>>>>

>>I'll take 163 stock hp and 155 lb-ft of torque and put up with the MCS's supercharger “whine” over 115 stock hp and 110 lb-ft of torque of a modified normally aspirated MC's induction system "roar". That’s a 42% increase in hp and a 41% increase in torque. You would have to do a LOT of modifications on a MC to achieve the performance levels of the MCS. The MCS with its increased power, taunt go-cart suspension and slick shifting Getrag 6 speed gearbox makes the $3,000 increase in price a bargain.

 

>>
>>I just wanted to remind that the MC has the same suspension as the MCS if you get the SS+. It is also not geared as tall and weights 200-300 pounds less.
>>

300 lbs. sounds kinda steep to me...are you sure this is accurate? Sounds like way too much for a supercharger and a few reinforced internals..

 

>>>><< When a Mini goes by you on the street, you can't tell if it's a Mini or an S.
>>>>
>>>>I think the difference is pretty obvious, especially if you see it head on. You can't miss that engine scoop.
>>
>>
>>Let's not forget the chrome tailgate latch on the cooper vs bodycolor on S and same with the grill. And the dual exhaust on the S is also easy to spot from a distance.
----------------

LOL! You guys sure can analyze a zooming car fast! I guess I'm not a Mini Officiando? I'm not checking out the boots etc. I just see MINI!!!

 

I think you just have to consider what you really NEED, and/or, what type of driving you do on a regular basis.

For me, ( 37 yrs old), I need a realiable car that gets me to and from work safely ( a little fun doesn't hurt though

 

I have heard that the Cooper is much better in auto cross than the "S". A few tenths on the same course same driver. Also remember all of this speed and HP stuff also depends on the package your Cooper or "S" has. A stripped Cooper and a loaded "S" are definetly about 300 lbs diff.. I can tell you one thing, I just changed my tires from the GoodYear runflats to some Yoko's and saved 6 lbs a wheel. Big deal right? Well when I took the rims off I couldn't believe how top heavy the runflats are. The tire wouldn't stay up on its own. I put the Yoko's on and it is perfectly balanced. I put the wheels back on the car and there is a big difference in the way the car drives and roles. So I don't think its the 6 lbs but the weight being in the center of the wheel instead of the outer edges of the wheel. I could not beliece the difference. Each car has its pro's and cons.

 

I, too, have a strong practical streak and came at the whole thing from a "what do you need" perspective. How fantastic is it to have a car like the Cooper available for daily commutes? For the price, its just so much car!!!! If I was doing a lot of tuning, though, I'd have had to seriously consider starting with an S. (...not forgetting the comments made on the Cooper's abilities in certain types of racing...very interesting!) Remember, part of the real historic charm of the "Mini-mystique" is that you have one version of the car kickin'-butt on the race track and, at the same time, another doing daily trips to the corner market. We really have to re-appreciate that weird irony. Our little MINIs do it all!!!!

 

>>I just wanted to remind that the MC has the same suspension as the MCS if you get the SS+. It is also not geared as tall and weights 200-300 pounds less. In a straight line the MCS is faster but I would wager the MC is faster on the autocross course. Straight line speed is only a small part in performance. Of course I am Biased, I have a cooper, and got it because it is faster and more nimble than the S for autocross.
>>

The weight difference between a comparably equipped MC and MCS is 154 pounds, not 200-300. Let’s compare apples to apples, not a stripped MC and loaded-up MCS. Even then I think 300 pounds would be a stretch. I would concede that a MC could be faster on an autocross coarse but I wager an S is better at passing slower traffic on the open road. Either way, both cars have there place in the market. I predict a 250+ hp all wheel drive S derivative in the future, I don't see a smaller engine non diesel with less output MC ever being offered.

 

It's called the MINI one, available in european markets but not the US

 

The MINI ONE model uses the same normal aspirated 1.6L TRITEC engine as the MINI Cooper but it is rated at 90HP instead of 115HP and it uses regular gasoline.

The MINI D, is the newest member of the MINI family. The MINI D uses a Toyota Yaris/Echo supplied 1.4L 4cylinder Diesel engine. It went on sale in Europe a couple of months ago.

Due to the fact that low sulfur diesel fuel is not available in North America, MINI has no plans to import the "D' model accross the pond. Reportedly, the MINI D has very good low end torque, a characteristic of diesel powered engines.

 

In reply to the original question will a "S" last 80K, Absolutely! A supercharged is not like a turbo that will kill an engine. Turbo's definitely have a shorter life span, but a supercharged engine is great. We went with the Cooper just mainly because of the style, love the chrome and silk green. Great California car.

 

Hmmm... Ever since I got my Cooper, I have heard a lot of "S" owners say the "Cooper or S" decision should be based on what you "need"... I guess they're trying to justify the extra 3K they spent. A better piece of advice would be "to buy what you want". You know best what you want, don't you?

