I'm currently considering ordering a MCS. It's kinda disconcerting buying a car you've never had a chance to drive. I'm curious how stable they are are speed.

I'll be buying the car in Dallas. Can anybody offer any advice on what to watch out for, best dealer etc?

I recently ditched a Saleen S-281 5 months after buying it new. I'm hoping this will be a much better experience. Thanks for your time! RGR

 

Stable. I've had it up to ~ 115. It would probaly
be more so with the Aero kit.

 

Hi Bob,

As for dealerships in dallas, even though Moritz Bmw doesn't open thier mini facility until jan. 1st, they are really stand up guys. Last I talked to them, they were trying to avoid compiling big lists and making promises they couldn't keep, so my understanding was when the dealership opened, most if not all of their cars will be fair game. Also I think they might be the only dealership in dallas without a markup. Give them a try I think you will be pleasantly suprised at thier treatment of customers. PM if you have any other questions and I can give you more specifics on who to talk to. Hope all is well

Blake

 

Body kits like the "Aero Kit" rarely make a significant difference to actual vehicle top speeds. But if you think you are going faster and know you are looking even better, then it might be a great option.

Often, these kits just add more weight to pull.

 

Hey Blake:

Thanks for your input. I concur on Moritz: I leased a 328I from them a few years ago. Top notch outfit. I'm talking to them now about what will be available in December. I may just hold off and order one so I can get everything I want. Take care! RGR

 

The MCS is a pretty quick car, but you may be dissapointed with the acceleration if your used to a Saleen 'stang. I lemon-lawed one Ford POS already, so I think I know how you feel. About the stability... I get my MCS up to 100+ at least once a week hauling butt across the Bayside bridge. For such a light car it is very stable at high speeds. As much or more so than the Jetta I traded in. I'm not sure if I'd buy a car without ever driving one first, though driving the MCS is how I fell in love (I wasn't planning on trading in the Jetta, it just happened).

 

I have had mine up to 134mph and it sticks to the pavement like superglue sticks to you finger. I have'nt gone that fast since I sold my Z-1R with NOS. Use to go in the 170mph range. But that was when I was young and dumb and full of ......You know the rest. Boy it seems like yesterday. Back to the MINI.....Unbelivable handling.

 

I've had my Cooper up to about 105 (before I freaked out and slowed down....there are ALOT of cops around here) but it was incredibly stable then and I'm sure it would be also at a greater speed. I am used to my Honda where I could definitely tell if I was going 80. 80 in the MINI feels like 40 in the Honda.....I have to be careful not to get pulled over.....

 

Driving back from MM3 Saturday night it was down pouring cat, dogs & pigs with high winds. My S was doing just fine at 90 with rainx. I have had my only to 120 so far with my

 

>>Body kits like the "Aero Kit" rarely make a significant difference to actual vehicle top speeds. But if you think you are going faster and know you are looking even better, then it might be a great option.
>>
>>Often, these kits just add more weight to pull.

I don't have the Aero kit but if it is properly designed
it should increase stability and top speed. Stability
significantly and top speed marginally. Every car I have
driven, with a properly designed aerodynamic flow, you
can feel it over 100. The car gets lower and fatter.
I think that is why in the S, it feels no different at 50
than it does at 100. That silly 'wing' is doing nothing.
Mind you both at 50 and 100 it does feel good but I
haven't 'felt' any real change at speed. IMHO.

 

Got an Euro version MCS to 200 Km/h (125 MPH??) or so during Mission Mini in Barcelona and it was rock solid. No aero kit on Team Canada car with 17" run flats. Runflats may add stability because of their extra weight compared to regular high performance tires. Feels sorta like my BMW (I don't currently own a Mini); steady but quick to steer.

 

I haven't taken her that high yet. Still breaking her in. I HAVE, however, tossed her in my favorite turns (I also have an M3) and I honestly feel like I'm carrying more speed in the turns.

The turn in is nice and sharp. It just feels SOLID.

 

MINI Stability? Isn't that one of the things that impressed us MINI owners?

Rocketboy_X

 

Love the stability of the MCS on cornering, but at over 100 the car can be a little scary on less than great pavement....certainly not a bimmer or porche by any stretch of the imagination over 100, but I didn't buy it to go over 100....70 to 80 is just fine with me...it's the handling and cornering around town I enjoy. If I'm driving long distance, then I prefer something a little more stable and comfortable.

 

To celebrate my 1200mi mark, we did a little motoring on some two lane, mixed pavement (fresh ashphalt, and that circa 1960s I guess concrete with large aggregate- it was near the ocean, and they might have used shells or other local materials). In short straights and some fairly easy turns (25MPH speed limit), we did about 8 runs back and forth, the last of which was 105 with flat but gentle curves at 85-95. All it was was fun. No understeer, no oversteer. We kept hammering away, and it like everyone says, glue, slot car racing, whatever. The only reason we stopped is a cyclist we kept passing was giving us some mean looks and I was getting freaked out by the prospect of getting tagged for going 120 in a 25. And, really, I have never done any closed circuit driving and have little experience at those speeds. If anything, I'm a little spooked because the car never feels anything but tight and solid and I'd be inclined to just keep pushing it, which might lead to some hairy situations.

 

I agree "username". I've already pushed mine to the point where the back end felt like it might come out. The car feels SO stable that it makes me over confident.

 

110+ here. Incredibly stable. In fact, I routinely hit 100mph while passing people on the highway without realizing it. 100 in my MCS feels like 65-70! No joke!

This car is also amazing in the rain (I have the 17" wheels with All-Seasons). I've gone 80-90mph in heavy rain in absolute, total control!

 

I've topped out at 130 indicated (this is a big thing since the Speedo's are not very accurate and overly optomistic). Mine got just bit twitchy/floaty at that speed... I've gone 145/150mph in an M5 (1980's generation), a 1988 750il and about 135 (again indicated) in my 1999 5 series. All of these cars are ROCK steady THe MCS at 130? just a tad on the loose side.

While blasting around Upper Big Tujunga Canyon, I did take several curves at 2.5 times the posted "suggseted" limit... STUCK LIKE GLUE

 

John Roberts Mini in Dallas has an S for demo. Go drive it. They are a great dealer, I ordered my S from them, no markup, great people. Why wait on Moritz? They haven't even built the building for their dealership yet.