Just wondering...are you Mini owners glad you chose a Mini or would you rather have a Mini S?

 

wow..........mmm.........there has a whole bunch of threads about this subject.......you might want to do a search..........for it...........

me it the mcs................

 

Well I have both...a Cooper CVT and a MCS. Both cars are great fun but they do differ a lot in the way they drive IMO. My thinking is that if you are leaning towards a stick shift equipped MINI and can stretch your budget to $20K or more, the MCS is the car to have hands down. If you are bent about having an automatic, the the Cooper CVT is your only choice (Until an automatic MCS becomes available sometime next year) but it is an excellent choice nevertheless.


Personally, I really like the extra low end torque of the MCS engine. Most people would tell you that the MCs is not really well suited to city traffic and I disagree completely. The MCS mechanicals are better becuase you get some added factory enhancements such as reinforced cylinder walls, oil cooler jets, better header, supercharger, dual exhaust, stiffer SS+ suspension and the excellent 6-speed Getrag box.


For an extra $3K over a standard 5-speed Cooper you get so much more car it is insane. The MCS is a fantastic value IMO. Think about it, the MCS is only $1,700 more expensive than a base Cooper CVT. If you were to do all the enhancements of the MCS on a Cooper (Very difficult feat) you are looking at speeding at least double the amount of the difference between the Cooper and the MCS.


Now the Cooper is a great car, and the CVT affords a very relaxed and fun driving experience, specially in bumper to bumper traffic. Anyone can drive the CVT. Also the Cooper pays a bit lower insurance and uses less gas. The Cooper also has cleaner exterior looks, but I also really like the hood scoop and the chrome gas cap.


Test drive both and decide for yourself, no one really can tell you in a message words what will work out best for you.

 

Also my thinking dictates that if you are going to get a Cooper or Cooper CVT, get a fully loaded car. If you are going the MCS route get a car with the least amount of optiuons, that way you'll have some cash left over to add mods if you so desire.



I have driven Cooper CVTs that are $2K more expensive than my MCS. To me the Cooper is the car to have with all the gadgets, meanwhile your MCS should be the car more focused in performance and less gimmickry.

 

Yeah really your really rehashing another subject this get sposted a lot. That being said, I lvoe my mini cooper, I even have the cvt, I have only one regret and that is that I live in DC. Because there really isn't much difference in drivng the two up here, and I got the cooper cvt beceu the traffic is horribel and I really ahte to shift a 1000 tiems on the way to work. AHd I live anywhere else I think I would have saved the money and waited tilll I had the difference so that I could get an S. Then again the differnce between driving the 2 isn't really that much different 90% of the time, its much more perceptual. I think when the newer mini come out with the bigger power plants and more options, then you'll see a bigger divide. So no regret I still love to motor

 

At $19,900 the MCS is $3,400 more than the $16,500 MC. Add $6,000 for the Works package and you’ve got a $9,400 premium for the MCS/JCW over the basic MINI - - that’s a 57% increase in price!

Is it worth it? Probably not!
Am I glad that I chose the MCS/JCW? Absolutely!!!!

I drove an MC loaner for about 1,500 very spirited miles right after getting my MCS. It had great handling and was more fun than a barrel of monkeys, and it set me to wondering if maybe I’d made a mistake buying the MCS/JCW. That was soon answered after getting my MCS out of the shop - - even with its 4,500 rpm break-in restriction it was way more fun than the MC, and when I could take it full-throttle to the red-line there was no question about it - - I had most definitely made the best choice (for me)!

 

I had an MC and traded it in for an MCS -

the MC definitely felt more nimble in traffic on roads. But the MCS is more than $3000 more worth of car...

I love them both. ANd if I had neither, but had to make a choice today - I'd choose the MCS again. For what they give you over the MC.. wow.

Again, the MC is an awesome car. I've never driven the CVT, btw, but I hear that if you know how to drive it, it is more fun than the 5-speed

 

If your tight on the bucks, the Mini (modestly equipped) is a pretty good deal. However, I'd be careful with the CVT (isn't the most durable tranny) and by all-means wait for the new 5 speed in 2005 if you get a manual. The current 5 speed isn't the greatest quality, and a number of failures have been reported...

However, if you have the bux, the extra power, sport suspension, trim and slightly spiced up interior (mainly better seats standard) make it a good value for $3000!

Also remember that the MCS takes a hit on fuel economy, not sure what the penalty is in the city, but on the highway it's 2-4MPG, from what I've read on here. Something to think about if your doing a lot of driving... With gas on it way to $3/gallon for premium You'll pay a few bux more on insurance too, but nothing bad. After 550MI w/alta intake, I'm averaging about 30MPG on the highway now- fairly constant traffic w/cruise @ ~80MPH... Hoping that may inch up a bit as the car finishes it's break-in...

I'm glad I got the MCS, very happy with it. Only option, in retrospect, I would have passed on is the leather. Not worth the $1,300 for it's crappy quality!

