Lets see if I can say this with out making people mad. Just so you know that is not my goal here.

I have read a lot of magazine tests on the MINI and the MINI S, with all saying great things. The one thing I find strange is in most of the test they say the HP diffrence is not really that great. Some test say, save the $3,000 and get a loaded MINI. I've read that some on MCO have said the same thing. I'm sure the power comes in at a lower RPM compaired to the MINI but IMO 165 HP really isn't that much to get excited about. On the other hand 115 HP, well I rest my case. The cars are not high HP cars and that's fine with me. My question is, why do you S owners have such an attitude when it comes to the MINI? I spoke to a person with a MINI S and the first thing he said " Nice car you should have bought the S". What the hell is that about.
When I talked to sales people at two different MINI dealers. Both times I was told the S in not worth the extra $3,000 because the HP isn't that much better. So why the attitude? For lack of better words.

 

I own an MCS and have NO bad attitude towards Cooper or One owners...I paid the extra $3000 for the hole in the bonnet...we're all in this together. :smile:

 

That's what I was thinking. We are all in this together. It just seems like some (not all) have the TUDE that the MINI S is better. BUT hey I could be wrong that's why I'm asking.

 

Hiya! We have an S - no attitude that I'm aware of :smile:

Some folks like the "LOOK" of the S along with the additional HP - personal choice for everybody

 

I'm an S owner - I don't have the attitude that the "S" is better. They're ALL cool cars. And, yes, we're all in this together. BTW, there are always bad apples in the bunch.

:smile:

_________________
'03 IB/W MCS ~~ born 1/17 ~~ picked it up 2/18 ~~ very happy!

 

When look at which to buy it was not dollars it was mainly options. I am ok with driving a stick but I want my wife to enjoy the car also. So the CVT was tops on the list. I got all the options except the cold pack, I added the SS+ suspension, and have 16" run flats. I am still in the breakin period but the power is enough for me, but is they had offered a CVT on the 'S' I would have done some serious thinking........I think that with the options I got, I have a non-supercharged 'S'.

But that is just my opinion.........I just love it....

It is the most fun I have had in a long a time.......

And the new CVT pedals go on today.........

 

I BOUGHT THE HOLE IN THE BONNET TOO!
i have one regret. i wish i had a black roof or a drk silver roof.

 

>>That's what I was thinking. We are all in this together. It just seems like some (not all) have the TUDE that the MINI S is better. BUT hey I could be wrong that's why I'm asking.


Hi there!

Yeah, for some people this can be a religeous war.

My thoughts on the subject are this: I bought the S because I wanted the extra "oompf" and I knew I'd be tinkering with it. Plus, for me personally I knew I'd regret it if I didn't get the S model because I like to use the accelerator.

Honestly, the Standard Mini is much more friendly and driveable IMO. The bottom line is that they're both a blast!

Drive both, and buy the one YOU like.

If we buy another one (additional) it will most definetely be a standard model.

If you spend your life making decisions based on what others think you'll never be happy!

 

Great thread yellowdesmo - I've noticed much of the same attitude from time to time. I think we need to be careful to welcome all members of the MINI owning family into the circle. What happens when the MINI Cabrio is released next year? I'm sure it'll suffer some of the snide comments that the Cooper has gotten by some MCS owners.

I think of that guy in the Expedition that passed about 10 cars on the shoulder going 80mph during my morning commute. He's driven by this huge ego and feeling that he's superior to anyone else on the road (except maybe a Hummer in his mind). My question is how far from that mindset is an S owner telling an MC owner "you should have bought the S. That's not what the MINI is about.

 

I like the looks of the standard Cooper much better. The great color selection, the great interior color selection (damn, I love those red door panels), all that snazzy chrome, and most of all, the nice looking hood. Beyond that, I love the smooth 5-speed transmission and the slightly more nimble handling of the lighter car. But after driving both the Cooper and the S, it was very clear to both my wife and myself, that we would never buy a Cooper. All the drawbacks of the S just seem to dissappear when the pedal hits the floor.

