I love the internet. I was up in the NC mtns. this week and happened by Century Mini in Greenville, SC. Took a test drive. Now I have this addiction (I WANT ONE). Luckily my current drive (Vibe GT) was out of trading distance. When I got back to South Alabama I discovered this (and some other) Mini sites. Why don't you guys warn people these cars can be so addictive?

However, a look at the archives (especially Under the Bonnet) gave me the creeps. The closest dealers are in Atlanta (200+ miles away). So I have a few questions. Forgive me, if they are repeats but I'm hoping the answers have changed.

1. Have the early problems reports settled down enough that a single dad w/a 7 yr-old (he definitely wants to get a Mini) could get an MCS for his main (and only) transportation?

2. Re: the above. If yes, are there still major areas of concern: mechanics, software, paint, etc.

3. BTW, does anyone have a sound file of the horn (forgot to test it)

4. Are there accessories/options/packages that one should consider essential/avoid? (I'm leaning toward a Dark Silver w/blk top & mirrors, xenon lights, drvg lites,)

5. Is DCS that helpful, or just a safety feature for grannies?

I'll stop for now. Again, please excuse an old guy (relative) and his ignorance.

Now for the good stuff. I saw a mention of "The Italian Job" in a recent post and took my son to see "The Core" today. Guess what one of the trailers was? Yep. It was neet seeing those three Minis have a major part in a movie.
It got a major thumbs-up from the young prince along with the new Lara Croft movie. (Can't blame him there
)

Anyway, I'm enjoying all the info/pics/help I've found here. Looking forward to your responses.
TIA

 

>>I love the internet. I was up in the NC mtns. this week and happened by Century Mini in Greenville, SC. Took a test drive. Now I have this addiction (I WANT ONE). Luckily my current drive (Vibe GT) was out of trading distance. When I got back to South Alabama I discovered this (and some other) Mini sites. Why don't you guys warn people these cars can be so addictive?
>>
>>However, a look at the archives (especially Under the Bonnet) gave me the creeps. The closest dealers are in Atlanta (200+ miles away). So I have a few questions. Forgive me, if they are repeats but I'm hoping the answers have changed.
>>
>>1. Have the early problems reports settled down enough that a single dad w/a 7 yr-old (he definitely wants to get a Mini) could get an MCS for his main (and only) transportation?
>>
>>2. Re: the above. If yes, are there still major areas of concern: mechanics, software, paint, etc.
>>
>>3. BTW, does anyone have a sound file of the horn (forgot to test it)
>>
>>4. Are there accessories/options/packages that one should consider essential/avoid? (I'm leaning toward a Dark Silver w/blk top & mirrors, xenon lights, drvg lites,)
>>
>>5. Is DCS that helpful, or just a safety feature for grannies?
>>
>>I'll stop for now. Again, please excuse an old guy (relative) and his ignorance.
>>
>>Now for the good stuff. I saw a mention of "The Italian Job" in a recent post and took my son to see "The Core" today. Guess what one of the trailers was? Yep. It was neet seeing those three Minis have a major part in a movie.
>>It got a major thumbs-up from the young prince along with the new Lara Croft movie. (Can't blame him there
>>

My impressions only:

1. Most of the problems have been worked out in the 03 model year cars. There is apparently still some issue with the coolant, but I don't think it's big. Some have complained that areas of the interior have inferior paint. I haven't experienced that. You and your 7 yr old will be delighted with this as your daily driver. My MCS is mine!

2. Rattles. If you get a sunroof, it will rattle. The boot rattles. The dash squeaks. This car makes 'I'm all yours' noises. THink of them that way and they're fine. They are not really that bad, but if you're sensitive to that, it could be a problem.

3. Sorry no sound file. "HONK". Does that help? The horn is fine. Don't sweat it.

4. Accessories. Did you say you were in Alabama? In Ohio, the cold weather package is essential. There, who knows. The leatherette is just as good as the leather, unless you're a purist and need leather. Most can't tell the difference. The CVT is excellent if you need auto trans. Of course, it's only available on the MC. The run-flats are heavy and don't handle near well enough to suit this car. If you are going to drive hard, buy aftermarket tires and wheels. The S-Lites are heavy, especially with the run-flats. As a daily driver, they are both fine, as are the stock 16s.

Many say don't go without the sunroof. If it didn't rattle, I'd be inclined to agree.

5. DSC. I have heard those who got DSC leave it off. I'd pass. It causes wierd reactions when the wheels start to slip (from what I have heard).

...and by the way: this car is addictive. Sorry, you didn't give us a chance to warn you BEFORE you drove it....

Buy the stinkin thing and love it. WE all do. Seriously. Some of us got together today in the freakin' freezin' cold just to talk about how much we love this car.

Hope that helps...

