IMHO, I think the CVT is 'waste' in the S. Go for the base Cooper, and upgrade the air filter for some more zip. You can also upgrade your tires and have a couple of grand left over.

 

Both the MC and the MCS are very capable cars. Last spring at the Dragon, the MC's had no trouble keeping up with our MCS on some spirited runs- the MC drivers we talked to after the morning "parade run" seemed to run about 1 gear lower than us through any given stretch. When the road gets twisty enough, more power just means more opportunity to eat the embankment!

The main reason we went for the MCS was for the 6-speed Getrag gearbox. With the MC getting a Getrag for 05 as well, that reason has less weight than it did in 03. If we bought another MINI today, we might go with a MC, and spend the extra $ on things like super light wheels and suspension mods. After all, if you decide later that you want more power, there are lots of aftermarket tuners who can help, with anything from ECU programming to turbo kits...

 

If you are going to buy a car to sit in traffic, a stick is a pain. But nobody buys a mini to sit in trafic. Find one you like, and get it ASAP Then hit the twisties. Stick or CVT, doesn't matter, you will love it:smile:

 

Sorry, V.38 is the latest ECU software revision from MINI. Mine came with V.35 and I had the stumble. I recently got it updated to V.38 and now my stumble is gone, as well as a few other noticeable improvements. Some people say I better keep driving before I officially say it's gone, but so far, in 2,500 miles it hasn't returned--Knock on wood.

The MTH CarTune ECU mod can be found here:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=29218

It's definitely one of the best mods you can do to your MC--a lot of bang for the buck. After I did my Moss MINI intake, my car only sounded faster---now it's got power to match the sound. LOL

Not that it was ever underpowered, it's just got more ooomphf on the low end--better torque now, for faster starts, and less need to rev the engine, and it's fully reversible back to stock at any time.

 

S!!! Worth every penny. You can always not use the extra ponies when cruising in traffic, but they will always be there when you want them. Extra ponies are priceless!!!!

Now I want the Works!

Mike

 

:smile: In your initial post, you made it sound like you're under the impression that the MC is HARSHER riding than the MCS. That might have been a typo, but in case it's not, and in case it's not been made clear already by others, the MC is NOT harsher riding than the MCS, though it can be optioned out that way, if you wish (SS+, runflat tires).

I have an '05 MC with CVT, and I feel it's a very nicely balanced car. I'm still breaking her in, so I've not used Sport Mode, or Steptronic Mode, much yet. Overall speed capabilities are pretty good, but not incredible. Immediate off the line acceleration, when not using Sport Mode in "1st gear" (virtual gears), is a little sluggish, which forces me to be extra careful when I'm pulling into traffic from a dead stop. That "sluggishness" disappears very quickly though, once you've got any speed going at all. If I use Sport Mode in "1st gear", that generally disappears and I can get off the line pretty quickly, though still not drag race quick. However, that brings the rev's up pretty high, too high for my 4500 RPM break-in period limit, so I'll just have to wait awhile longer before I play more with this CVT set up. (Plenty of cool tricks on CVT driving at MINI2 site, including wild high speed cornering techniques that blow the pants off many an MCS.)

On mountain freeway driving, I had no trouble maintaining a satisfactory speed going uphill, even with the A/C on, and no trouble passing when required. Handling on the mountain curves was a blast, better than anything I've ever driven before, including some very fast, but not so nimble, cars. I could do about 90+ MPH uphill without difficulty, though anything above that...and I'd have been breaking that darn, temporary, 4500 RPM limit, which I've already "accidentally" broken a few times...without even trying, much.

I think the CVT is a pretty cool transmission, and it's too bad that the upcoming MCS automatic will not be a CVT, though I think it will still have a steptronic mode. The automatic MCS will be even heavier than the standard MCS, which is already a touch heavy, but you'll still get that MCS straight away power, which is definitely more than the MC. You will not find the MC to be embarassing in it's power, but if you REALLY like power, you should definitely look to getting an MCS, or (dare I say it) another car.

