Storm180,

It's human nature to think that one's choice is the "best" choice since we all had to decide on an MC vs MCS at some point. I have driven both MC and MCS and the 5 speed and CVT extensively. I own an MCS that is far from being stock. I think each MINI is fun to drive and the performance you get is largely based on driver skill. It might be easier to notice the more abundant power of the MCS but it comes at a cost- heavier weight and higher price tag.

At our last autocross there were 93 cars and 7 were MINIs. 2 of the 7 were MC and the other 5 were MCS (two were stock MCS). Of the best times of the day 2 of the top 3 were MC driven very well. One stock MC won the H-stock class and was very close (1-2 seconds) to the fastest MINIs that day (both running track tires!). The following day three MINIs took to the track and the one MC CVT with the fastest autocross performance kept up and passed the MCS and other cars during the lapping session. So you see there is no shortage of power if you know how to drive your MINI. Granted that MC has H-sport springs/rear swaybar and Kumho victoracer tires on light 15" rims, it has the Promini intake, Helix cat-back exhaust and Ferrodo DS2500 track brake pads.

In my area I don't feel we have many MCS owners that figure the MC to be any less of a MINI by being normally aspirated. When we cruise we stick together an enjoy things as a group. Most people that see us can't tell much difference anyway. I have a healthy respect for the capabilities of the MC- it's pretty well balanced with a few suspension mods and some light wheels.

 

MC and MCS drivers don't even look at our Mini so I would say both type of owners are snobs..

Really, they are so common here that they blend in with other cars and are hard to distingush except to non mini owners. We still get lots of stares from them.

 

I love 'em both! I had considered getting an MC with the CVT, but drove a friend's MCS and fell in love. In a perfect world, I'd probably have one of each. I envy the MC's gas mileage, better-looking front end (IMHO), and an automatic would be soooo nice while sitting in traffic on the Parkway or Turnpike!

Oh and in a really perfect world I'd also have a MC convertible.

I don't even consider the MC and MCS to be two different cars and I can't imagine "looking down" on anyone who drives an MC. I think anyone who exhibits that kind of "mine's better than yours" attitude probably has some compensation issues, along the lines of men who buy Ferraris to make up for other... shortcomings.

And I'd love to give one of the diesels a spin if they ever made it over here. :smile:

 

Now THAT surprises me. I'd like to think that those of us who bought a MINI for its heritage would be thrilled to bits to see a Mini on the road.

Those who just wanted a 'cute' car, however...

 

I personally love them all...after owning an MCS for almost 2 years, I've been snubbed on many, many occasions by drivers of all MINI types which brings me to the realization that not all MINI drivers care to be a part of a car enthusiast's community...it's just a ride.

If anyone has ever seen the recent episode of 'Curb Your Enthusiasm', in which Larry David waves and honks at other Toyota Prius drivers and no one returns his waves...very funny stuff and brings the whole thing into perspective.

 

I occasionally noticed the MCS vs. MC thing - specifically on the message boards in certain posts. In person at various meets, it never really was an issue. People are fine face to face for the most part. Outside of good natured ribbing from fellow enthusiasts regarding when I would buy an MCS, it was only on the boards that I saw what I would term "eliticism" or "snobbery" from those who believed that they had purchased the "performance" model.
I knew the limitations of my Cooper, and when I started looking at other cars, I looked for something with more torque and power. In NJ, there are lots of MINI's on the road here, so by this spring - the waving / acknowlegement gig was wearing off. But it wasn't like MCS owners snubbed me on the road....

 

I've noticed that my local MA won't even show an MCS unless the potential buyer has a III or IV after their name. Jr. only qualifies for the MC, and it's rumored that if you don't have a middle name, the MINI One is the only model that the BMV will register for you.

What a load of horse feathers. Snobs in MINIs? Hell, their egos wouldn't fit in these cars. No, afraid not, although it may be a requirement for some of BMW's other products.

Charles Emerson Winchester III, Esq. Proud keeper of Blubelle. She's better than your rustbucket!

 

I did get in one pissing match on one of these forums with someone who was basically saying that all MC owners "secretly wish" they had a MCS. That did annoy me because I had a budget that would have let me easily buy either model and I chose the MC for very specific reasons (I'll list them if anyone's really interested).

When I called him on it he basically backpedaled and pretended he was kidding, but he wasn't.

I think there are a few people that don't get that there's more to a car than the hp, and there are actually some of us who DON'T autocross or take on others at stoplights. But luckily most of us are smart enough to realize that different people have different needs and for some the MC fits those needs better than the MCS.

 

I drive an S, and like I said in the other thread you mentioned in the first post, I like them both. They are equal in terms of cool factor.

And, I get waves from both Coopers and MCS.