_________________
<html>
<table width="10" border="1" bordercolor="#000000">
<tr>
<td><img src="http://www.sandlotgraphics.com/MiscI..._Sig.jpg" ></td>
</tr>
</table>
</html>

 

ditto times 2. A few other things. The DSC, well, I only have the ASC is a good thing if you ever screw up and make a mistake while driving, or other driver blocks your cornering when youre going fast, then you thank these things. I wished I got the DSC which makes it even better. If you lose control, the car fixes your mistakes. But if you dont ever drive agressively, or never have any emergency situations(other bad drivers tossing their car onto yours) then you dont need it. As far as adiction, wwwhhhehere is mmmyyy mmyyy miiinii! (sorry about that, I just dropped of my mini for the 15000km service, oh, I live in Mexico where tough roads are everywhere, and speedometer marks KM. Anyways, its the first service and mini has never let me down) I mean never! Tiny squeaks on interior like any car with a hard suspension and 17in wheels. But i guess a regular mini cooper without sport suspension plus wont give you any rattles. I again would like to apologyze for not giving a surgeons general warning to you like: This vehicle will cause you to lose many hours of sleep by being inside it driving all night instead of sleeping.

buy it, love it, join a club. A mini club.

 

i have dsc, questionable option, sometimes nice, sometimes pain in the @$#@$!! wish i had a sunroof, but dont, etc, they all are fun just pic the options you want, i dont think that there any bad options, as far as quality goes, just some more useful than others but it is matter of opinion!!

 

Get the DSC you won't be sorry in an emergency. Get the MFSW (Multi function steering wheel), Oh and one other option I really like Get the S

 

Greetings!
Welcome to MCO!!

My Cooper S was manufactured around Christmas '02. I now have 2K miles on it and I am addicted to the car. Was looking at a Miata but the MINI handles better and the S has the power.
To date the car is rock solid - NO RATTLES - even the sun roof. I do really believe that BMW/MINI are making improvements on a continuing basis. I haven't had this much fun with a car since I owned a Lotus Europa 30 years ago.
Just do it! You'll never regret it :smile: !!!
Best Regards,
Ron
'03 MCS PS/B 2-1-03

 

I've got a PS/B MC, and I have all the packages. Most important: MFSW and sports seats. Next: heated seats and sunroof (I'm in Oregon- yes on the bun warmers!). Least important: ACC- it often causes the fan to run at higher levels than are necessary, and one of MINI's biggest weaknesses is a loud fan. Having said that, the ACC controls are laid out beautifully, and look WAY cool glowing all orange at night, much cooler than the manual ones. It's part of a package and you can manually overide it, so you don't really lose anything if you get it. I have the DSC, and I drive MINI pretty hard. I have no complaint so far. If I was running autox, I'm sure I'd have a different take. I've got the 16" run-flats, and I push twisties about as hard as one can. I hear tire noise occasionally, but the less I do, the longer the tire wear. I CAN assure you that if you were driving w/ me, you'd not have any sense that the DSC was taking any of the fun out of the experience- in fact, you might need the hard-to-find MINI barf bag. Get your MINI, and find out for yourself how hard it is to get out of it and get on w/ other things.

 

I think everything's been said already, but about the horn..

Don't worry, it's not some cutesy, cartoon-roadrunner "MEEP MEEP!!" type horn like one would expect, it's a normal, serious sounding "big car" horn.

 

>>My Cooper S was manufactured around Christmas '02. I now have 2K miles on it and I am addicted to the car. Was looking at a Miata but the MINI handles better and the S has the power.

Whoa! That's a hefty statement. I believe that the MCS is the heir apparent to the CRX Si in terms of front drivers, but I am not sure that I would buy into the notion that the MCS handles better than a Miata.

The power statement is interesting. The Miata is giving around 20 hp to the MCS but the MCS is giving around 400 lbs back to the Miata.

I've always found the statement that either of these are underpowered to be entirely off the mark. I have a '99 Miata and will pick up my MCS in the fall.

It would seem to be entirely a choice of what is the fix you happen to need at a given time. If you have a topless jones, you need to go out and get a Miata. Everyone who truly appreciates sporting cars should own one for at least a few years.

After a while the limitations will get to you if you're forced to drive one on a regular basis. That is basically where I am at now. The Miata is a bit too much work and discomfort to drive in inclement weather. I have wanted a Mini since I was a teen and this looks like my shot. The MCS will continue to be fun during those days when I have to button myself up in the Miata and nurse the Michelin Pilots around in the wet.

I expect mostly the same driving experience from the Mini as I get from the Miata. Constant feedback from every wheel, the feeling that you can put the tires on any spot on the road as simply as thinking about it.

I drove a Miata as a solo car for a year and a half and broke down and bought a used Saab 900 for this winter (talk about great timing). The Mini is the ultimate one sporting car solution I feel.

The Mini vs Miata handling debate might be a good thread for some other discussion. I'm sure there are plenty of advocates on both sides (even on a Mini board, I'm sure the crossover is pretty high).

 

>>The Mini vs Miata handling debate might be a good thread for some other discussion. I'm sure there are plenty of advocates on both sides (even on a Mini board, I'm sure the crossover is pretty high).


Don't knock a girly car tell you get a chance to flog her

 

>>>>The Mini vs Miata handling debate might be a good thread for some other discussion. I'm sure there are plenty of advocates on both sides (even on a Mini board, I'm sure the crossover is pretty high).
>>
>>

Traded in my 99 Miata for my MCS, in my opinion the MCS handles better. My Miata could never take the turns (at high speed) that I'm doing in my MINI. I miss the top but I did get the sunroof so I'm very happy. 9200 miles and not one problem!