I am thinking about buying the New MCS, I have 2 weekend toys (Shelby Mustang and Porsche 911S) and a Dodge Ram Crew Cab. I drive the dodge about 18K miles a year and honestly the gas mileage is wearing on me. I get about 14 MPG. I am thinking the Mini might be a great replacement.

Few quick questions-
1. Do they do OK in the Snow with dedicated Snow Tires/Wheels? I live in New England and this would be my DD.
2. Can kids 10 and under fit in the back? I have twin 8 year olds and a 4 year old, they fit in my 911 so I would think this would be no issue, but am curious how it works for others.

I am very excited, I really think this might be my next vehicle, I am going to the Launch in Hartford, CT on April 12th, can not wait to see/drive a few.

Thank you!!!!

 

So you are going to the launch at New Country MINI in Hartford? That's where I bought my '14 MCS. I might go. Not sure. My MINI is in storage there and if all goes well I will pick it up on the 15h. British Racing Green with black roof/mirrors and brown interior. I drove it last week. Awesome car. Coming from a 2003 Cobra and 2011 Buick LaCrosse, it is a bit of a change. But I really love it! Can't wait to take delivery.

I was talking to my MA at New Country on Monday and he said his 2006 MCS does great in the snow. He told me mine will do great in snow with snow tires. The all-seasons that come with the car will be okay, but dedicated snow tires are best.

When we took my car for a test drive, my wife and granddaughter (age 13) sat in the back seat. Very tight but they managed. Kids under 10-11 should be good on average. But note that the back seat is bucket-style. Not sure if 3 can be seated due to the design. You'd have to check. Here's a photo. http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews.../photo_12.html

 

probably yes to both!

 

Kids fit fine in the back seat, perhaps with a caveat that it depends on who's sitting up front. A MINI hardtop is definitely a car with a limited amount of rear seat legroom, but it varies (a lot) with the size of the front seat occupants. i.e., scooch forward to give the rear seat riders some room. If you're shorter, then not so much worry. We took our 5'9" teen niece on MTTS 2012 and had a ball; it does help that my wife / co-driver is 5'6" and doesn't need her front seat slid all the way back.

I run Blizzaks in the winter and get around great. I just need to get back to stock springs so I'll have a little more ground clearance.

 

I've just ordered a Mini so I can't answer your questions, but have to ask why you would replace the pick up with the Mini??? What do you do for hauling things (other than *** - which seem to have cover pretty well already)?

Paul_F

 

For my R56 hardtop, I found it was not a problem getting the kids into the back seat up until this last year. My girls just turned 14 and this past year they finally got big enough to where I felt bad making them sit back there (so much so that I drive something else when all three kids have to ride). The main problem is the one behind me due to my seat being so far back. Really for the past couple years whoever got stuck there was forced to sit with their legs folded up in front of them - ok for a short trip, but anything over about 10 minutes...

 

They do great in snow. I'll PM you a photo of the little one in a few inches a couple years ago. Handled great with Blizzaks.

As for the back, 4 of us between 5'10 and 6'2" fit in the car in total. The 6'2" (fairly well built) sat in the front and the 5'10ers (skinny ones) sat in the back.

 

CobraBob I am looking to use New Country, how was your experience there? A gentleman named David e-mailed me from there today. Love the Green, you must be excited!!! Congrats!!!

I don't Need 3 in a row we have a 2014 Odyssey for the family hauling, I would just need to be able to fit 1-2 if we are caught in a bind, honestly this rarely ever happens, but figured I would ask.

Papawhiskey I don't haul much at all, I have used the truck like 3 times in 2 years to haul stuff, 2 of those times my wife's van would have worked, the other I could borrow my neighbors truck. The gas mileage is brutal for someone that drives as much as me. I would save $2-300 a month just on gas plus I know the Mini will be a lot more fun than the truck.

Pawsome thank you for the PM that is good to know!!!

 

In reality the answer is No and No having owned two MCS’s, I drove the new MCS F56 today, very nice evolution of the MCS R56 but the answer is still No and No.

I would suggest the Countryman or Paceman because it’s a big YES to both questions with all-wheel drives for the winters and both have seats for four adults.


Keep in mind, your Shelby is bigger than a MCS.

