Hey everyone! This is my first post, so Im happy to meet you all! I have been wanting to put in an order for my mini for quite sometime, but I am torn between whether or not to get an S. I want an automatic just because its easier, so Im not sure if an S wouldn't be as good without the manual. Plus, my bf said he is worried about those new turbos getting too hot in that little car. Im 22, full time student, full time employed, so i think a non-S might suit me, but that extra HP is just sooo tempting.....
Suggestions??
Thanks!!

 

get the S, the automatic is actually a little quicker stock than the 6 spd. Dont worry about the turbo getting hot it has a builtin water pump that cools it when the engine is off. When you get a base MC your kinda stuck with the power you have. With the MCS if you have too much power you just lift your foot off the gas =)

 

I don't know what the car being little has to do with the turbo being too hot, but the turbo's technology is hardly new. Turbo's are mainly used on smaller engines (if that's what he meant) and it is both water and oil cooled. There is nothing like the feel of that turbo kicking in. I'd go with the S.

 

If you are on a budget, the gas mileage on the MC is better than the MCS. However, the MCS is not bad at around 28-30 mpg with mixed driving. You lose a little mileage with the automatic. So, perhaps 26-28 mpg.

Reports are that the automatic is fine with the MCS. In fact, you can get better 0-60 times with the automatic, because it shifts faster.

The turbo does get hot, but I haven't found it to be a problem. I live where the temperatures are mild. Perhaps some of the MCS owners who drive in 100+ temps can comment.

It is a decision you will have to make for yourself. My last car had about the same acceleration as the MC and I had a lot of fun with it. However, I'm really enjoying the power of the MCS.

 

Get an S...the engine, suspension, brakes, etc, etc. Even just a bone stock S will give you soooo much more, where you'll have to order a bunch of options to get some stock S stuff.

 

Thanks for all your input guys!
I'm thinking i'll just go for the S...

 

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

;-)

 

S...hands down.

 

S S S S

 

My OPINION--in order, MCS manual, MCS auto, MC manual, MC auto.

I've driven my MSC after time in an MC--have a hard time not spinning the wheels!

Robin, I consistently get 33-34 mpg in my MCS manual, and that's driving a bit fast.

 

Don't go for the S. I got one. It's too hard to maintain discipline with it. I used to be a real mild mannered driver with my Prius. No more. The turbo becomes addictive. It forces your adulthood into the background and brings out the your primal teenager. Unfortunately, if I had it to do over again I'd still get the S. Power corrupts. Don't be like me. Don't join the ranks of the corrupted. Get the mild mannered version

 

All the more reason to get the S.... especially if you are entering geezerdom...

 

hahahah Ken Cooper you're post just made my day!
S is sooo tempting.....hehehe

 

Honestly, I went for the MC over the S because:

I was 22 years old with a speeding tivket, making insurance a problem
I am married and work full time, but my money goes towards buying a new house rather than insurance, gas, and tires
I am a full time student, so money is tight
The MC gets better gas mileage
I got a great deal on a slightly used model that was fully loaded and the cost of a base new MC

Overall, the MC made more sense to me, and with the right suspension, brakes, an driver, a regular MC is still a force on a mountain road

 

Yeah, Ken--it's cruise control through a couple of local speed traps!

 

Man I hate it when someone has to ruin a perfectly good thread with logic.

 

aaah logic vs. greed for speed :impatient

 

Well, you have heard from mostly MCS owners, so yes, they are going to tell you it is the best thing since sliced bread.

It really boils down to what you want. Drive them both. I did and opted for the MC. Every driver is different and has their own set of priorities.

I find the MC the be plenty fast enough to get me from point A to point B with little fuss and a lot of smiles. Is it the right car for you? Go test drive them and decide for yourself.

 

yes it gives the turbo on our S's time to cool down when we pull over to wait for the non S's to catch up.

 

Why would we want to catch up? It's not a race. It's called motoring.

And last time I checked, the MC would do the speed limits just fine.

 

Yeah, kinda like when you hear "last call".

 

Oops...meant this for Lynn's message

 

I guess you would have to experience a Venno rally to know what I am talking about.

 

And therein lies the perspective difference. I have no desire to race or participate in rallies. Nothing wrong with those hobbies at all. I put my 'go-fast' days behind me and am happy to take a more casual pace.

I have done plenty of racing in my lifetime, but I am done with it and happy to be done with it.

 

Welcome to NAM BRONTOBUFFY!

You can't go wrong with either an MC or an MCS. Remember, they're both MINIs!

Who needs logic... You know you really feel the need for speed.

Get the S, you won't regret it!

Motor On!