I want a new Mini real bad. The problem is I'm retired and short of cash, (bad investments etc.). I'm trying to convince myself I could be happy with the standard Mini instead of getting the S model. How significant are the differences? The cost difference of $4,000 or so is significant to me. I have heard the standard model has a better ride than the S, but everyone seems to want the S. I hope this means I could get a better deal on a standard Mini.

 

Robert, if the extra $4,000 is to much, get the standard cooper. There are more similarities than differences and you will love either one.

Andy

 

Welcome to MCO! :smile:

...not everyone wants an MCS, many people prefer the aesthetic of the Cooper over the S. The Cooper does ride better than the S, it won't knock out your fillings. Honestly, the power curves below 3500rpm are simliar, so you're not better off with the S if you're just cruising around town.

so the big questions are, do you need...:
- the extra horsepower?
- the 6-speed?
- your teeth knocked out over every bump? (ok I'm exaggerating, but you get the point)

Regardless your choice, I'm confident you will be impressed with your Motoring experience. Don't save the $3k delta just to save money, save it because you don't really need the higher performance.

Good luck, and as always if you have any questions just ask!
Ryan

 

You brought it up about making bad investments (me too, Siebel stock at $100.00 per share now $8.00).
I have a Mini and I'm really happy but I don't kick myself for not buying Ebay stock at $10.00 now that it is over $100.00

Some people will never be happy not having the top model but I think they are the people that buy with their heart and not with their head.

If you are one of those people then by and S

Less is more.

Mona Cooper

 

around town, city driving, etc...definitely the MC.........expressway driving, cross country, etc....the MCS......latest, coolest, money no object, etc....the works :smile:

 

There are more MINI Coopers sold than MCSs.
When I test drove them, I couldn't tell the difference.
Perhaps I wasn't driving them hard, I was just going down the streets and seeing how they felt to me.

I actually think that if money was biting at me, I'd be perfectly happy with the 5-speed Cooper. It was a fine ride. I was smiling just as much as I drove it as I did the MCS.

and for me, I've known for months that my current lease is up in Dec. I've been saving my extra money so I can get the MCS with the options I want on it. But at MINIUSA, I can build me a Cooper that I'd be really happy with that is thousands less. But Right now I'm really stable (just got a 5% raise) so I'm going for it all!

However, I might add that my Mom went with me for the test drives. now weeks later, she said the other day that she may have to think about a Cooper with CVT for her running around! (I smiled big)





_________________

"Madeline" is Due in Late November ! -- MCS Chili Red/White/Stripes, Full Aero Kit and Union Jack --

 

I have the regular Cooper and love it, there is no reason why you shouldnt get it.

 

You brought it up about making bad investments (me too, Siebel stock at $100.00 per share now $8.00).
I have a Mini and I'm really happy but I don't kick myself for not buying Ebay stock at $10.00 now that it is over $100.00

Some people will never be happy not having the top model but I think they are the people that buy with their heart and not with their head.

If you are one of those people then by and S

Less is more.

Mona Cooper

 

Hey, here's a cheap piece of advice that you can bank on.....................
Go to your Mini dealer and test drive each, (its free) than decide for yourself, its the only way you'll be able to answer the question that best satisfies you.
Frankly, you won't go wrong either, its a fabulous ride!
PS: I bought Pixar at $11.50 and its now at 67+ and it never suffered from the dot com bomb!

 

PS: I bought Pixar at $11.50 and its now at 67+ and it never suffered from the dot com bomb!

it's all timing....I bought SONS at 30cents last fall....now over $7 and bought RMBS at $3.50, now at $18 plus and on the way to $40, hopefully...did own SEBL at $80, but had a stop loss at $60 on the way down, never buy a tech stock or any stock for that matter without a stop loss, as it goes up, just keep adjusting the trailing stop loss up also...by the way EBAY is close to $120 and splitting, I stopped out at 68 on the way down before it reversed at 38, bummer...EBAY now at all time high including the tech bubble....unfortunately SEBL will never see 100 again in this decade, along with the overhyped software companies like ORCL, BEAS, etc...consolidation now baby as the bubble has been popped....GLW at $1, another terrific buy last fall, now close to $9, bummer, missed that one...last fall was the greatest buying opportunity you might ever see in the market, but you had to step to the plate as the old adage still remains sell when everyone is giddy and buying and buy when there is blood in the streets and nobody is buying....human nature makes it hard to do though...cheers

 

regarding PIXR, forgot to mention at the top of the bubble, Pixar was 50+, dropped to the teens, -75% whacking, then has recovered, so it did get whacked by the tech bubble...again, it's when you bought, but every tech stock got whacked, some more so than others and some have recovered and others never will.......cheers

 

IMHO...If you're not sure if you need the MCS, you probably don't. I have a MC and it's fine for me.

