I stopped at my local Mini dealership to check out the different options in person since I've been playing around with the online configuration for a while now. The dealer asked me if I wanted to take a MCS for a test drive so of course I said yes. Here are my impressions:

- The car had a lot more power than I was expecting, even in the higher gears
- The torque steer was pretty bad. Hopefully the lsd could help with this
- The handling was good
- The shifter felt awkward and the throws seemed ridiculously long (I have driven very few manual cars. The only car I could really compare this to is my s2000. I drove the s2000 to the dealership so I had a good back to back comparison of both cars)
- The interior was very nice. The one I took on the test drive had leather. I loved the seats but the leatherette still seemed good enough for me and I would rather spend the $2000 on something else.
- The multifunction steering wheel is a must
- Anthracite headliner is a must
- Rear fog lights are a must simply because the cut out in the back looks cheap
- The hifi stereo didn't sound bad but it also didn't sound like a premium feature that I would want to pay extra for
- I originally wanted one without a sunroof due to all of the complaints on NAM, but the test drive made me really think that it may be worth the trouble
- The arm rest is a complete waste of money and got in the way more than it helped
- I really liked the midnight black MCS I drove. If I do decide on a Mini, this will be the color I choose.



Overall, I could see this being a fun daily driver, which is exactly what I'm looking for. I would still keep the s2000 for the weekends/good weather. I'm still a little ways off from being in the position to purchase a new car but the MCS is definitely still in the running. I still need to test drive a Volvo C30 and a Civic Si. I'm not too impressed by the Si but I love my s2000 so I'm definitely going to give it a chance. From what I've seen of the C30, it seems like a great car but it seems to lack the character/soul of the Mini. Regardless, I would like to give it a chance before making a decision.

 

Hello bball. you didn't put a name on your post so I don't know what to call you. It's funny but I spent DAYS going to the dealer and just sitting in the car. I would go back and forth (45 miles) just to be with the car and drive them. My dealership finally asked to buy it already! I had to order to get what I wanted. It's so unique and special I sometime am not sure I deserve the car! I love how it handles and I have never been disappointed in it. It's a MINI not a MAXI and size does matter at times. I also have a beater truck and a SUB so we have all basis covered. My husband is 6'5 and he fits perfect. He loves it too. I actually had to kick him out after putting 2000 miles on my new toy. (kidding). I waited and waited and did the whole internet watch on the building process. It was like having a puppy litter come! 10 weeks I waited! But the car is great. There are no two MINI's alike. That is what makes it so great.
Where do you live?
Check into some clubs. I had the privledge of hanging out with a club and now starting my own here (CA).

Good luck on your journey. AS long as you have other cars to carry more people in it's a great commuter car ( I only drive 1 mile to work) but it's great on gas and fun EVERYTIME i get in--

--STACY in CA

 

Read this after you test drive the others, if you don't want your first impression to be influenced (highlight to read):



I cross-shopped the same cars as you--the Cooper S, Volvo C30, Civic Si. The C30 is a nice enough car, but it looks, feels, and drives like a S40 with the trunk chopped off. For the price I'd go for the S40. Neither the C30 or S40 are as involving a drive as the MINI--more along the lines of Mazda 3 (which they are related to). Fuel economy isn't as good when pushed, either. The Civic Si is a hoot to drive, but the low-end torque that the MINI has will really be missed in daily driving. The Si really needs to be revved to get any power. Also, I can't stand the dash...



Ended up getting the Cooper over the Cooper S, even though I test drove the S--the federal and provincial tax rebates that apply to the Cooper and not the S were too good to turn down. It's my mum's car to drive firstly, and while I may like the power once in a while, she'd likely never utilize it. If it was all my own money, though, there's no question which car I'd pick. Good luck making your decision!

 

Two points :

1- Sunroof is an absolute must, car feels like a coffin w/o.

2- FWD + HP = Torque steer. LSD will help but is no complete solution, if torque steer bothers you a lot go with something AWD or RWD, or something with less HP (cooper maybe).

3- Only car I'd cross shop with an MCS is a GTI (in price range), all other possibilities I hate. GTI has better interior, more power (and power potential), MCS has better handling, better gas milage, better for parking.

 

MINIs are fine without sunroofs. I usually hate sun roofs as I hit my head on them, but the MINI has enough head room you can waste a bit on the sun roof, if that's what you like. I don't but its a personal thing.

The sun roof is also a bad idea from a performance standpoint, you don't want extra weight up top raising the centre of gravity. (If you're being really nerdy about things its hardly worth worrying about.)

 

you will learn how to work with the torque steer . get the mini you will love it like a child. im on my third mini and i used to be a truck and suv guy for years. the sun roof get noisy on windy days , my last two minis had the sf and my new one doesnt . im glad its gone. the sun roof just bakes the inside of your ride in the sun. btwyx is right less weight more go.

 

before I had the JCW tune kit installed on my 09 MCSa the torque steer was pretty nasty, so much more worse than on my 2005 MCS. However, at the same time the tune kit was installed, the dealer installed a stiffer JCW rear sway bar (my car has the standard suspension) and the JCW front strut brace.

Now the torque steer is still there, but much less so, and more manageable, plus now the car tracks as true as a straight line. Thus I think having the strut brace working with the slightly stiffer rear susp helped make the torque steer a lot less unpredictable and uh scary.

 

Thanks for the encouragement Stacy. My name is DJ and I live in Ohio. I have a feeling I will be back at the dealer soon for another test drive. Checking out the local club sounds like a good idea and would probably help me decide on the options I would like.

 

I have never liked the way the GTI looks and I absolutely hate the seats. I'm not a big fan of the gigantic Speedometer in the Mini but it's not a big deal and I can overlook it because I like everything else about the car, but I can't stand the plaid pattern on the GTI seats.

 

You may change your mind if you lived here in Phoenix! It's nice in the winter, but the sunroof is why Zippeshade is in business!

 

Apparently Ford's 'RevoKnuckle' treats torque steer symptoms very effectively. BMW, are you listening?

The sunroof is great. Most of the kinks that affected earlier cars seem to have been worked out, and generally MINI warranty is great at taking care of you. I wouldn't buy the MINI without it unless it was exclusively a track car--it just makes the car a much more pleasant place to be, and I doubt the 'performance hit' is huge. And it boosts your resale considerably.

 

The Mini won't be a track car. If I were going to do autox, it would probably be with the s2000. I loved the sunroof during the test drive, but I'm just a little worried because a lot of people seem to be unable to open them when it gets too hot outside.

 

My other car is a classic TR6. One thing to keep in mind is that if it is a really nice day you will probably be using the S2000. So the sunroof may not be as great of a factor in your decision as you think.

 

Thats why they also have optional leather. I personally love the look of the plaid, but I would never buy a car with fabric seats.

 

Actually I wouldn't, as you said I could just get sunshades, and remove them as soon as the interior cools off, or try a light-medium Ceramic tint, or a perforated roof graphic. You lose so many variations without the sunroof and without some added light the car just feels so cramped. Although in all actuality if I was in the SW I would probably consider the convertible first.