I've searched & read all the threads, and after diligent research concluded that the MCS either gets really terrible fuel economy ("I drive like a granny and can't break 20mpg!!!") or really great fuel economy ("I thrash the @^*& out of my pullied, JCW'd S & get 29mpg avg.!!"). Now there's either an inexplicable range of behavior among the same model car, or a lot of people out there who can't do basic division I'm about to drive myself & my MA nuts trying to decide between '06 MC & MCS. There's things I like about both cars (a lot). The deciding point is gonna come down in large part to whether I can rely on getting avg. of about 26 mixed & at least 32 hwy. FWIW, I don't drive hard - have a light foot & routinely avg. 24 mpg in '02 225TT. Commute 35 mi. each way from Irvine to Torrance on 405 (off hrs. so decent amount of 60 to 75mpg). So - '05 MCS guys (since gearing is different) with those parameters, 16 in Xlites, no sunroof (don't use 'em) - what do you think?? Thanks in advance - if this doesn't do it I'm gonna flip a coin . . .

 

if you are looking for that kind of mileage you better get the MC and be light on the go pedal. Best I have ever seen in my MCS is around 24 and the best I have seen in our MC is 29.

 

Better go for the MC

 

When I am in my home area, driving to and from work, friends houses, etc... I get on it a LOT... I have a very heavy right foot, so my mileage suffers. My MPG tends to vary between 21 and 24. This is an 05 JCW MCS.

However, on the way back from the Dragon, I was caravaning with two other MINIacs, and I managed to get 32.4 MPG. Mind you, we were driving a total of 7 or 8 hours, pretty much all highway, and using cruise control to help stay under the radar (mostly doing about 70 or 75).

The point is that it can vary widely depending on how you drive. My car would probably be considered the worst MPG for "OEM" options, yet I think it does OK... it's a heck of a lot better mileage than my 95 Mustang GT!

However, I tend to agree with the others here - if you aren't concerned about "go" performance, get an MC. It's cheaper to buy, gets better gas mileage, and is still loads of fun, especially in the twisties. Speaking of which, if you do like "spirited" driving on windy roads, I do recommend the sport suspension plus upgrade for the MC. The MCS comes with it automatically though.

 

Given your driving style, I don't think you'll have a problem getting 26 mpg in mixed driving and low 30's on the highway. That is exactly what I get with my '05 MCS with x-lites, no sunroof, 15%, and HAI. My daily commute is through the backroads of PA and MD, with no stop lites but lots of curves cross roads with stop signs (i.e, opportunities to accelerate ). I'm always in the 25 - 27 mpg range.

 

I personally think you're on the right track by looking at your normal driving needs and setting up some expectations. If mpg is a priority...go with a Cooper (use 5th is like overdrive on the highway ). If highway miles and plenty of readily available get-up-and-go is the best fit, go with the MCS. If traffic is a frequent burden, don't shy away from a CVT or MCSa. If tuning is your thing...MCS, baby. (...and cabrios just take things from there. )

My point is that there may appear to be compromises to be made, but you can design a very enjoyable, engaging, and potent MINI to suit your exact priorities. One model might offer distinct advantages the others serve up in a slightly altered fashion. AND, it does take some time and familiarity to really explore any MINIs potential, so there are no losers in the batch.

My opinion? If it has a MINI logo on it, it's chock full of motoring goodness...so choose w/ confidence.

I'm always in the 30s in my Cooper.

 

If you don't routinely drive hard, get the Cooper. Still chock-full o' MINI fun, but better mileage!

And if you do one day find yourself pressing the pedal a bit harder than usual, you'll find that the Cooper doesn't disappoint!

-Paul!

 

Took the word right out of my mouth

 

Stock 2005 MCS, 17" S-lites, runflats. I drive suburban surface streets almost all the time. Some longer stretches at 45-50 mph, but lots of stoplights and stop signs. Not a heavy foot, particularly, but I like to get on it once in a while - like if I'm the front car at a red light. I am typically at about 22-23mpg.

But I've been up above 32 on long highway drives, and around 26 mixed highway/city.

What's the average speed on the 405 these days? Negative see-ya-Thursday?

 

I'm right there with LombardStreet - stock MCS except for K&N filter and lighter wheels, no sunroof. Avg. right around 23 mpg - stop and go, no open stretch for more than 2 miles (luckily it's only a 9.7 mile commute). If MPG is the deciding factor, get the MC. If you want to feel the power of The Force, get the MCS.

 

When I commute in my MC I can get 38-39 MPG, 35 most of the time.That's doing 100 miles a day, going 70MPH.

When I'm out playing on the back roads, motoring in a more spirited fashion, 24-25 is the norm
Holding 5000+ rpms will do that

 

Yep, stock 2005 MCS here too, 17" Webspokes, runflats. I have about a 30 mile commute each way in Phoenix, pretty good mix of city streets and freeway mileage during a normal tank of gas gets me about 26mpg. The long drives of all freeway miles with cruise at 75-80mph i get about 30-31mpg. The one tank that was 95% all city street mileage i got about 24.

