>>I felt compelled to respond to this post. I'm considering buying a Mini, and if I wasn't sold already, this forum alone would be enough to sell me on one. Visit the Civic Si forum and you'll find, literally, a bunch of children who bicker and can barely complete their sentences. The signal to noise ratio is about 1:200. To a lesser extent, the same holds true for the 350z forum. If a forum is a snapshot of the owner population, then Mini owners are a mature bunch that I think I'll fit perfectly with.
>>

Now I feel compelled to respond too. :smile:

First of all, I've never driven a BMW, and couldn't afford one.

I very much agree with what you said about NAM and MINI owners in general, mantronix. This was the first internet board I ever participated in, and I've enjoyed it since day one. I've had a chance to look at a few others, for VW, BMW, Z, etc., and I was genuinely surprised to see how different they were from NAM. The level of discussion here on NAM defintely seems to be a cut above what I've seen elsewhere.

Bottom line, this is a great community. Sure, you could spend more money and get an M3 or something comparable, but none of the MINI's competitors are going to make you part of a family of great owners with the level of support you find in the MINI world.

 

Regarding the 320i, I just assumed it was faster, and it didn't feel as stressed at higher speeds - at 120kmh it was at 2500, my MCS is at 3000.

But yes, it did drive like an old horse.

 

I sold my 2001 325I to purchase my 2003 DS/MCS, no regrets



Dave

 

I went from a ’03 MCS to a ’04 BMW M3 with SMG II and have absolutely no regrets. The MCS is hard to beat for the money and a lot of bang for the buck and it is unfair to compare two such dissimilar cars in totally different price ranges. With only 70 dealers nationwide my biggest problem with the MINI brand was convenient availability of a competent servicing dealer.

 

>>
>>>>Not to pick nits, but a Bimmer is a BMW automobile, while a Beamer is a BMW motorcycle.
>>>>
>>
>>Hah!. I always subscribed to that reasoning and explanation. But I do think the proper spelling is Beemer :smile:
>>
>>I could be wrong.
>>
>>Sportbikes and Mini's - Perfect Together.

MGCMAN is correct. A BMW automobile is a "Bimmer". It also happens to be the name of the BWMCCA's Boston Chapter monthly magazine.

Trivia 'R Us,

Theo

 

Drove a bunch of similar category performance cars when I was buying. The MCS was the only one that made me jump around like a 4 year old grinning ear to ear.

The MCS handling capability is amazing as a stock car. It is not the fastest car out there, but a couple of small modifications and you can keep up with the most of them.

I dread the day I will need any dealer service, it is 4 hours away.

 

I had a 1998 M3 as well a couple of years ago. I miss the M3, but think the MCS is almost as much fun for a lot less money.

 

>>Well I took my first MCS test drive earlier today! I have to say I was more impressed than I thought I would be. The car handles exceptionally well and I now understand the "fun factor" everyone on this site has been talking about.
>>
>>However, at this point it doesn't make financial sense for me to sell the 328i and go with the MCS. My BMW is already paid off and if I took on the MCS I would be making payments again. And with my wedding this next summer I should hold off on the MCS for now. Maybe in the future though?
>>
>>Thanks again for all your reponses to my previous post. I'll keep you all updated if my plans change.
>>
>>Kyle

Take your fiancee to the dealer for a test drive. Once she's got the same childish "I have got to get me one of these!" grin on her face that you got, then your plans will change- for the better, for both of you!

You'll just have to work out taking turns driving it before it arrives. I'll bet "Just Married" paraphenalia looks really cute on the back of a MINI, too!

_________________
Midnight- '03 indi blue MCS, learning all the bad habits of a proper British car from Rusty- '75 MGB

 

I have no regrets so far either. I own an Aug 03 MCS. The only thing that has bothered me was that in hot weather, there was a noticeable stumble. Software Ver 36 is being uploaded to the ECU's on the MCS for free at dealers to remedy the problem. Apparently the problem is only noticeable in the N. American MINI's where climate/temperature is so diverse. Colder climates do not seem to report the same problem. Other than that problem, I love the car. The only other cars I really considered were the Focus SVT and the WRX. Great cars too, but there's just something about being able to make your car your own by going into the dealer and saying, "Hell Yeah, I want the checkerboard on the roof." Makes you feel young again.

Good luck–you won't lose your shirt on this car if you decide to get it.

 

I have had BMWs; a 71 2002 (great), an 81 318 (dog), a 91 318is (best), a 2000 328i (too refined). Bought an MCS July 2003 and we love it! After a few months of debate, I parted with the 2000 328i. All I wanted to do was to drive the mini! A few problems, but the dealer was extremely responsive. I have to tell you, I don't miss the BMW. The Mini has all the stuff.