Several people have asked for a comparison of handling in the JCW vice the CS. I figured add just discuss the entire set of differences. This is only my opinion. YMMV.

First, I've read many threads in other forums and, for the most part the maturer Pcar people well respect MCSs (Elise people seem to too). I've read times where ppl pick up a MC as their commuter car for around town. They give credit where credit is due.

I am being as fair as can be, as I have nothing to gain or lose either way.

For point of reference. The MINI was an 04 (older gearing) JCW 210 with Borla Race Catback, H-Comp 25.5 rear sway bar, MOT 1000 Bluetooth, and Blitzsafe XMdirect (standard radio, no Nav).

Dealership Comparisons

MINI - Despite technical car problems, I thought my dealer was great. MA knew me on sight. Being part of the BMW dealer, the waiting room was very nice, plasma screen, free sodas, coffee, bagels during the day, two internet connections. Very pleasant. Free rentals. I can't say enough good things about them.

P - The dealership was part of a large group of car brands under one giant roof, attached to BMW and Audi. The Porsche section was being "built" ... just a giant empty room so I have no comment. The only thing the salesman said was that I would be invited to the grand opening and would be duly impressed as they consider themselves as a boutique to cater to our needs. Free rental for life.

Sales - MINI MA was more knowledgable. P, I knew more than him on somethings from reading online. However. The experience was totally different. MINI MA dumped me like a hot potatoe once the sales was made. P sales took all day, gave us free lunch (that was just lucky), called back immediately, insists I call him for anything). No contest.

Options - If you think MINI got a lot of options, you have no idea how many a P has. The Order Guide is like 60 pages in so many combinations that any indecisive person would never make up their mind. Further, just tell them what you want ... interior color, leather, exterior paint and they will paint to sample. In other words, whatever you want, you can get (at a price). P by a mile.

What comes standard? I was disappointed that at this price level, Xenons were not standard. Spare wheel is also an issue. No excuse for no spare. MINI gives you excellent value for what just comes with the car. MINI wins.

INTERIOR

I have no idea if the red leather in the MC40 is the same leather used on all MINIs but we loved it. The p leather is a bit more stiff. The rest of the interior is a wash, looks about the same to me although the P has unique little nooks for storing stuff like your umbrella and coins in stuff, much like a Toyota.

Ergonomics - No contest. You wear the croc. Its an extension of your hands and feet. Everything around you is there for one reason and one reason only ... driving. When I asked about XM radio, they do sell it in their SUV but will not in the 997 or 987. Sports cars dont get radios.

Its a bit hard to explain but the best way to explain is then when you sit, you hand just falls on the shift ... everything is exactly where it should be to drive. Every move, every twitch is geared to one thing ... driving.

NAV. Edge, is going to laugh at me now but I did get Nav. Book is over an inch thick on how to use everything in that computer. Toss that out ... I need the executive summary. Lucky its intuitive.

Stereo - I usually dont care. MINI got a lot of open air in the box shape. P more confined. With the upgraded Bose, sounded better than HK but I really dont care about the stereo other than XM. Nobody messes with the Porsche fiber optics and they dont sell satellite radio. MINI wins because of XM.

Space. No contest. MINI.

PERFORMANCE

Someone was asking about the handling of the JCW vice P.
Breakin is 2K miles. That is going to take a bit. Cant go over 4K yet. We took the car to some local backroads today for some break-in time.

Acceleration ... no need to discuss this, you can figure that one out.
Brakes ... ditto.
Sound ... whine is good but the boxer behind your right ear "in song" ... so sweet and I haven't been over 4K. As to exhaust. No fake burble. However, I had a Borla Race in the MINI and outside the car, it was not that loud, in fact quiter than other exhausts I had. Inside the car, you could hear it, especially with the rear seats down. Some people may have found it annoying (not me). In the CS, outside the car sounded louder than the Borla. Inside, barely any exhaust noise ... but the engine ... sweet. Outside of the rumble of an American V8, I dont think anything sounds as sweet as the flat six.

Handling. This is harder to explain. I can say I've probably had the JCW at 9/10s with the OEM RFs. Thats it. Never hard enuff to be on the edge, nor hard enuff to be drift or break lose. 20 years I autoxed in a 944 almost every summer weekend for two years and went to several local driving classes ... not P track classes ... they cost a fortune, just local PCA club classes.

