My MCS is in for service (nothing serious) so I have a loaner from the dealer (Ralph Schomp MINI). They gave me a 5 speed COOPER.

I have to say I am really impressed with the COOPER. In its own way it is every bit as fun as my MCS. You have to work the gears a bit more but that is part of what makes it so fun. It sounds good too. No SC whine but it has its own signature MINI style growl. What a fun little car. Clutch took a little getting used to...much lighter than the feel of the clutch in the MCS. Launches are consistent and punchy with much less effort than the MCS.

My opinion is this ain't no base car. Its a COOPER. I would love to own one.

Congrats to all COOPER owners. You guys have great cars. Something you all knew long ago!

 

:-) Thanks!

I actually *like* the fact that the car has to be driven hard to go fast. If I want to blast in a straight line, I can always hop in my 04 GTO.

Plus, when I'm AutoX'ing, I can keep the throttle flat in the slalom, which MCS owners can't do.

 

yay! Cooper owners do rock I'm approaching 2 happy Cooper years.

...gotta love those MCS owners too

 

You'll notice in the '05 MCS's the clutch feel is much lighter as well. The 6-speed getrag is "smooth" and not as notchy as my '03. The new 5-speed getrag they put into the MC's is notchy.

I drove both the MCc and MCSc last Saturday and had fun in each car. I walked away from the experience with the same feeling that an MCc would do me nicely.

 

My clutch feel is much lighter now that I picked my car up from the dealer. They replaced the clutch. Feels awesome now.

I loved working the gears in that COOPER. It required a little more thought and action than I am used. Fun stuff.

 

It's nice to hear praise from an S owner. Before I drove either I thought I would have to have the S to be happy. However, when I went to the MINI dealer and drove them both for the first time I realized I liked the fun factor of the Cooper a little more. Don't get me wrong the S is an absolute ball but it seemed a little more harsh (runflats) and it didn't really come into it's own unless you were driving pretty darn fast (this is a compliment to how well the S handles). I had to be honest and ask myself how I was going to drive this car. I was going to use it for my everyday commute but it was going to replace my 01 Toyota Spyder so it had to be fun. I finally decided on the Cooper and I've been glad I did. I put a BPI intake on it, some aftermarket wheels a rear sway bar and it's been a blast. I have so much fun rowing thru the gears and attacking corners but I don't have to be flying to enjoy it. I will say this however, if I was posed with the same question now that the 05 MCS is out I may have reconsidered. A little more ooomp off the bottom and the new exhaust burble might have done me in....and my drivers license. I can see why both the Cooper and S owners are happy and proud of their cars. They both rock!

 

I remember test driving both cars and was impressed by both. Of course I had that need for speed and bought the MCS, yet the MC has the same amazing solid gokart like handling. I am hoping my wife and I will work out buying a PW MC.

 

I have to agree with all y'all!

My MCS is in for a pre-sale service, and I have an 05 MC-CVT as a loaner, and I am very impressed! It's a fun car, and the CVT works very well.
I think I could easily get to really like that car for everyday city driving if I had one and were not switching to a Prius.

The MC rocks!

 

Thanks MCS owners! It's a quiet secret we don't want too many people to know! MC's Rock! I only drove an S before i ordered my car. Everyone said I had to buy the S. But there was just something about the look of the Cooper. I ordered the MC and haven't looked back! I love my car, the handling, the sound, and the way it moves in corners!

It's a quiet little secret world - the MC. Welcome to the dark side! you'll buy one too!

 

I had a 02 MCS and loved it. Now I have a 05 MCc and LOVE IT. The only difference I've noticed is at top speeds, say 70mph on the high way and I need to go faster quickly the MCS seemed to have more pep at that gear range but in everyday driving my Cooper is great

 

I test drove the MC and then the MCS and then the MC, before ordering my MC. While the MCS is great, sporty, amazingly fast, etc., I figured I would only get myself into big, big, trouble with the speed capabilities! The MC, is incredibly well priced and great fun, and peppy enough for everyday driving! I also like the look of it better as well. Both cars are great, and besides the color the choice - whether to go MC or MCS also seems to be a difficult one! It's definitely a win/win situation no matter what decision you make!

 

Thank you Thank you

I now own my second MC (a Cabrio). I thought about an S but the little MC is perfect for me. Great in the twisties, better gas mileage & it still gets me out of trouble out on the interstates

Lois

 

Biggripper - I'm thinking of ordering a Mini from Schomp. What is your impression of the dealership? Thanks!

 

It's a constant battle here in AZ of who has the better car. Let me tell you on fun runs I'm always up there in the front line with the S. And right on thier tail. I too drove both the S and MC. There where two factors in my decision the handling. It's lighter therefore handles the twisties and Auto-x easier. The other factor was I loved the chrome bumpers and the general look of the cooper. Coulldn't get that is the S.

Now if I were racing on a track I would take an S all the way.

 

Schomp is getting hosed on allocation. I was going to go through them, but I was able to get a MCS from Baron in KS much faster. I ordered on Dec 16th and it's currently on the water making it's way across.

If it weren't for the 8 month wait I was quoted, I definitely would have gone through Schomp. The MA I spoke with, Rob Miller, is a good guy. You might want to ask for him if you choose Schomp.

 

I have heard great things about their MA's and the sales side but I have no personal experience in this area as I bought my MCS used.

I have had great experiences with the Service dept. Great people. I can also tell you that they seem to be pretty "mod friendly" I know the several of their staff are "mod-a-holics".

Sean

 

Yeah our Coopers are great cars,but any MINI is great

 

BigGripper, thanks for the kind words. Although I am dreaming about upgrading by 05 MC to an MCS, I am still having great fun. It puts a smile on my face when I hit the first apex!

 

In 2003 I purchased a 2003 MCS from Schomp and received excellent customer service. Unfortunately, I was stupid and sold the MCS a few months ago. I realized the error of my ways and I am now purchasing an 05 MC Cabrio from them. See Aaron he is extremely fair and customer service oriented.

Happy Motoring

 

Well.... DUH!!!

 

yeah right on our tails...LOL...ssuuuUUUuuure...

However, I would like to say that having driving MLEs Cooper from AZ to L.A. and then AZ to Vegas in one month....WOW!!! what fun...it's a different fun...and yes it's the work...or the fact that it seems to do better ebrake slides...heh eh...

The best part is we were crusing at 110 most of the way back from vegas...and then we started into some turns and everone else who was crusing backed off...we just kept going....then noticed a 911 wanting to stay with us...so off we went....up to 130 I couldn't belive the cooper would go that fast....funny thing was...being that we were in big sweeping turns...well...lets just say the cute little 911 wasn't having it...LOL....it's not about power...its about the turns...and more over having fun!!!

Cooper or Cooper S...IT'S A BLAST!!!

 

200 km,whatever that is in MPH,sure is fun in big sweeping curves