Alrighty, here comes a fairly detailed 3000 mile review. I come from the perspective of a former BMW nut (e30) who could finally afford a new car and saw no other possible option than the fun-loving, fun-driving, and comperably fun-costing MCS.

What I've learned:

• This car is serious fun. It sounds like it loves what it's doing, it drives like it knows what your brain and foot want to do, and it wraps itself around me like I thought no other car ever would.
• This car is a lot quicker than I thought it was going to be. During the break-in, I wasn't sure how much revving past 4.5 was really going to get me; oh boy was I wrong. 3.5 to redline is pure joy with a frantic bit of acceleration and sonorous tunes from the engine, supercharger and exhaust.
• This car is bigger on the inside than I had anticipated. I almost wish it were smaller
• I can love another car besides my last.

What I like:

• As stated above, power, acceleration, sound, yada...
• Handling - still getting used to FWD, but I'm not Mario Andretti, so any pushing of the car that I do is not enough to really make it sweat. This car has higher capabilities than I do.
• STEERING WHEEL - coming from the circular pretzel that was my e30's wheel, this thing feels like I'm grabbing onto a well stuffed burrito. Ok that analogy was terrible, but the steering wheel really is impressive and fun to hold.
• Cloth interior. I was wary of this because I had never seen the black on gray in person, but in actuality it matches great, is high quality, and is exactly what I wanted. Pictures show this option as much lighter than it is in person (the gray).
• Anthracite Headliner. With the cloth seats, the anthracite trim, and the black roof and stripes, the headliner just fits. I love the intimate feeling it creates in the cockpit.
• Xenons - I like the look of this much debated option, and I love the job they do.
• 16 inch wheels - like the look, like cleaning them, and love the extra umph I get from having lighter wheels.
• I'm very happy with the $ spent on the aero kit. I relish the serious look it gives the car, and I like that not many have it as an option.
• This car has great athleticism.
• Exhaust POP! Took a while to get used to it, but now I love it.
• Transmission - my first 6 speed, and I'm really enjoying it
• The car seems to have my personality. I know that sounds weird, but it just loves to do what I want to do. It answers the call no matter what, and it does so with enthusiasm, like me.

What I'm not so impressed with:

• The seating position in relation to the steering wheel and the tach. You get LOTS of options, and I think it took me 2500 miles to get it right. I like a high seating position with a low wheel, but in an MCS that = me not being able to see the line of the 4 on the tach, which was bothersome at first. Now I'm used to it, but I didn't like having to think about it.
• The rattles and buzzes - I have one dash rattle on the passenger side. It pops up every now and again. I have a very random dash buzz at 3k rpm sometimes. And my windshield sorta taps from the top at times, too. I'll have them all looked at in 7,300 miles when I take him in for his first real service.
• Having the doors locked when I turn the car off. I'm going to see if they can program the doors to unlock when the engine is turned off.
• 10,000 mile oil change intervals. Please don't yell at me, I'm just not very excited about it.
• Runflats

What I DISLIKE ALOT:

• Paint quality - at 2000 miles the bumper and bonnet were chipped up, so I bought a clear bra.

Mods so far (if you can call them that):

• Clear bra, Whalen

What I'm considering adding on shortly:

• JCW intake (I read all of the comparisons to the alta and everything, this is my decision)
• Rear fog - the black cover doesn't look that great, I like the idea of people seeing me in the fog, and I REALLY WANT A FULL SET OF TOGGLES!

All in all:

• My 05 MCS has done nothing but impressed me with regard to drivability, tossability, revablilty, etc...I knew what I was paying for, and I got it. This is a car that I am proud to own, drive, and call mine; and now after 3000 miles, it actually feels like it's mine.

mb

 

Great review, mbcoops.

Aldo
'03 MCS also CR/B

 

I enjoyed reading your review. And yes, your dealer can program your car to unlock when you turn off the ignition (which is what I have). :smile:

 

Hi MB,
I also have an 05 MCS with just past 3000 miles (actually 3500). Here's my very own advice:

Don't hesitate to have the oil changed more often since that seems important to you--it is for me. As I have been finding out how much the car can be driven, my onboard service interval has been shortening as it adapts to my driving style. When I first got the car it was predicting first service at around 10K miles. Now it's predicting just around 6500.

The onboard computer determines first service by metering how much fuel the car should consume between services, and comparing it with A) how much fuel you've already consumed since the last service, and B) how many miles you've traveled with that spent fuel. It then calculates how many miles you will go at that same rate, with the amount of fuel needed to get to that predetermined mark. When you hit 100% of that pre-determined fuel consumption, the miles to service will be zero, and it's time for service.

Let's say for example (I'll use arbitrary numbers for simplicity--they're pure conjecture):

The computer determines you should use 500 gallons of gas from between service intervals.

You currently have 2000 miles on the odometer. You have been getting 20 mpg. This means you have used 100 gallons of gas so far.

From this, the computer determines you have 400 gallons to go before next service. At the rate you have been driving, this means you should drive 8000 more miles to use up the remaining 400 gallon and hit the pre-determined quantity of 500 gallons of gas consumed. The computer will tell you there are 8000 more miles to go before oil service.

