I have a MCm.

 

I traded an 04' M3 E46 w/ SMG & a ton of Dinan mods for a very tricked out 04' MCS Works (Brembo's, Koni, Supersprint, SSR.) The BMW was faster but not as much fun as a daily driver. Now I have a Z4 and an 07' R56 Works. Fun everyday!!! Mini's are just a blast.

 

The mistake part was trading. One always loses in trading. I sold my 99 528t and purchased an 07 MINI. I saved myself several thousand dollars. I love the MINI. I bought the non S with auto. It is clearly not a rocket but, it has enough power to get the job done.

 

I love my Mini but would love to own a ///M3. I've never driven a M3 before but as a boy growing up that was my favorite car. My question is the Mini really more fun than a M3? I don't think it would be.

 

^ Like all these people are saying, yes the M3 is a kick@ss car that would destroy a MINI on the straight-away, but you can't push the M3 the same way as the MCS on the road. The MCS has more usefull power coupled with phenominal handling... aka a drivers car! So depending on what you do with it, the MCS can be more fun than the M3 (but I'd kill to have both!)

 

+1

Well said

 

I've owned many BMW's over the years & they have grown heavier w/ each new generation. My E46 M3 weighed 3470LBS, made 268 lbs torque/331HP, so it ran like crazy at extreme speeds & very high RPM's. It was a great car though. All well & good on the track or when driving way over the speed limit. On a practical day-to-day basis owning an M3 is not so thrilling or pleasurable (FYI, about 15mpg combined.)
-My 3 Mini's since 2003 (all JCWorks cars w/ many extra mods) have been a blast to drive as daily drivers, get great-to good mileage and when called to task can keep up w/ car's costing 3X$ on most tracks.
-Final analysis, the Mini offers a lot of motoring fun, has a great power-to weight ratio and brings a great deal of pleasure even on mundane point-to-point driving. I think I will go to grocery store right now!!!

 

There is also the 'a Wolf in a Sheep's skin' factor...

 

I had an M5 before my MCS....MCS is much more fun to drive and everyone is much more friendly in traffic than when I drove the 5.

 

When my wife's S was in the shop they gave her a new 3 series conv. She/I hated it. Then they gave her a new 3 series coupe due to the conv getting a flat. Better performance but booooring.

I had secretly wondered if I made a mistake and should have got her a performance car with a little more luxury and a little less of a toy car.

After driving those two rental BMWs I will never wonder that again. The MINI is an amazingly fun car. You smile everytime you drive it. The BMWs were just not very exciting....

 

I went from a 98 M3 to 07 MCS and agree with many statements above. The M has phenomenal handling and more HP but is not as much fun as a daily commuter. Plus I gain more than 10 mpg no matter how hard I drive it! To me torque steer has been the only downside. O/W love the MINI.

 

I will miss the angry growl when I excelerate with my 335i.

 

I've also owned the last 2 M3 versions. They are incredible cars. No doubt about it, plus they are very comfortable and solid.

The reason I sold mine this year is because more and more, I cannot seem to tap into its potential. In order to come even close, you pretty much are looking at jail time on the roads... and I didnt want to put it on the track and risk totaling it (w/o insurance covering it). When I drove the MCS, you can push the car to its limits on a day to day (possibly) and still get a fulfilled feeling. Also, it saved me a little money. I'm waiting 4-5 years and will buy a 911 im sure.

 

Wow! You had the last two M3s than went with the cooper. That says a lot.

 

I think you're a genius!

 

Funny. I traded a 2006 Carrera S in on my 07 MCS. Got a nice check and a MCS!

 

thinking of doing the same, trading in my E46 M3 for a Cooper S. I wouldn't bring the M3 to the track, and there's just not many opportunities to REALLY enjoy the M3. that said, I will miss it when it's gone especially those times when I turn the DSC off, but I'll enjoy the better gas mileage and the extra $ in my pocket.

to the OP: I am flip/flopping between the 335 and the Cooper S, but heavily leaning towards the Cooper. you are not crazy.

Cooper=Go Kart M3=Race Car Very different, both great cars.

 

Good point...So I think everyone is finding that little kid in them by going to a more Go Kart appeal. You actually feel part of the car.

 

Just to add my 2 cents, I came from a E46 325i to a 4Runner... don't ask me why.. Before that a few Audi's.
But I missed the communication between driver and road, the Mini came in to close the gap beautifully.

My wife and I were talking about it tonight coming back from a 50 mile trip, if it was practical for us; we would go and pick up a second MINI right now.

Nothing like it out there...