I don't think it's attitude. It's lust. People naturally aspire the top model even if only vicariously. If you bought a Camaro, they'd say "Z28?", a Mustang "GT?", a Cooper "S?" They mean no harm, it's just a natural response.

 

The COOPER, the COOPER S, the convertable, maybe a MINI MOKE,... embrace them all. It's all about the MINI.

Let's Motor. :smile:

 

No attitude here. I think the Coop is a great car. My understanding is that even though it has less power, the gearing is a bit shorter which actually makes it easier to get off the line (or easier to drive in the city) than an S. Actually, I've never driven a Cooper, though, so I'm not positive - sounds logical though. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the S would do better at roll-on (or passing) acceleration, though.

The reasons I went with the S are: I'm a wannabe motorhead and like the extra juice and SC whine. Also, there were a number of options that were standard on the S, which were either options, or not available at all on the Cooper, like the rear spoiler, sport seats, sport suspension plus, bigger wheels, etc. You can defintely add most of this to the base Cooper, but by the time you do, you're getting close the the price of the S again.

So... I guess what I'm trying to say is that for the extra cost of an S, you get more than just a supercharger and a hood scoop.

Oh... and I forgot to mention... I don't like chrome!

_________________
__Jason<p>

03 BRG/W MCS

Deals Gap MINI Rally!

 

Addendum...

Depending on your measure one will be better.

Is faster better? Is quieter better? Is higher mileage better?

-J

 

I have to say that I'm getting rather tired of this Cooper vs. S war myself.
I am getting an S and the only time I get attitude is when someone takes a harmless comment personal and says I have an attitude cause I chose the S over the Cooper.
My wife has a Mini Cooper, so when I get mine we will have the best of both worlds, wich is one world. A PURE MINI WORD BABY!
So I think I speak for us all when I say," Forget about stupid stuff like that, and have some Happy Motoring Mate!"
:smile: :smile: :smile:

 

I have an 'S' and no attitude (that I'm aware of). Most of the MINIs in my area are Coopers and believe me, I honk and wave and flash just as much as if the passing car was an S. I get equally excited.

BTW, The difference between this new JCW MINI and the S seems to be JUST horsepower which is why the projected $5-6k seems very high. But the $3000 between the S and base Cooper not only gets you horsepower, but you also get great upgrades - the 6-speed Getrag transmission, sports seats, sports plus suspension, traction control, a twin-pipe exhaust and some higher quality engine parts to handle the extra boost. Also Xenons and fog lights are part of the Sports package with the S and I think they may still be extra on the Cooper. So, IMO, it's NOT just about horses but you're really getting a whole lot for just $3,000 more.

However, to each his own. If someone doesn't want the extra power ofr sports seats or whatever, that's absolutely fine with me. I actually enjoy seeing Coopers b/c they come in more color combos - particularly the interiors.

Obviously, as with any car, you'll find a few people for purchased the higher end model with "attitudes". That's life I guess. But one bad apple doesn't make a bad bunch.

 

Can't we all just get along (in a whiny tone)?

I love the Coopr and the S. I like the bonnet on the Cooper, the red tartan on the Cooper, and the available colors.

It's tough to make additional power out of the Cooper, which is why, as a hot rodder at heart, I prefer the S.

I definitely think the Cooper is a great car. I definitely think the S is a great car. Both are great for different reasons - pick one and motor!

