How much difference is there in handling between the 2006 vs 2012.
I am looking at both years and that is one thing that if someone owned
new vs newer you could tell me..thank You

 

The 06 MCS is a purist car. It is known for raw great handling. I am all about gen 1s, but as long as the weight of the 12 is close, I am sure you can make it do what you want. I do not like the jump in power in the turbo engines, due to the fact, if you are in a tight turn and smash the skinny pedal, you may not go the way you want to!

But I would rather see you in the 06!

 

For me the 06 Gen1 is supercharged, my user name says it all IMO, and both the front and back are more rounded. The 12 Gen2 is turbo charged, the front end is elongated more and the back is more angular. The Gen2 does have more comforts and shakes/rattles less than the Gen1.

For me, buy the best example of either that is within your budget.

 

Gen 1 fer sure. The SC whine is intoxicating. Upgrade the RSB, 19 or 22 MM adjustable, and struts to KONI FSDs and you've got a street legal gocart. More fun than anyone should be allowed to have.

 

PS: As for handling, unless you've got some track time, get with a local SCCA chapter and get familiar with hitting the apex. I helps when driving the twisties. You get the full meaning out of the above mentioned upgrades.

 

 

Upstate like just north of the GWB, or Upstate like Malone?

 

Well I Drove " MY"New 2006 Mini S home last night..
90 miles of joy down the Pa Turnpike..Smiling all the way.
Woke up this morning and purchased new R90 wheels from ESC Tuning.
Some minor paint chips and this car is one beauty.
well taken care of and always garaged..
What a find..thank You for leading me in this direction.

 

Appears you had a Gen2 in the past so how does the Gen1 stack up against your previous?

And pictures are always good.

 

 

Here is a few Pics..

 

Congrats on your 06 MCS buy! I am so glad you have a smile stuck on your face. After driving my gen 1s and then getting into the bloated newer models! Sorry new model owners! I am a purist and the gen 1s may not be as roomy and comfortable, I am a big guy and fit into a gen 1 nicely. These are not for families, but they are the sporty rig that gave them the fame they have now. They are nimble and carry the right horsepower for their size. You can trust them in the twisties and you will always smile when driving them.
If you have a family, get the larger Minis of today. They are comfortable and nice, only bloated for the true fun the gen 1s give!
If I had a family, I would have at least one geni and at least one Mini Maxie!

 

Hi Bmwrider1015,
Make sure to get front strut brace!
I use a modified M7, but almost all out there will save your strut towers.


The brace adds some structural aspect also.

 

I know he put a doubler plate under the stock strut mount to strengthen.
I am not going to abuse or run Mini that hard.. I have my Turbo slingshot
at 1500 lbs and 300 HP to let out the steam..

 

Hmmmm,
And He bought a MINI as a companion to the Slingshot. Nice!

The car looks to be in beautiful shape. Those are extra long bolts coming thothe top of the strut towers. Some work has been done there. Do you know if the shocks have been replaced? Or was it just the reinforcement plates put in?

At any rate, nice find there.

Enjoy.

 

I will have to ask him if shocks were changed.. I have my doubts but does not hurt to ask.
also my other ride is another 3 wheeler than I am doing little custom work to ,
Vanderhall Venice

 

Congratulations, you have chosen wisely.

I recognize the car, it was posted here on NAM and on our local PhillyMINI page by renn90. It will look perfect with a set of R90s (but I’m biased)

Enjoy!

 

I ordered the R90's this morning they were on sale and caught my eye.
Had similar wheel on my Lotus and it was just a nice look.
And ECS Tuning had then at 1/2 off and just had to push the button.
I want to keep this S but I have not been one to keep any vehicle
over 2 years except my Kelmark kit car with 455 Olds for 33 yrs.
wife made me keep Evora for 3 years she hates me buying and selling..LOL
But I am having fun and that is what counts.

 

The only reason I asked about the shocks is the shocks are the only disappointment I had with the 3 MINIs we have had. And I didn't know that until I put 50k miles on my S with the Sports Suspension option. The MINI shocks are not the greatest, to say the least. I have read over the years of people slamming the MINI shocks and wondered why. My seemed fine, until I replace my sports shocks with Bilstein B8s. While the stiffness didn't particularly change (maybe a touch stiffer with the B8s), the ability to absorb those sharp, annoying, jarring bumps like filled in pot holes is greatly improved. Improved to the point I am now running the original RFTs on the car. Because of that, I am also about to replace the shock on our base Cooper with FSDs.

Not trying to suggest Modding the car out. But, if at sometime you are looking to take care of "wear" parts, shocks are something that I would look at (suggest the Bilstien B6s and, yes, above the FSDs for spirited driving).

Got to say, love your other toys...

 

Thank You for that information.. I will keep those thoughts.. For driving it home last night I hit a few holes that I did not see and it was some rattling that took me by surprise.
But I thought short wheelbase and sport suspension.. So maybe replacement shocks
will be worth it to save what I thought of Mini ride coming home with just those few small holes in the road.
So Eddie07S you would suggest Bilstein B6 for not spirited driving ??? FSD's for more spirited cornering ??? If any one has thoughts I would like to hear from you on this matter.
I do want the car to handle but do not need Rally type handling and want the S to absorb bumps and not jar the car..
One other thing I was thinking with 45k miles changing Plugs and wires..Any thoughts on this or something else that I should do with S that seems to be totally stock ??Than You again for input
The only thing I will really will do is the bonnet /hood has many stone chips in it and I will fill them and paint to bring Mini appearance back .

 

I have the B8s, which are for "lowered" cars, but the Bilstein web page also implies that they are are for more "performance" (track/street?) driving. Mine, I got used from someone who did "winning" autocross. I should also say, that I have them paired with stock height springs. The Bilstein web implies that that the B6 are for performance street.

So to your question. I have had the FSDs and now have the B8s. The FSDs are a really nice, all around, performance street shock. But my feeling is that they are tuned more for ride first, handling second. The B8s are a really good street shock that are also really good on the track and for autocross. I expect the B6 to be in the same league as the B8s. As for the FSDs, they only way that I can describe them is that they seemed to get "confused" on the track and autocross and wound up too soft. So for spirited driving - B6. For ride - FSDs (why they are going on our base Cooper). My opinion.

There is also a B4 that is an OEM replacement. I have read good things about it; actually really good. They are listed for the R53, but that may be wishful. Anyway, I am more into the "more control" side of things which the B6 and B8s give.

 

Also, as I noted, I have the run flat rubber on the car and the ride is acceptable (meaning I drive it around pot hole city here in the NE), without feeling beat-up. I also have stiffer springs than you and way bigger front and rear sway bars; also stiffer. This car is my 3 season DD and my wife (not a car nut, but loves her '04) likes taking rides in it.

 

Spark plug - 30k and replaced on our '04. The car ran better. My Gen II S, plugs were probably shot at 25k. At 45k when I actually replaced them, the electrodes were gone. I would say yours are due. Wires, I did them on the '04 at the same time. Don't know if it needed them.

 

Very Nice!

 

I may call you guys later for tune up plugs and wires..thank You ECS Tuning..I ordered wheels for this through you over weekend.