New member, really find the info within helpful. Will purchase a 2007 Mini but before I'm looking for differences from owners between the MC and MCS. Right now the configuration I'm looking at will be:
auto transmission
sport, cold weather and convience packages
comfort access
upgraded stero
auto air
wood steering wheel, interior surface - English Oak.

I'll drive 15k+ miles per year. 80 mile per day of highway commute (3 days a week) with minimal 'city' driving. 3+ vacation trips per year at 500 per trip.

Thanks

 

Go with the MCS. The turbo seems to go really well with the auto box, and the grin factor is enormous. Also the standard seats in the MCS are super comfortable(11 hours six hundred miles and no backache).
Hope this helps

 

Based on what you describe, I'd say an MC will do very well for you, especially considering the commute miles. People with MCS' tend to tell everyone to get an MCS. I have a MC... but I feel it depends on your preferences not just telling someone to get what I have. The only real question in my book was:

1. Is it fun to drive. Yes very much so. I can rip up the mountain roads with the best of them. Hung in with a group of about 7 Porsche's in the hills yesterday.
2. Does it handle well (related to #1). Rsounding yes. I got my MC with DSC which is a good safety and handling upgrade.
3. Great fuel economy. Much better than the MCS.
4. Will my needs be satisfied with this car. For me that was a YES. (could I have afforded and had fun with an 'S', yes, but it wasn't what I felt I needed.

In the end, it is all your own decision. But from your description, I'd say the Cooper is a good fit for you.

 

I'd say you really need to take a test drive. Here's the deal...do you want a MINI that is quick....or really fast? Many of us don't need the kind of power the MCS makes and prefer an increase in fuel economy. Some of us want a MINI that shoves us back in our seats if need dictates). Different schools of thought...both right. Both cars handle superbly. So what will fit you best??? Two words...test drive!!!

I did notice you wanted a sport suspension...might you be thinking MCS???

 

I am 57, on my third Harley, own a 66 corvette, have owned several vettes and hot rods in years past.. been looking at either a Mini or a Miata for the past few years... narrowed in on the Mini - had my first test drive back in the first weeks of Aug - I will tell you right now - This Mini is as addictive as any Harley I have owned - However, this time I kept my self calm - not easy.... I test drove both and then did the math - I sold a very nice 03 Chevy pickup for 14K and wanted to increase gas milage... I did NOT want to even spend over 20K but ohwell - anywany back to your question... I did drive both, the S is a blast to drive - came home and check my insurance - even at my age and NO tickets or anything on my record - the increase for insurance surprised me - this was comparing the cooper to the "S" - then I had to factor in the 3K+ over the base price of the Cooper, then the decrease in Gas.... Ya, its not all that much, but it does start to add up and I had to step back and ask myself "Why" was I buying the Mini.... If I want to go "Zoom/Zoom" I will get on the Harley or jump into the 66 Vette - I bought the Cooper and kept the options down... I am about to retire and that had to be figured into the "math" also - fixed income...

These are only my thoughts - you know your $$$$$$$ limits and what you can live with...

One last thing I had to think about. The "S" is a speeding ticket just waiting to happen - for me....

 

Unfortunately, I have to agree with you. When my Cooper was in for its last service, they gave me a loaner S. After about 5 miles of getting familiar with it, I found I had my foot in it all the time. Definite ticket material, and much lower gas mileage. I'll stay with my Cooper.

Zip

 

The seats really are a lot more comfortable in the S, which was very important to me. (Over 8k miles in under 3 months.)

Also, I've been getting 33-37 mpg with my S, which isn't as some have suggested a "lot" worse than the non-S.

You do need to take them for a drive, and I think you owe it to yourself to drive at least 4 of them, one of each with and without the sport suspension. My commute is over particularly rough roads, and I'm thankful nearly daily that I didn't get the sport suspension. Further, the one thing R50 amd R53 Cooper drivers have consistantly commented on when I let them drive my car is the huge improvement in brakes on the last generation's S models. Lots to consider, and you'll only really know when you get to drive them.

 

This is only an issue with the base non-sport seats. It isn't purely a function of Cooper/CooperS. I have the same leather seats in my Cooper that people have in MCS's.

Agreed. Take a test drive and see what you'd like given any constraints you may be putting on your purchase.

