You just nailed it right there. While having all that available power can certainly get you into trouble (ie. my recent photo radar ticket ) it can just as well bail you out. If you live in a rather flat area of the country, then a base cooper may just as well suite you, but here in the Northwest we have mountain passes and the S is just a sheer joy to drive them with.

 

Thats true, but it can be taken in different ways and is dependent on your priorities. The differences aren't as huge as they are sometimes made out to be. I do not currently own a MINI, but when I do get one it will be the slowest car we drive - whether its an S or not. It will also get the best mileage, and drive circles around our either of our current cars on a track. I traded an R53 for a Pontiac GTO and went from 170hp to 400hp - and from 30mpg to 20. At the time I thought it was a worthwhile compromise - and I still do, but I have reached a point in my life where even though I could spin the tires all the way from one stoplight to the next, I don't.

Now that the Clubman has come out and the four of us can once again fit in a MINI, I'll be trading the GTO back. Whichever way I go (to S or not to S) its gonna be a lot slower. And that's OK. At this point I haven't made up my mind, but the S is more expensive to buy and uses more gas, and the non-S engine will last longer. This week, I'm leaning toward a non-S; we'll see what happens when I order it next week though.

 

It is really has to do with what you are using the car for.. I have a Cllubman with an automatic. On the freeways and just goofing off around town, it is just perfect.

However, if I have to go up a long hill, it kinda feels like it just walked up several flights of stairs with heavy groceries...

I really like my Cooper.. in sport mode , it is very peppy..

but I would never compare it to my 2004 MCS.. not the same kind of vehicle..

 

Well you can look at it this way too: wasn't the quote "Slow and steady won the race"? But if you still have any doubts after driving them both just get the S, there certainly isn't anything you would NOT want!! Everyone can use a little more power in their diet.

Steve

 

If you floor an S scary things can happen (torque steer). But if you buy a non-S you'll be flooring it all the time. The base engine is a dog at anywhere near highway speeds. The S will jump from 80-100 in no time flat (using kickdown).

If you're buying an auto, no question go S. A manual non-S will be much more attractive (read adequately powerful) than a non-S auto. I'm not trying to diss the tree-huggers here but the S is in another league.

 

We test drove both "s" and "non s". We went in thinking we wanted the "non s" and thats what we ordered. We already have a turbo charged car and we are keeping it, so the better fuel economy was more appealing. It just depends on what you really need the car for. How often do you need to pass 3 cars at a time in it, or will you just be zipping around town?

 

i think in the end, everonye have their own preference...

i always wan the EXTRA EMERGENCY power.

 

I didn't get 2 blocks away from the dealer in a non-S, and new I needed a S model.

 

If I drive my manual S responsibly, will I ever get as good mileage as the non S?

I recently visited my new town for the first time. It's gorgeous--hilly and leafy and green. I'm told that it gets really cold in winter, but that preciptation--i.e. snow--is rare. Hence I am willing to get rid of my AWD Forester in favor of a MINI. I'll spend the next 4-6 years working on the Ph.D., and twice a year I'll drive across the country at mid-winter (in mid December I'll drive from the midwest to the northeast, and in mid January I'll drive from the northeast to the midwest). I will also make that drive at the start and end of summer at least once or twice, although I do hope to teach summer classes at least a couple of the years of my doctorate.

The terrain will vary widely in the areas I will drive. The land north of my college town is flat... flat all the way to Canada, I think. But the town where I will live is quite hilly. I am already planning to rent a stick shift this summer to practice starting on steep hills without rolling backwards or stalling out.

 

it all depends on your driving style.
personally, i wouldnt buy a non S. there to slow for me.
then again, so was the factory S. so it was modified. ( i love speed).
again, it depends on how your gonna drive the car.
take em both for a spin and see if you can live with the non S.

 

I test drove both looking for gas milage ordered a non s and two days later called and changed to s have had it for a month now and glad I got the s it is a blast to drive

 

No, you won't....sad but true.

If you need extra power you either 1) are used to more powerful cars and therefore are convinced you also need that in a MINI, 2) know that your commute is treacherous (and in many places it is), 3) are "compensating" (you know what I mean), or 4) have been brainwashed. If you want a boost in power in a Cooper, downshift....yes, drive the car.

In any case, an MCS is a superb value overall...just don't expect it to perform (mpg-wise) like a Cooper, which btw can get far better than the EPA #s would indicate.

 

it boils down to one thing, your driving style. And what "you" consider "fast"
if your laid back and just cruise around and occassionally go over the posted limit for short bursts,and thats a good enough rush to you, then the base will be fine.

but if your more of a "spirited" driver then you can never have to much power.
it has nothing to do with "compensating", but more of, how much power do you like to feel. for me, the "S" was really to slow for me so i added enough items to make it more fun. (still needs more IMO). but then again, im used to cars that when you step on the accellerator, they lunge forward and press you back in the seat.

but i can give some of that up knowing that when a turn comes up, i hardly have to slow down in order to make it. (50mph on a 90 degree turn) was my fastest, so far...

another note, mpg still isnt bad for an "S". especially when you add the fun factor!

 

Repeat after me... "Get the S"....."Get the S"...."Get the S"...

 

Drive a "just A cooper" and an S.
Stomp on it in 5th and 6th!
The S will be your baby.

 

To S or not to S
That is not a lenghty question
the debate is quite short
the answer is only to S

 

Definitely S. It may be that I am in Denver but I found the non-s to be sluggish out of first and second. I had to floor it in both gears and it still did not move like I wanted it to. No reserve power if I get in a dicey situation.

Yo, ho, yo, ho, a Clubman S for me!!!!

 

So I test drove an auto Cooper Clubman (non-S) tonight. I was really impressed by the pickup it had. I also drove a '08 6spd MCS hatchback.

Of course I noticed the difference in the power with the S (I drive an '06 MCS today). I'm just wondering if anyone has an idea of the "real" difference in MPG between the S and non S Clubman (6spd preferred)?

My MA said the difference was only about 3 mpg. For that difference, I will probably go with the S. But is that accurate?

(He also said the JCW Clubman will get about the same MPG as the S, assuming you drive it the same way as you would drive an S. This is probably a topic for another thread, but that doesn't sound right...)

Anyone?

Thanks,
Ed