 

CVT tranny not durable? I disagree. 22K+ miles on our Cooper CVT (daily driver in bumper to bumper traffic) and not a single problem.



Where did you get that the CVT is not reliable? Please cite your sources.

 

So far My MC has been great,but I can see how a MCS would be nice also ,maybe next time

 

I have the CVT...

I bought it fairly loaded out (many options for comfort and such, premium etc.), and for the price I paid I could have easily gotten a stock MCS.

The ONLY reason I got the CVT was for traffic reasons. I can tell you, it is a BLAST to drive and (as has been discussed elsewhere) can be quite fast with proper technique. I love it, and don't regret choosing this particular car for a second as it is absolutely brilliant for zipping around rush hour and not having your foot/leg go numb from standing on/off the clutch for a solid hour at a time.

Having said all that, I am very seriously considering taking my tax return next year and making a deposit on an MCS to replace this car. While I absolutely LOVE it, I do find myself wishing for more power from time to time. If I had to do it over again I'd probably get a bone stock MCS with nothing added except the premium package (I can't live w/out the sunroof, and I really love the auto AC and MFSW as well).

You'll love either, and honestly if I never get the opportunity to "trade up" to the MCS I won't be the least bit disappointed as my car is (as I said) absolutely perfect for my daily drive.... it's just those weekend blasts down the interstate where it would be nice to embarass some higher-end imports I think :smile:

 

Well I don't have my MINI yet so I can only speek of my test drives.

I test drove the manual cooper first. It was nice, kinda fun but really didn't seem that much more fun then any other small 4cyl. car. Well it was more fun but not enough more fun for me to want to buy it. Then a few month later in Vegas I rented a S. After about five miniutes I knew it was what I wanted.

That being said, it may not have been the wisest of decisions because I was driving WAY TOO FAST down the strip and couldn't seem to stop myself. The car just wanted to go fast. So, I ordered myself a supercharged, yellow, ticket magnet.

Maybe the cooper is the way to go if you have the same heavy foot problem.

 

I love my MCS, but I remember you posting that you really wanted the CVT. Only available in the MC. Just something to keep in mind.

 

I do NOT understand why people buy the CVT and then use an excuse like, “I drive in a lot of traffic” or “My wife can’t drive a manual.”

As for the first excuse, it may be valid if you’re holding a cell phone in one hand, a cup of coffee in another hand, putting on make-up with yet another hand, etc. - - but IMO you shouldn’t be doing any of these things while driving. If you are not attempting to multi-task (bad idea) while driving, then a manual transmission while in stop and go traffic should become transparent - - after you become proficient with the clutch and stick shifting becomes an automatic and unconscious action just like breathing.

The second excuse doesn’t hold water either (unless the wife is narrow-minded and bull-headed) because it’s very easy to learn to be an adequate shifter - - half an hour of instruction and an hour or two of practice. After a few hours of city traffic and a few miles on the twisties she’ll wonder why she didn’t learn sooner.

If you want a CVT, then don’t make lame excuses - - just buy it and enjoy it!

 

>>I do NOT understand why people buy the CVT and then use an excuse like, “I drive in a lot of traffic” or “My wife can’t drive a manual.”
>>
>>As for the first excuse, it may be valid if you’re holding a cell phone in one hand, a cup of coffee in another hand, putting on make-up with yet another hand, etc. - - but IMO you shouldn’t be doing any of these things while driving. If you are not attempting to multi-task (bad idea) while driving, then a manual transmission while in stop and go traffic should become transparent - - after you become proficient with the clutch and stick shifting becomes an automatic and unconscious action just like breathing.
>>
>>The second excuse doesn’t hold water either (unless the wife is narrow-minded and bull-headed) because it’s very easy to learn to be an adequate shifter - - half an hour of instruction and an hour or two of practice. After a few hours of city traffic and a few miles on the twisties she’ll wonder why she didn’t learn sooner.
>>
>>If you want a CVT, then don’t make lame excuses - - just buy it and enjoy it!
>>


Nick, I take issue with your wife is a "narrow minded-Bull headed' person if she either does not know how to operate a manual or does not wish to use one.

My wife is not a very coordinated person to begin with. She is extremely brilliant and smart but when it comes to using the clutch pedal, forget about it. She is a great driver and sometimes she drives faster than I do in her Cooper CVT.

She clearly belongs to the 85% group of American drivers that either don't want or care to operate a manual transmission car. She views manual drivers as Prehistoric creatures that like to torture themselves in heavy traffic shifting and clutching a million times per second. She is not interested, doesn't care about the goodness of meshing one's gears and nothing in the world will convince her to give up her Cooper CVT, case closed.

So between her lack of coordination and total indifference about manuals, proposing otherwise has proved to be a futile battle. But good for me because I only get to drive my MCS


For better or worse, this is what makes us Americans different for everyone else. We think automatics good, manuals outdated and inconvenient and that ideology will stay here for a very long time. For the remaining 15% of us, there are fun cars like the MCS.


