It's just another... My MC(S) is way better than your MC(S) thread! Can't we all just get along???

 

The population of the MINI in NAM is MCS>MC...
That's the reason you see more MCS forsale than MC.
Your observation doesn't conclude people can live with MC longer than MCS..

 

While I agree the thread is pretty pointless
The author was trying to say that the resale value of an MC is as high as that of an MCS. That was a totally false statement & somehow I felt compelled to prove it I just couldn't stop myself

 

I know...and I just felt the need to chime in also... I need to learn to just not post if I have nothing to contribute to the topic ... I'm working on it, I promise

 

just something else to talk about i guess....

 

The way I read the original post I read even more is trying to be implied. Like that MCS owners are not as happy and sell sooner.

And yes the logic and stats used seem extremely flawed.

I looked for myself at both carmax and cars.com to see what the sales of MCS vs MC are like. On both sites I see a fairly equal number of each for sale and the used prices of the MCS seem to run $2,000 to $4,000 more (sometimes even more) than the MC.

I would also suggest that perhaps MC owners have more of a tendency to be more economy minded to begin with and have perhaps then a tendency to also hold on to their cars longer. As just a guess I would presume that most MCS owners who let go are trading in on another MCS.

I would pose another question too. How many MC owners would we say trade into MCS? Then ask how many MCS owners trade into an MC? I have no way to answer the question but my guess is that the former outnumber the latter by quite a bit. Again its a guess but something to ponder.

 

I specifically chose the MC to keep the OVERALL price down, but I couldn't resist xenons, sport package, sport suspension plus, warm weather package, premium package, chrono, etc..... I wanted good mileage, all the amenities, and I honestly think the bonnet lid looks better without the intake. Sure an S would have probably only been 2-3k more than what I got, but I've not even driven an S so in one sense I don't know what I'm missing. Down the road I'll probably do an intake and exhaust, maybe 17" S wheels,but those things are not a high priority. The MC is a fun commuter, if I want to go out and scream around, I take the SC and give it a 'country road tuneup'. IF however I could only have ONE car, I'd have gotten an S.

 

Cmon, Humor me here! As the person who started the NAM addict thread (that was pointless ) I am trying to get a little life stirred up about something other than TSB (no offence to TSB)

I am owner of an 03MCS I have no complaints about the car. In otherwords, I agree what you get is alot of things for 3k. After driving my MCS for 3yrs I have come to the conclusion that the spirit of the MINI is in its design and handling, and I think I could have been just as happy with an MC but like most of us I craved the HP when I bought, and thought like many of you a good deal for 3k. But am disappointed that If I wanted to sell my MCS today it seems like I could get no more out than an MC

So...I am not perplexed by the whole marketplace really...I guess just NAM, and I was hoping to collect some ideas why all these performance enthusiasts would list thier MCS cars for the price range as a MC and then everytime someone asks "To S or not to S" 9 out of 10 people strongly recomend the MCS. The advice doesn't seem to match up. It also seems more MCS's are for sale than MC......I think that is partially explained by the performance oriented nature of the people who spend an hour talking about thier cars on the internet each day.

 

So you pose the question, but do you have any theory/guess as to why this is?

 

Well....

So if everyone is happy with thier S, strongly recomends the S, there are waiting lists for the S why is the asking price nearly the same in the used market?

I dont know

 

I still think your looking through a microscope.
What are the true resale figures across the country?

If you dont know them, there is no point.

 

So you want to invite discussion but not participate in it?

I think your original supposition isn't even correct. I started looking at those you posted that are for sale and I am seeing like years and mileage to be substantially more for the S.

Also, one of the MC's you posted is listed in Canadian dollars.

Plus as you read through some of the threads you will see in at least one of the cases of MC that those that post are saying the MC owner is asking too much.

All in all it is so far from a scientific sampling that it says noting at all.

Look at the bigger picture as I did on carmax and cars.com.

 

What he said....

Without a full picture, you dont know anything.

That is the problem with some threads in that one or two people (or some small sample size) throw out some ancedotal story that dont mean squat in the bigger picture of life.

Yup, MY MINI gets 52 mpg, never been to the dealer, does 0-60 in 3.8 secs and I have never worn out any tires ...

 

Out of sheer curiosity, I just tried to configure an MC and an MCS with as close to the same specs as I could. Here's what I did:

MC w/metallic paint (default anyway)
* Add sport package for DSC, spoiler, 16" wheels, front fog lamps & sport seats
* Add SS+
PRICE: $20,350

MCS w/metallic paint
* Add DSC
* Add front fog lamps
PRICE: $22,550

I added the DSC on both in order to make them the same (since the MCS comes with ASC+T no matter what). I used the sport package on the MC since I figured nobody in their right mind would order the DSC, spoiler, 16" wheels and sport seats SEPARATELY when the sport package is cheaper. The front fog lights are not standard on the MCS but that's why I added it to the MCS spec.

