Minis are in the top 10 for resale value and the dealers have not figured out that there are a bunch out there used now....

 

I have owned '02 MC CVT, '04 MCS and '05 MCS 6MT hardtop.

The MC CVT is a pretty peppy car and surprinsigly quick once you "master" using the "steptronic" mode. "Sport" mode gives out a nice, quick burst of power when needed. Have never felt this car to be grossly underpowered or slow.

Now, in the mid-range and top end is where the MCS outshines the MC. The MCS, IMHO, is a better highway car than the MC, more relaxed cruising, more available power on tap for passing and less noisy.

Between the '04 MCS and '05 MCS there is a huge difference in acceleration. What "killed" the off the line performance in the '02-'04 MCS was the extremely tall 1st gear. Most people overcame this problem by installing smaller pulleys to compensate the seemingly non-existing torque on the bone stock MCS of those years.

In 2005, MINI corrected the problem by making 1st gear 11% shorter than in previous years, added 5 HP (Power went from 163 to 168) added more torque, revised the ECU programming, added the JCW supercharger with coated splines, revised the exhaust and generally transformed the car to the point where it felt stronger off the line.

I have driven an old 200HP JCW equipped '03 MCS with the old gear ratios and against my bone stock '05 MCS 6MT, the 2005 feels as strong and fast (at least from the get go) as the '03 JCW MCS.

So for those of you who currently own '02-'04 MCS and have not driven the "2.0 versions" made in '05-'06, owe to yourself to experience the drastic differences between the version 1.0 cars and the version 2.0 cars.

 

Yes, that is exactly what I was trying to say Same reason that I don't own, but have lots of respect for, the MC.

 

After I had owned my MC for about 10 months or so, I went and took an MCS for a test drive at a local dealership with a friend. I ordered my MC with minimal options (heated sport seats, sport suspension, MFSW, fog lights, and chrono pack), and I mounted lightweight Toyo T1R's on my stock 15" holeys. At race weight the car weighs 2370 lbs. The MCS I drove also had a manual trans, but it was loaded with virtually every option and the heavy 17" wheels. I put a bunch of miles on the MCS and let my friend drive it for a little bit (he has driven and autocrossed my MC). We agreed that the fully loaded MCS with heavy wheels/tires wasn't much faster than my lightweight MC, whether from a standstill or when accelerating from 30 or 50 mph.

Of course that isn't really an apples to apples comparison, although I did leave my friend beside the road for a bit to see how much difference his 210 lb body made in the car. The MCS we drove was noticeably faster, but not by a lot. A stripped out MCS with the same wheel/tire combo I was running should have made a significant difference though. I just wasn't overwhelmed, but knowing the potential of a modded MCS over a modded MC, I knew the potential was there to make the MCS much faster for a lilttle money. My main interest in the Mini though was for stock class autocrossing and commuting, so for those two purposes, the MCS has no advantage over the MC at all (the MC gets better mpg and both are the "cars to have" in their respective stock autocross classes). Besides, if I feel the need for speed, I'll just hop into my Mustang.

-Keith

 

I think some people are still stuck in the mindset of a few years ago when MINIs were in such high demand that they could ask a ridiculously high price for a used MINI. Now that there are more used MINIs, the market has softened a little but I think some dealers and a few misguided individuals still inflate the used market. I don't know if they actually get someone to pay those high prices, but perhaps there are some people who don't bother to do proper research.

As far as some cars on NAM goes, I have seen that some people dump a lot of money into their car in the form of mods and then they try to get it all back when they sell it. For the most part though, mods don't help resale value much and to some buyers it can be a major detriment. I will never buy another car that has been modified, been there done that, got burned, and learned my lesson...

 

Since I bought my '06 MCSa in May, It is my daily driver and I keep my '03 Cooper more for show, since it is a CVT. However, the Cooper has the '06 springs now and the S has the lowering springs that were on the Cooper...and Winter's wrath is upon us. So, this weekend I was driving the Cooper. It occurred to me that the S, as stated over and over, is a brute with its power and all, but at the same time, driving the Cooper is just a treat. It's nimble and it gets to 70 mph so quickly and quietly that I need to really watch for Bears. I am so very glad that I am fortunate to have one of each, cuz, for the life of me, I KNOW I'd never be able to just be happy again with driving just one.

 

Yea theres a local mom and pop dealership here in fresno that gets in MC and MCS pretty offten. everytime i drive by their i laugh. Last month they had an 03 MCS with 45,000 milies on it and wanted 25,500 for it. Not sure what else it came with but either way thats crazy talk.

 

She's a January 2003 build. Have never driven the Getrag so I don't have a basis of comparison. Our MCS is a 2004 June build.

 

C4 is right on the money - any MINI owner (especially an MC owner, like the thread originator) who has only driven an 02-04 MCS owes yourself a drive in an 05/06 MCS as well. The gearing makes a VERY significant difference. Even more so, with the gearing and the JCW 210 tuning kit - it's so drastically different, it's not even funny.

NOTE: I am not trying to put down the MC when I say that - I see them as different cars with different intentions. I would love to own an MC as well as my MCS, if I could have two. Probably an MCC... with the original JCW Cooper Tuning Kit for good measure.

 

The MCS I drove, (the only one I've driven) is an 06. As I said, it's faster, just not what I expected. This is at least partly due to unrealistic expectations...and, the fact that it was a relatively short drive.

After driving the MCS and getting back in my MC, I immediately noticed the reduced power of my MC......and the need to keep the rpms up for reasonable performance.

The gearshift on the MCS seemed much less smooth and more "notchie" than my Midland. If the MC 5-speed Getrag shifts like the MCS 6-speed that I drove, I'm glad I got the Midland. Of course, if my Midland spills it's guts two days out of warranty I won't be happy.

I'm really curious about the power delivery of the new 07 engine, both MCS and MC. The torque curve supports an ability to get rolling without slipping the clutch, (especially with AC on), that neither the current MC or MCS has.

 

My former MC with light 15" wheels (Flik Fuels from Edgeracing.com), Magnecor wires, Remus Exhaust, Moss HAI, MTH ECU, 22mm Rspeed Sway Bar, HSport springs, it drove VERY nicely compared to a more or less stock MCS.

I don't think the MC is slow.

 

Depends on the driver! LOL! You are quite the peppy driver!

 

Hahah. That is true. And now with my MCS, I try so hard to stay off boost so I can get better gas mileage--but it's sooooooo hard.

 

I realize my post made it sounds like you hadn't driven an 05/06 MCS, but that's not how I meant to make it sound. It does seem like other posters making comparisons may not have felt the newer gearing though.