Dan in Phoenix

 

Face it...the MCS is never going to match the MC in MPG. Although the MCS seems to be more popular on this board for fancy mods and such, it'll never beat the MC ... I consistently get 34/39 on my MC.

 

mini552,
The disparity in mpg for many owners that drive the same model of MINI is due to the dual nature of the MINI whether MC or MCS. They can be driven with economy in mind or for performance and fun. It's always your choice- but of the two modes the fun driving is easy and really at the heart of the MINI driving experience. It takes a bit of reserve to hold your speeds down and steady to squeeze out high mpg when you "know" you are but a throttle blip away from - Zoom Zoom as they say.

26mpg mixed driving and 32 on the hwy is certainly reachable in a new MCS.
Just drive sanely and don't get caught too often in a parking lot on the freeway. If you can afford it, the MCS will allow you to choose performance at will. If absolute economy is more important and you want the highest mpg without having to hold back much then the MC is great and will still be very fun to drive around town- there is plenty of pep for normal driving- just keep the wheels light.

 

Don't commute in our Cooper, but I make that same commute every day in a toyota Corolla (39 mpg)!!

What color is your TT? In addition to the Mini, I also have a Dolomite Gray 05 225TT.

Also, don't know what dealer you are using, but SouthBay Mini is GREAT. I purchased the first Mini from Irvine mini, but the second is coming from SouthBay due to service and the no quibbles MSRP.

JB

 

Thanks to all for the replies - Re my TT, its Brilliant White. Part of the decision problem here is just car-freak greed - I want to get the Mini & keep the TT too I also have a 2000 A4 1.8 tiptronic (great commute car when you need an auto tranny) that is all paid for, & fiancee has a Honda CRV - also auto. Need to get down to 2 or 3 cars. Probably come down to whether I sell or keep the TT - If I keep it & sell one of the other cars, Cooper for sure, as I can get my go-fast fix in the audi - If it goes, then MCS. Either way, I'm sure I'm gonna love the mini - thanks again -
It isn't like me to be this damned undecisive

 

The 2005 MCS has low and close ratios in the trans and I've found that unless I'm feeling sporty I short shift it by doing a first, second, fourth, sixth shift pattern around town. I think it helps... and I get 26 to 29 mph city/hwy on my commutes. Getting 'on it' once in a while takes me from the 29 mpg to the 26 mpg. This is in conditions with cruise control not being practical.

In my experience, cruise control makes a significant difference when it can be used safely. I got 29 mpg on a trip from Detroit to Western Illinois in a 97' Cobra Mustang with cruise set to 75.

Your milage may vary

 

I must be lucky...my '05 MCS is fairly loaded including sunroof, I drive about 53 miles to work and I average 28 MPG. In the morning I drive highway for 40 of those miles, between 74-80 MPH. Coming home I take backroads with some nice twisties, lots of shifting at 5K, and much hard acceleration in third. I fill up twice a week with 93 octane and I swear I never get less than 27 MPG.

 

Ditto.
3200 miles on my 05 MCS and avg. around 27mpg.
Mostly back roads with few stops at around 40-60 mph.

 

I have a 15%, JCW intake, MTH and cold plugs, I get 20 with an extremely heavy foot in all-city commute. This weekend I did a 450 mle trip all high way. At 80 with cc on, light luggage and a light passenger, windows up a/c on it got 27mpg. That went up to 29 with cruise on 70. I didn't see 30's until cruise was set below 65 or I turned the a/c off. Cruising at 80 with the a/c off, windows down I got 29, but the woman doesn't like it for 3.5 hours straight. Oh, and I theoretically got to 143 on a hypethetical straight called Aligator Alley

 

Assuming that everyone on this forum tells the truth regarding their fuel economy, these cars vary wildly in their efficiency. I'd recommend going for the Cooper; even if you get an inefficient one, you'll be well above the mpg targets you mentioned. A bum MCS, on the other hand, is unlikely to turn in those numbers for you. Good luck with the decision!

 

Approx. 3000 miles on my MCS, 16" SSR Comp wheels w/Avon M-Tech tires, 34 psi, always 93 octane fuel: worst 3/4 tank mpg was about 28 and best was just under 32 (hand computed).

I drove very conservatively during break-in, and after that period was over, began to drive more and more aggressively, including one trip with 4 adults + climbing packs; also cruised over a 4,000' mtn pass at 85+ mph for about 30 minutes; still got about 29 mpg.

Mostly it's my daily driver. I have a 16-mile commute that climbs about 1,000' (on the way home). Lots of slow traffic and I tend to shift before 3000 rpm with a light foot.

I can go half-again farther on tank of gas than I could with my old 1/2 ton pickup with dual 17.5 gallon tanks.

Great car.