Being that the MCS will be my 2nd car, I wanted to keep it economic. But more importantly is that I plan to track the car a lot. Eventually the seats will be swapped for (leather) seats with bigger bolsters. Lighter and wider wheels will be installed and suspensions will be upgraded.

As for the Seven Piano dash, I figured the interior surface will be something I see every single time I get into the car, so I selected this option.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ht=piano+black

It's so hot!

Although the car will be tracked on some weekends, during the week I want it to look simple, clean and classy. (As Kissmys envisions the look of her MINI, I also aim to have the limousine look to mine.)

 

Thanks Donna!

One more thing, when is the next major change with the engine? I assume they didn't develop a new engine at the same time as the new body... I'm wondering how long this car will be competitive in the G-Stock class...

 

damn that black dash does actually look pretty sweet... must save money... must use funds for... limited slip...