You have to realize that the MCS has some definite negatives which offset the positive provided by the extra power. These include: mandatory runflats, a harsher ride, a higher price and less gas mileage. That's why I chose the MC.

 

I'm dumfounded: Do you mean you never take it to the edge?

You must drive in a different circle of friends. (disparagement not intended, just curiosity)

 

I believe the question related to "taking it to the edge" on public streets. A misunderstanding I hope.

 

The only place to take a MINI to the edge is on a track. Both S and non-S.
The S cannot be pushed very often in normal driving situations, neither the regular Cooper, but more often you can push the Cooper a little more under normal driving conditions, which is more fun. If you are telling me you are pushing an S on the streets, you are either lieing or are careless of others on the road, either way, you are making me have to pay more for my auto insurance to own a MINI, which I have yet to purchase. Thanks man! If you want to race, take it to the track.

 

I was quite clear I was talking about on the street.

Sadly, it seems some of us don't care who they endanger.

but then look at his sig - auto off DSC (why if you are driving normally?), auto on fogs (annoying), and auto on driving lamps (illegal and dangerous on public roads)

no, not on the street.

 

1. DSC off because DSC shuts down the power when making quick left hand turns on busy urban feeders. Please check all the threads complaining about engine stumbling on heavy throttle turns. I dutifully turn it on when slippery road conditions warrant.
2. If you had the OEM front fogs you would know that they are for appearance only and offer no real illumination. They're about 2 inches in diameter and recessed into the lower airdam.
3. Auto-on driving lamps are turned on automatically with the high beams: perfectly legal and safe since the highbeams should not be engaged in the presence of on-comming traffic.

Regarding endangerment, I have 40 years of driving, over 800,000 miles and several high performance and defensive driving courses under my belt. The only 2 accidents were getting rear ended by idiots talking on the cell phone or getting distracted by kids in the car. And no, I don't initiate the 4 wheel drifts where others can be harmed if I miscalculate.

 

having driven several 1st gen MINIs I know the engine stumble from the ASC system only happens when you spin a tire. yes, i have read many threads about it since I've been on this board for about 3 years now.
Wouldn't wheel spin be even more likely when slippery road conditions exist?

All 07 S models have OEM front fogs. yes, they are still annoying - even illegal in some states if conditions don't warrant them. There are several heated threads on this very topic.

you might want to check your local laws - auxilliary driving lamps are illegal in most states on public roads 100% of the time (does the term "off road use only" ring any bells?). Getting bright lighted even for a couple seconds is bad. The driving lights make it worse.

would an "empty" public road qualify as "safe"? I'm sure a police officer would accept that as ok with all your experience...


and now, back to your regularly scheduled topic...

 

Now in an attempt to get back to the original intent of this thread...Cooper owners love their Coopers and S owners love their S's. And most MINI owners love MINIs no matter what flavor. Buy what makes YOU happy. I drove the Cooper first and loved it, so I decided to stop right there. I have no regrets and saved about $3500. I love the classic lines of the Cooper bonnet, my soft-riding 15-inch wheels and the rumbling sound of JCW Sound Kit exhaust. Off the line it doesn't have what an S has (supercharged or turbo) but when you get it to third and start twisting hard it can hang with the best of them. And for daily driving you'll need to keep a sharp eye on the speedo because it's so smooth you just don't realize how fast you're going sometimes.