I'm still in the market trying to find my perfect MINI COOPER S. I have driven a couple of cars, and I am still set on the COOPER S. I just love the car. I'll be coming from a BMW 540i, so I am frequently on BimmerForums.com and I have noticed that the members over there are rather harsh when it comes to the MCS. Why is this? I mean, numerous people make comments in the Kill Section about beating them, MCS aren't the fastest cars in a straight line, so why do they get compared?

I just don't understand why these cars are slammed so much on other forums. Are they really not all they are cracked up to be?

I've thought about an S2000 as well, but think that no backseat and a convertible is just not very practical for me. I'm curious to hear your thoughts on the MCS, and why others tend to bash this car so easily (especially without ever driving one).

Andy

 

for mostly everyone on this forum it is all about the twisties. our cars handle fantastic and are a blast on the track and back country roads that wind around and around. in a straight line they are not going to beat a whole lot of cars but on the track you have a great chance of eating that 5 series alive. we buy them because they are a blast. p.s. in a straight line you will beat a civic Si if thats what you want to do but most of us prefer to pull away from people in the turns.

 

It's a testosterone thing ...that and a splash of ignorance.

 

I think they're intensely jealous cause our MINI COOPER S's are the most fun to drive, are manufactured extremely well and we who adopt them as our own family are fiercely protective -- haven't heard that from other 'car' owners.
BTW, I'm over 60 and spec'd out my own with everything on it except the nav & satelllite radio - I am having the best time of my life, wave at everyone I see with a Cooper. This is by far the best car I've ever had and the most fun.......it's a hot car and I've seen no one driving a Mini Cooper S without a smile on their face. Break loose & enjoy life! Get a Mini Cooper!

 

I love my MCS, and find those that bash hem are usually ones that haven't driven them.

 

I wonder if the 320i that I dusted on I-5 (and yes, he was trying) is a member of that forum?

 

We have the MCS and an '01 325 -- we love both cars, but my wife and I fight over who gets to drive the MCS. That's all that matters to me.

 

Most forums tend to be single focused "enthusiasts".......or Car Bigots if you will. Real car guys have interest in and tolerance to many brands and models. Poseurs and/or the less than educated think theirs is "the one" no matter what the brand. needless to say I don't talk about my Mini over on the Corvette forum (talk about bigots), and really spend most of my time on the Audi TT forum where I have many old friends even though i no longer own the car. Yeah, I'm a car guy..

 

A lot of it also depends on the forum itself. I used to BS a lot on a WRX forum when I really had the hots for one. Those were some of the funniest guys you could ever find online. They all had respect for just about anything. Even the cars that were rivals on the street and track. It wasn't uncommon for a WRX guy to share a video of a nasty Evo or a dyno of an SRT-4. Hell, a lot of guys posted stories of them losing to cars. They just wanted to give the other car the credit it deserves.

 

I agree. I've seen other brands bashed on here as well, it's just how people are. I used to post on bimmerforums and I've seen people call 3-series "fake BMW's"... elitist much? The people in the GA forum are pretty nice though.

People always think what they have is the best. You should see some of the crap I read on one of the Miata forums... oh jeez. It's beyond ridiculous.

 

Can't we all just get along?? haha

 

I agree. Car people love all cars.

It also seems to depend on the maturity of the members.
Other forums I have participate on the "kill" stories were mostly from members who seemed to have something to prove.

Me, lots of people may have kill stories about me because I won't race on the street. Just stupid.

 

I have been a regular participant on Bimmerforums for a few years now, and for the first time in over a decade, am BMW-less (technically). I haven't found anyone on Bf.c critical at all, and most freely acknowledge that MINI's are a blast.

 

We have a 3 series and a MCS.... For a long trip the Bimmer rules but put them both on a mountain road and the MCS will have the Bimmer for lunch. Me thinks this knowledge is what makes a lot of Bimmer owners so defensive.... PS: A lot of people on forums are having their first experience with an enthusiats car and just don't appreciate the MANY great automobiles out there to be enjoyed!

 

I've used the term "Brand Loyalists" to define those people that are overly biased towards whatever they happen to own. They are eager to point out flaws in any other vehicle, yet will not accept any criticism of their own. They are not true "auto enthusiasts" in my book.That being said, you have to take whatever they say with a grain of salt...

 

the mini is much easier to drive fast. So it's fairly easy to make people with more expensive cars look pretty bad. Mini's are simply more forgiving under braking and through the corners then most cars.

Now when you combine that with a mini with say 210-250whp... that's a force to be re conned with. That's usable power that is streetable in a car that is very easy to drive. Many elitists don't get to experience this... because they are too busy fighting their rwd monsters around corners.

I <3 most cars. I see the beauty in most everything... but the mini is simply practicle, and because of that it's seen as watered down.

 

This elitism is all too common in car clubs.

 

But let's be fair. The turbo guys were a little rough on the blower guys in this forum when they first came out. Wasn't a lot of reason to do so, but they did just the same, seems to have laid down now, room for all.

 

Tell your 540 buddies to head to Streets of Willow in a few weeks, we'll show them how it's done .

 

I sold my 384whp evo for my MCS and I caught an insane amount of flack from the evo members about my decision. And to tell you the truth, I couldnt be happier. The MCS is an incredible car that is very misunderstood and underestimated unless you are "in the mix" with them. I highly suggest picking one up!!!

 

LOL, tell me about it!

 

I agree with the comment that folks don't knock the MINI after they drive one. Not only are they all about handling, they're just fun little beasts, and the MINI community makes ownership that much more pleasant, too.

 

And the MCS folks like to pick on the Cooper folks.

 

Hey, we all love justacoopers! We just make fun of you cause we're faster .

 

Test drive both cars & pick the ONE you like the best. That is what I did and yet when I see a nice GT Mustang or etc I still say nice, but I know I enjoy the MINI everyday.