It's been about 6 months since I purchased a 2011 MCS (Auto, Sunroof, 17" wheels, and HK stereo) and if anyone is curious, here's a few of my observations or impressions.

First, and as many others have pointed out - I'm not a fan of the run flats. I came close to selling the car within the first month of ownership simply because of the jarring ride and whoever approved putting run flats at MINI/BMW in the MCS should be fired (today). However, over time I've learned to tolerate them. But, I'm planning on replacing them with supposedly softer riding Bridgestone PolePosition RFT's when the (wagon wheel) Conti RFT's wear out in a few thousand more miles.

I knew about the run flats before I bought the car and test drove an MCS a couple of times and had mixed feelings about the ride, but I always thought I would be sorry if I didn't buy an S, plus I wanted eclipse gray, which is only available on the S. Also, my wife drives a white Justa and we didn't want the same two cars, which is the color of a Justa I would have bought, and we also thought an S would be fun to have, plus I got an exceptional deal on the used MCS that I purchased.

Finally, even though you know the car is small (it's a MINI), after owning it for awhile you start finding out that yeah, it's pretty small and you can't fit in all of the stuff or people that you were used to. I've been able to fit in more than I expected in the back at times, but I miss being to haul around more or carry more people.

Premium gas, I hate paying the price 'premium' and I'm only getting about 27mpg combined. Not that great of mileage for such a small car. But I drive mostly in the city and you can guess my driving style.

Sunroof and the sliding sunshade, I live in the southwest and not being able to block off the sun completely in the summer isn't working out so well. I know you can buy aftermarket inserts. But they kind of defeat the purpose of the sunroof. So, I'm not a fan of the MINI sunroof design.

On the positive side, the car is certainly fun to drive. Very ergonomic and driver oriented. It's easy to drive fast and hard.

Knowing what I know now, would I buy the car again. Probably not. I wanted a performance hatchback with an automatic and refused to buy another VW - so the GTI was out and none of the asian models caught my attention. So, the MCS seemed to be the best choice at the time and I liked my wifes Justa. Of course, now that I've gotten used to having a car that handles well (great) and goes quite fast - I suspect I'll have a very tough time going back to driving one of your more typical (boring) cars and I'm not sure what else I would or could buy that's comparable in the same price range other than a Scion FR-S. Thanks MINI for ruining me

 

I hear where you're coming from. I just bought my '11 MCS 6spd a week ago and I enjoy it, the harsh ride does take some getting used to but in all fairness you can't fault mini for it. I come from a '08 legacy gt on coil overs so I'm not a stranger to harsh rides. IMHO you can't beat the interior of the mini, it is high quality, better than I'm used to. One thing I do know is, you NEED snow tires if you plan on getting anywhere with an MCS

 

Just received my second set of Michelin Pilot Super Sports sized at 225/45/17 - it's an extreme performance summer tire that really helps to smooth out the ride and up the performance on the MCS. I commute 100 miles a day, mostly through canyon roads in SoCal, so the comfort and fun factors are important to me to keep the drive tolerable for the long term. I also installed a Pro Clip mount for my iPhone to keep hands-free phone, nav and music easy and safe. My Wet Okole seat covers make the seats very comfortable and are extremely durable. I average 30 mpg or more, even with the challenging drive the canyon offers so the MCS does well compared to many others.

Fun and frugal was what I was looking for and the MCS was the right ticket. The long-term reliability factor has me concerned, though, and I'm about to spring for an extended warranty. I'm either going to bite the bullet and keep the MCS, or look at the FR-S as you've already done; however, a recent owner survey put Scion at the very bottom of the reliability list so that may be out now. Unfortunately, there are not a lot of choices when it comes to efficient, reliable commuters that can compete with the Mini fun factor and that's very important to me.

2nd set of SS's ready for commuting duty

 

Any chance you could get a picture of those tires mounted on the car? Different angles possibly?

Curious to see what they look like as many ppl don't run that size on a mini.

Thanks

 

Its been about 6 months since I got my 08 MCS as well and aside from some minor annoyances, I wish I had gotten this car before my previous Legacy GT. I got lucky and didnt have to deal with the run flats when I got it. And the car doesnt come with a sunroof but even on my Legacy I didnt really use the sunroof all that often. So its not really missed. Regarding MPG, I couldnt be happier as the 27 mpg in the winter and the 30 mpg in the summer that I get is the most I've ever gotten out of a car. Coming from a car that netted 17mpg city on a good tank in the summer I'm overjoyed. And the premium gas I've just gotten use to cause the last 2 cars I've had used premium gas as well. And in reality the difference between regular and premium is only 2/3 dollars a fill up.The only bad things I can say of it right now is that it doesnt come with a spare tire...which I found really weird. But I'm sure thats why they went with the RFT's. Someone was prolly like.. we can save this many millions of dollars if we go with RFT's and still charge 30k for it. It also doesnt

 

OP:

I had the same quibbles when I bought mine. I've had my '11 for 18 months. I ditched the run flats and it made a world of difference in the ride. It's not longer jarring. I run 215/45 conti DWS tires. But then, I lowered it and it's a very firm ride. I love it though because it drives like a large go kart.

The space? Yeah, nothing to do about that. But there is only me and my partner and we have 2 other cars so this is never an issue for me.

