Contemplating trading in my '11 MCS for a '14 Paceman S. If so, this is how it will roll.

Color combo:

1. Starlight Blue w/Black Roof & Mirrors w/18" Anthracite Turbo Fan Wheels
or
2. Absolute Black w/White Roof & Mirrors w/18" Silver Turbo Fan Wheels

Options:

Black Headlights
Cold Weather Package
Premium Package
Sports Package
Technology Package w/Nav

Planned Mods:

Megan Coilovers
Megan Lower Control Arms
Continental Extreme Contact DWS tires (hate the run-flats)
Numerous bulb swaps
40% 3M ceramic tint

 

Is there a specific reason you're switching?

For me, I like the extra amount of room while still feeling like a MINI.

Although, with all those options, it's not going to be cheap.

 

I have a similar set up to the second one you want package wise. The white roof is a cool look, wish I had gone with a red roof to be honest. Black is the best color they offer IMHO. The packages you selected I have and love, ton of fun to drive and cool tech.

I would suggest you get 18" black wheels with all season tires depending on your use, otherwise summer tires, non-run flat.

As for the Paceman S, it's a lot of fun but compared to your S it will feel slow. Heavier and same engine. IF you can swing it, go JCW if not get the S with the listed mods AND a JB+.

Good Luck!

 

I've got the new car itch and my '11 has been paid off for a while. I don't want the exact same thing but I want another MINI. My CMS has been a blast!

I too like the extra room along with the "look" of the Paceman. As far as the $$$ goes.....not really a concern.

 

If money is not really a concern then I suggest you look into the John Cooper Works Paceman S. Otherwise go the route you were thinking and enjoy!

 

I agree with 14pacemanSAll4, if money isn't a concern, the JCW is the way to go.

If you love your CMS, then you will most likely love the Paceman also whether or not it's a JCW. The "look" of the Paceman is why my gf loves the car too; she think it looks like a mini-Evoque, and I can't say I disagree!

 

Although money is not a concern, I'm still pretty frugal when it comes to things. Having said that, a very similarly "optioned" JCW is $7,200 more than they Paceman S the way I have it configured. I certainly can't justify $7,200 for 27 more horsepower (I know that you get more than that, but that's all that the JCW package has that I personally would benefit from). I'm fairly certain that with some minor mods I can get the HP up close to 200hp if I feel the stock Paceman S isn't cutting it.

#1. I do not want ALL4 (JCW=ALL4) because I want to put the Megan Coilovers on, and currently they are only for the FWD version. I know there are other coilovers out there that will work with the ALL4, but I can't justify spending double the cost of the Megan Coilovers for the KW V3's. Not to mention the fact that the ALL4 would probably only come in handy less than 1% of the time for me.

#2. I do not like any of the available wheel choices offered with the JCW, period. Wheels are a BIG selling point for me. To have to buy a set of aftermarket wheels (or sell the stock wheels and buy the set of MINI wheels I like) would be absurd IMO after spending an additional $7,200.

#3. While I do like the JCW body kit normally, the standard body kit on the Paceman Cooper S is more than sufficient for me. It's not that drastic of a change IMO, as it is on some of the other models. The front lip on the lower bumper of the stock Paceman S is already a lot different than the Countryman S. Certainly not worth the extra money IMO for either the JCW Exterior package or the JCW model all together.

Soooooo......having said that, I just got back from the dealer. My MA is actually a close friend of mine and he spent an ungodly amount of time with me today. I will say that after seeing the Starlight Blue in person again, I forgot how AWESOME that color is. Definitely leaning toward that color combo.

As far as the tires go, there is no All Season option on the 18" Turbo Fan wheels. Not really that big of a concern since I plan to swap the run flats out anyway for the Continental Extreme Contact DWS.

 

I loved the Starlight Blue the first time I saw it up close. I think if I could choose all over again, I might even take it over black/black -- not sure, 'cos I really like all black, too. Moot point, 'cos I'm impulsive, and the dealer had a black one first!

Anywhoo, as 14PacemanSAll4 noted earlier, the JB+ tune is a great and cheap mod that seriously narrows the performance gap between Cooper S and Paceman S. I see you've already got a Countryman, so you know what you're getting into there anyway. Couple that with your suspension mods, you're gonna have one very fun Paceman.

 

Keep in mind the stock jcw with 4wd has the same 0 to 60 as the fwd Paceman S because of the extra wight and whp loss in the powertrain.

I went from a tricked out R56s to a R61s fwd, wouldn't consider going back because it's just so much more vehicle for the money.

 

Came here to say this. But, whatever you choose you will be happy. I chose the All4 because of Northeast weather and thankfully I have it for this insane winter.

