Hello,
my name is Rob and I am in the market for a Mini.
My friends have a 03 MCS and they hooked me onto these suckers.
I work on volvos for a living and have really enjoyed working on the Mini
on the side. I have done some basic research on different model year MCS's but would really like some more info. Just like everyone else, i would love to buy an 07, but realisticly a used one would be more obtainable. Does anyone have an idea of what to look for or avoid when buying a used MCS?
good to be here and look forward to motoring in my own MINI!

 

Welcome to NAM. I would look for an 05 or newer to get the LSD.

 

hang on, do some research into the '07 r56 mini it is impressive.

 

In addition to the possible limited slip differential that an '05 may have installed, the '05 MCS also has slightly different gears, which offers slightly more impressive acceleration. (This is regarding the manual tranny).

You probably want to avoid anything older than an '04 build, due to windshield cracking issues and the dreaded "yo-yo" engine response that has been known to occur in '02 and '03 models.

In general, '05 models or newer would be the best option.

 

Hello! Like draggonmann, I think I'd go for an 05 or higher. Definitely the S (although a MINI Cooper is just fine too).

Chuck

 

Is a 2004 that bad?
So 2004's have no LSD or can you upgrade it somehow?

 

Just like everyone else??? The 07 is S**T and its ugly, please don't make blanket state ments like that. Buy an 05/06 if you can find one for a good price.

 

Talk about blanket statements!!!!

I assume then ChrisW that we will be seeing you in a non-mini or an old mini in the future?

Given that most people cannot tell the difference between an R56 and any 2nd gen MINI, because the changes are minor, this would infer that all MINI's are ugly by default.

I assume you have driven the 07 R56 for a period in order to make such a blanket statement about how good it is?? Maybe you have research that no-one else has sen such as web links or motor magazine articles?? Please feel free to write an article about your experiences and evidence, we would all love to hear them.

Other than that may I suggest that this is your opinion based upon press pics of a car you have never actually seen or driven, that has better fuel economy, more power, is faster, more refined etc. Looks are always in the eye of the beholder.

Lets leave everyone to make up their own minds