 

Drove through multiple winters and through 2-3 inches of snow. Between Nov and March, the R56 gets Blizzaks on and I have had no issues with snow and ice. So, no, in reality, the answer is "Yes".

While I am not disputing the value of AWD on the Countryman and the Paceman and the room they bring, if OP's kids fit in the 911, they'll fit fine in the MINI. Again, they will fit more freely in a Countryman or a Paceman.

An extreme example? but no, 4 non-obese adults can fit fine in a MINI Cooper R56 or even an R53. 2 adults and 2 kids will be a non-issue for driving.

 

OK, let’s rephrase things since my post offended pawsone.

Since you own one of the best American and German sports cars already I’m thinking No, you would not want to drive a MCS through the northeast winters if you can own a MINI Countryman or Paceman with All-wheel drive engineered to meet the task. I am also thinking No, you would not want to put your kids in the back seat of a MCS if you could make life easier for yourself and the kids with a Paceman or Countryman designed to seat four adults.

I have owned some of the same cars in your stable, my daily driver was a MCS but now a Paceman for the added space and convenience, my weekender is a 550 Vintage Spyder.

Hope this helps whatever you decide, I have enjoyed all our MINI's without any issues.

 

I've driven 3 of my co-workers around quite a bit in my R53 which is noticeably smaller than the F56.

All of them are over 6', with the tallest being 6'4" . We took it to the Accenture Match Play this year and got some funny looks but everyone fit ok

 

Honestly, if I had children I would go with a Paceman or Countryman, unless you had the luxury of a proper additional SUV, van or sedan for family travel. JMO.

 

Once you have a mini-van with 3 kids it is very difficult to go with anything else. I never thought I would own one, but we are on our second and there is nothing even close to having the capability for a family of 5 or more.

Its funny my brother had a mini-van, decided when his kids were out of car seats to move on. He bought a Toyota Sequoia, then a Chevy Suburbon, followed by a Cadillac Escalade in a 3 year period. Just last month he traded in the Escalade for an Odyssey, pretty expensive experiment. Good thing is he bought them all used so the hits were not that bad.

I will check out the Paceman and Countryman, but having the Mini-Van already I am not sure I need the extra room.

Thank you All

 

Great Points!!!

Love the 550 by the way, any Pictures??

 

Not even close TC old chap. Your responses had merit and I acknowledged them and your answer was more or less apt for Carnut given what we know but I was striving for objectivity for a very broad reason: I was thinking of people who would stumble upon this thread either through an internet search or spend their nights reading forums as they are either curious about the car or are waiting for their savings to pile up before they can pull the trigger.

Are the R53 and R56 adequate/safe in snow (I've done upto 50mph safely in 2-3") with snow tires (mine are studless Blizzaks): Yes.

Are the Countryman and Paceman better options with snow tires: Definitely.

Can 4 fit adults fit (no pun intended) inside an R56 for short drives (say 30 miles or less): Absolutely.

Should 4 adults fit inside an R56 for short drives: Depends.

Is an R56 comfortable for more than 2 people for longer drives: Nope.

So, random internet reader, yes the MINI can handle snow fine. Yes, more than 2 people can fit if they are not heavy/too tall. No, we don't care about Carnut at this point because he has a wide range to choose from. Peace all.

 

All's good Powsome, Carnut has answers and perspectives, lets all enjoy and motor on.

Best wishes to you and yours.

 

I said "no vans" because I personally hate them. I see them as the scourge of the motoring public. But seriously, you are right and that is why there are so many vans on the road, owned typically by families with 3 or more children. And not to forget the neighbor kids, etc. They definitely do their job well. I will properly edit my post above to include them.

 

No worries

Hope I get to see your Mini on the 12th, did you see the Blue one they had? I am going to look at that, I like all the options it has.

 

My official pickup date is April 15. But there is a possibility I could pick it up on the 12th. At this point I am likely going to be going to New Country either way. If I don't get to pickup my MINI that day it will likely be locked up in their old showroom across the street. If we're there at the same time, I'm sure my MA (Michael Fisher) will let me take you over there to see it. We'd just have to co-ordinate the time. You can email me at cobrabobATcoxDOTnet.

By the way, if you haven't see New Country's new showroom, it will blow you away. They really did a great job with it. Very artsy.

 

I'll pm you some pics, love to see your toys.