Ok, I am Mandaboo's hubby, I drive an evo. I have shed 100 lbs from the car, making it 3200 lbs, only about 500lbs heavier than the mini (I have the sunroof, which makes it 3293lbs stock), and I can drop about 40 more lbs without affecting the stock look. I also have 350 hp at the wheels, it is just as maneuverable as the mini, and with the awd, cornering is actually improved, especially with the larger rear swaybar. I do have 4 doors, and two actually functional rear seats (don't think the mini or the sti qualify with that. Honestly, I love our mini, but my evo is freaking outrageous and an absolute monster on the street and track. I could have bought an sti, which is what I actually drove to convince me to get a hi po sports car.

Mini vs Evo, I love the looks of both, how both drive, power of both, comfort of both, but if I could only have one, it would have to be the Evo, but thank god I can have both !

Oh, and for the "no replacement for displacement" I will race you anytime my 2.0 vs your 2.5. We'll see how displacement really affects cars.

 

Yes, I'm in the market for an STi or Evo too

Without doubt, these are the best-performing point-to-point sedans you can buy today. I think the Evo has also been voted in the top 10 performance cars of all time by a (reputable ) car mag. I'm waiting 'til the specs of the USDM Evo IX are announced at the NY Auto Show next week and am also interested in seeing what the '06 STi has to offer (supposedly a facelift and hopefully more power).

 

I've heard this rumor also but It never made any sense to me, at least the facelift part. The body style was new for 04', The rally car just made it's debut at rally Mexico so I can't see any major if any facelift at all for 06'.

As far as the EVO vs STI, I have to say I didn't even bother looking at the EVO. I actually like the initial apperance of the EVO better but as a package I think the new STI looks more unique and complete. For some reason the STI to me looks less like a sedan with a big wing and ground effects. Just my opinion. I also don't like the FWD configuration of the EVO compared to the Boxer RWD configuration of the STI. I also have to say I'm a big WRC fan and Subaru just plan has a better track record, all their cars are AWD and I think they build a better AWD system. One of the Magazines did a test recently with the STI and EVO where they did 0-60 runs on dry pavement and then another run with 2 wheels on gravel. The STI ran 0-60 in 4.9sec on both runs. The EVO lost a second or so with 2 wheels on gravel. I've also never put much credit into the EVO handling better than the STI. I'm sure it does stock but we all know what a dramatic effect putting a stiffer swaybar in the MINI has and that can easily be done to the STI with the same results. And a 2.0 compared to a 2.5 on top of that. I also think the EVO is due for a facelift where the STI just recently had one.

And yes, I do feel a little funny driving the STI. I'm used to the attention of the MINI but I think people look at me differently now... lots of people are doing trunk swaps to get rid of the rear wing and go a little more reserved... I might need to look into that.

 

I totally disagree with #3

But, I have autocrossed my HS Mini back-to-back with my buddy's AS STi. Both cars on sticky tires on concrete. Ironically, I have never driven an STi on the street.

I was very impressed with the STi, for such a big/heavy car, it is very tossable and easy to drive. It was really fun the way that car would rocket out of corners.

The STi is a very cool car I've never driven an EVO, but after the STi, I'd be willing to bet I'd like the EVO, too

 

Yes, actually my STi was much stiffer than our MCS with sport package and S-Lites. Having driven the STi for 2 years as a daily driver I can feel the difference. Turbo kit bolted on? Actually the STi motor and drive train is 100% unique to the STi. The standard Impreza uses a 2.0L N/A, 2.5L N/A, 2.0 turbo (WRX), or the 2.5L turbo (STi). The STi uses a 6sp while all others use a 5sp. STi has front and rear limited slip diffs the others use open diffs. STi has a driver controlled center diff to distribute power front to rear or go 100% lock. Sti uses a larger rear diff to handle the added power and torque. The STi unibody is seam welded the others are tacked. STi uses 550cc injectors the other are 400cc or less. Not to mention the STi comes with Brembo's at all 4 corners (4-piston front, 2 piston rear). STI suspension is totally different as well. 4-door family sedan, sure. Big wing actually is very funtional starting at 110-120mph. I personally have seen in excess of 160mph (via gps) in mine. Wing is ugly but you get used to it. All and all a very fun car. I usually work a car project of a couple of years and move on. It was time to move on. The Mini is a daily driver and I am in search of my next project.

 

One of the roadfly posters, WH, has a 03 EVO and he wrote to me that it's very tossable and drives like a go kart. He's very happy with it's performance and he's a MCS with JCW and Quaife owner.

I don't think the MCS is the stiffest(my old mustang with koni, svo springs, and welded in subframe connectors was stiffer) but I do notice the difference between runflats and regular tires. The runflats don't give at all and transmit a lot of the impact into the car. Five years of runflats in pot holed streets will guarantee some of the body parts falling off (the car, not yours!)

 

I am in the market for a new daily driver (and only car besides the wife's car), and I am seriously considering a new Mini Cooper S. I have spent a day driving around a stock 02 MCS, and I like everything about it, except that I feel it is a little underpowered. I am coming from a 92 Nissan Sentra SE-R with most of the bolt-tons (0-60 6.53sec G-Tech), and I would like something that is not slower. What kind of 0-60 can I expect with a mildy modded MCS (pulley, intake, exhaust, chip)?

The MCS is the leading contender right now, but I am also considering an EVO8, and possibly an STi or WRX as well.

I don't like the EVO's larger size, 4 doors, heavier weight, "boy racer" looks, and the perception of being "top dog." I'd rather drive an "underdog" car that is faster than what most people might expect. However, the EVO is just so fast that maybe nothing else will matter. I will be test driving an EVO later today.

I'd love to get your thoughts - convince me that getting an MCS is not going to be a mistake. Or convince me that getting an EVO over the MCS will not be a mistake. FWIW, I'm the kind of car guy that likes to keep cars "forever." I had my 92 SE-R for 13 years and would have kept it longer were it not for an unfortunate accident. Thanks for any insight!

matt ma . 05 MCS? 05 EVO?

 

Every car ever produced is under powered. LOL. I had a 92 SE-R too. I think your G-Tech is a little optomistic. The MCS has more power and weighs less.

 

I like that..everything is underpowered.

Buy the MCS for smiles and good performance. But it's not the ultimate in performance and that sounds like what you are aiming for...the world is full of compromises.:smile:

 

I would say if you don't need 4 doors, then I would buy the MCS. A stock MCS rides better than a stock STI or EVO would. My MINI after putting Hsport spings with Comp sway bars is closer to the ride of my stock STI. A MCS with Exhaust, Pulley and intake, as mine was should get you around 6 seconds 0-60 and it feels much faster than stock. You can make a MINI fast but not like an EVO or STI, you can go a whole level above with their performance. The MCS is a better daily commuter if you don't need the extra doors or AWD. My STI feels alot like my MCS, only meaner... Feels more like riding in a souped up mustang than a fun MINI.

It is taking some time getting used to the look of the STI. I usually like to drive cars that are "underdogs", but I also find myself beating on those cars to prove to myself and others how fast it really is... With the STI I can just drive around normal and people think it's faster than it actually is! Truley a different feeling.

 

I also have a 91 SE-R with just an intake and header, and while it is pretty quick and fun to drive, the MCS is definitely faster. My 03 had a 17% pulley, and the 05 with the new gearing feels just as quick bone stock.

 

In terms of performance (if that's your main consideration) you really shouldn't be cross-shopping the MCS (even with JCW additions) versus an STi or Evo...........totally different ballgame.