Okay, I'm new to the site and although I do not own a Mini, I am curious what owners think about the two different models, MC vs MCS.

Is the extra dough for the MCS worth the performance increase. Do the MC owners feel they should have gotten the supercharged engine vs the 115hp engine. Four grand is a lot of nice options on the MC!

This is like the debate that is on the Dodge Magnum forum (Hemi vs V6 HO) or the Mustang (GT vs V6).

Thanks for putting up with a newbie!

 

I drive an MC and would never change. I bought this car with handling in mind. The lighter, nimbler Cooper is perfect for what i want. There is nothing better(for me) than being lighter in the corners. And at this point, everyone on this board has an MCS with some pulley and ALTA intake....it gets boring. I like being one of the rare modified Coopers on the boards.


Oh, and i much prefer the MC hood....it's sexy

 

I currently own a 2002 Cooper CVT, have owned a 2004 MCS and will soon take delivery of a brand new 2005 MCS 6-speed manual, hardtop.

Feel free to ask me any questions, as I have nearly 3 years MINI ownership experience and 45K combined miles behind the wheel of both models!!!

They are very different cars underneath and each delivers a satisfying driving experience in their very own way.

Ask yourself.... What is really important to you? Torque? Horsepower? Ability to mod the car to its limits? Speed?, or rather Fuel economy? Are you on a tight budget?

It is not an easy decision for sure!

 

Personally, I much prefer the performance upgrades that come with the MCS over the useless gadgets that you can load up in the MC for about the same money, but that's me.


The Cooper S is the most desirable model and will always command the highest resale values.

 

i drove both the MC and the MCS before i put an order in for my MC. i just couldnt justify spending the extra money for the S when i could put options on my cooper for the same price as the base S ( i'm a bit on the poor side)
there just wasnt enuff difference in power between the cooper and cooper s to make me spend the extra money. ans like Rally said, its nice bieng one of the few people modifying MC's.

 

I test drove both models before buying my S, and when I myself drove a regular cooper i felt it lacked umpf, and even starting after a red light on a city street felt like a dog. That's just me, I want the extra power off the line so that when my friends start clowning on me because I drive a little car, I can tell them that my little car is not only better handling, but faster in every way. Possibly the biggest reason to get an S in my book is the moding, I would never want to shell out the same amount of money for preformance mods on a non S model (exaust, air filters, cams, headers, etc.). But in the regular Cooper's favor, I would have probably bought a fully loaded MC rather than S if I had no intention of moding, racing, etc, just because the money goes further in options, fuel economy, and everyday usabiltiy. So it depends on what you want out of YOUR cooper, and I think everyone here will agree that any Cooper S or not, is one of the most stylish and fun cars for the money out there, hands down.
Peace,
James

 

As a MC owner with 33,000 miles in the past year and a half, I can say I do not regret having gotten a fully loaded MC over a barebones MCS. Sure the MCS can be modded more, but a chipped MC with an intake not only sounds really cool with it's deep growl, but I don't have problems keeping up with MCS's on the street or canyons--well except when it comes to keeping up with Idiaz or Peter on Tuna Canyon, but that's an entirely different story--I'm just not brave enough.

It definitely takes more work in an MC to keep up with an MCS, but learn to drive in 3rd and 4th gear at 5,000 and 6,000 rpm, and the MC has plenty of power, and is plenty quick.

As for Cooper4us calling mods to the MC useless, well that's just one opinion. I think the MC without the supercharger slot looks way better, and having a spare tire without losing precious boot space is a huge advantage over the MCS, as is the 100 pound or so weight savings. Granted performance mods for the MC are fewer than for the MCS, I'd say there are just as many "useless" mods for the MCS as there are for the MC.

 

I think the delta is 'only' $3K, but that is still a lot of options!

'Worth it' is always subjective. I drove my friend's Cooper for a few days, and really didn't find it lacking.
That said, I bought an S 'cause $3K for a factory installed supercharger, intercooler and beefed up internals is a screamin' deal.
If you have to choose between the engine and goodies, well, that's a tough one.

 

Well I wanted the sun roof/Premium package, Profile leather and it's adjustable lumbar support and I wanted the OEM Nav. Those combined was the difference of $3K. Also the markup was a lot higher on the MCS, although I ended up going out of state to avoid it all together.

After 20,000 miles, I bought a used Moss MINI intake for $60, I got the MTH upgrade for $175 (cable and software), and I may add an exhaust one day--but so far my basic upgrades are good for atleast 15hp (taking my 115hp MC to 130hp). Sure it's not an S, but atleast its both the MINI I wanted and the one I could afford and it's more powerful than stock without having spent much money to do so--and it still out corners any other NON MINI on the road in that price range.

 

Comedy Cruiser,
Aloha and welcome to NAM.
MC vs MCS is the question we all have to ask ourselves before we buy or order a MINI. Next is which color or hardtop or cabrio. It's a never ending list of choices, choices, and more choices.

To answer the question as it relates to you, we need to know what are you going to use the MINI for? Street use only, urban, highway or for autocross, driving schools, or on the track?

For urban settings or commuting many owners like the MC. For looks some like the streamlined clean form of the MC. For autocross or track both cars can be used but some of us really like more power so the MCS is a common choice.

Is the added cost worth it for the MCS? Yes, but only if you really need the added power and if it is within your budget. Both cars handle very well and can be upgraded for improved handling in similar ways.

If you want a smoother riding, nimble, less costly MINI then look first at the MC but if you order all the options the cost can climb very fast especially if you like the cabrios.

If you really want high power and a warranty the JCW kit for the MCS is the way to go.

Ultimately if you are deciding then you need to take a few test drives in the MC and MCS using the various tops and various transmissions before you decide. Only you can be the judge since it's your wallet doing the talking.

