The Civic SI is gutless, I've driven it. Zero torque. Zero soul. Whether its "Faster" in a straight line or not, the MCS can push you into the seat. I question that 6.8 second 0-60 time on the automatic as well. Its not a race car, but I've had plenty of 300-500+hp cars, and I know its faster to 60 than 6.8, especially in sport mode (I know the 2011 has a bit more power than previous years). My guess would be low 6's based on all the various performance cars I've had. I can be breaking the law on the highway by 30-40mph by the end of an on-ramp. The Countryman S ALL4 is rated at 7 seconds, and I know mine is lighter/faster...

As I said before, the S has 60 hp/tq over the standard model. This is no small amount. Thats nearly the entire output of a Smart Fortwo. BTW the automatic in my S is a great unit, it downshifts like a manual and is always in the right gear. Love it.

For the record, I get 32.5 mpg sustained in my MCS in mixed driving. The Justa requires premium fuel as well, which is unfortunate and surprising in a non-performance model.

Both of these are great cars for different reasons, but to the OP... if you think you're "settling" for a non-S, then you are. To you, its settling then. Know what I mean? I'll put on my flame suit for this one, but its honestly how I felt when I was buying the car. The non-S was screaming "chick car" to me. I have changed my mind somewhat now that I've had the car for a bit, and I have spent more time in the MINI world... but coming in from the outside having never been a fan or an owner, that was my perception at the time. I'd consider a Justa in the future, but when I was buying-in, theres no way in hell I would have.

 

Once again, thank you for your input! Got me thinking about different things.

And I am happy to say, the 2009 Chili Red Cooper S is now mine (and will probably end up looking a bit different in the upcoming months).

No, it's not the brand-spanking new 2011, but it is low mileage (A bit under 12,000) and looks and drives like new. I am ultra-pleased with my choice. I got to be financially smart, get what I've been wanting, and not "settle" for less.

 

Congratulations! Great looking car, Chili Red is the fastest color, so you definitely made the right choice.

 

beautiful!! Now, ya gotta name it, and all that other crazy (in a good way) stuff we Miniacs do...

 

Awesome! Now you're gonna be upset that you settled for a hardtop instead of a convertible!!!

 

Nice ride. Now it's time to get rid of those runflats. Enjoy

 

I bought a 2010 non-S and am completely happy with it. You just have to be willing to rev it a bit to get good performance, but that becomes part of the charm. I got the 6-speed and am consistently getting over 40 MPG in pure highway driving. I love that!

 

 

I've said it before and I guess I'll say it again.... I really envy you guys that are getting that type of MPG. Best I've managed was 29 combined and that was with about 30% highway driving at a steady 65.

Usually the majority of my driving, I'd say 90%, is rush hour stop n go with no more than one or two blocks between stop signs and red lights. And about 30 to 40% of my route to work in the morning which is about 8 miles consists of school zones and stop n go with a light on almost every freakin block. And in the sections that aren't school zones, since it's rush hour the fastest I'll ever be able to manage for maybe half a block is 30. To give you an idea, it takes me between 45 minutes to an hour to go 8 miles. Yes, you heard right. At least 45 minutes to drive a whopping 8 miles. I could probably get there faster on a bicycle.

And even in regular driving it sucks here at all hours of the day. Sometimes I'll manage to go a whole 5 blocks before stopping again. Most of the time by the time I reach 40 or 45 mph, it's time to stop again.

Over the weekend I got a chance to do a little highway driving and my mpg got to about 31. Then today during my drives to and from work I saw it slowly creeping back down....and down...and down...and down... and now it's at about 25.

If I reset the meter to zero and calculated my mpg just on my drive to work, I'd be lucky to average 20mpg.

I HATE driving in Miami with a freakin passion!

 

MGM - imagine what you'd be getting in another car! *yikes*

 

yeah, I don't think my last car saw higher than about 18 or 19 in day to day driving. Maybe 27 or 28 on the highway on a good day with a nice tailwind. I could go maybe 220 miles between fillups.

At least the Mini takes me a little over 300 miles per tank so even with the relatively horrible mpg, I'm saving a little $$$ on gas from what I was spending before.

 

I traded in a 2007 MCS for a 2011 MC because of the reliability problems. I opted for the MC (I hate the name "justa") because my research indicated that it would be far more reliable. I rarely drive on the Interstate or roads where high power is needed. I have found the power of my MC to be more than adequate. My driving is mostly on winding back roads so the handling and working the gearbox is most important to me. I actually enjoy driving the non turbo MINI more because I can work the engine harder. The lower insurance cost, higher gas milage (about 4 mpg), and lower price are also important. The MCS turbo charged engine is a great design and I loved my 2007 MCS. If you can use the extra power, you will probably reqret not getting the MCS. If your normal driving doesn't require the extra power, I would recommend the MC.

2011 MC, Pepper White, sport seats, extra chrome, and racing stripes.

 

Enjoy your new s now its time for modding

 

Also, don't forget reliability. Justas don't have the timing chain rattle issue or the engine-killing vacuum pump issue, or HPFP.

My wife's '12 Justa automatic on order will be slower than a Cooper S for sure, but if we want to go fast; that's why I own a 330i. Horses for courses.

 

Jack, check out our Mid-Maryland Mini Motoring Club. We do some great rallies. www.meetup.com. Our group is C3M. (Central Maryland Mini Motorists)
great, fun group of obsessed MINI owners!

 

my r50 is my first car, of course id love an S (especially after driving my friends JCW) but i love my mini

 

I too have had several cars with much more power than my "justa", but I love my Mini. I specifically chose the non-s for all the reasons above, plus it was the only way I could get a Mini without a sunroof (i hate sunroofs). In Canada, they have a Mini Classic option that has all the features I wanted without the sunroof and the price was very good, although limited in colour choices. After two years of living with this car, I would still choose the non-s classic package over the Cooper S.

 

Ordered a Non S CM for two reasons, 1. to keep the cost within our budget. and 2 to enable us to use a lesser grade of fuel (89 vs 91 octane) I will try 87 but my gut is telling me no it won't work.

 

87 is fine and you'll get better gas mileage.

 

Use the type of fuel recommended in the owners manual. I would use only that and from a top tier source. If you don't you increase your odds of creating trouble that may not have manifested itself had the owners manual been followed. Just my opinion and experience.