>>Well, the overall concensus seems to suggest that the MC is a pretty good autox car.
>>
>>I've changed my order to a Chili Red/Black Mini Cooper (tartan red). No sunroof. I've even got a production number!
>>
>>now the next big question.....which wheels and R-tires for the MC??
>>
>>
I have to say, if your car is also going to be a daily driver, you might want to reconsider. I figure I am driving only ten to twelve minutes a month in anger on the autocross course, the rest is on the street. When you drive the MCS versus the Cooper at non-competition levels, I gotta go with the MCS.

Tom

 

Well I don't think it's a bad choice at all. If I were going for a dedicated autox car I would do the same thing. My MINI is a daily driver so I bought an S. There is a guy in my region who was second at Nationals in HS. I'd be tickled to get even close to his times.

There are no bad choices here.

 

The car is not going to be a daily driver. If it were, no question, I'd get the MCS. Instead, I'll stay with my now 100k mile 1997 328is black on black. I was considering moving out of that car but what the hell, it still runs great and does in fact look nice when clean. If I could just keep it clean.

My MINI has a production number but is still on "order" status. I'm at the "chomping at the bit" stage now. Unfortunatly, since it won't be here till March (I hope), I'll miss the first part of autox season (here in H-town). Then there's the break-in period.

 

MC and MCS times definitely depend on the driver. I drive an MCS and I am usually about a second quicker than a fellow MC driver. We are both pretty good drivers and usually win our respective classes, and are running the exact same wheel/tire combo. I also usually run quicker than some of the SM cars in the region, but that is mainly due to experience. On the other hand there is one driver in stx with only h-sport springs and street tires that matches/betters my times with the R-compounds!

 

You really have to spend some time in Cooper and S to see if the non-s will satisfy your need for speed. I think the stronger engine and trans are really worth the money if you are going to keep the car for a long time (my plan). Since the car is my daily driver, I need the power to satisfy my daily urges. I race for fun and skill development, as opposed to points. With an MCS the urge is to get your extra 15 horsepower for $400 (pulley), which automatically makes you uncompetitive in autocross, but is sooo much fun round town. If you are really just after being competitive in class, get the best tires you can and practice a lot, cause the time is to be gained in driver skill, much more than money in the car.

 

I guess if I were buying a MINI with only autocross in mind I would probably have gotten a Cooper. However, since I use it on the road for trips and it is our primary car when there isn't snow, I am glad I got the MCS just for the extra power. I enjoy the autocrosses with the S and am experiencing wheel spin for the first time after racing my 914 for several years.This just makes cutten the cones more of a challange. Hey, I like being an underdog. You Cooper guysand gals have a winner. Us MCS guys and gals have a winner. It's a draw.