But going back to your comments...I take issue with them, because a lot of self proclaimed enthusiasts like to belittle and drag down drivers of Automatics...does this have to do with the complex of one's manhood size??

 

>>I do NOT understand why people buy the CVT and then use an excuse like, “I drive in a lot of traffic” or “My wife can’t drive a manual.”
>>
>>As for the first excuse, it may be valid if you’re holding a cell phone in one hand, a cup of coffee in another hand, putting on make-up with yet another hand, etc. - - but IMO you shouldn’t be doing any of these things while driving. If you are not attempting to multi-task (bad idea) while driving, then a manual transmission while in stop and go traffic should become transparent - - after you become proficient with the clutch and stick shifting becomes an automatic and unconscious action just like breathing.
>>
>>The second excuse doesn’t hold water either (unless the wife is narrow-minded and bull-headed) because it’s very easy to learn to be an adequate shifter - - half an hour of instruction and an hour or two of practice. After a few hours of city traffic and a few miles on the twisties she’ll wonder why she didn’t learn sooner.
>>
>>If you want a CVT, then don’t make lame excuses - - just buy it and enjoy it!


Yeah and we both do not drink coffee, read the paper, or hold cellular phone conversations while driving.
>>

 

To tell you the truth that has kind of worked for me. That is why I got an MCS .

 

Cooper4us - - -

Please accept, and ask your intelligent, wonderful, and beautiful (but somewhat handicapped) wife to also accept, my most abject apologies for having been so crass and thoughtless and for being such a miserable failure at making my intended point.

My intended point (although apparently somewhat obscure) was that there is no reason to make up excuses for buying/driving an automatic transmission. Who cares if there is a percentage of “enthusiasts” who have a need to put-down clutchless drivers as clueless drivers? They a sort of like the high school jocks putting down the nerds to make up for their own failings.

 

>>I do NOT understand why people buy the CVT and then use an excuse like, “I drive in a lot of traffic” or “My wife can’t drive a manual.”
>>
>>As for the first excuse, it may be valid if you’re holding a cell phone in one hand, a cup of coffee in another hand, putting on make-up with yet another hand, etc. - - but IMO you shouldn’t be doing any of these things while driving. If you are not attempting to multi-task (bad idea) while driving, then a manual transmission while in stop and go traffic should become transparent - - after you become proficient with the clutch and stick shifting becomes an automatic and unconscious action just like breathing.


In my case at least, it's not an excuse. It is the very reason I even considered (and later purchased) the CVT in the first place. I would have snagged an MCS in a heartbeat if they offered the CVT as an option.

Perhaps you don't understand because you've never had a morning commute in REAL traffic.

At 9am when my _4 MILE_ drive to work takes upwards of 45 minutes (sometimes an hour if it's real bad or there is an accident) the difference between a stick and CVT is immeasurable. I don't read the paper, I have a hands-free kit for the rare times I do actually use my phone in my car, and I try to keep myself as focused on driving as is humanly possible (a product of driving a stick for many years I suppose). I do sip from my travel mug of coffee while at red lights.... but I think the danger I would pose to my co-workers if I came to work un-amped would be far greater :smile:

I drove a 5-speed Honda Civic for several years prior to getting my MINI. The fact of the matter is, I would often find my leg getting cramped and/or tired after my morning commute due to the sheer number of clutch presses/releases required along the way. For normal driving and especially highway driving (passing, etc.) I loved the manual... but I had to face the reality that such activities made up about 10-20% of my driving time at best.

Having said all that, I do want for a bit more speed... hopefully there will be a CVT in an MCS one day (looks like not soon, according to Bridger it looks like a slushbox for the auto MCS). I'm hoping I can find alternate routes to work that aren't so ungodly traffic-wise (or get offered my dream high-paying network admin job in a less congested location... *cough*), but for now the CVT fits me for that very reason and that's no excuse.

 

Get the MC if you do most of your driving in the city. It is faster 0 - 30, gets better gas mileage, and is a bit more nimble since it weighs less than an MCS. Use some of the $3.5k you'll save to add on some nice options, as well.

 

its faster 0-30? is that accurate?

 

To answer the question ...MCS :smile:

Peace,
D

 

I don't buy the idea that the MC is best in the city.I drive 90 miles a day on the highway and my MC is fine ,with the cost of gas ,snow ,and Mounties roaming around the extra cost of the MCS (8000-10,000 in Canada)for me was hard to justify. But if money did not play into it MCS all the way

 

I didn't read all the posts so forgive me if this have been covered already. Here's the reason why I selected the MCS. I like the power and the potential to upgrade if I felt like it. Plus, for me, the CVT wasn't to my liking. I compared the cost and with a CVT and adding other extras, the price difference was around $1700.00. It was a no brainer for me at that point. YMMV, but that's how I chose ours.

 

lot15 - - -

I thought that the RCMP rode horses - at least Dudely Do-Right does - and surely any MINI can outrun a horse over the long haul (maybe unless it’s BRG!).