and for a stock car I was totally impressed except for the power. Whether it was off the line or running at 70mph + I was a expecting more. The lot lizard/dealer guy (young kid mid 20s) went with and said that basically the works kit was no faster then the S we where in. I find that hard to believe but am now hesitant to order the car.

Also the leasing number where not great at all. And apparently since the Works kit is a dealer option they can only residualize $1k of it. Can anyone confirm this? Also they told me the best numbers for the lease where being offered through Mini/Bmer financial. Can anyone confirm this too?

thanks

 

It isn't how fast you go...it is how you get there.
If you want a 'fast' car test drive something else.

 

I would describe the car this way:

adequate power
mind-boggling cornering
satisfactory braking
unbeatable style and 'headturning' ability

If you want *****-out speed and power, the Neon SRT-4, WRX, and Evo are for you. If you want style and fun, with loads of grip to spare, the MINI is for you.

The MINI will NOT win drag races except against those not paying attention and VW Microbuses, but get into a canyon or on a cloverleaf and you are all by yourself.

Good luck!

 

Hi Bluto, and Welcome!

If you were thinking that the MCS is a muscle car, you will be disappointed. Remember, it only has a 4 cylander engine...

One of the biggest complaints of owners is the poor torque at low RPMs, but I am very surprised that you found it lacking at 70+ MPH. I think that most owners will agree with me that when you get the engine above 2600 RPM, there is plenty of pull! I have had NO problems passing people on the freeways or other roads, once I allow for the initial lag when launching from a stop. The true joy of this car isn't in speed/muscle ability, but in how it handles the twisties. If you like driving twisting mountain roads, you'll love the MC or MCS. If all you want to do is go fast in a straight line, then look elsewhere.

I've never seen a car with the Works kit, let alone driven one, and from what I've read on the boards, it IS an improvement, but I'm not sure how much of one. Don't have answers for any of your other questions, sorry.

Good luck!

 

IQ,
I actually think the stock brakes are quite good.
Have you had problems? I've only noticed fade
on a road course(track) which is not what they are
made for...but more then adequate for even aggressive
street driving...

 

>>IQ,
>>I actually think the stock brakes are quite good.
>>Have you had problems? I've only noticed fade
>>on a road course(track) which is not what they are
>>made for...but more them adequate for even aggressive
>>street driving...

I second that, 2minis. The brakes are quite responsive and have very good stopping power. I have not been disappointed when I've needed them. Others here and elsewhere have said the same.

 

I agree. The brakes on the MCS are incredible. Best stopping power I've ever had in a car!

 

>>IQ,
>>I actually think the stock brakes are quite good.
>>Have you had problems? I've only noticed fade
>>on a road course(track) which is not what they are
>>made for...but more then adequate for even aggressive
>>street driving... :smile:

 

The Mini is not for someone who wishes to chop up the road with a chainsaw. However if you wish to surgicaly fillet a twisty..Check it out

Regards the Cooper Works. See a recent post on an recent installation wioth 1000
miles under the belt.

 

>>and for a stock car I was totally impressed except for the power. Whether it was off the line or running at 70mph + I was a expecting more. The lot lizard/dealer guy (young kid mid 20s) went with and said that basically the works kit was no faster then the S we where in. I find that hard to believe but am now hesitant to order the car.
>>
>>Also the leasing number where not great at all. And apparently since the Works kit is a dealer option they can only residualize $1k of it. Can anyone confirm this? Also they told me the best numbers for the lease where being offered through Mini/Bmer financial. Can anyone confirm this too?

bluto-
Aloha and welcome to MCO,
Something to note is that the wheels on the MCS make a difference. Take another spin with an MCS with the stock 16" wheels (no sports package or 17" S-lites). If no sunroof then better (no premium package- saves about 55 pounds in weight).

The JCWkit equipt MCS is much much better than the stock MCS. But it is not excessive. It's a measured improvement that is keeping in the style of the car.

To get the most out of driving an MCS you have to run it at 3500 to 6000 rpm. If driving at 70, just shift to 5th gear and go. If you have the lighter wheels there should be little problem generating speed.

Could someone from the dealership that knows about leasing options address his other concerns?

I hope you find what you are looking for. My MCS is a great car. Not the fastest out there but fast enough and it handles like a gem, excellent handling, very very nimble and pretty good insurance rates, good mpg when I want it, and very safe crash test/engineering. Lastly I love the way it looks- it is truely a people magnet. Where I live a top of the line Mercedes or Jaguar will not turn heads but a Cooper can-and get a bunch of waves too.

 

Thx guys, coming from a Audi TT pushing 270 hp w/mods so I am used to mad handling and more power. That being said it is not a drag racer either. Good point on the wheel too, I might still test drive the works.

Thx

 

>>Thx guys, coming from a Audi TT pushing 270 hp w/mods so I am used to mad handling and more power. That being said it is not a drag racer either. Good point on the wheel too, I might still test drive the works.
>>
>>Thx
OK, and if the car has DSC on the toggle switches - turn it off, the orange indicator will light up if you have it off.
Otherwise it will defeat your attempts at spirited driving. In the JCWkit it doesn't really matter which wheels you have but lighter is generally better. I drove a stock cooper with 15" wheels and CVT and it was a blast. Rough around the corners on handling but much smoother on the roads. Lots of noise from pushing it harder but still a 10 in my book and only about $16,900 at MSRP. Even that was worth the drive and I'm used to a MCS after 4800 miles.

 

yep, turning DSC off was the 1st thing I did when I got in the car. IMO the 17s ride was very comfortable, of course the Koni's in my car make me feel every bit.