I'm thinking about finally getting a 2007 MC and was wondering if the standard coupe, not MCS has enough power for everyday driving? I don't race and mainly drive in the city or commuting. Do you think it's enough power? Also, can anyone tell that it has more power than the previous generation?

Thanks

 

Only you can decide that. Test driving a MC would help you out considerably.

 

I've been driving an MC for 300 miles now and it is more powerfull than my last car a 99 VW Jetta. I can't speak for the previous generation but I have yet to be in a situation where i feel underpowered, I know 300 miles is not long but I've covered a pretty good mix of highway on ramps, and city streets without thinking about the power. Just one R56 cooper owner's short term opinion.

 

Absolutely! The MC is not a dog, and is fine for everyday driving. I don't own one, but have friends that do and they all are very happy.

 

What dave said... Drive 'em both.

The fact that you're asking this question in the first place leads me to think that you would eventually regret not getting the S.

 

Yes
The reason I know is that we are now a 2 MINI family. We just got a new 2007 Sparkling Silver Cooper.... in addition to my Casper. The new car is an-----automatic [I'm the only one who can drive a standard]. The Cooper has plenty of power.

 

I'd definitely say yes...Coopers are superb for every day commuting. The R56 Cooper does have slightly higher hp #s than R50, but I believe there substantially more torque available at low rpms...and that's a great improvement, I think.

Furthermore...in my opinion if you want to drive an MCS and take it beyond where a Cooper will go......you'll be breaking the law and/or scarin' everbody on the road around you!!!! The MCS is too fast for me!!!

 

I drove an Auto MC R56 at my local dealership. They opened up the place on a Sunday for the local MINI club. I followed behind others driving MCSs enthusiastically in many different types of driving situations. I didn't struggle to keep up with them.

I started out looking for a new car with good gas mileage. When I found the base Cooper, I felt I had found the perfect compromise between economical and fun to drive. After driving on that Sunday a few weeks ago, it doesn't feel like a compromise at all.

 

^^well said!

 

The MC is a great car and fast/fun in it's own way.

I would have bought one except by the time I optioned it to be comparable to the MCS I was ordering the price difference did not seem much to pay for 50 HP, better brakes, the option to get a LSD and lack of regret I didn't get the faster car.

Your decision may be based more on gas milage, looks or something else where the MC has a clear advantage in addition to it's lower price.

Drive them both, configure them both and only then decide which is for you.

 

There's a HUGE difference in speed (IMO) between the cars... but how fast is fast enough?

I'm still not sure if 9k or so is worth that much more power. Considering the gas mileage and speeding tickets I no doubt will get. Or if I happen to put it in a ditch.

Might I add I'm far enough out of the city to have plenty of fun roads to drive on.

 

I originally did not want anything to do with the S due to my economical side weighing heavily in me.
MPG is a factor but since i am in a hybrid now (60+ MPG actual), the gas shock was already going to happen no matter what car i got.

Then i caught the dreaded configurator illness and went crazy.

Next, when i went to the dealership, they did not have a cooper for me to test. So i drove an S first. Big Mistake.
When i drove the cooper after the S, I did not get enough time with it due to running out of gas. (i had it less than 5 minutes)

Two big factors sold me the S in the end (and i hate to admit it because they are really trivial and i could have dealt with these things on a Cooper in the aftermarket for far less $)
1. I greatly prefer the look of the spoiler on the S
2. The wheels that were available to chose from on the cooper did not do it for me.

I am purchasing this car strictly for FUN so i might as well get the extra HP.

(FUN does not equal second car/weekend driver. this will be used as the primary vehicle.)

 

I'm glad I drove the MC first. When I tested the MCS it was a totally different car. I could immediately tell it would be far more exciting to drive. My first thought was 'holy s@#t', this thing is awesome.

However, I really didn't think I needed it and went back to the MC to test. The MC is perfectly adequate for me and the second time around didn't seem so far behind as before. I thought the auto was quicker of the start than manual. The process of getting out of 1st to 2nd was tiresome to me with the manual. I opted for a MCa.

 

i too drove the standard coop as a test car, what a kick a$$ little car. Go for it.

 

I have an R56 Cooper, power is perfectly adequate, in fact I think it is pretty nippy

The S will be quicker, but, if you don't really need it and drive within the law you will butn more fuel.

By the way, the Cooper and S have the same brakes.

 

Not front rotors at least.

294mm on MCS #34116774986
280mm on MC #34116774985

 

How do the Cooper (and the S) compare to, say, a Honda Civic in handling and performance?

 

I live in Western Maryland and we picked my wife's up yesterday in Towson, MD and we have some big hills to climb on the way back and I think that it had plenty of power. I found that if you hit the sport button and the bottom of the mountain that it keeps it from shifting alot going up the hill. I couldnt get to crazy because it is not mine but it is alot of fun.

 

Thanks for the helpful reply's. Keep them coming

 

I only wish the MC was fast enough for me. I'd have another 10k to spend on other toys. DAMN YOU MINI!