I did not think of it in terms of need at all (or cost) when I was trying to decide. I drove both, liked both of them, and chose the non-S. My need was for a high-performance well-handling car, and that was what I bought.

And for those S owners that say "oh well if you want a lesser performance car, get the Cooper..." they're wrong. I would say if you just have to have the extra HP so you can brag that yours is bigger (oops, meant to say better), go ahead and buy an "S". Otherwise buy a Cooper, and you will be just as satisfied. Ask any gearhead, higher top-end HP is nice, but doesn't mean a whole lot. Performance off the line is the same, and passing/accel performance can be had just as easily without a supercharger by downshifting. motor on!

 

Re" A better piece of advice is to buy what you want."

I totally agree with JohnW. If you're looking for a car period, you need transportation. Just how fast do you want to go to kill yourselves?

 

>>I think you just have to consider what you really NEED, and/or, what type of driving you do on a regular basis.
>>
>>For me, ( 37 yrs old), I need a realiable car that gets me to and from work safely ( a little fun doesn't hurt though

I remember when I was 37 - I've now passed the time when I wanted to be practical and went for the S. Did I need even more power? No - so I've added an intake and cat-back exhaust. A new sway bar is on order and a pully swap is scheduled for next month.
I have a long commute driving at 40mph so is this practical - No way! But it makes driving an absolute blast.

 

I have an MC now... will soon be ordering an MCS. Don't ask me why....I just want an S!!

 

Holly's gonna want an S even more after Deal's Gap!

tee hee,
Ryan

_________________
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*Keeper of the CWFAC list*

 

<< I would say if you just have to have the extra HP so you can brag that yours is bigger (oops, meant to say better), go ahead and buy an "S". Otherwise buy a Cooper, and you will be just as satisfied. Ask any gearhead, higher top-end HP is nice, but doesn't mean a whole lot. >>


Well I added a pulley to my S and you wouldn't believe the low-end torque I have. Sorry if my quest for power makes you a bit uneasy or insecure - I didn't see any base Cooper-bashing in this thread (well except for the guy that said I don't think you'll ever see a non-diesel Cooper with less HP than the Cooper).

 

Re: " the Cooper is better for those people
A: on a tighter budget "

Not true! I bought a Cooper and I paid cash! If I wanted a S I could have afforded one. I just did not want an S.

 

Greatgro must be a child. With a comment like that , it must be a moron!

 

Financial situation may or may not apply to your decision to pick between Cooper or S.

 

What are you kidding with this thread?

The Cooper is a fun car and I don't think anyone wants to knock it (I certainly don't) but come on you can't seriously compare its performance with that of an MCS. There is a very great performance difference between the cars. And, for those who care, the cost difference for the S is a bargain. Heck, the 6 speed transmission alone almost justifies the extra cost.

There is a place for both cars. The Cooper is certainly more economical and that's not a bad thing. The Cooper handles very well, and can be "upgraded" to SS+ for those who prefer a stiffer sportier suspension. There is no need to disparage the Cooper in order for S owners to feel good about their cars. I don't think anyone here has acted like an MCS snob. But let's not live in a fantasy world.

 

>>Re: " the Cooper is better for those people
>>A: on a tighter budget "
>>
>>Not true! I bought a Cooper and I paid cash! If I wanted a S I could have afforded one. I just did not want an S.


Oh yeah? If I wanted a cooper I could have afforded one. I just wanted an 'S'.

 

>>Greatgro must be a child. With a comment like that , it must be a moron!>>>

I'm sorry..but what??? I'll assume you misunderstood my post. Otherwise I can slow down or break it down for you if that'll help.

 

Both models are excellent vehicles and and a terrific value. I let a friend of mine who is a salesperson at a Honda dealership, drive my MINI. She was very surprized at the overall detail and quality of the car. She said "...this looks and feels like a $35,000 vehicle!" Quite a compliment, and this obviously applies to all MINI's!

Cheers, happy Motoring

_________________
Wisdom is not a function of age, but a function of experience.
*Keeper of the CWFAC list*

 

Seems like I have to clarify why I said what I did?

My point was to express that a Cooper should not be labled as simply a Mini for those who have a tight financial budget, while the S is for those with shall I say deeper pockets?

I said what I said to help make this stereotyping not true. It was not meant to attack the "S" owners. I wanted to stop ONE PERON's impression of Cooper owners and explain it's not fact.

Personally, I'm beginning to this these theads asking "Should I get a Mini or a MiniS" in some way are not just ways of trying to restart the whole mess again?

 

Brownie is making generalizations based upon personal experience, and I'm horrified at her continued erroneous statements and "nitpicking"

I have gone back and edited all my posts in this thread
I'm outta here

_________________
Wisdom is not a function of age, but a function of experience.
*Keeper of the CWFAC list*