 

>>...but everyone seems to want the S. >>

I test drove a Cooper and it was insane...very quick, a blast to manuver, and tight as a drum. Where I was test driving, I couldn't get any more out of the S, so I got a Cooper. I've enjoyed having a car so well matched to my style of driving and the price-tag makes the deal infinitely more sweet. Its still fantastic! MINIs aren't, and have never been, just about hp, IMO, but about having a blast while motoring. Now those with a thirst for horses might start with an S...they want the HP and can take off from there! But its far too tempting to fall into the typical "more is better" routine with MINIs. Lots of people do, and that's their right. However, almost all true MINI enthusiasts agree that both models, though they perhaps fill different niches for driver needs/wants, are awesome in their own right....you'll love whatever you choose to get!

 

As someone who has owned both a Cooper and a Cooper S--I have used both of them as daily drivers, and both of them as fun-mobiles. I love them both, but in different ways. The Cooper is definitely a more comfortable ride, and once you get the hang of it, it can actually be a pretty quick little car. I moved on to the S, because I was getting power hungry and I wanted to start modding, and the S is just a better platform for that.

For you and your needs, you'll have to decide. But I would lean toward the Cooper.

Good luck, and happy hunting!

 

>>I want a new Mini real bad. The problem is I'm retired and short of cash, (bad investments etc.). I'm trying to convince myself I could be happy with the standard Mini instead of getting the S model. How significant are the differences? The cost difference of $4,000 or so is significant to me. I have heard the standard model has a better ride than the S, but everyone seems to want the S. I hope this means I could get a better deal on a standard Mini.
>>

How do you plan to spec the car. I'm a teacher at retirement age and understand the problem. I went for the S and no options. Except the flag my wife wanted on the roof. If you are looking at options maybe you should reconsider. Even with no money problems I would get the std. setup. If I could have, it would have been without elect. windows, ACS, and other things I consider useless to my needs. It came in right at 20k. After 18 000 miles, I have no regrets.

Motor on.

 

I drive a Cooper and I feel it is great. If I had the 'S' I would get a ticket everytime I drive. I am close to getting tickets with my Cooper.....my wife always asks me "Do you have drive 90mph".....It is fast......I love it






BTW 500th post......

 

Wow so many variables. All we can do is tell you why we bought what we bought. I bought the MC not because of money but because of the ride. I have a 13 month old boy and I thought the ride would be too stiff. Also I plan to drive back and forth between Atanta and Charlotte a lot. I figured the MC would be a nicer highway ride. Also I wanted good gas mileage. The MCS gets horrible gas mileage.

If I want stiff I will hop in my Miata with race springs and shocks!

Good luck with your decision making process. And if you make the wrong decision rest assured the resale value is high so you won't lose much if any.

When my boy gets older I will probably upgrade to the MCS!!! I agree with Chitown_COOP. The MCS is a better platform to mod.

 

I've been going through the same debate. The way I see it -- both incredibly fun cars - can't go wrong.

MCS Pros
- Extra power -- in test drive I could tell when passing. Heard some complaints of MC underpowered with AC on. I may have bikes on roof with passengers and driving on hills.
- Faster in 0 - 60
- Alloy Patina interior available - (which I like)
- 6 speed - I liked the gear ratios better in my test drives
- Stiffer ride - better handling?? more fun??


MCS Cons
- Extra $2500 - It's only this because some opions I'd add to the MC are included
- Gas mileage worse by 3mpg - (this hurts my minimalist objectives with this car, though I hear the mileage on both vehicles might be no where near the stated numbers)
- Slightly lower power in low RPMs -- heard the supercharger hurts a bit here.
- Risk of yo-yo ing, stuttering, and other reported software issues
- Stiffer ride - too hard on the seat and back for longer rides??? risk of wife or passenger complaints?? I have skipped the 17" tires to help a little. (How much is because of runflats, which I would get on the MC anyway?)

