Minus the JCW suspension, of course.

 

I orginally planned on getting an MC to save on money, but the SO insisted that I give an MCS a test drive before making my decision. The test drive took place on a freeway in a densely urban area at not-quite rush hour, which made for insane quantities of traffic all going at least 80mph. That lovely MCS suckered me in good! I felt a lot safer merging in and moving about with the extra oomph that the MCS offers. Now I have Giles and don't regret him for an instant.

 

I drive a modified MCS and my wife drives her CVT Cooper. She would hate driving my MINI because of its harsh ride and the excessive noise it makes.

When I drive the CVT around town or on the highways, I NEVER feel like it is underpowered or not capable of doing anything I need it to do.

 

This is a great question!

As I'm coming from classic Minis, I had my doubts about the MC. I test drove one in London on 9/11/01 (boy, the day started out great), and I thought that the standard Cooper was just wonderful. Remember that in the U.S. we essentially get two steps up the ladder with our base model. I loved the acceleration and the handling. I was planning on getting a Cooper because it's more pure classic Mini, not some WRX wanna-be, etc. I was happily waiting until the hype died down and got distracted by some other projects, you know. A couple of weeks ago I was driving in the Susan G. Komen breast cancer event at the local BMW dealer and I'll be, the new(ish) MINI showroom was right next door. They apologized but all that they had to test drive was an S. OK, I said, I'll take it out. In a phrase it's amazing and would satisify all my motoring needs. I'm considering selling both of my other vehicles to get exactly the MINI that I want. I came back after the test drive convinced of the value of the S when all things are considered. I test drove a Cooper too (an '03) and I really liked that too, but for me it will be the S, all things considered. It's like a baby supercar!

I think that you'd be happy with either one really. That Cooper is a really sweet car. The main differences are gas mileage (like you said) and the power...Which reminds me that I had better check the difference in insurance before I go crazy here...

Good luck with that great choice!

 

Actually he had it, including the JCW wheels, lighted door sills etc. I think he said it was a $40K MINI

 

I was making a similar decision once upon a time....MCS or Cooper. I test drove a Cooper...it was crazy fun. Then I test drove an MCS....it was crazy fun, too, but I found I had to do things I personally would not do in regular driving to access the available power. So I chose a Cooper....and have never, ever regretted it. Gas mileage is always a factor in my mind as well...there again a Cooper is the best fit for me.

Since then I've driven lots of MINIs...MCSs, JCWs, too. The power is there, sure, but I always come back to the fact that, for me, it's just not useable. I get back in my little Cooper and am happy as a lark.

One has to really get over the base model vs premuim model (or whatever) mentality when selecting a MINI...get the model that fits you. All MINIs are really, really great!!!

 

MANILA VANILLA Gurl,

There is no decision to make other than what color YOU want YOUR 6-speed MCS to be.

'nuff said!

Now git that supercharged beastie.

 

Regarding the wheels, the 5 Star is a 16" wheel, stay with a 15" and check out the the 15" Delta Spoke wheel which is a no cost option over the 15" holies and much more aggressive looking, IMHO.

I have just ordered my 2nd MC and find the handling to be more than adequate and responsive on the 15" wheels plus you get a much smoother ride with less weight than the 16" runflats. When I replaced the OEM 175 65 Contis, I plused up to a 195 60 and found the ride even better while giving the car a more aggressive look

 

IMHO, No better way to say it then this guy did!

 

Looks to me like the problem is solved.


You are getting a MINI - that's all that counts.

 

Great responses!!! One thing I can say is all of you are very passionate about your Mini's! It seems like almost everyone here was in this decision making dilemna at one time but one thing is constant. All of you love your Mini's, whether they are MC's or MCS's. Regarding the 16 inch 5 stars mentioned above, I was inquiring about Mini offering a 15 inch "5-star rockets" on the "build a Mini" page which I haven't heard anyone here discuss, weight etc...

 

Yucca (hubby) already mentioned that he drives a modified S and I drive a Cooper CVT. Are you the kind of person who would consider modifying a car to get more power? If so, go with the S. If not, I can't see that you wouldn't get plenty of power from the Cooper. I can get up to speed very quickly on the highway, pass folks, and do all the things I need to do. You aren't going to do autocross, right? Do you video tape yourself speeding around corners at the Dragon? Do you plan to? If not, the Cooper will do. You will be thrilled.

 

Get the MCS. . . . go for the gusto ! You'll be gald you did

Cecil
2006 MCS JCW
I'm a Guy. . . what do you expect !
Bottom line, get what you like. . . not what everybody else likes.

 

Seems to me, based on what you wrote (comparing fuel costs, etc.) that money is a big issue for you. If that's the case, then get the less expensive car and enjoy it! If you get something that you can't afford or you've got to make other sacrifices in order to keep the car, you may start to regret it.


That's my .02 anyway.:smile:

Michael

 

No, he didn't. The JCW suspension is not available on convertibles, only on the hard tops. The reason is that there are different spring rates that you can get with the suspension, and each one is tuned to a particular vehicle weight. When you order the suspension, they use your VIN to determine which options you got with the car, and they send you the corresponding set of springs.

Because of the added complexity of this, they have chosen not to make the JCW suspension available on convertibles, because that would mean a completely different set of tuning. They figure (rightly so) that the true performance nuts would buy a hard top anyway, because of the increased stiffness... so that's where the market is.

Sorry to say, but unless your friend did an unauthorized JCW suspension install, he didn't have a "full" JCW setup! Well, I suppose he did... for a convertible.

Saying you have a JCW suspension in an MCSC is the same as saying you have the JCW tuning kit in an MCSa. You could probably do it, but it would not be officially approved nor warrantied.

