I found a 2005 MCS under 10k miles all the right factory options and the color which my wife loves, electric blue. the car will serve as daily for wife during the week, track/autox for fun on the weekends. I will be lucky to do 4 or 5 events a year so nothing heavy.

here is the question:
1- do i buy a GP which only needs new 17"rubber, comes with factory warranty, rarity and elevated price tag. BTW it is out classed in DSP for autoX, so it would not be close to competitive but neither am I

2-electric blue with 10k miles for $20k spend about $3500 in mods. Intake, pulley, crank pulley, exhaust, sways, strut brace, front brake and rubber. Have a screaming little car with a voided warranty?

any thoughts?

 

no ideas/thoughts?

 

If you are thinking long term, the GP should be worth more down the road. But if you are looking for more speed w/o having to pay for mods and installation then I'd say go w/ the MCS.
Good Luck & Motor On!

 

Just curious - why would the GP need new 17" rubber? The car comes with 18" wheels.

 

Also, the GP isn't classified in SCCA yet as to where it will run.

 

i would like 17" because the stock are run flats, which i dont understand why MINI put those on the most performance minded package. Also 18" autox tires are limited in options/sizing and cost too much.

For autox, the GP is classed in DSP which is too competitive for the GP out of box.

 

Lighter weight.
Easier to lower without rubbing issues.
More comfortable ride due to fatter side wall.
Better selection of performance tires at a much lower price.
Big selection of better looking wheels.

Need I go on ? To me the first sign that Mini was not really interested in making the GP perform were the 18's

 

If your wife is going to use it as a daily driver and your going to only track 4 or 5 times a year, I'd do the MCS. Put for pure kick in the pants GP. Alot of the mods you listed don't automaticly void the war. on the entire car.. Just my 2 pennies...

 

The GP sounds like more fun!

 

If it was me I'd buy the 2005 MCS. Even when you throw those mods to it you are way under what a GP costs. As for warranty, many folks have those mods without any warranty problems.

 

Ultimately, I'd go with the MCS, and mod it.

 

MINI puts run-flats on the MCSes in part because they don't come with a spare. Also, they are safer, which reduces the company's liability risk. I think there are benefits to having stiff sidewalls too - sharper turn-in. Depending on the type of driving you're doing, sharper turn-in may be more important than at-the-limit grip. Personally, I prefer run-flats for day-to-day driving.The R107 GP wheels only weigh 19.8 lbs each. That's really not bad at all - do you realize that's lighter than ALL of the OEM 17" wheels, and lighter than HALF of the OEM 16" wheels?

Sure, you can buy lighter aftermarket wheels, but when you look at the selection of OEM wheels, I MINI did a GREAT job choosing an 18" wheel that is one of the lightest they offer. Check the numbers!

MINI2 - FAQ & DIY: Wheels & Tyres

The diameter of the GP wheels & tires is exactly the same (within millimeters) as all of the OEM 15", 16" & 17" wheel & tire combos. Also, at 205mm wide, they are the same width as the OEM 17" wheels. Just a shorter sidewall, that's all.Comfort? Oh, excuse me... I thought we were talking about performance. Sheesh. I always find it amusing when MINI owners complain of a harsh ride with run-flats. If you want a Cadillac, go buy one. Agreed.Well, that's subjective. I think the GP wheels look great.I think you're way off-base on that one. The amazingly light weight of the GP wheels (for what they are) is definitely a sign of MINI's interest in the performance side of things.

The GP wheels are awesome and I'd have them on my MINI if they were available separately.

 

Cost no object? GP
Need a back seat? MCS

Both will be a helluva ride!

 

the simple bolt on mods will be much cheaper than the GP cost, no question. the performance will be very close as well. With the milltek exhaust I think the car would loose 20lbs alone if I remember it right. but the resale of the GP is attractive to me since it should retain more value. Now I am very surprised to see that the 05 and 06 cars are selling close to or above the price of an r56. When I sold my 02 MCS I got a great price as well so I guess what goes around comes around.