ok guys I am getting a new MCS next dec in 2010 so I need to know what I should order and what I dont need. I know the limited slip and rear fogs are a pain to retrofit so those are a must I am not ordering any packages for the car but I am getting the susp add ons. I dont see the need for the extra price. This car is just for me I will be the only one in it 99% of the time. I want a fun car to drive and I like to go for drives on the twisty back roads. I pan on a stick with a 17% pulley to start with. I will try to organise this post to make it clear later on wife is rushing me to get out the door lol. I took orders to a war zone to save enough to finally buy my car so please take me seriously.

 

You are researching a car that you are going to purchase in 16 months. I think that answering and of your questions will be moot since we don't have a clue what will and won't be part of the 2011 model year option list.

Not possible on a new MINI. There is no where to put a reduction pulley, since the 2nd gen MINIs are turbocharged now, where as the 1st gen MINIs were supercharged.

 

A 2010 MCSm with just sport suspension and rear fog will be a very nice-driving car with no other additions. As Jeremy1026 says, no pulley is possible because there is no supercharger. I believe the mechanical limited slip differential is being discontinued, and replaced with software DTC.

 

well I understand the long gap between now and purchase making some not want to provide info but I needed info like the turbo change. I didnt know that and didn't see any mention of it when looking at the car on the mini site. I am now wondering if I should get a used mini with a supercharger and take the money saved and put it on mods. Heck if the supercharger is discontinued and I am looking at used cars now I may be able to buy in 6 months. I need to see if there are any comparison threads so I can make my choice. I want performance/handling and I plan on taking this car to the dragon 3 times a year, that's what I am building it for. Thanks for the help even though you thought it was silly for me to start researching now I am military and this is a huge purchase for me I just want to make sure I don't screw it up and I get the car I want.

 

I'm not sure if you are buying a 2010 MCS this December, or buying a 2011 MCS in December 2010.

If you are going for a 2011 model, there may be quite a few changes. For one thing, you might be able to order the Speedster by then. Not much is known about it at this time, but something to watch. The 2011 MCS may get a larger turbo and more power than the 2010 MCS. Too early to know for sure.

If you want to go used, There are 2007 and later 2nd Generation MCS that are hitting the used market. A 2nd Gen will get you more power and better fuel economy than a 1st Gen MCS, but the 1st Gen is said to have more of a go-kart feel to the steering. Another possibility is a used 2nd Gen JCW.

You have lots of options, and some time to think about it.

The limited slip differential (LSD) is being replaced by an electronic system EDLC (part of the DTC option) that is supposed to have less of a problem with swerving caused by "anti-torque steer". I believe 2009 is that model year for the LSD option.

There are a lot of MINI options that are impossible, or too expensive to install later. So, best to carefully consider what you want if you are ordering new.

 

I hope you are not getting the rear fog lights just because they are a pain to retrofit later. Or the LSD for that matter. Instead, you should select your options based on what you want out of the car.

 

I am I want the LSD and the rear fogs but this is a big purchase and I was trying to decide what was a must have on the car and what could be added later. I was just surprised that the LSD was so hard to retro fit not that I was planning on doing it. I planned on ordering it with the car anyways rear fog lights I probably would have skipped but not now. A used JCW wouldnt be a bad idea. What is this speedster you speak off?

 

You probably can't get LSD if you order new. Just make sure you order DTC. It has the electronic replacement and is the option that allows you to turn all the other electronic nannies off, if you wish. If you are going to AutoX or track the car, you definitely want the DTC option on a new buy.

The Speedster (click the link) is a two-seater with a wider lower stance, and a chopped roof.

 

All the different specs say "turbocharged direct injection engine" on miniusa.com Not totally sure how you missed that if you have been researching. There is really no point to asking what is happening in the 2011 model when the 2010 isn't even out yet. So much could change in the next year, for all we know, there may not be a 2011 model.

Dropping $30,000+ on anything is a huge purchase for just about anyone, and I really don't see what being in the military has to do with anything.

 

The basic differences between 1st (2002-2006) and 2nd (2007+) gen:
- Supercharger (1st) vs Turbocharger (2nd). The turbo generally provides more power at the wheels in stock form and is significantly more fuel efficient. HOWEVER aftermarket mods in all categories are much more plentiful for 1st Gen. 2nd gen market is still fairly new for aftermarket.
- Truer to original Mini Cooper experience (1st) vs. more refined and modern (2nd), in terms of ride quality, exterior and interior.

The only real suggestion that can be given is to try and test drive both gens and decide. True, 1st gens can be had for much cheaper than new, however keep in mind the 2nd gens have superior fuel efficiency and likely have significant warranty coverage, even if bought used.

A test drive is what will seal the deal, imo...(although if you ask me personally the most perfect modern MINI out there right now is the 2006 GP).

 

Yeah 16 months is a bit far out to be working out details. I started looking for a new car about a month before i decided on the MINI. And everyone here is right nobody has any idea what is going to happen in 2011. As I have read 2010 is getting a slight refresh on the R56. 2011 may not get any changes at all.

And yes what does being in the military have to do with buying a car?

And the rear fog lights are easy to install after you get you MINI it's just you won't have the switch inside but you can wire them to your break lights. i just ordered a set to do just that with.

 

Military has to do with in that I am leaving in Dec for 8months to a year and I will need a car as soon as I return so I want to at least have a working knowledge of the vehicles when I get back. I doubt I will have time to do research when I am over there. Also with a mortgage and being a 1 income family I have to be careful how I spend my money if I want to retire at 20 I have to keep saving not blow every cent on a dream car. I would rather drive a beater till I retire and see my son go to college. but having driven a beater for 10 years I feel that if I can swing it I deserve a nice car provided I can maintain the savings for his college. I also like learning about cars I used to have an old VW bug and I learned all I could about those while I had it.

 

as far as missing the turbo charged bit I guess I took it for granted that it still had a supercharger. I thought I was just going to have to decide on what I ordered with the car not if I wanted a 1st or 2nd gen should I just buy a used JCW? I started this because when I looked at minis in the past I was told the preffered way of purchase was to order the car the way you want so I thought I should at least get familiar with the car. I would like to get involved with a club when I get my car and I would like to not be a total noob when I join.

 

Buy yourself a nice car and make your son take student loans and help him a little as you see fit. Nothing wrong with him having loans, I had to pay for my education myself.