My guess is that he had the tuning kit, brakes, wheels & strut brace (maybe... the StBr only became available in the USA VERY recently). I thought about the illuminated door sill covers too... but decided to go with the JCW sill covers instead.

 

The "5-Star Rocket" wheel (15") is also known as R93. It weighs 14.8lb (6.7kg).

For the other factory MC wheel options:

The "7-Holes" wheel (15") is also known as R81. It weighs 12.0lb (5.45kg).
The "Delta-Spoke" wheel (15") is also known as R96. It weighs 13.8lb (6.2kg).
The "5-Stars" wheel (16") is also known as R83. It weighs 20.1lb (9.1kg).

So if you want the lightest-weight 15" wheels from the factory, get the "7-Holes" wheel.

All this information (and much more) is available from the MINI2 FAQ.

 

Greetings,

My .02 cents worth. I think the MCS...for a couple of reasons.

1. I think it is better to have the extra power and not need it than to need it and not have it....Accident avoidance comes to mind.

2. I believe that the MCS is easier to sell and will also probably give you the difference in price back when you do sell it.

3. As far as runflats, switch to nonrunflats when they wear out (much cheaper and more comfortable), keep a can of flatfix in the car and a AAA membeship.

Enjoy whichever you choose. You will enjoy it.

Cheers

 

I picked the MC, never regretted it.

Went on a very fast MINI cruise out in the country the other day with a bunch of S and JCW S, sure they were faster, but we really had to push it over 150km/h (90mph) to see a major difference.

More sane driving means the difference isn't very big, I was grinning the whole meet, plus I still averaged over 32mpg (US) that tank with lots of crazy driving.

Pick what you like, for me, I don't see the point of getting an S unless I'm competing on a track. Personal opinion of course.

 

Great information here, I too am trying to decide between MC and MCS and leaning heavily towards MC. Great to see all the feedback on both sides.

 

wow, fantastic feedback gang!!! I'll decide in a few weeks and let you know what car I chose and the reasons behind the decision. Some people here mentioned money being a factor and honestly, it is and it isn't. I may pay more for a MCS but when I sell it, I'd get that difference back I believe so that point is pretty moot. I looked into the gas and it's not a lot more for a MCS than a MC. I can tell you that I have a concern that if i buy an MCS I am a ticket waiting to happen because I do like to drive fasta nd that car seems to encourage us motor at higher speeds on the freeway. Seems like that could happen with the MC as well but maybe it's a little less urge. My favorite thing to do in a car is drive hard in the corners and both cars seem to do that equally well. Prett tough chice. Thank you very much for the great feedback and also the info on the wheels!!

PS, I've got a great home pizza recipe if anyone wants it...pizza and Mini's..mmmmm

 

If you're a speeding ticket waiting to happen, then beware the MCS - the supercharger really comes into its own when you get to higher speeds. I never got a ticket in my MC, but as soon as I got my MCS . . .

wasn't just bad luck either.

I think the MC is more fun at sane speeds, you have to stir the gearbox to keep things cooking (fun!), can drive it harder without being a menace to society, etc. it is also a bit more nibble on its feet.

definately drive both, but don't discount the MC just because it has less power . . .

 

FWIW, the Cooper will go just as FAST on the freeway, the S will just get there more QUICKLY.
I'll echo the test drive sentiments - see which feels better.
My first MINI drive was in a friend's Cooper, and it seemed plenty quick. But for $3K, you can't beat the added value of the supercharger (if you value that sort of thing.) My wife liked the Cooper hood as well, but she's grown to like the 'mouth' on the S. You won't regret either car, but unless money is tight, you won't regret the S more. :smile:
Good call on the Sports seats - they're leagues better.
You can get some screamin' deals on MINI take-off tire/wheel combos. I got a brand new set of X-lites with tires for $400 on craigslist. No sense paying the dealer $726+tax.

WRT the spare, a plug kit and air compressor (or fix-a-flat) will do in 99% of flats, and you don't have to deal with jacking up the car.
Also, consider the heated seats. It may seem silly in SoCal, but they're really nice on a cool night, and a deal at $270. My wife love's them, as do I. She gets to be warm, and I don't have oppressive heat blowing on me.

So what color?

 

Well, thanks for all the advice and information. It really has made my choice easier though it wasn't easy. First let me say that both MCS and MC people here have great points they make for choosing their car. What it boils down to is what I want out of the car. I'm choosing the MC for the following reasons. (all the MCS people are shaking their heads) I like the hood better. I didn't like the 15 inch holies but they're growing on me and I like the fact they are the lightest and will just throw some fat tires on them that are recommended by Minihuni. I love going fast through curves...probably the reason I love indoor karting so much. I think both cars do this equally well with the right tire setup. I do a lot of commuting since I'm in sales so the mpg on the freeway is a benefit. I know it's not your typical "sales car" but who ever said I was your typical salesgirl.. Plus I own my own biz so there's no one telling me what sales car I need to drive. As far as colors etc.. I am going traditional here with chile red/white stripes, white roof, white holies, some aftermarket fat tires and the only thing I am adding is the sports seats. I'll put on some new brake pads to eliminate the brake dust problem and wax the wheels to keep them from getting too dirty all the time. I have a Garmin GPS that I stick on my dash that I picked up for $500 off ebay to tell me "hey dummy, you missed the exit". Again, thanks for all the help. This site ROXXXX!

 

Manlia_girl, sounds like you're getting the exact same car as me

 

well honestly, your comments were dead on to what I was looking for in a Mini....I really appreciate your input.