Any comments on my lists?

 

Wrestled with the same decision of MC v. MCS and went with the MC with premium and sport pkg with leather and never regretted my decision. While the MCS is undoubtedly quicker off the line, they are closer than you would think at speed (top end aside). I do agree, however, that the MC is sluggish off the line with the AC on so my solution on track days is to turn it off and open the sunroof. Problem solved. Seriously though, there are a lot of smiling MC owners out there so we can't all be wrong. Enjoy!

 

Both are great cars, but if you are in a budget I recommend looking into the regular Cooper a bit harder.

Also, in order to have a fun MINI experience you don't need to spend lots of money on options...in fact...the MINI is best enjoyed near stock form. We currently have a '02 Cooper CVT which is a bone stock model with only two options: CVT transmission and steering wheel mounted radio controls with cruise control. The car is an absolute blast and people stare at it like if it was an european exotic car.....all this fun for $18,500 MSRP.

While many other cars in the market require them to be loaded in options to make them barely passable or less boring, this is not the case with the MINI. For $16,500 base price you are getting already a very well equipped car with everything you will ever need to motor!


Optional equipment is pretty subjective but the point that I am trying to make is that you don't need a sunroof or leather interior to feel good about your car.

On the other hand if a bit of better powertrain performance is important to you (The Cooper is already a pretty deceptively fast car as it is) then I would suggest looking into a "Base" Cooper 'S' and you'll still be a hair or two over the $20K price barrier.

Test drive both, that is the best and most surest way to determine which model fits your budget, driving needs and expectations.

Good luck.

 

I would get what you want, the cost difference is so small that it would be worth waiting a little longer to save up for the extra cash to get exactly what you want. I have been in the same situation and settled for something just because I could get it sooner and I always regretted it later. When you get the exact thing you want you are always happy with it years later just not at the time of purchase.

When I bought my cooper I listed what was important to me and ranked them the old fashion Ben Franklin way by writing down the pros and cons of both the S and standard cooper. What I found out, to my surprise, was that the looks of the Cooper (chrome grill and bumpers, no hood scoop) was more important to me then the performance advantage of the S. I realized that as I get older as long as the car is peppy it fits my driving style. I don’t want to drive a slug (I assure you the cooper is no slouch) but I don’t need a rocket either so the Cooper is just fine, well its more then fine its great.

Get what you want, wait a little if you need to, don’t settle for a Cooper if that extra performance and sixth gear is going to bring a smile to your face every time you grab it. Drive them both you will know which one is your driving soul mate, MINI’s like all great cars talk to you if you take the time to listen. You might surprise yourself with your decision.

 

Robert,

Welcome to MCO. At the risk of starting another "Great Taste...Less Filling" argument, you've stumbled onto one of the MCO perpetual topics. My advise is to drive both a MC and MCS. You will find much more similarity than difference between the two. After having driven them, assess your wants, needs and finances to see if the MCS is worth the extra bling bling. About the only thing not available on a MCS that is available on a MC is the CVT transmission. If you are unable or unwilling to "row your own" then the MC is the only way to go. An MCS without the sport package or 17" wheels rides as smoothly as a standard MC, so that shouldn't be a major concern. If you'd like to option up with the premium/sunroof, etc and finances are a major concern, get the cheaper vehicle and spend the extra 3k on "extras".

p.s. Like me, you may find the extra hp of the MCS addictive. After having driven it there was no longer any choice in my case.

 

I had 4 main reasons for not getting an S:
-There's no track possibilities where I live, and I knew that the extra power might get me into trouble. I was right- the MC does a good job of that already!
-I didn't want to wait the extra 8 months or more it would have take at the time I ordered.
-I wanted some options which made the extra 3K for the S a bigger issue.
-I absolutely love the look of the regular Cooper, especially the more graceful bonnet. Extra chrome is a nice touch as well.

 

You will certainly fine no lack of Cooper vs Cooper S threads on this site... research them well. In short the Cooper is still very fun to drive and no slouch in performance, the S is faster, but if you're fine with fun but not the fastest just go with the Cooper.