As you can see, the difference in price was only $2,200. Both cars now have: 16" wheels, spoiler, DSC, sport seats and front fog lights.

Now, starting from this "apples to apples" (as close as possible) comparison, here's the $2,200 question (borrowing from C4's list):

Are the following things worth $2,200 to you?

* 53 additional horsepower / 51 additional torque
* 6-speed instead of 5-speed
* dual-exhaust
* "cosmetics" like the chrome gas cap, S badges, hood scoop

Personally I agree with C4 that I think the MCS is a very good value over the MC. There should be a higher price discrepancy than there is... but I'm not complaining about it!

That also being said, I really do LIKE the Cooper. There's something "cool" about a naturally aspirated engine that I do appreciate and respect... and if I could have two MINIs, I'd buy an MCC too, so I could have the best of both worlds. But since I can only have one MINI, I am VERY happy with my MCS hardtop. I wouldn't trade the extra power of the MCS for the better gas mileage of the MC, nor the increased stiffness and cargo capacity of the MC/MCS for the "ultimate for warm, sunny days feeling" of the MCC/MCSC...

...but that's just me, everybody's priorities are different.

UPDATE: Starting March 1st, it will drop to a $2000 difference... see this MotoringFile story:

MINI USA Adjusts Base Pricing

 

If your area of automotive interest is below 4,000 RPM get a MC, if it is4,000 RMP and up get a MCS

John

 

And I agree too. The MCS should command more $$

Trust me I want this to be true! I would like to sell my fully optioned MCS, and get a base MC and pocket >3k in cash. From what I see of the MCS market....I cant do that.

Like this guy...13k? Are you serious
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...&highlight=mcs

I do think carmax and dealers get the diffrence in the MCS and MC

But, again my confusion is mainly on here, in the NAM marketplace. My sampling was only the first 3 pages of results, the most recect cars for sale. It just SEEMED to me that the going price for an 03 MCS has slipped below 20k meanwhile the MC has stayed rock solid at about 18k

 

I have to differ with you. MIB has the sport pack. The sport pack gives you the sport seats. What MIB doesn't have is adjustable lumbar support.

 

I think is that his point was that the MC doesn't come with the sport seats as standard, whereas the MCS does. With the MC, you have to get them as options, either directly or via the sport pack.

As for the adjustable lumbar support... NONE of the MINIs have that, unless you got the leather seats (or aftermarket seats, of course). That reason, and that reason alone, is why I opted for the leather seats. I don't regret it... yet! (the leather is still in good condition)

 

My Cooper was sitting on the lot, in my price range, with the options i wanted the most... so i bought it on an impulse right after an accident.

If i'd do it over again, i probably would have ended up buying an S... and have added way more options that i don't need. I don't have any packages, and the only options i have are the lip spoiler, 16" wheels, and sunroof. Perfect.

But since the SO expressed a little interest in a MINI, i've been hunting online at the prices, and the Coopers are in the same price ranges as S's with a little higher mileage. After seeing that, i wouldn't buy a cooper if i could get an S. I love my Cooper, don't get me wrong, but it's hard to pass up all those extra options for such a good deal.

 

Huh

If your area of automotive interest is below 4,000 RPM don't get either MINI. No matter what you do to it, this little engine doesn't wake up until 4,000 RPM.

 

My MC loves it above 4,000 RPM's.
Or maybe i just love the sound it makes above that? My poor mini hits 5k+ all the time.

 

Not sure where you see this, but remember it will differ based on market and conditions too. For example, in CA both the MC and MCS still command high resale. In fact, I test drove a 2004 MCS in blue with sport package just to go for a test drive. But I actually bought retail a NEW 2006 MCS with sport and premium for *LESS* than what the used 2004 was marked. Sure I probably could have weazled the dealer down on the 04 but why bother.

Folks made good observations - statistically looking at any sample, it woudl have to be random. Just the act of looking only online or looking only on NAM will skew your results. I think you'll also underestimating how many MCS owners are looking to sell quick and trade up to a new MCS before the 2007 model comes out.

Besides, if anyone wants to get a premium for their MC or MCS, just sell it in northern CA.

 

:impatient Whew.....So I am not losing my mind At least TSB agrees the prices seem to be low on the S in the used market. Of course, you are on the east coast. The west coast is the twilight zone when it comes to MINI pricing!

 

And thank god i don't have to deal with the marked up crap. I was shocked at the deal i got from the local dealership on mine. Granted, i bought it used.

Sorry to interrupt your thread, i know you're tired of hearing about TSB.

 

Hey if you're are hung-up on resale get the MC. If you don't see the value in the MCS over the MC by driving both get the MC. Why do some buy a Porsche and other a Corolla?