I drove my MC much harder than my MCS. In a way it was more fun. It was more of a challenge and took more precision, I was always taking it up to 6500 RPM. Now I barely ever hit 6500 RPM, dont get much chance on the streets of Seattle, and going fast is easy. Its nice to know what it can do though and I am glad that I had the MC first to increase my skills.

 

it's never enough....ok ok...I think 400 will be enough in fact I'd bet on it...LOL

 

You'll only have enough when you can throw the tread off of z rated tires in third gear!

BWTF? This thread has decayed into everyone pontificating about what is best or appropriate for power in our cars. What's best is what you want. for some, the MC is fine, for me, it never would have been. In the MCS, the low and mid torque sucked from the factory, even if the peak HP never changed, the lower torque values would have (and have gotten) what I have found to be much needed help.

To answer the original questing,

Yes, for most, but not for all....

Matt

 

As has been said..."enough power" is a sliding scale and where you fall on it is up to you really. I get a total thrill out of my Cooper. I've driven loads of MCSs and even JCWs...and I'm still thrilled in my Cooper! Go figure. Only a test drive...or maybe several...will tell. I will say it's unlikely even then that you'll get the whole story...there are nuances to these cars (each model) that only reveal themselves over time. Yes, one is faster than another...no question. But that doesn't tell the whole story.

 

I would tend to agree that the power to handling is a good balance on the MCS. With the JCW in place, I am certainly going to invest in handling options (tires, brakes, suspension and strut brace) before I move on to a different pulley and software. Need to connect more of that power to the road in first and second gear.

 

Tuls, what I would give to drive your MINI around the track a few times . Must be fun.

 

One can keep dreaming though. At least the MCS can do it in 1st gear and the JCW in 2nd with a runflat tire....

 

too late....buuut they aren't very stick Z tires...I need some super sticky ones...like some nice Kumhos....buuut then I would need a better clutch...so I don't mind spinning the tires...plus if I get em warmed up good then they are pretty grippy in 3rd and then she just goooooes

yeah....it's ok LOL ahhhhhhhh .....

 

Darn, I forgot about the Lotus! Well besides the Lotus, all those big performance cars can't fit where the MINI can. Ferraris and Lamborghinis are pretty big! Porsches are kinda medium size...

Anyway, good thing I didn't make the bet. hehe

 

so are lotus 7s and the variants. Morgan aero 8. The boxy WRX..... Sunbeam tigers....

Minis are relativly easy to drive fast, and even easier to park in cities!

Matt

 

The MCS is just as quick around a track as the Boxster, so don't bank on it being faster real life, especially since the Boxster is more difficult to drive hard!



However, I'd say the MCS could use some more power. It's unbelievable in turns, but in the straights it suffers.

 

Yep, 30 k for my MCS,but that's also in the bay area where everythings about 10-20 % more. Also, if you get the JCW get it in the factory, coz after the fact it costs a lot lot more. (hereabouts anyway)

 

more power, more FUN..... am I right or am I right

 

I got mine for less than 23k new with the options below...

 

Comparing an MCS to a Lotus is ...... they are two very different purpose cars...... Lotus hands down out performs any version of the Mini. The sport version does 0-60 in 4.3 while literally driving circles around the Mini.

getting in and out of a Lotus can be very challenging and my customers would not understand me pulling up to their offices in the Elise. They are very stark inside.... the biggest dealer in the country is 5 mi from my house.

as far as power...... i am more convinced than ever that if I was to buy new I would load up JCW as far as I could and let the dealer worry about the problems. If I was to buy used (as I did) I would stay aftermarket and make a hobby out of it. My advice is not to screw too much with "warranty" on a new car.

The power differences vs the integration/warranty isssues on a brand new car simply are not worth it...... for most of us driving these cars is for fun and there will always be someone with more power (except Hubie) and faster.

Last thing..... I like the Boxster and might get one at some point but the speed necessary to "have fun" is much higher and the downside risk at that speed is too high...the whole "penalty for failure" thing.

 

Spider, you can get a "new" 05 Elise for low 40s, same prices as a loaded JCW. Impractical ... yep.

Boxster. Much bigger bucks. Whole different ballgame.

 

I'm on my second MCS and feel no need for more power on the streets. The only reason that I upgraded was to get the new for '05 LSD. That makes a nice difference in winter driving and corner exits.

 

A bit OT and I apologize in advance but now that I like my Xterra for kayak and bike hauling and the Mini is my "fun" car...... given the $ I have put in the Mini, I would go for the Elise..... that being said, i would not have known about the Elise or cared about cars had it not been for the Mini.... I was "car crazy" as a kid but raising a family....college etc.... I never had the cash for a "fun car"..... my Mini has resurected the "Car Crazy" guy because the cost of tuning/fun/hobby/people-community is so much fun and supportive.... only after the Mini experience with that in context could i appreciate the Elise..... got it?

 

Yep.

 

i feel my MCS (15%, I/E) could use a tad more punch down low, but it
being a small block i can't really expect much more. i don't think the JCW
will give much more edge than my current setup.

if you want torque, get at least a Subie boxer motor or a V6.

 

no problem whatsoever. In fact, I have much more of a problem keeping my speeds within the confines of non-felonious violation.

 

It's really only half of a small block.

 

Having previously owned a '65 VW Bus, where power was a problem, I would say that the MCS has plenty of power for street use.

 

The MCS has more than enough power for everyday driving. If you want to embarrass people at the track get the JCW.

 

I'm torn between a MCS Cabrio and one with MCS Cabrio with jcw. What is the hp for each, and does anyone know the mpg (highway) for the cars. My FAST says jcw but my wallet says, what are you crazy? Please advise. TIA Michael