Just in the getting-started process of deciding on my next car, and leaning toward the Cooper (non-S). I have an Audi A4 1.8T that has been "chipped" and motors along pretty well on my 405 fwy. commute. This AM, I'm going along at about 75 mph & see a sharp-looking white on black mini hustling along. Want to get a better look and speed up to about 80 - At this point I'm thinking its an 'S' and some guy wanting to play. Nope - It's a standard Cooper and the lady driving it is talking on her cell phone and oblivious to me. Guess the standard Cooper gets along quite quickly enough!

 

My speedo has seen 200 kph,160 kph=100 mph

 

Coopers are frequently underestimated.

 

Yeah,well at least we don't stumble around while playing with yo-yos

 

Coopers are plenty fast in the right hands....even if they are CVTs!!!!!!

 

I read an article once where the writer said - "It eats 80 and 90 mph for lunch." I have to agree. Its not the fastest thing 0 to 60, but once its rollin'...weeeee!

 

I have to agree, My LY/LY CVT with some serious mods is more than fast enought for the 60-80 mph range, although I would like the speed and agility of an S

 

The MC and MCS share the same body and suspension for the most part (although the MCS comes with the sports suspension plus standard). Weight is lower for the less powered MC which is not a problem once you get up to speed. Brakes are the same for both.

I'd say that I see just as many fast driven coopers in my area as Cooper S. For freeway driving the MC will do nicely I'd think and besides if you ever drove the speed limit (for a change) you'd get 38+ mpg for your troubles.

 

I must say I've been pleasantly surprised with my MC. I purchased it 6 days ago and went on a road trip straight from the dealership. On the way home I got over 35mpg at an average speed of 70mph... and grinned the whole way

 

Coopers rock. That is all.

 

Hey Pir, your MINI looks just like mine.......YAY!!!!!!!

 

 

if you get a Cooper, you will most likely upgrade down the line, so why not upgrade now, and enjoy the optimum from the beginning?


/ducks from the non-S guys.

 

the coopers are fun and all the cooper folks keep up quite well..but it's alot more work...which IS fun...however for driving on a daily basis I find it's mroe fun to not have to work as hard to go fast.....I am a finess driver/racer though...it should be smooth and clean for streets!!


HEY DON"T THROUGH THAT AT ME!...LOL....I have a Cooper and an "S" I love them bothbut there's always a favorite

 

Tuls,my MC is smooth.Once it get rolling it is quick,and 3rd gear is great from
40 to 70 mph:smile:The mud flaps really make it go at 4500 rpm

 

heh yeah...when I said smooth I meant the drving style...as in...if I want to keep up with an S in the cooper I have to driive really hard

 

Well that's more fun.Then 5400 rpm is whats called for

 

The Cooper was a great learning experience for me...between the mods I did, people I met and learning to appreciate a nice drivers car. My upgrade was not an MCS though....

 

Nice,very Nice

 

I would to upgrade to a 911 in about five years. Until then I will be content with our MCS.

 

I too thought at first that I would merely have to "settle" for my MC since the MCS optioned the way I wanted would have been out of my finacial reach. Was I truly surprised on the overall performance of my MC. Sure it doesn't accelerate like an MCS, but "Newt" loves to cruise the freeway anywhere between 80-90 mph. I also believe by owning an MC keeps the pressure off of me wanting to "fit in" by tweaking an MCS with all sorts of costly performance crap. I'll stick with my MC. Looking forward to the new "Clubman" someday!

 

Light, small wheels and a few upgrades help too!...

 

We like our MC's so much, we now have 2 And the 05 Cabrio seems to have much more zip & pep than the 03. The getrag tranny makes a big difference.

But I have to admit, hubby is hinting at possibly trading Louie for a 2006 S or whatever it will be called.

Lois

 

My '05 CVT MINI can go much faster than I ever need it to go on the freeway. I've no complaints in that area. Going over the I-80 Sierra Pass, between Nevada and California, I've had A LOT of fun with this car. The mountains don't seem to crimp this car's style at all, she just keeps on going, at speeds I could never go before in my old Toyota RAV-4, or even a Chrysler Sebrine Limited rental I had for awhile (V-6, with 24 valve fuel-injected blah, blah, blah, but HEAVY).

Even on the city streets, once she gets going, which takes no time at all, I really have to be careful about watching my speed, because she just wants to go! If I had an MCS, I'm sure I'd have a ticket, or two, by now!

My only complaint, and I think this goes for the MCS as well (un-modded), is that initial take off is a bit slow, and requires some care when pulling into heavy traffic from a dead stop. As far as modding goes, well...there's just not that much I plan to do. Right now, I'm fairly happy with performance, but would like better brakes. I've been thinking about switching to Mintex, which sound good. A K & N high performance air filter is in my future, and perhaps a cold air intake later on, and then maybe a Borla Street muffler, but...that's about it. Oh, and I want a touch more ground clearance, and a bit softer ride, so I'll likely get slightly larger tires (185/65-15's), but keep my base stock wheels.

I think all those mods, even if I did them all, would not cost me as much as an MCS, assuming I had the same options. I would've been more interested in an MCS, but I'm not hot on the hood scoop, or the stiffer suspension, or the runflats that come with the package, or the lack of a spare tire location, or...well, you get the picture. Plus, what can I say, I've always hated driving a stick in heavy traffic. The soon to come automatic MCS is even pricier than an MCS, and heavier (ugh), so that wasn't anything of an option. If Sport Suspension Plus was an option, and there was a spot to put a spare tire, and an option for "regular" non-runflat tires (from the delivery), and not quite so many other little warranty issues (like constantly cracking windshields, etc.), than I would've been much more interested in an MCS.

My only real complaint with my MINI is the rattles I'm learning to deal with (by getting rid of them as I track the little bastards down), and the fact that my seats didn't come as I ordered (dealership's fault for not telling me about option changes, not the car's). Your experience will likely be very different from mine. I think you'll be happy with an MC over an MCS. The ride is definitely a little less bumpy, and you'll be spending less money, and strangers to MINI's never can seem to tell (by just looking) the difference between an MC and an MCS. Heck, I had one gal with an MCS ask me if MY car was an MCS, even though she was looking right at it. But, admittedly, she was not a miniac, but just a regular ("oh, it's so cute") MINI driver. Which is fine by me. After all, it's JUST a car, guys, really.

 

No need to justify your purchase..I test drove a MC CVT and it wasn't for me so we got a MCS. Be happy everyone has a cooper..although I notice that more then a few of the cooper guys ignore our mcs.:smile: