Basic silver + auto/manual transmission + sports package. 22.6K

YOu can add upgrades later - albeit more expensive. But what I wanted from my car was a decent engine (non-racing car), a good gearbox (auto/manual are quite ok and keep the resale value up - as if I care...) and the DSC.

Barebone car. The rest is gadgets. Worth 4K? That's each one's opinion.

Not to start a flame but you will stay in the stalled traffic as bad in a 120 HP car than a 170 HP car. So - it all depends how you drive and what ultimately your purpose of that car is.

Mine - I cannot be happier. Nice, speedy little car, does what's supposed to and in a fun way. I would pay closer to 20K for the car - but not closer to 30K.

BTW - I saw on eBay - the S letter is 9$. You can glue it later...

MMM

 

I say the MCS. I bought my 2002 MC and I asked myself a few months later, "Why didn't I buy an "S"??" Still wish I would have bought an "S".

 

the mc is faster :p

on a serious note, Ive driven both my friends mcs, a gp, and my mini. and Ill be honest I loved the power difference but It wasnt THAT different.

 

Initially, I went in and started looking at the MC. It is everything I wanted. I drive a big truck and compared to that, anything is quick.

When I told wifey about the MC she said "are you nuts, get the 'S', I want to go fast!"


We ordered the MCS.


Cheers

 

Where in Germany? If you're here on Military orders, you can buy through the Military program here.

 

Here's how I made the same decision.

Prior to my MC I had driven a 150 hp automatic small car for nine years. I've always had this addiction to go fast and before the MINI came out, I always said my next car would have to have more hp (especially after driving my sister's 115 hp civic). Out came MINI and I immediately gravitated toward the S, even though I knew it would be serveral years before I could even think about getting one. Over the next four years I researched and obsessed, configured many cars on miniusa and eventually came to the conclusion that, hm, that MC gas mileage sure looks good.

Last year I needed a new vehicle and could afford one, so I finally went to test drive (held off since '02 until a purchase could be reality). I decided to drive the MC first to see if it really was as "doggy" as so many S owners on here claim. It was a hot day, I wasn't very experienced with driving a manual tranny, and the AC was cranked to the max. I drove on the highway, up and down lots of hills, and surprisingly, I loved it. I knew immediately that I didn't need to bother with the S because the MC actually exceeded my expections immensely (I just kept thinking, 115 hp = civic experience, ugh). For a daily driver in 100% city conditions, in the south (AC on a lot), with hills, my MC is just right for me! However, I also tested the auto and noticed that the manual felt significantly more zippy, especially accelerating up those hills...

I still love speed and feel like my car is super zippy, fast, and fun in the conditions that I drive in most. I've even taken him on three long distance road trips and love every minute. No regrets! I hate having to get out of the car when I get to work in the morning...I'd rather just keep driving! Just try to figure out what kind of driving you'll be doing, what your expectations are, if gas mileage is a concern, and go from there. Either way, you'll have a great, fun car!

 

If you are used to cars such as mid-90's Proteges, civics, sentras, etc. and don't mind the sluggishness of excelleration up hills, into freeways, etc., that those cars exhibit, then the MC should be fine for you. (I am NOT saying the MC is the same as those cars --- it's far superior, but it isn't very powerful). If you appreciate quickness, then the MCS is the better choice.

 

Wow-my '87 S10 blazer had 2.8L V6 110HP 3500lbs 5sp and I pulled a dual horse trailer and hay all the time with it. Now THAT was sluggish! (and was still going at 202K when I sold it)

So it's all relative, isn't it? Driving both is really the best bet.

 

It's funny to read all these comments about ordering the S "to go fast" or not ordering the S because you don't want speeding tickets. The MC is a very peppy car; it's amazing what 120 HP can do when it's not trying to drag a 3-ton hulk around. And it's not like the MC is electronically limited to 65 mph. Getting into speeding trouble (or having high-speed fun) is basically effortless in the MC. Forget the HP numbers and just drive the car. I used to drive an Integra with around 150 HP), and my MC feels a heck of a lot peppier. Even if I didn't care so much about fuel economy, I can't imagine wanting/"needing" the extra power of the S.

 

As an owner of a 2006 MC with 5 speed Getrag and as a person that also test drive the 2006 MCS. I can say that the MCS is "funner" than the MC in terms of having that very strong pull from a stop, smoking tires, having 6 speed.
I bought the MC because I prefer normally aspirated high reving 4 cylinder engine (I use to own a 4 cyl. vtec car), I also like the fact that I can get 36 mpg. While the MCS is funner the MC is also fun, just rev that engine up high and enjoy the deep sound of the Tritec engine!

 

Talk to your dealership. I originally ordered an MCS, then changed my mind to the MC because I couldn't quite afford the S. My dealership (MINICenter in San Antonio, TX) said "no problem" and cancelled my order. Then they put my deposit towards an order on an MC and gave me that one with a smile. They were really easy to deal with. I asked them what they would have done if they weren't able to halt production of the original order. They said they would have simply put it on the lot and sold it to someone else.

 

Test drive for sure, but this S driver will be getting a MC next time around. The new one is really that good even with the 6-speed automatic. Of course, if I play my cards right with the accountant (spouse), I'll keep the S and will drive the (auto, clubman) to work and for hauling the kid and stuff.

My goal is to one day do the rear seat delete on my S and then head for the local track once or twice a year!

BTW I love the handling of the MINI just a little bit more than than I love the outright speed (and SC whinnnnneee), but I love efficiency too...double vanos and perhaps 40 mpg is too great of an advantage to ignore the MC.

YMMV!

 

Hmm thanks for all the input. I guess a test drive is really in order, eh? Oh and in answer to the questions... I'm here in Germany for a study program with my Uni. I've been having to drive a Ford (Ford(Fort) Fahren, Heimlaufen.) (Fort means away, so the joke is 'Drive away(with a ford), Walk/run home.') Escape with the 2,3 4banger. That engine feels kinda sluggish in the Escape, even though letting it rev is fun (it just doesn't sound fun, I red-lined it once passing to avoid a slow semi in front of me with another tailgating me. That was god awful.) But I'm just thinking that the base engine might just be enough for me.

 

If you are working within a budget - Check out the other little $ differences, like insurance, the price of replacement Tyres (especially those high performance run flats) etc. ajm

 

S

 

Runflats for S from Tire-Rack $200 each from your MINI dealer almost $400. Coupled with the fact that few tire shops carry any runflats should make you cringe. I keep a spare runflat at home just in case. When my Goodyear runflat got a spike in it, I couldn't find one in the Seattle or Portland area. I learned the hard way.

 

Go for the "S" man!! It's worth it

 

wow....only spending $27,000! i wish i only had that much. S all the way with .only the essential cruise and heated seats

 

"Test the MC first. If you like it don't get into the S."

Very sound advice

 

One further point that might tip the balance for you. My 2003 MCS realized 17K on a trade in on a 2007. If you look at residuals the MCS is better.

 

Why the S? I find that frequency of downshifting is inversely proportionally to the amount of torque the car produces at low revs. I just picked up my S yesterday. I love it. Hardly any downshifting, even at low speed in 6th, and even on hills that require frequent downshifting by most cars.

Oh, also in this 2 day old car, I took the hill and dale drive to Santa Fe on the Tourquois Trail, skirting around the Sandias in driving rain, and then returned taking I-25 at 75 to 80 mph still in the rain. Add that to running several errands in the city, I averaged 37.6 mpg in that 141 mile trek, at least according to the car's computer. that's not much different from what I was getting in my Prius during the cold months. In other words, I'm not so sure that gas mileage should be a factor in this decision.

 

Walla Walla - regarding your question about Rasmussen MINI. I live in the Seattle area, but opted to order mine out of Portland due to the fact I could have it much sooner. Talk to Jarid. He's a super nice guy, very knowledgeable and responsive to your questions/needs. I should have mine in less than a month!!

 

Buying a Mini is not a terribly rational decision so my advice is not to over complicate it with lots of analysis. For me, at least, it's about having a wonderful toy. You can't have too much performance. Buy the S. Be careful with the options and you'll fall below $27K. I love mine.

 

 

This part really drives it all home for me. Nicely put. Saved me writting a 40 page novelette on the pros and cons of owning any car, much less a Mini.