Wow, Im sure on this post alone, there will be about 5 people who will trade you.

 

I've been pretty happy with my MC (with sport suspension plus and sport seats) for the 8 months I've owned it, but I really miss the LSD and extra power that my Neon had (I sold it after I bought the MC). Half the reason I'd like to get an MCS is the LSD, the other half is the extra power. If I could have gotten an LSD with my MC I'd probably juet keep it, but I'm going to the dealer tomorrow to look into trading my MC in on an MCS. Unless they try to screw me over on my trade-in, I'll probably be ordering an MCS (with LSD) tomorrow.

-Keith

 

TOTALLY!!!!!!!

 

Best $3,000.00 you'll ever spend. (Legally that is!)

MCS: Worth every penny!

 

LOL, I like your thinking Planeguy !!

 

I might just have to do that, I'm only in the next state over from you.

 

Yep, very happy. MCS is worth every penny.

 

Consider an Elise.

 

How can you equate a $45K stripped MSRP Elise to a $21K stripped MINI? They aint in the same league:impatient

Consider a Carrera GT ...

 

I think if you have to ask yourself the question, the answer might be no.
I got the S because I wanted the most power MINI offered at the time. I am very glad I did. I don't honestly feel I would have been happy with less power. I am going through the same thought process as I am thinking about buying a boxster to go with the MINI. I am again leaning toward the letter "S".

 

I have had both and my advice is that if you dont care about power and it is a daily driver around town the MC is great, but if you do care about power (as you said you did), then if you get the MC you will always want the MCS and probably eventually trade up and lose a bit of money doing so.

 

Not just the S... the JCW... it is the best. tonight my wife complained that her head was thrown back and slammed into the headrest when I jumped on Pam at a fwy onramp......craptastic.... wow the JCW supercharger is the best... FUN FUN FUN

 

With the required "Sport" package a new JCW S is ~$10,000 or 50% more than an MC. It's a great car, but...

 

Go to a dealer. Drive an MC. Then drive an MCS. Then make up your mind. Thats how I got my MCS.

 

Yes, the S is worth the money.

The problem is, so is the Cooper.

What you get for the $3500 premium on the S is a bargain.

But the Cooper is a great car at the price.

Don't let the MCS folks make you feel bad about buying a Cooper!

 

Well, next weekend Im so excited. I will drive a MC and MCS at the denver MINI dealership.

 

Lets put this into perspective.

$3K difference is 16% increase in base price.
Look up the HP specs you will find your buying $56/one HP

THAT is a great deal from the factory.

 

I drove an MCS at my dealer today. It was faster than my MC, but not by a huge margin. Part of the difference was that I was going from a minimally optioned lightweight MC to a well-optioned MCS with S-lites and sunroof, and most other options. Personally I'd rather have the LSD on my MC rather than an MCS without LSD, but thankfully you can get the MCS with LSD. I wasn't overwhelmed with the additional power the MCS has over my MC though. To me it might have been worth it to get the MCS in the first place, but it isn't worth taking a loss on my MC to trade up to an MCS. I'm quite happy with my MC. Some people might like the supercharger whine, I found it rather annoying. If you think you might later regret not getting an MCS if you get an MC now, than go ahead and get the MCS now.

-Keith

 

yesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes!!!!! !!

 

If power is what you want, then by all means the MCS is worth the extra cost. I agonized back and forth between the MC & MCS before I ordered my '06 MC. Several things factored into my decision. The things I found the most appealing about the Mini - light weight, great handling, fuel economy and terrific styling - were all there in the MC. Several things I didn't like - the runflats, the hood scoop and somewhat more weight, made the MCS a bit less attractive to me. I ended up with about the lightest weight Cooper you can get - 15 inch holeys, no sunroof, and my car accelerates quite well. I added a Mymini Touring exhaust (more for the sound than more performance) & an HSport 19mm rear bar for a bit more neutral handling, and I love my car. You'll enjoy your mini, whichever you choose - just drive 'em and decide. If you tend toward loving acceleration, then if you're on the fence and can afford the extra $$$, get the MCS. If you keep the car light, and you don't see a lot of difference, and value high mpg and the "less is more" aspects, get the MC.
Let us know what you end up with.

 

The sound of the supercharger is worth that $3000 to me

 

Come to the dark side...we have cookies.

 

When I got my MCS in 2002 the price difference was so small that making the decison between the 120HP and the 162HP w/ supercharger was a no brainer. I have driven both versions and I'll admit the basic Cooper is stilll fun to drive, but come on...a few dollars more gets you a car that really performs. I'd like to see Porsche upcharge about 2-3K for a 997s vs the "normal" 997. THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN.

 

Awww crap! Nobody told me I bought a car that doesn't "really perform"!

 

Beside comparing apples to oranges, Porsche does "only" charge about $3K difference in terms of HP.

$10K difference between 997 and 997S BUT, besides 30 more HP you also get ... Bigger brakes, Active suspension, HIDs, BIgger Wheels & Tires (and Porsche wheels aint cheap) ... so its IS about the same.