The MINI really does feel like a go cart on rails. I felt it and the suspension always hurt my back. You feel every bump. Much more noticeable in the passenger seat. Very harsh in comparison with the JCW suspension. And the JCW suspension seemed to be softer than stock. Part of this is the RFs. Thats just the best way to put.

The mid-engined CS is totally different (and I dont have PASM). Its like your around the corner and dont realize your around it. I hope that makes sense. Smooth, feel few bumps, despite running 35 series. Compared to the MINI suspension, its like riding a caddy to me. One journalist wrote that its so efficient and makes the normal driver look so good that it has no soul. It just too efficient. You could say that ... but what that means to me is there is no drama, you just turn. So what does that really mean?

In the MINI, maybe you might really scare some passengers in the tight onramps, etc. Maybe there is more outside noise in the MINI making for more drama. In the CS, same speed, its just normal/comfortable. No drama. Higher OEM limits.

One interesting difference, coming around a hard, tight downhill turn, I felt scraping in the left front. I turned around, same thing. I thought maybe too much weight in the front trunk? Took all my crap out and still there. Then I noticed it just pulling over the little bump up going into the driveway, depending upon which way I turn in or straight in. I though oh no, back to the dealer but a quick check of the forums showed it was a little rubber air deflector for the brakes. The silly rubber thing sits no more than maybe 2 1/2" off the ground below the front air dam, just a bit back so its hard to see.

If you got any questions, go ahead and ask and I can answer the best I can.

Bottom line ... I do not believe you can beat the handling of the MINI for the price range in any car. I think most 06 JCWs with a few options are probably mid-high 30s. Thats starting to get up there but still, the only thing else, in the low 40s, is the Elise (or an Evo. I give due props to the Evo ... you get A lot of car for the money).

 

Thanks for the comparison, Chows. From all that I read about the C.S., my guess for its comparison to the MCS wouldn't have deviated too far from your review.

I know you haven't taken the engine speed above 4K during the break-in, but at this point in the handling department, where would you rate your C.S. and the JCW on a scale of 1 - 10 (ten being the level where your passenger crapped his pants with a smile)?

 

I'm not quite sure what your asking. I wrote:

In the MINI, maybe you might really scare some passengers in the tight onramps, etc. Maybe there is more outside noise in the MINI making for more drama. In the CS, same speed, its just normal/comfortable. No drama. Higher OEM limits.

I'll try to make it clearer ...

I've been around on ramps in the JCW w/RFs with passengers looking for the grab handle (and there is none in an 04). Lots of drama. So, I say 8. Take the same corner in the Cayman ... no drama, it just hugs the road. Only my wife and shes looking for what CD to put in. Does that makes sense?

As to acceleration ... variocam doesnt even kick in until over 4K, so I have no idea how it feels.

Here is a review from The Truth About Cars, that explains better than me what I am saying http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=1783

"The moment I dropped the hammer on the Porsche Cayman S, an entirely unexpected emotion welled-up inside: fear. I was holding the wheel of the world’s best sports car on a perfectly-groomed country road and I couldn’t fully commit to a corner. ... I was afraid of the unknown. What if some dumb *** pulled out of a hidden drive without looking? ...

The second complaint is the car’s lack of soul. The Cayman is a thoroughly German sports car. In other words, it’s all about the driving, not the car. Yes, you become one with the motorized scalpel that transforms you into a corner carving God. But there’s nothing about the Cayman that tugs at your heart strings. ... In short, the Porsche Cayman S is nothing less– and strangely nothing more– than the ultimate driving machine."

See what I'm trying to say? No drama, no crapping the pants, its just turns and your on your way. So some ppl say it has no soul because its just to efficient.

 

i thought CS was like a RAV4 special edition or something.

 

Chows,
Your explanation was clear; it was my question that wasn't.

-

 

Excellent write-up.

May you have many days of enjoyment with your new toy!

 

Chows, as you know from the other board, I'm in the planning stages for my Cayman adventure. At this point, looks more likely to be base car and keep the MCS, a CS is still possible. Thanks for the observations. I've had four midengine cars before and expect them to handle better than the MINI hands down.

 

My only question was what car are you comparing the MINI to? It is not at all clear in your post. I think I figured it out from some of the responses however.

 

CS ... Cayman S, Sorry if I wasnt clear