Test drove both an F56 MC and MCS.

Very impressed with both cars.

Trying to decide if I would regret ordering an MC (a nicely equipped one, the one I've configured is $29,545 MSRP). Unlike the R56 where the MCS seemed to have a lot more than just the turbo (or at least that's what I recall), it seems to me that if I add the same options to the MCS, which yields a price of $32,745), I'm paying a significant premium for a little bit more fun (and significant power, I'll grant you that).

But when you add the fully loaded package, heads up display, JCW interior, leather seats, external chrome, cold weather package, the "just a cooper" is a pretty sweet car...

Any one else gone from an MCS to MC now that they are both a turbo?

 

I want to know. My biggest dilemma as we'll.

 

I went from a MC R56 to a MCS F56 personally but drove both the Justa and the F56 MCS beforehand and was also very torn.

I almost decided to stick with the Justa but in the end decided that I wanted to get that extra power. I know I am backwards from what you are looking for but my 2 cents. The Justa F56 is really good though and there is a lot to be said for saving the money or putting it towards other options.

 

I'm driving a 2010 MCS while waiting for my loaded F56 loaded Cooper. I won't miss the MCS with it's harsh suspension and jitters at all - it's inferior to my 2012 GTI in many ways. Yet three test drives in the F56 have me very content with my decision. Part of the reason is I can't live with the MCS front end design but also can't justify the extra cost for a bit of extra horsepower I would rarely, if ever need (city dweller).

 

Not really what you are asking, but my two cents. I've been tempted numerous times to go MC to MCS, but also would rather load up a justa. Almost did though with the R56 due to the barely lower mpg. The awful mpg of the F56 MCS is just not worth it at all in my eyes.

 

Knowing what I know now, I'd be happy with a MC with all options. You'll save alot of money and have the same car less one cylinder. I think the MC front and rear look better than the MCS.

 

Ok, this helps a lot. I've decided I'm going to save the $3200 and become a happy "just a cooper" owner.

Time to head to the dealer today and see what I can do negotiation wise...

I will attempt to sell my MCS while I wait for the order. Anyone want to by a very nice R56 in the San Diego area? I'll make you a great deal And it's available now cause I can drive my truck while I wait for my build...

 

Price agreed upon, and a Justa ordered. Won't actually go into the order system until June 2nd.

 

I have had 3 Minis over the last decade. I was Mini-less when invited to the Launch. I wanted to drive a 3 cylinder so I went. I did and was so impressed that I thought it would be fun to own one. After driving both the MC and MCS I went with the base. Even though I like the gadgets I decided to go bare bones and sporty. I must disclose that I have a dedicated sports car, but really wanted the 3 cylinder for the fun to drive factor that Minis provide.
I have decided to stop playing the "chasing the power" game and go with fun to drive theme. I remember my first cars: VW rabbit GTI and Honda CRX. You had to "drive" those cars, but oh were they rewarding! I am hoping to find that with the base MC with sports suspension, no sunroof and HK. $26.5k

 

My MA mentioned that a number of his former MCS customers went with the new base Cooper. It seems the power was the deciding factor.

 

Feel your pain... I drove them both and had my mind on the base MC. Then I went back to drive it one more time and the thought of regret made me order the MCS. It's personal preference so whatever decision you make will be the right one.

 

I'm comfortable with the change. The MCS was the obvious choice for the R56 (first Mini). Having owned one since Oct 2008, I know what I enjoy about driving the car, as well as my driving style, and the F56 MC will give me 99.9% of what I need (the missing 0.1% will be when an F56 MCS pulls away a bit on a fun run).

Although I do think I should start the "R56 MCS to F56 Justa" club.

Now I'm working on a new license plate as "MCS" is part of my current plate ...

 

I agree. I'm coming out of a 2006 BRG R56 S convertible which I love but it has 110 k miles and is starting to show it's age. I was all set to get the new S but after driving both I love the power and guts of the base Coop and feel I could actually enjoy driving the base Coop and not miss anything. There is enough low end torque and power for me. I took the extra $3k and loaded up the base. Gas MPG is another plus. Can't wait to take delivery. In the end it's about what you want and how you drive but for me the base F56 offers me a better driving experience than the older R56 S that I am coming from. That's all I really need. BTW- Were you able to negotiate a deal? I got $500 off sticker but some guys did better.

 

If yours is a 2006, it's an R53, not an R56. The R53 and F56 justa have the same amount of torque, so they probably feel fairly comparable at city speeds.

 

I was pleasantly surprised that I got $1000 off MSRP. But this is on a pretty loaded (and sweet) MC, MSRP $29,875.

I am selling my car myself. The dealer wouldn't even match the in hand written CarMax price. And I'm fairly confident that I can do significantly better selling privately. I've got another vehicle I can drive as soon as it sells, and worse case, CarMax's price might go down $500 between now and when the ordered car comes in.

 

Thank you for correcting me. I guess that's why the F56 base felt so comfortable. I wasn't able to take it out on the highway but I assume it would handle the same as my R53 S.

 

The torque in the F56 kicks in at much lower rpm.

 

$3650 difference between the regular and S is a lot of dough! Put it in the package instead!

 

http://www.carenthusiast.com/reviews...+-+manual.html
I have read damn near every review on the internet and I swear it can sometimes seem like even in a head to head comparison ignoring price difference, it is the better car.

 

My last MINI was an R56S and my new F56 is a justa, I couldn't be happier. I spent the extra cash on upgraded seats, the wired package and LED headlights and felt it was money extremely well spent. The new justa is more than fast enough to be fun.

 

Yeah, but the speed difference is something I can deal with since we aren't at a race track, even with the older models. But when they mention things like steering feel and balance, that's when I start to turn away from the Cooper S. I don't feel like I should be sacrificing those things for the supposedly sportier model.