R50/53 Those with the normal Mini Cooper
4th Gear
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 324
Likes: 1
From: Austin, Texas
Andy-
I was really concerned about the same thing as you, but went ahead and got the Cooper. I didn't really want to spend the extra $3K. All in all I love my Cooper(ah). It is very quick, and makes me feel like I'm driving a motorcycle on four wheels. I've had it up to 125mph only once, and it was a rush!
As for gas, if you live in warmer climates, you should run at least 91 octane. The car was designed for that, but in the cooler weather (30º and below) you can get away with 89 octane, because it burns faster. (what that means I don't know, just something my service manager told me) Buying premium gas is not something to be concerned with. The tank is small, so it evens out at fillups.
I was really concerned about the same thing as you, but went ahead and got the Cooper. I didn't really want to spend the extra $3K. All in all I love my Cooper(ah). It is very quick, and makes me feel like I'm driving a motorcycle on four wheels. I've had it up to 125mph only once, and it was a rush!
As for gas, if you live in warmer climates, you should run at least 91 octane. The car was designed for that, but in the cooler weather (30º and below) you can get away with 89 octane, because it burns faster. (what that means I don't know, just something my service manager told me) Buying premium gas is not something to be concerned with. The tank is small, so it evens out at fillups.
5th Gear
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 3
From: Endicott, NY
Although the manual suggests premium gas, my dealer told me at delivery that they put that in the manual because the grades of gas vary so much between the different countries where the engine is sold, but that the regular gasoline as refined in the USA is of a quality that works just fine, and that is what they have been using in the Coopers and recomend regular as "fine" to use and will not harm the engine or performance.
Banned
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,890
Likes: 0
From: So Cal
Go for the Cooper! Yeah its a slug off the line but so is the S. Its the corners and turns where the MINI dominates. I was a little discouraged at the lack of performance my cooper had so I put an intake and a maganflow exhaust system and it improved the performance a lot! It really pulls above 4k rpms. Sure an S would be nice but Im happy with my cooper. 
6th Gear
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,433
Likes: 1
From: Gloucester, MA, USA
Both MINIs are happiest with Premium gas.
I had an MC for 9 months (gestation period of my MCS); there were times when I wished for a bit more pull - you need to shift down significantly to get the engine to work for you.
I always found that the MC engine did very little till revs hit about 3500, then there was a big surge ... great if you drive high revs all the time, annoying if you like to cruise.
I got 29-33 mpg on my MC depending on how many short runs I did. On my MCS I get 28-31.
With either car, if you accelerate gently and keep below 65 mph you will get better mpg - but if you are going to drive like that, get the MC with CVT, and a hat :smile:
People say the ride is worse on the MCS - perhaps with 17" wheels, but my 16" equipped MCS rides a little softer than my 16" equipped MC did.
The MCS is definitely a little more noisy - but in a nice way :smile:
In theory, the MCS will also be more expensive to insure, and has more things which could need fixing one day.
Personally - get the MCS if you can afford it, then the power is there when you want it. If you are cash limited you need to weigh up $2000 of options against more power; for that you are on your own ...
PS: I *LOVE* your pizzas :smile:
_________________
Ian C. Gloucester, MA
<A href="http://users.adelphia.net/~gbmini/bl...uot;</a>
CWFFC member. Indi Blue / Lapis Blue MCS ... body color exterior trim, chrome grille, painted roof Union Jack, Euro shelf and rear fog switch
I had an MC for 9 months (gestation period of my MCS); there were times when I wished for a bit more pull - you need to shift down significantly to get the engine to work for you.
I always found that the MC engine did very little till revs hit about 3500, then there was a big surge ... great if you drive high revs all the time, annoying if you like to cruise.
I got 29-33 mpg on my MC depending on how many short runs I did. On my MCS I get 28-31.
With either car, if you accelerate gently and keep below 65 mph you will get better mpg - but if you are going to drive like that, get the MC with CVT, and a hat :smile:
People say the ride is worse on the MCS - perhaps with 17" wheels, but my 16" equipped MCS rides a little softer than my 16" equipped MC did.
The MCS is definitely a little more noisy - but in a nice way :smile:
In theory, the MCS will also be more expensive to insure, and has more things which could need fixing one day.
Personally - get the MCS if you can afford it, then the power is there when you want it. If you are cash limited you need to weigh up $2000 of options against more power; for that you are on your own ...
PS: I *LOVE* your pizzas :smile:
_________________
Ian C. Gloucester, MA
<A href="http://users.adelphia.net/~gbmini/bl...uot;</a>
CWFFC member. Indi Blue / Lapis Blue MCS ... body color exterior trim, chrome grille, painted roof Union Jack, Euro shelf and rear fog switch
Banned
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,805
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, Ca
The MC handles the tighter curves just as well as if not better than an MCS...
It's as fast off the line...
The Supercharger is quick too... but the Cooper can keep up until about 130mph.
I've driven both and find the cooper very appealing.
the MC has better looks than the S IMO
S is just a Letter.
heheh
It's as fast off the line...
