I'm sure that it is an odd question, but except for the 6-speed transmission, is there anything that identifies a MC/S from a regular MC? No badge or plaque or identifier? With all the options available as to seats and equipment, are the interiors basically identical? Anything you can find in a MC/S seems available as an option in a MC. Is upholstery color the only clue in some cases?

 

There aren't that many interior differences I can think of, except the 6 speed and some dash options. But there are a lot of external ones.

There are many external differences. Off the top of my head...
- MCS has the intercooler scoop in the bonnet.
- MCS has center exit double exhaust tips
- MCS has 'S' logo on the side vents and rear boot.
- MCS has curved rear roof wing
- MC has rear side exit single exhaust tips
- MC has side vents with no 'S'.
- MC has different bumpers, some with chrome package.

- MCS is faster :smile:

 

Here's an intangible difference -- the MCS sounds better!

 

In the Cooper, there is a choice between two seats: regular or sport. In the S, only the sport seat is offered. My first MINI, a Cooper, had the regular seats. I much prefer the sport seats. They offer better support and hold you through the twisties. As far as other differences, I believe that only certain colors of upholstery are available to each model, but it's been so long since I ordered Wanda, I've not kept up with these details.


Clo/Wanda

 

My MC does not stumble along trying to play with a yo-yo
Sorry could not resist

 

MC gets better gas mileage and costs less to insure... - -

 

In SoCal there was a $6 difference between insuring the Cooper and the S. LOL! And Wanda has never stumbled nor yo-yo'd.


Clo/Wanda

 

Ok back to the thread.It seems to me that except for the sport seats,wish I had them,there is no real difference.The boot space has the battery in the MCS.But I see no tags,badges anywhere inside my MC.Oh maybe the door threshold on a MCS may say S on it,mine says "MINI cooper"

 

On my MCS, the door sills say "COOPER S".

 

MINIs pretty well all look alike on the inside. No special little "S" badges anywhere & to be honest when I pass a MINI on the street I don't pay a whole lot of attention as to whether it's a MCS or MC. It's a MINI

BTW, lotsie, my door sills say MINI ONE Louie's Special

Lois

 

Doh! I forgot that detail! LMAO!!! And Lois...that is a neat little quirk your Louie has! WOW!! :smile:

Clo/Wanda

 

Why do you ask?

Things found in an MC (never in an MCS)
CVT auto transmission ****
Gear **** 5 speed
Standard seat pads
inside door red circular reflector
MINI cooper door sill plate
Black rubber foot pedal covers (except on very early 2003 MCS)
Non leather 2 spoke steering wheel (old models)
Silver dash and door ovals (old models)

Things found in an MCS (never in a stock MC)
Gear **** 6 speed
Space cloth upholstery
inside door white circular reflector
MINI cooper S door sill plate
Stainless steel foot pedal covers
Alloy Patina dash and door ovals (old models)

 

Well I've only really been in my MC.Come to think of it mine is the only MINI I have motored around in.Sit in others at the dealer.But I still would like the sport seats

 

Yes! That is brilliant! I'd forgotten those reflectors! Why they're different colors...who knows? And the pedal, of course...forgotten that, too.

I got cloth sport seats and a leather steering wheel on my '03MC....I'm afraid the range of potential choices has narrowed a bit in the '05 MCs.

 

More things found in a stock MC (never a stock MCS)
1) factory-fitted spare tyre in the boot
2) battery under the bonnet

More things found on a stock MCS (never in a stock MC)
1) battery under the boot floor carpet
2) convoluted intake plumbing leading to and from where a battery might otherwise go
3) a superfluous second "can" in the rear section of the exhaust system

Aftermarket mods are available to correct (2) and (3) on the MCS.

 

Yes, MCS is faster, but MC takes its time :smile: ...to show off its larger bonnet badge.

(Also, MCS's shelf that covers the boot is vented.)

 

Oh, yeah! That's right! My 2002 Cooper didn't have the vented privacy shelf! It was solid! Good call!

Clo/Wanda

 

This is very small, but I'm actually quite jealous of the white ones on the S.. my Cooper has red

 

Well I have a Aero Kit on my MC and I have lost the so called door sill. Am I supposed to have one. Mini hasn't repleid to my question?

 

I notice this item on option lists but not sure what it is? What is it and what does it do. Thanks.

 

Well to my understanding it does nothing for aerodynamics except it makes the car look much better and more aggressive. :smile:

 

My initial posting was to answer the question" If they blindfolded you, put you in a Mini, closed the door and took off the blindfold, could you identify it as an "S." Seems that you can - the white circular door reflectors, 6 speed shift ****, possibly space cloth seats. I assume the stainless steel pedal covers are an available option - probably just snap on. All in all, though, there is not a whole lot of visible difference. Its all in the seat of the pants once you start driving!

 

So it is what sticks out on the top of the back of the car, that comes standard on the S?

 

Aero stands for aerodynamic. It is what used to be called an aerodynamic skirt kit. Everything is at bumper level or below, and it decreases the gap between the road and the body in order to keep air flow under the car to a minimum. An aero kit usually involves bumper replacements or extensions, and side skirts that go under he rocker panels between the wheel wells. They come unpainted, have to be glued to the car, and then painted to match the car color. It is not cheap, pieces have a tendency to fall off, break upon contact with road debris, or flake paint because it flexes. It really is useful only on cars which will never run on anything but controlled pavement like racing, or are show cars that never run on the road. An aero kit used on the road will sooner or later either self destruct or hit something that will destroy it.

 

Thanks Joe for your description of the Aero kit. I will not be getting this option as it sounds like nothing I need or would want to see break up. ski