The sunroof? I had limo tint applied. It still lets in a small amount of light but the sun doesn't just beat down on me. I live in Arkansas and the sun can beat you down.

For me, I'd do it again. I love this car. Of all the cars I've ever owned, this is my favorite.

 

Just a suggestion.... If you live in the SW US, tint your sunroof if the sun bothers you. That will help substantially. Do something less that 20% and you'll be happy.

I bought my car used. Came from a 2 door Honda Civic on full coilovers and upgraded sway bars. My S feels like I'm riding on pillows compared to that thing.

 

Do those 225s rub at all with a stock suspension?

 

Sorry - I haven't taken any decent pics from all angles with the tires in mind since I installed the Michelins last year so I don't have any front or rear, full-on pics. Here's what I do have for now. I'll try and get better pics soon.

No rubbing whatsoever at full lock.









To the OP, I tinted my sunroof with 5% limo tint and it makes a huge difference in the 100+ deg. SoCal summer heat.

 

Nice I'm from SoCal myself.

And that size tire doesn't look bad at all. My car has those conicals as well.
Thanks for the photos...I think I may actually go to that size when my runflats are all used up.

It must ride so much better.

 

I am always interested, or don't understand, why so many people are shocked with or upset with the stiff handling of the MINI. R56 buyers should have driven an R53. Those were sporty and fun in their standard form and a lot stiffer, as they should be. The R56 has been toned down by MINI so much to try and appeal to the masses that it lost a lot of fun and handling.

I finally put on the JCW suspension and its back to what I remember my old R53 to be.

 

I agree, my R50 has a much more crisp feel, it is even more apparent when I drive them back to back.

Quick question: How would one know if the car came with sport suspension? I got mine off the lot(not ordered) and have no idea what type of suspension it has.

 

You can measure the width of the front or rear swaybar. If the rear swaybar is 18mm then its the sport suspension. If its greater than 18mm its probably an aftermarket swaybar.

The front non-sport swaybar is 22.5mm, sport would be 23.5mm.

 

Is the entire bar the same diameter or are certain parts thicker or thinner? If so then I have sport suspension......I measured 18mm on the rear bar.

 

Nice Garage!!

 

I'm 3 months into My '10 MCS Mayfair. Aside from all the quirks i love the car. I suppose it's the cars character that gets everyone. I've been driving it easy and get 31mpg in the city and 39 to 40 on a good day highway.

Couple of things that made me think twice if I've made a good choice. The ride is harsh, I was expecting firm but the impact harshness over expansion joints and pot holes is down right nasty. My car has the conti ContiProContact all-seasons. these tires seem to be the choice tire for the average car, I think most of the cars from ford and vw had them at the Detroit auto show. Like you I'm thinking of non-run flats but I don't want to backwards in how the car feels. I read a review of Yokohama S-drives and the owner commented how the car felt less connected and "squishy". I'll need to read up more before deciding.

The other thing that I don't like is small and silly squeaks and rattles. Like the one behind the speedometer that drives me nuts.

Lastly the shifter feel could be better. I see a lot of short shifter kits but I just want to improve the fee, not so much the throw or increase efforts.

Another odd things is my rear brakes creating more dust than fronts. This is a new one for me.

Anyhow, love the car otherwise but I"m still in the honeymoon stage. All my kids are calling dibs on the car once they get their permit, from my 12 year old daughter to my 5 year old son.

 

+1.

I'm still on my run flats and hopefully it'll last for a while. But I will switch to nonRFs as soon as they're done.

 

I'd agree if it wasn't for the fact that so many owners have intentionally compromised the safety of their vehicles by replacing the stock run flats with non run flats.

 

That's just downright stupid. The only thing you compromise is the ability to drive (and kill the RFT) when you get a flat.

Most people don't realize that it's not so much the RFTs, as it is the stock struts and shocks that are the biggest contributor to the crappy ride. Once you get decent shocks and struts, (and springs) RFT's aren't bad at all.

 

I agree.

As far as the rf's vs. non, since I need to replace tires as frequently as I do with the 20k+ miles I put on the MINI every year, I go with non-rf's since they do perform noticeably better and they have up to 50% more tread life than the original rf's I had. Plus, they are significantly cheaper. I do carry a full complement of plug, slime, fix-a-flat and mini-compressor kit in the car in case.

I also had rf's on both my Vettes - I left them on the wife's Vette for her peace of mind since there's no spare in the Vette but swapped my Vette's rf's for non when I went to aftermarket wheels. I carry a plug kit and mini-compressor kit in that car as well.

 

Go over to NAM and you'll see healthy debate on rf vs. non-rf. I run non-rf because I like them better and they are cheaper. My CTS came with non-RF and an inflater.

 

The bar would have equal thickness. You have the sport suspension then.

 

Thanks for the tip, definitely good to know!

I'm just going to opt for fixed camber plates since I'm looking for better turn-in. Other then that the stock sport set-up is great for a DD.

 

Okay I am pretty impressed and i am not a fan of the black wheels but gotta say yours looks really sharp.

 

What is it about aftermarket suspension parts that make the ride less harsh? For some reason I thought that most people put stiffer springs or coilovers on their cars which would make them handle better but ride more harshly. I did notice less "painful" bumps when I ditched the RFs.