The '05 Coopers seem to be pretty tightly made cars, but they still tend to have some elements in their construction that lead to little rattles, and buzzing noises, here and there. A tightly sprung MCS will make such aspects of the car more pronounced (due to a "rougher" ride). So, if you don't like that sort of vehicle noise, on a car you just spent a lot of money on, you might want to just get an MC, and not an MCS. The heavier automatic MCS will take bumps even harder, and likely tend to rattle more. While build quality has improved, there are just ways that some things are put together on these cars, as far as build design, that lead to rattles over time, especially if the car is used hard. If you check some of the threads on interior mods, you will read about the kinds of things I'm talking about. The MINI's chassis, and motor, hold up very well with rough handling, but some of the less sturdier components (like the speakers, door panels, gauges, cup holders, etc.) much prefer smooth pavement, or they will start to complain!

If I had this whole purchase to do again, I'd still get the CVT MC. While I'd likely drop the premium package, I'd definitely still get the sunroof, which is great, and cool, for many reasons, regardless of it's extra weight. If you get an MC, the base model wheels (that come with the vehicle) are about 15 lbs. each, which makes them the lightest, and therefore "sportiest", of the available MINI wheels, without spending a dime extra! (And, heck, they even look great!) I got the cloth sport seats, but now that I have them (in some other color than I chose! ) I wish I'd gotten the leatherette seats, regardless of what any damn car salesman tells me! All in all, despite an issue or two with my dealership and MINI USA, I'm pretty happy with my MC as she stands...if I could just do something about those darn silver seats. *sigh* (SOMETHING will be figured out.) There are so many models, and so many options, you shouldn't have any trouble getting a MINI that you will, warts and all, love dearly.

Carefully review all your options for the model you've selected. Test drive all the models your interested in, if you can (I couldn't). Then make sure you order from a dealership that is recommended to you by folks here (NOT Niello MINI in Sacramento!), and be sure you order from one of the few(and probably far away, but don't let it bother you) dealerships charging MSRP. Then check and double check, and triple check, your order, even though it'll make you feel silly. Just because your the one that cares how your order goes, so who else will trouble themselves to be sure it's right? (That's right, no one else, no matter what they say.) Your MA, despite attempts to make you feel otherwise, is a salesman, NOT a customer service person. ALWAYS remember that...even when (ESPECIALLY when) your shiny new car is there on the lot, and you are signing papers without reading them, because you are in such a mesmorized state of mind, and so very eager to get your hands on those keys, and PLAY!

Get the MINI you want, that you can afford, and make sure that baby gets to you ok, and you'll be a happy camper, with few (hopefully no) regrets.

Good luck. :smile:

 

If you get the base or the S get the stick there is no need for an autobox

 

I read so much about how good the CVT is
, it sometimes makes me wish I had got one,then I get in my MC with the midlands 5 speed,and I have no regrets.
I know there may be issues with the midlands,but so far mine has been flawless,and I love shifting gears,working both of my feet,and feeling it all in my butt,set firmly in the leatherette seats.

 

I'll echo and say get what you want and what you can afford. I test drove both, started with the MCS and I loved it. The numbers didn't quite work for me for the lease (don't lecture me ). But even that when you balance a couple of other issues, like the better gas mileage, and IMHO the nicer hood lines, and the fact that I wouldn't need a seperate bank account to pay for the tickets I would get in the MCS, I went with the MC which I test drove almost immediately after the MCS.

Now I was not floored by the lack of power, in fact I was pretty happy. So I guess if you want my opinion, I think you should test drive both. Do the MCS first then the MC, this will give you a really good idea of the power difference between the two and you can decide then.

Sure, I've at times wished that I had some more grunt, but when I drive through our park system in Cleveland (nice and twisty) I can still get in plenty of trouble with the law if I get the radar, because the car is not slow.

Best of luck with your decision.