 

Gokartride is right, test drive both. My hunch is that since your getting the auto, the MCS will feel like the better choice. It was for me as I thought the base in auto was under powered.

 

Thanks for the replies. I always feel the car dealer's sales staff can figure out what you want and answer your questions accordingly.

 

As others have said - definitely drive them both. I was going to get the MC mainly because I wanted the NFR. We decided to get an auto so my H pushed for the S.

Think about your commute. On my 40m rt I have a fairly significant hill that happens to be the best passing opportunity (so you don't have to suffer behind the slowpokes on the twisties on the other side). I am used to the 8 horses in my Jeep GC (and watching the gas gage move) so we decided that the S would work best for us.
I am concerned about my ability to show restraint and keep my foot out of it tho...

 

Yup, drive them both. Both are fun. And if you are thinking about leather seats, they are the same in both.

My 07 MCS is my "retirement" car. I bought it as a treat to myself. Never had a car like this. Didn't want to keep wishing I'd bought the S.

Fuel econ. is important to me. But I didn't by a diesel or hybrid. I wanted a fast, fun car that got pretty good gas mileage; a car that I would drive when I wanted to, how I wanted to.

The S has the sports button off by default. That must be for fuel economy!

 

Just an FYI, wood wheel and shifter no longer available. I tried to order one with it on Friday and was told they do not offer it anymore. Something about too many mistakes.

 

Like I said in my introductory post in the 1st Gear forum, we too just started looking at replacing a car that will go off lease in November. Based on what I'd been reading here for a few months, I asked our MA if we could test drive at least 3 cars with different configurations and she was able to provide most of the different looks/feels we were hoping for. So, on Labor Day, we drove an auto MC with no sunroof and 15" wheels as well as 6 speed and auto MCS's with 16 and 17 inch wheels and sunroofs. Based on these test drives, we'll likely go with an auto MCS with 16" wheels and no sunroof, if we decide to go with the Mini. All three cars were a blast to drive but turbos are fantastic at altitude and we're in Denver.

If it was just me, I'd go with the manual MCS but my wife is the primary driver. Like Harley0711 I ride most of the time but not a Harley. In the city, it's a scooter but my fun ride is a Ducati (guess the color). The manual is a true blast but the automatic nicely complements the turbo motor. I wouldn't call the MC auto slow, but I'd be concerned trying to climb some of Colorado's "hills" without the turbo.

We'll make a decision soon. In the meantime, we're enjoying all of our test drives, including seat time in an R32, GTI, Eos, 335i and 328i. Hopefully, our first test drives will be done next week and then we'll narrow the field down to 2 or 3 finalists and drive 'em all again.

 

Both the MC and MCS will have essentially the same suspension and transmission.

Both will handle well and can be driven fast enough to get a ticket.

The difference will be in price and acceleration.

Either will make you look forward to your commute...at least sometimes.

 

There are reasons to get either. Test drive both, think about it and get the one that suits you best.

My MC when in sport mode, can keep up with anything I encounter in my daily drive and can pass with ease those cars that need to be passed. Plus it is a lot fo fun.

With the Sport button off, the car is tamed but the gas mileage is better.

It is your choice what kind of experience you want to have.

 

My wife and I we're originally looking at the MC manual, and we were surprised that it qualifies for our gov't $1,000 cash-back program for its fuel economy (along with the Prius and Yaris). But after the test drive, we made the "mistake" of trying out a MCS too....

 

I'm probably going to get the MC and not the S. I don't like to speed that much.. just looking for a fun, small car that handles well and drives really well with a european feel.

 

I have an 06 MCC and it satisfies my driving desires 95% of the time. Sure there are times when I wish I had a more grunt, but its been that way with every car I"ve ever owned. Both cars are a blast to drive, but more power cost$3000-$4000 more, not to mention gas and insurance. Only you can decide if it's worth the expense.

 

I am on my second MC. Everyone in my club was pressuring me to get an S and I didn't. I am very happy with my MC, it doesn't go as fast as the S, but I think 120 is fast enough. It doesn't have the pure acceleration of the S, but the ride of the MC for me is worth it. I have no trouble keeping up in club rides as long as I keep the RPMs up, then I have almost the same accelleration.

Stick with the MC especially if you are going to buy an automatic and you will be way happy with the mileage and ride.