hello all, im very much considering buying a mini in the next few months. i am currently driving a ford focus as my DD, which i hate, and have a 1999 formula as my toy car. i love my formula and makes great power, 365hp, but its become more and more unreliable so i have put it up for sale. i've test drove a MC but not a MCS and im a little worried about not enjoying it as much because of the lack of power. also im not sure if i want to shell out the extra $$ for the MCS. have any of you guys gone from a higher hourse power car to a MC/MCS? how are you guys liking it? thanks

 

If you are concerned about HP, go with a MCS. Otherwise either would be a great car! You can't go wrong with any Mini

EDIT: And Welcome to NAM!!

 

Most people (although perhaps not all) who relate to power go straight to the MCS. I have a feeling you might do best spending your time on just finding the extra $$$s.

 

Go with the MCS! Don't even debate this in your mind any longer.

 

Why not drive both? You mentioned the Formula is not only unreliable, but also not your daily driver. Your daily driver is a Focus, and you hate it. Taking that into consideration the MC is WAY BETTER than any Focus IMO. Either way you'd be making a step up right? If its about power, the MCS is the way to go. If its about perhaps spending a little less, and getting better mileage, then the MC will fit the bill. Its a win/win situation any way you go!

 

i dontlike the focus for the fact that i wanted an economy car and i guess i was just expecting better city mpg, i get about 25, so either the MC or MCS will be an improvement. i would be getting rid of both cars if i do get a mini. as for mods id rather not mod the car, except for maybe suspension mods. im planning on going back to the dealer on monday morning.

 

+1 for the cooperS...i thought the cooper and cooper S are night and day

 

I agree, drive both but my suspicion is that you will like the MCS. I did and have never had a quick or fast car. The extra $$ is well worth it. Maybe don't get an option or two and will be a trade off. To me, the stronger engine and some interior upgrades were most important. The funny thing is that I was looking at the MC and started adding options and it ended up being as much as the MCS with moderate options I.E. english oak, auto ($1,400), arm rest, MFSW (an absolute must), DCS. Good luck but IMO you will regret not getting the MCS especially coming from a 300+ horse power car.

 

+1 good advice.

 

Stop whining (that's my job) and just get the s. drive it and you will love it.

 

you are going to love the MINI either way. However, coming from a high HP car, the S might be the better choice.

Drive me back to back to back( Cooper S-Cooper -Cooper S )--you'll know.

 

+1 for the S... I drove both examples and as someone else mentioned... night and day, speed-wise. Otherwise... the non-S is still a GREAT car.

 

As I heard somewhere... I think it's more like "night - and later on that night".

Test drive both. Only you can decide what is right for you.

 

It all depends on how you want to drive it. You definitely owe it to yourself to test drive both models. The Cooper is plenty zippy for me, but if you love pure power, you're going to love the S.

 

I have driven both. After doing so, I bought a MC for my wife, and I bought an MCS for myself. It was never in question what I was going to get for myself, but I wanted to make sure the MC was not underpowered, because my wife's Explorer was not, and I didn't want her in something where she couldn't even get out of her own way. The MC was more than adequate, and I had no reservations about it whatsoever.

For me, I was going from a Lincoln Navigator, which is no sports car, but does have a lot of power (300HP) and will move when you put your foot into it. The unfortunate thing is that the gas gauge moves about as fast as the tach and speedometer when you do so. The MCS was a no-brainer for me. I don't need the room of the big SUV anymore since both my kids are in college and have their own cars.

As others have said, it depends on what your purpose for buying is, but coming from that muscle car, I think you'll be very happy with the MCS. BTW, I bought my daughter a Focus, and though I think it's a great car for a teenaged girl, I certainly understand your eagerness to drive something a little more exciting.

 

i feel the same thing about the gass in my car, getting about 14mpg in the city. the focus is an ok car, but for DD i want something fun again and that gets good gas milage.

 

I'm wondering one thing. What is a Formula?

 

I love my S, cant stop smiling everytime I drive her

 

As someone that just got out of a Focus, I wasn't a huge fan either, and into an MC not MCS I can say that I am so much happier. The power difference really isn't that noticable, you get a lighter car and better handling overal. Seriously the jump from Focus to MINI is the best one I have taken.

 

Just sold my SVT Cobra, 400HP. Loved every minute of it. Gave it up for personal reasons. I have an MCS and it is just as much fun. I have been into sports cars for over 40 years and the MCS does not disapoint!...Go for it!

 

I guess this is an appropriate time for my first post.

I currently own an '06 Cooper with 15K miles, which I bought new in December of last year. I owned an '07 Focus ST for three months before I got my Cooper. It was significantly more powerful (151HP, 154 lb-ft) and quite a bit quicker than my MINI. However, the build quality was horrendous, the fuel economy was laughable (~27mpg average, mostly highway) and the handling, in no way, could compare to that of a MINI.

Regardless of the relative lack of power, I'm still completely satisfied with my Cooper (except for the fact that it's black w/leatherette seats so I sweat like crazy when it's warm, but that's a whole different issue ).

So, to make a long story short, if you're willing to endure a drop in straight-line performance (I think even the base Focus is still a slight amount faster than a Cooper), you should same some money and go with the Cooper. If you can't handle the thought of having something that isn't as fast as the Focus, go with an S and be prepared to be amazed at how much of a complete package it is.

 

Would you be looking for a new or used mini? That would make it easier to address your question of the "lack of power" that the mini has

 

basically a pontiac trans am, 346ci LS1 engine


I'm looking for new just b/c i'd prolly order it custom when i do get one. im not conserned about loosing power from the focus to the MC its more of an issue of the formy to the MC. but it will be more fun for a DD car

 

You sure you got 14 not 10

If your looking for the fun factor, either the MC or MCS. You might miss the kick in the pants of the big engine, but a new R56 MCS will give you the same kick. No turbo lag or at least not noticable, the engine in both cars wind right up to the red-line without any effort.

I know, I'm still doing my daily mantra, 4500, 4500, 4500, NO, NO, NO. But I did drive the H out of the two demos, back in April.

 

I'm not so sure about that...