Good luck!

 

Well having a starlight blue and black myself, got to agree with that color choice. The only thing I'm really debating on whether it was worth it is the comfort access option, though package wise it probably wouldn't make much difference to take it off.

 

I dont know why but I cant stop thinking about this haha! With the mods you have in mind and your needs go with the S fwd and enjoy. As for packages, again I have them and love them. However I will say this, add the city pack if you daily drive the car. I dont have that and should have gotten it. I DONT even have an alarm! UGH! Also park sensors would be a nice addition for parking garages and parallel parking which I realize more and more everyday.

end rant.

 

I 100% agree with parking sensors. The rear window can hardly be called a window and, for me at least, it's hard to see out the back when backing up.

 

Good call.....City Pack it is!

 

Went from an 05 S to a Starlight Blue/White Paceman S All4 about 6 week ago and it has been a great winter car. It snowed the day we picked it up and today is the first day since that our street has been clear. The All4 with Blizzacks has handled the snow this year very well. In 12" snow it went places my sister could not get in her 4 wheel drive SUV.

The Paceman looks great in both colors you are looking at but I am partial to the Starlight Blue. We have noticed that the blue changes depending on the lighting. It goes from a sparkling bright blue to almost dark purple.

I do agree with the others that the parking sensors are a nice feature as the visibility out the rear is limited.

 

14PacemanSAll4 I wasn’t slamming the 4WD’s , I think it is brilliant of Mini to offer it and likely should offer it in the MCS. I would own a 4WD too if I had to deal with your winter weather extremes.

In contrast, we deal with 100 plus degree summer extremes that really kill’s turbo performance and HP output making the FWD a big performance consideration.

It looks like SoCalledFriend is really building him out a very nice Paceman.

Happy and Safe Motoring, great suggestion on the City Pack…

 

So....I had my '11 MCS in for scheduled maintenance and they gave me a R58 Cooper S for a loaner. JCW exterior and interior packages with challenge wheels.

I LOVE this car....holy hell! Problem is, I was just about to order a Paceman S. Ugh.....what to do?!?!

The R58 is a true Go-Cart.....

 

Depends on your needs. Personally the coupe is the last model I'd pick. Its very impractical and I think the hardtop is plenty good enough to give a go-cart feel while being practical enough for everyday use.

 

Yeah R58 is the most impractical when compared to an R60 or R61. It seems like though maybe with your needs you should look outside of MINI if you are comfortable doing so. A lot of sports cars are in this price range that could suit your needs.

 

Or wait for the new 5 door and Countryman, I'm positive they'll be less compromised vehicles than the R60 & 61.

 

Maybe your MA will do a 'buy one, get one at half price' special for you so you can get both models!

 

Hi SoCalled. I am interloping here as I have a CM, not a PM, BUT I took a very long drive in a PM-S before we bought our CM. A couple of observations.

1.someone mentioned you have a Countryman (CM), but your sig says MCS. If the MCS is all you currently have, I wonder if you have driven a PM yet? I know you said you want more room, but it's NOT an MCS. It handles really well for what it is, but regardless of the marketing, the PM-S does not have the "go-kart" feel of the MCS, IMO. It's apples and oranges and as long as you realize and accept the trade-offs after taking a nice long drive in a PM-S down one of your favorite twisties that you run your MCS on, you are good to go...Having said that, my wife's CM is an absolute ball to drive...I love that car. the CM and PM are great handling cars with a ton of versatility.

2.I do want to put in a plug for the JCW since it is more in the engine compartment than more horses. Those horses peak at 6000 compared to 5500 on the S. Also, you have the overboost function which ratchets up the torque smack in the middle of the usable band(2000 to 5100 rpm), which is really sweet. Upgraded motor parts and a racing clutch for durability, then all of the interior and aero touches. For us, it was well worth the $7,000 up-charge, but trust me, I get it....it's still $7,000

3.you mention getting nav as an option and I agree. There is a lot of angst around these parts regarding the Mini NAV system. We think it's fantastic and use it all the time. Plus it's a great information and entertainment center as well. They can put that BMW i-Drive in the new 2014 F56 coupe and call it progress, but give me that little joystick controller and I am a happy guy.

The PM is a very polarizing Mini just like the Coupe. You either love it or hate it, and I am in the former camp. Gorgeous lines on that car(I don't care for the rearward sloping roofline though).

I also agree with someone else. the parking assist is well worth the money. I agree that the boot line on the PM is like the CM-it comes up very high to meet a very narrow window.

I love the way they integrated a visual and audible element into the backup assist since a backup camera was not a option....very elegant engineering that I have never seen on another car

Good luck