 

I was referring to factory non-performance related options, not actual engine mods. Please re-read my post.

 

Actually in most cases, the cooper is faster then the cooper S from 0-35. I have a modded cooper(air intake, exhaust, mth) and i can keep my nose in front until about 45 when im starting at a light with a cooper s (only intake).

 

Sure, here is your post:

Personally, I much prefer the performance upgrades that come with the MCS over the useless gadgets that you can load up in the MC for about the same money, but that's me.

You say you prefer performance upgrades that come with the MCS over the useless gadgets that you can load up in the MC. Hmmm, useless gadgets being loaded up on the MC refers to anything including aftermarket engine upgrades--according to your post.

 

When I bought my Cooper, I was buying an autocross car, and the Cooper is just as competitive in it's class as the Cooper S is in it's class. At the time I bought my Cooper (a year ago), the Cooper S didn't have an LSD option. If I was buying a Mini right now, the available LSD probably would have convinced me to get the S.

 

Same great cars!

The main reason I get an MCS because I want a small compact and supercharged car. I use to have VW18T and I have learned a lot of tuning on the turbo. MCS offers me an opportunity to drive a fun little car with supercharger and I feel like now I have learn a lot more of how supercharger is working.

Get whatever you want to spen money on...you will mod it sonner or later anyway.

 

Having not yet received delivery of my MCSc I do not have much experience driving one yet. However, when I test drove, I drove the MC first and found it a lot of fun to drive. It handled great, had lots of power when I got the RPM's up, and really scooted along. I returned the car to the dealer with a big smile on my face and was hooked. Then I tried the MCS just for comparison sake. The power was awesome with all that lower RPM torgue. Much more like the Ducatis I normally ride. I returned to the dealer with the same smile but also my heart was pounding and I had a huge adrenaline rush. The question of which to buy was settled right then. Fancy extras like NAV, HK, auto wipers, etc. etc. do nothing for me. I am buying this car to drive.

Please don't give me all that cream and sugar. I prefer my coffee strong and black.

 

I like my MC alot. The draw of the MCS was there though. The thought of 168 Bhp in a car the size of the MINI was nice. However, my budget and my insurance said no. I have found though that the MC is just as much fun as the MCS. The "Hidden" Sports Drive setting is great. The steptronic on the CVT is almost as fun as a stick shift..... once you figure out how it works. It really depends on what kind of "motoring" you want. I felt the MC was a more laid back drive. You can get alot of extras like the comfort, premium, sport, and cold packages for around the same base price of the MCS. The MC is still has plenty of zip but you feel more relaxed. The MCS is great for those who want to be able to drive like its race day every day. It really comes down to what kind of driver you are. But no matter what your choice you will have a great car that you will never want to let go.

 

I've experienced both, I could not justify getting an MC when for a few thousand more you can get that much extra power. Think of how much people are spending on aftermarket mods just to pull 30 horsepower out of the S... if you can add 50 horsepower straight out of the factory, go for it!

Everyone has their own thing though, that's what makes us all unique :smile:

 

I bought a used 02 MCS with 4700k on the odometer, DS/W, premium package, leather.

For $200 more I could have opted for a 05 MC solid/pw, premium, sport, cold packages & a HK sound system, LeatherETTE.

I love my little "Pittbull on wheels", but, if I could do it over again. I'd probably buy the NEW MC, and than I would be telling you all, that if I could do it over again, I would have gotten the USED MCS. And over & over & over!!!

Bottom line! I LOVE MINIS!!!

 

Maybe against a 2002-2004 stock MCS, but I very much doubt a regular 5-speed stock Cooper will be faster 0-35 to a new 2005 MCS.

 

No no.....

My statement does not include engine mods my friend. Quit twisting what I am saying here. I am glad that you enjoy your MC and I also happen to own one, so there is no ellitism going here in my part.

The MC is a fantastic car in countless respects, but the reality is that the MCS has more torque and HP, something the stock MC can't match. The Cooper needs to be revved a lot because it only has 110 pounds feet of torque to move nearly 2400 pounds from the get go. And again there is nothing wrong with that, is simply the nature of the car.

However, I have not driven a new '05 MC with the new 5-speed Getrag gearbox. That maybe a different story due to the shortened gear ratios vs the 02-04 years.

I prefer the more effortless acceleration of the MCS due to the increased engine torque and this is more true now than ever before because the '05 models have shortened gearbox ratios and the available torque appears earlier in the RPM curve in comparison to the '02-'04 MCS which I also happened to own before.

The MC is a lighter car and has a quicker steering ratio vs the MCS, but for someone wanting to mod their cars to the limit, the MC is a much more limited car in this respect in comparison to the MCS.

I think MINI on the next R56 generation, needs to increase the torque on the Cooper to at least 125/130 pounds feet of torque and make the standard horsepower in the 140 region.

Then we will be takin':smile:

 

To enjoy the MCS, you don't have to drive it like it is a race everyday. The MCS actually is more relaxed to drive than the MC, because the car doesn't have to be revved as much as the MC on normal traffic situations.

If you want the ultimate relax cruiser, then look no further to the new MCS automatic. It has the best of both worlds...torque/horsepower and an smooth automatic slushbox.

I am sorry but a car that requires constant revving in the upper RPM range to get power out of, is not the most relaxed driving experience on a day to day basis.

 

Cooper4us -- RallyMINI has a CVT MINI, so this is quite impressive.

 

So do I

Hmmm. As soon as I get my '05 MCS I will race the wife and see if she can outaccelerate me in Sport Mode.

 

RallyMINIs CVT MC is modded somewhat, but good luck. CVT's rock! :smile: