The MC has a more elegant bonnet than the S, and the chrome bits make a very nice look, something the S doesn't have either. It's a blast to drive, and I've never even test driven an S, so I still don't know what I'm missing. That being said, I've had my MC for over a year and am going to be upgrading to an S sometime in the not-too-distant future. I've decided I can live w/ the hood scoop and I'm getting the Works kit installed. You can't do much to a regular Cooper, as there's just no headroom on the engine. If you install a new head, header, exhaust, and intake, you might close in on 135 horses or so, but you'll never see 165 bhp. You'll never see your warranty again, either. The S will allow lots of fiddling, and you can see 200 bhp or more for a good bit less than the Works kit installed, but again, at the cost of the warranty. You might do a search on the various threads which talk about repair hassles w/ aftermarket stuff. It's not a small decision to make. You'll save up front, but depending on your dealer, when/if you need repairs and/or servicing, you could pay big time later in just the hassles alone.

 

>>The MC has a more elegant bonnet than the S, and the chrome bits make a very nice look, something the S doesn't have either. It's a blast to drive, and I've never even test driven an S, so I still don't know what I'm missing. That being said, I've had my MC for over a year and am going to be upgrading to an S sometime in the not-too-distant future. I've decided I can live w/ the hood scoop and I'm getting the Works kit installed. You can't do much to a regular Cooper, as there's just no headroom on the engine. If you install a new head, header, exhaust, and intake, you might close in on 135 horses or so, but you'll never see 165 bhp. You'll never see your warranty again, either. The S will allow lots of fiddling, and you can see 200 bhp or more for a good bit less than the Works kit installed, but again, at the cost of the warranty. You might do a search on the various threads which talk about repair hassles w/ aftermarket stuff. It's not a small decision to make. You'll save up front, but depending on your dealer, when/if you need repairs and/or servicing, you could pay big time later in just the hassles alone.

BUT, are you upgrading to the 'S' because it can be fiddled with more, or because you think the MC doesn't really have enough power?

 

It's cool that it comes with 16" wheels, which I like a lot, but come out fitted with performance tires, which would really suck in Ohio's winters. Any suggestions that don't involve changing the tires right away? I'm not trying to be deilberately cheap, but I'm on a budget for the most part.
>>

Super high performance tires REALLY suck in winter conditions. The ones on the Cooper should be OK. The DSC should help tons as well, so you would not have to change tires right away.

 

>> I'm not trying to be deilberately cheap, but I'm on a budget for the most part.

On ebay you can pick up a set of stock 15" Cooper rims with the all-seasons (175/65) for close to $200 (plus shipping).

 

>>The MC has a more elegant bonnet than the S, and the chrome bits make a very nice look, something the S doesn't have either. It's a blast to drive, and I've never even test driven an S, so I still don't know what I'm missing. That being said, I've had my MC for over a year and am going to be upgrading to an S sometime in the not-too-distant future. I've decided I can live w/ the hood scoop and I'm getting the Works kit installed. You can't do much to a regular Cooper, as there's just no headroom on the engine. If you install a new head, header, exhaust, and intake, you might close in on 135 horses or so, but you'll never see 165 bhp. You'll never see your warranty again, either. The S will allow lots of fiddling, and you can see 200 bhp or more for a good bit less than the Works kit installed, but again, at the cost of the warranty. You might do a search on the various threads which talk about repair hassles w/ aftermarket stuff. It's not a small decision to make. You'll save up front, but depending on your dealer, when/if you need repairs and/or servicing, you could pay big time later in just the hassles alone.

You can add genuine MINI OEM chrome parts to your MCS, just like I did:

Front Chrome grille
Chrome mirror caps.


My S has lotsa chrome, even more than my Cooper.

 

Haven't looked much, but what brand/model do they stick on the 16s, just so I can look them up to satisfy my curiosity.

 

Well, I guess I've gone through the full evolution. I started off convinced I was going to get an MCS. Then I started spending too many waking moments thinking about a JCW MCS. And then, about 2 weeks ago, I joined this forum and changed my mind yet again.

Last night I took out a 2004 MC with the sport package (sorry, can't remember which wheels were on it) and the 5 speed from Patrick MINI.

I was positively amazed at the little beast! :smile: My only problem with it last night was that the roads near the dealer are not the best for testing this car out.

It could be my imagination and maybe I was just driving it completely differently than its force-fed brothers, but this thing seemed to turn in quicker and rotate better than the other 2 Minis.

With this in mind, and the cost savings, and the fact that some other threads have convinced me that the MC is more competitive in some stock racing classes than either the MCS or the JCW; unless I discover a big pot of gold (it is St. Patty's Day after all), I'm sticking with the MC.

That way I'll have money left over for the racing harness, extra wheels and tires, etc.

 

>>
>>With this in mind, and the cost savings, and the fact that some other threads have convinced me that the MC is more competitive in some stock racing classes than either the MCS or the JCW; unless I discover a big pot of gold (it is St. Patty's Day after all), I'm sticking with the MC.
>>
>>That way I'll have money left over for the racing harness, extra wheels and tires, etc.

Smart man.....the MC does seem to be placed into more competitive classes than the MCS, particularly with the JCW......then again, I love dragon slaying......but you seem to have made the right choice for you and I think the smarter choice......