 

I'm not trying to start a war. My piont is the same as most of you. I don't think one MINI is better than the other, I think they are both great cars. I love seeing other MINI's coming down the road. Is it an S non S? Does it have anything done to it? that kind of stuff. And I'm not saying all S owners have an attitude. what I'm getting at is the ones that do have it all wrong IMO. I thought the MINI was all about having fun again. It just seems that they are so close when campaired side by side, its funny to have the attitude that one is better then the other. thats all really. I almost bought an S I just didn't want to wait. Had an S come along like my Cooper did I would have jumped on it. Not really I'm sure that would have put a dent in it. :smile:

 

>>The COOPER, the COOPER S, the convertable, maybe a MINI MOKE,... embrace them all. It's all about the MINI.
>>
>>Let's Motor. :smile:

ABSOLUTELY!!!! I want an updated Moke. I drove an older Portugese version (styled along the lines of the Australian one with bigger wheels and such) in Tahiti a few years back and they are so cool.

Check out
Banmoco Superbug for one take on how one might go. This one is a kit car built on a Metro chassis but I think MINI could use that as a start for a new Moke design.

Keith Hamburger

 

All MINI's are great! The performance difference might look slight in comparing the difference between the two (50HP and 1.6 sec in 0-60) but this does equate to fairly significant percent differences. The S has over 40% more HP and has a 0-60 time that is reduced by 20%. Is this worth the price difference? It depends. Is it worth having an attitude? Absolutely not.

The difference is consistent with other makes such as the BMW 325 vs 330. One needs to look at what options you want that are included as standard in the higher model and add that cost to the lower model. If you can afford the new price difference and the extra cost is worth the slight performance, great. When it is all said and done, drivers of either model will be smiling equally.

Regards

03 MCS PS/B on order

 

Just make sure and DRIVE BOTH before you buy. If you're the same type of driver I am you'll love the S, and there is a big difference when you stomp on it and wind it out.

 

Both are great. Personally, I chose the Cooper because after owning eight classic Minis in my life, I felt that the Cooper bears a closer resemblance to the original (no hood scoop, no spoiler, and the chrome). This is why I am planning to purchase a white decal for the sunroof to blend it in better with the white roof. I am sure that I will long for more HP soon, but I rationalize that by saying I am waiting for the John Cooper Works car to come out!

 

I drove the MC and the MCS and they both are terrific! I can't believe some people have an attitude about it. Those same people create "attitudes" about everything from TVs to beer. They need to grow up

I loved my 1966 Austin Mini S, and just wanted to get another S, and for the $3,000 it seemed like a good deal: forged pistons, crank, sport seats, etc.

But! The MINI Cooper is better looking without the "snout"; has nice chrome accents, cleaner, more classic lines IMHO. Not to mention better interior choices!.

But the horsepower and torque called to me.

 

One thing y'all haven't mentioned is the automatic transmission. Some of use that require an AT have no choice but to go with the MC. I just wish they made it in dark silver...I think the MCS has a better exterior color selection. Anyway, I'll be on the way with an MC and AT.

MotorWorf

 

I have both, though my base Cooper has the S suspension and seats. They're both great cars, couldn't be happier - I like my S better 'cos it actually has all the options I wanted, but you're right; it is not a whole lot faster, though with mods you can make it go like a striped ape. Its all preference, I like driving the S better, but I like the styling on the base better... hence the fact that I got the chrome grille and such. Anyone who looks down on the MC isn't a real motorer - we're all in this together! Heck, the MINI club that I run is almost all base Coopers - rare for a MINI club, usually they're almost all Ses. *shrug*

 

Greetings, all.
One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet, and may have some bearing on this topic, is the kind of person who makes the type of comment "you should have got an S". Although fairly rare in the Mini circles I've been in, this is the person who feels obligated to speak for everyone, and truly believes that each and every one of us ordinary blokes want and need their approval. And what they are really, really after is our affirmation of their choice - they really want for us to say "you're absolutely right - I should have bought an S so I could be just like you".
Of course, that way of thinking is exactly opposite of why most of us drive Mini's - we drive 'em because we like 'em. We don't care about or need the approval of others. I drove both models - liked the handling of the MC, preferred the transmission of the MCS. I ordered an S - and I stare longingly at every single Cooper I see. I can't wait for April.

Phil