If your gas mileage decreases (due to your driving style, for example) your gas consumption will increase but miles traveled so far will not increase as quickly. The computer re-evaluates what's left, and factors it against the miles you've travelled to determine the miles you will travel at that same rate to consume the pre-determined amount of fuel. The opposite is true if your driving becomes more tame. It is in this way that the computer 'adapts' to your driving style.

Installing the JCW kit on my car didn't affect the gas mileage potential of my car, but it has affected my driving style, which has affected my actual gas mileage. I now find myself driving more aggressively, higher in the torque band, and keeping the RPM'S higher for longer durations. My service interval has reduced, since I'm using that fuel up at a faster rate compared to my miles traveled. (I've posted my actual fuel mileage on another thread somewhere in case you're interested, but for your information, it has gone from 22's to 21/20's).


I had my first oil change at 2500 miles to get rid of any assembly or bed-in filings, etc. but plan to have the oil changed every 3000 miles. The extra oil changes are not covered by MINI, so you pay for them.

Since you're at the 3000 mark now, I could suggest you have a first oil change at this time.

Instruct your dealership to stamp the back of your service book, but NOT to reset your service indicator for mid-service interval oil changes.

 

Thanks for the detailed info, Tarzan. I neglected to mention that I had an oil service (the 85 buckaroo jobber) at about 2k.

mb

 

I also didn't like this feature, but found out on the MINI USA site that if you pull the door handle twice, once to unlock and once to open, you don't have to unlock the doors. Doesn't unlock the boot tho. I've decided to leave it programmed and just pull the handle twice.

 

Extra compared to what? You haven't got good seat time in other options have you?

 

I was under the impression that there wouldn't be any math at this forum

 

Within the realm of stock MCS wheels, the 16" V-spokes are the lightest of the bunch. The 17" S-Lites are boat anchors by comparison.

In the Cooper model the lightest wheel/tire factory combo is the 15" 7-holeys with Continental 175/65/R15 non-runflat tires.

I think he was discussing strictly factory choices, not aftermarkets.

 

Yes I realize that. My point is - this is his first MINI. How does one know what 'an extra oomph from lighter wheels' feels like, if the only signficant experience is with one size?

 

From the test drives. You're right, I have no idea what any aftermarket wheel/tire packages feel like or what benefit they are over the 17in. S-lites or the 16in. wheels I have, but I could tell a difference based on the test drives. Sorry to not be specific with that.

mb

 

Good review, thanks for posting.

I also have a Sept., '05 build MCS with almost 3000 miles, here are my impressions:

1) Zero problems. Nada. Zilch.
2) No disappointments whatsoever.
3) 30.5 mpg, per the computer and I don't drive like a granny. For a performance car, this is superb mileage, IMHO.
4) One of the best handling cars I've ever driven. Scary good in the turns with the power to get out of trouble if need be.

A little more power would be nice, but I have that wish for every vehicle I drive.

Helluva car.

 

Great Review.. I too went from a 1984 325e to a 1991 318iS to a 2004 cooper s to now a 2005 Cooper S with JWC... Love the car, great fun, new bmw's are too heavy in my opinion or too costly (M3)... Review is spot on... I had a 2004 which I traded in on a 2005 b/c I wanted LSD.. and both cars had/have some minimal rattles which are annoying.... by the way, I have a turner motorsports CAI for sale cheap from my 2004 mini if your intersted... mcerne@aol.com

 

Calculate your gas mileage manually at your next fill-up. You'll be suprised how far off the onboard computer is from reality.

Mine displays 30's when my actual mileage is 20+/-.

 

I wonder how many of us there are out there that went from an e30 to a new MINI. I wish I could succinctly verbalize the feeling an e30 gives a driver and the similarity between that feeling and the one a driver gets from a new MINI. Both cars seem to say, "I wanna rev, I wanna drive, I wanna turn, I wanna speed, I wanna be quick, and I'm OK with not being all that fast."

mb

 

Haha Yeah Me too!! :smile:

 

mbcoops,

About 100 miles from now I'll know a lot more of what my MCS is really all about. The fun I've been denying myself is just around the corner, and I'm ready. The car's ready, too. He's been telling me that for several hundred miles now.

I didn't come from an E30. Nope, I sold my E36 M3 for this little guy! And, I can already tell it was a a great move. The M3 was a great car, no question. Very fast for sure. But it got to the point that to have much fun with it I had to see triple digit speeds. Going 80-85 mph was ho-hum. That's a recipe for trouble. Long story short, I'd had my run and it was time for a change.

My MCS is just what the doctor ordered. He's all about fun. He does adopt my personality, and my mood. He's ready willing and able for the next adventure or content to just roll on down the road.

Is the MCS as fast as the M3? Of course not. There are plenty of cars that can equal or surpass the MCS in raw power & acceleration. But for handling and fun, the MINI is my choice. It has something special. And [conspiritorial wink] when I'm satisfied that the warranty won't be necessary, I have a plan for adding enough muscle to take care of the majority of those "other" cars.

Almost time to play!