The Supercharger is quick too... but the Cooper can keep up until about 130mph.
I've driven both and find the cooper very appealing.
the MC has better looks than the S IMO
S is just a Letter.
heheh
3rd Gear
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta GA
I have had my cooper for arround a week now and I love it....
I kept my cooper nearly stripped... no sunroof or auto ac, no packages... just sport seats and SS+ (sport suspension + like the cooper s has) and kept the 15 " holes wheels,
I am so very happy with the results... I get the nice ride of the 15" non runflats but with just a swap to light 16" wheels and r compound tires I am ready for the track.... right now I am still breaking in and even keeping the cooper under 4500 (I have been shifting arround 4k) I have had no problems getting upto Highway speed (in Atlanta GA that is 80+MPH) on short on ramps... the Handling is incredible... I test drove both cars and the S is a blast, but I am an autocrosser and the extra weight of the S was noticeable to me (doubt most would notice though) in the corners.... like has been said drive both and decide...
I kept my cooper nearly stripped... no sunroof or auto ac, no packages... just sport seats and SS+ (sport suspension + like the cooper s has) and kept the 15 " holes wheels,
I am so very happy with the results... I get the nice ride of the 15" non runflats but with just a swap to light 16" wheels and r compound tires I am ready for the track.... right now I am still breaking in and even keeping the cooper under 4500 (I have been shifting arround 4k) I have had no problems getting upto Highway speed (in Atlanta GA that is 80+MPH) on short on ramps... the Handling is incredible... I test drove both cars and the S is a blast, but I am an autocrosser and the extra weight of the S was noticeable to me (doubt most would notice though) in the corners.... like has been said drive both and decide...
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis, MO USA
At Deal's Gap my Cooper's gearing seemed to bee (not a typo) a bit of an advantage and there was nary an S that could go faster on the curvy roads. Same was true at the track except on the front straight. I too feel the Cooper looks better and any of the touches of the S ( chrome gas cap and chrome side vents) that you desire can be added to the Cooper aftermarket. By ordering the Cooper with sport seats and the sports suspension plus from the factory you will have equal handling abilities and you can use the money saved by getting the Cooper for coilovers, air filter, and free flow exhaust. But if you really feel that you will still have S envy....just go ahead and do it. I bought my Cooper only because the S wasn't available in 2002 in black but now I won't be getting an S (unless I bite on the cabriolet.) 
_________________
The whole world is buzzing about the MINI.
_________________
The whole world is buzzing about the MINI.
4th Gear
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 418
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore, MD
Sheesh! All this talk about 0-60, horsepower. magna-flow! Where are we people? The roads are not for racing. This is not to say that one should not drive "spiritedly" when so moved :smile:
I'll weigh in for the "normal" MINI as well. One reason for this choice was the run-flat tires -- they sounded expensive and not as useful as they appeared at first. You realize that if you puncture, you still have to repair or replace the tire. And you'd better do it soon 'cuz you only get a few tens of miles out of the tire after the defect.
The other reason for MC vs MCS is the fuel economy. My gawd -- 25 MPG is for the birds, IMHO! If I planned to race (not likely but don't hold me to it
), I might regret not having the extra HP but as has been stated above, that's no guarantee that you'll prevail. Better driving skills provide an enormous advantage over raw power (up to a point, of course).
I'll weigh in for the "normal" MINI as well. One reason for this choice was the run-flat tires -- they sounded expensive and not as useful as they appeared at first. You realize that if you puncture, you still have to repair or replace the tire. And you'd better do it soon 'cuz you only get a few tens of miles out of the tire after the defect.
The other reason for MC vs MCS is the fuel economy. My gawd -- 25 MPG is for the birds, IMHO! If I planned to race (not likely but don't hold me to it
), I might regret not having the extra HP but as has been stated above, that's no guarantee that you'll prevail. Better driving skills provide an enormous advantage over raw power (up to a point, of course).
3rd Gear
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
the cooper on the S...
Buy both and still be 30,000 dollars less than a Dodge Viper.
I love them both. I bought the Cooper because I was looking for an everyday driver and commuter. The S is next. I'll save it for special occasions.
LET'S MOTOR :smile:
Buy both and still be 30,000 dollars less than a Dodge Viper.
I love them both. I bought the Cooper because I was looking for an everyday driver and commuter. The S is next. I'll save it for special occasions.
LET'S MOTOR :smile:
3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: Milford, CT
>>here, here.... I, too, was once swayed to get an S but after driving both, I opted for the Cooper... I'm so happy with my little ride... just a few mods and it's an eye catcher...
What a beauty asaulo 1!!!
What a beauty asaulo 1!!!
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 819
Likes: 0
From: Valencia, CA.
>>>>here, here.... I, too, was once swayed to get an S but after driving both, I opted for the Cooper... I'm so happy with my little ride... just a few mods and it's an eye catcher... :smile:
Katana Inspires in Hypersilver... .17 x 7 with kumho 215/40/17s
Thanks!!!
Katana Inspires in Hypersilver... .17 x 7 with kumho 215/40/17s
Thanks!!!