Honestly, I think you'll probably find a lot more of the attitude you're describing in the "Performance Mods" part of the site. A lot of the serious gearheads are "S-o-centric" in their discussions. You don't see alot of people that are really into tuning working on the Cooper. But you see people that are less into tuning driving both the Cooper and the S. I think.

 

What, they make a non-S model? j/k

I can't believe that people would be snobs about a model designation that adds $4K to the base price of the car. It's not like we're talking Mercedes SL600 vs. C240 here.

There are few enough MINIs on the road that we are all one big family.

 

As an "S" owner, obviously I prefer the S, thats why I bought it. Snob??? "Hell no" All Minis (includes current Minis, classic Minis, Clubmans, Mokes, etc.) are cool as are most of their owners. I'm happy to see them all and, always wave.

 

I've had my MC for nine months now and have yet to see another MINI on the road while driving my MINI. If I do see one I plan on waving and maybe even trying to get them to stop for a chat......unless, of course, there're driving an MCS.



R.E.

 

Nine months and no other MINI sightings? Where do you live Greenland? Here have a merry long distance wave and salute from southern Ohio.

 

I saw a red MC this morning and the owner didn't even look at me. Yesterday, I saw a DS MCS and the owner didn't even look at me.

On the other hand, everyone else still stares at the car and little kids like to point at it.

 

I too, had a hard time deciding Cooper vs. Cooper S. I love my MCS, I made the right choice. But I know if it had gone the other way I would still be just as happy with my choice.

What I like about MINI owners is what I experience at rallys, autocross and at NAM. Good hearted people, creative people, people who get a lot out of life. Next to beagles, they're the best people I know.

Dogspeed.

 

Since the automobile was invented, men have used them as an extension of their manhood. You think that extra horsepower is for safety? You think those shiny wheels are for efficiency? Men have always judged others by their horsepower or custom paintwork or wide tires. Its sick, but it is reality.

"Can't we all just get along" does not work in the war of male egos. Some people buy Mercedes Benz's, but others buy AMG Mercedes Benz's to one-up them. Some people buy Mini Cooper S's and some buy John Cooper Works kits to one up them.

The only reason any of these performance cars exists is to feed the male ego to go faster than other men. Don't kill the goose that lays the golden eggs. if you like your MC/S then INSULT people with plain Coopers. If you have a JCW, then SNEER at regular MC/S owners. You don't think people with Ferrari's laugh at you behind your back? You don't think Shelby Mustang owners call regular Mustangs "girlie cars?"

As long as women get into the car with the biggest engine, this is how it will be. You can't change it. You should not want to. Its why cars like yours exist.

 

<---Has a 2002 Cooper with the Stumble....try again.

 

Erm...so where do women fit in this pecking order? Can we be good-natured driving enthusiasts, or do we have to sneer at our inferiors too? (Or, worse yet, are we just supposed to sit in the passenger seat and look cute?) Take me, for example. I'm saving up for my S, and I'm a certifiable speed freak. I lurk on the boards constantly, learning as much as I can about engine mods, exhaust systems, short shifters, etc. But lording it over others doesn't appeal to me.

And another thing: doesn't MINI USA's advertising deliberately skewer this type of thinking? I mean, MINI owners seem to run the gamut in terms of income levels, ages, etc. I'm sure lots of people could have bought something bigger, shinier, or more powerful -- all the better with which to intimidate their rivals. But they didn't choose this car to impress others - I think they chose this car to please themselves.

 

Well as an owner of both a MC CVT and MCS I can reaffirm the fact that both cars are fantastic in their own ways. The driving experience in the Cooper is different from that you get on the MCS. I really like the extra oomph of the Supercharged engine and the S is generally a more pleasurable car at highway speeds than the Cooper.

But in all and all, these difference do no detract from the cars or make one better than the other, they are just different and fun like a pair of twins (ahem!)

Anyway, I enjoy having a cool "Automatic' that I can drive when I don't feel like shifting on the MCS or have the extra torque and smooth power over the CVT.

We are fortunate to have both. You can't go wrong with either.

 

The one thing I like about the MCS is that I drive around and not care what others think.

 

"As long as women get into the car with the biggest engine, this is how it will be"

Its not how big your engine is, its how you use the revs.

 

Nice seats! Factory or aftermarket?

 

Thanks

Aftermarket seat covers, Wet Okle from DiamondRacing.com

 

Any MINI is a good MINI.

 

Interesting...when I had my 911, I didn't laugh at MINIs. In fact, I sold the 911 and got my MCS. I don't feel like any less of a man either. I base my "manhood" on how I act, look, and feel; not on what I drive.

Also, my wife got into my car when we first met despite its little 1.6L VTEC engine She was the one with the Turbo AWD Talon...

You are certainly correct that many men (and some women) buy cars because the material value, power, size, etc. makes them feel like a better person in some way. I just feel that for the most part, MCS owners are not like that at all.