We're a couple of years away from needing a third car (when my 14 year old will get his license), but I figure why delay joy, so my wife and I drove to the nearest dealer, about 60 miles away, and took a look at the new MC and MCS. It's a neat little car, and I have surprisingly strong buy in from my wife, who has generally said she doesn't care much about cars. The Minis work for her.

I have a few questions:

MC vs MCS. I know this is a personal choice, test them both, etc. No doubt I can afford the MCS, but I really like the idea of keeping the cost of this car closer to $20k than to $25k. We tested both (automatics; more on this in a minute), and while the MCS was certainly "peppier", I thought the MC moved nicely. We'll be doing standard stuff around town, and I'll use it for some highway driving, but we're not going to be hitting the track, nor will we be pushing it terribly hard around the curves. My wife says go for the MCS...otherwise I'll live to regret my decision. But $3,000 is a big number to step up to the MCS. What are other people basing their MC vs MCS decision on?

Manual vs. Auto. I absolutely want a manual, but my wife has had a hard time on my current manual (a Passat), and was initially resistant to a manual on the Mini. She says that when she's driving, she's also usually distracted by enough other things (traffic, kids, ringing cell phone) to make adding something else (shifting) not a fun idea. I've explained that, in time, a manual requires no "thought"...it just happens, and she's opening up to the idea now. We only drove automatics. How's the clutch on the Mini? The Passat's is a piece of cake. Also, does the DSC (which we will get) actually lend a hand on getting going while on a hill (I thought I read this somewhere in the brochure)? We live in a hilly town, and this is her biggest fear.

Interior. Aaagh! Too many options. The MCS we drove was a convertible (not on our "potential" list) and we both found it kind of dark and closed in for our taste. My wife definitely likes the idea of the moonroof...not to open it, but for the light. And there's no question that we both liked the lounge red leather, as it lightened up the inside quite a bit. But at $1900 it's too much to justify. Again, this is a real personal issue, but any thoughts on combining the moonroof with leatherette and perhaps a color line trim (red, perhaps; exterior likely to be white)? The idea is to open up the inside a bit, brighten it, etc. Any other ideas here, short of spending all that dough on the leather?

Run flats vs. all season. Can someone explain how the option works here, by car model, and what the considerations are in terms of choosing? I think I picked up yesterday that the MCS comes with runflats, and no spare. Does the MCS ever have a spare (i.e., with all seasons), or do you need to own an MC to have a spare. Or are there no spares, period? As you can see, I'm confused.

Stereo choice. Okay, I thought the stock stereo seemed kind of junky. With my ten year old in the back I didn't get much of a shot at listening, but how much better is the upgrade? Also, i forgot to look for the Aux input. Where is it located?

Interior finish. Not entirely what I had expected. There was "play" in some *****, like the A/C controls. Other places just seemed a bit "flimsy" or less "solid" than I expected. It just wasn't as "tight" as the Acura MDX we went to the dealer in. Am I expecting something I shouldn't expect from a Mini, or should it really hold together like, say, a BMW?

I'm sure I'll have more questions (sorry!), but this is a start. Looking forward to putting a Mini in my garage!

 

Like you, my decision was based on price. I was able to get my Cooper (years ago) with the options I wanted for under $20,000. That was my target budget. You'll only regret getting a Cooper if you let the MCS owners brainwash you.

There's some sort of hill start assist on the 2007 cars, but I don't remember which option it's a prt of, or if it's standard.

The sunroof definitely helps "open up" the interior of the car. I've got the sunroof and leatherette and it works for me.

I'm not entirely familiar with 2007 cars, but in the past Coopers have spares, MCSes do not. It has nothing to do with runflats or not. My Cooper came with runflats and a spare, for example.

Also, the runflats come in all-season and performance variants, so run flats vs all seasons doesn't quite make sense.

 

Get the manual! I just had a chance to drive a new 07 MCS while my 06 was in for a first year oil change. The clutch and shifter are sooooper smooth and light. And the 07's come with a hill hold feature that keep the car from rolling back on a hill.

 

I like the comment about being brainwashed into a S. I sometimes feel like the lowest of the low with "just a Cooper". There is the whole R53 vs. R56 thing (we'll have one of each and be VERY happy with both) and then there is the MSC vs. MC debate, and I always feel on the bottom!
I'm a 52 year young woman with no kid/dog/etc--with a job that requires lots of in town driving to interesting meetings and events. I wanted a fun, recognizable vehicle that added spice to my image. We haven't driven out of state in years--we fly--and usually out of the country. A MCS wasn't even on the radar. I just wanted to be sure our two huge suitcases would fit in the boot and I was sold. I did the 6-speed to have a bit more fun driving experience---and to keep others from wanting to drive it .
Get what you want/need, but don't let anyone tell you the MCS is the ONLY way to go. OH! Be prepared... the dealership will harass you, too, if you chose "just a Cooper".

 

My previous car was a Cooper. More than adequate. I never had a problem keeping up with the S people on MINI runs. My new car is an S. Both handle and respond similar,but the added power on the S is much more exhilerating.Having driven both I prefer the S. The money spent now will be cheaper in the long run than if you try to mod up the basic Cooper later to achieve similar horsepower to that of an S. If you can afford the S you will have no regrets later. The automatic is also very much fun to drive.

 

I'd also vote for the manual. As davisflyer said, the clutch and shifter action are excellent.
I can't really help with the MC vs. MCS, as it was always going to be the MCS for me. More power=more better.
Also, note that the convertible MCS you drove is equivalent to the older generation MCS, the R53. The '07 is the R56 and has a turbocharged motor as opposed to the supercharged motor you drove (the new Coopers will also have a different motor than the one you drove, assuming the MC was also an '06). There are also many differences in appearance, both on the exterior and interior, plus differences in ride and handling. This has been thoroughly beaten to death on this site, so I'm not going to get into personal preference. I would suggest that if the looks of the new model appeal to you it is worth a drive, though you may be able to get a discount on any remaining R53 models in stock and won't have to do the waiting game. That's been the worst part of it for me.

 

i also wanted to bring up that point to you. the MCS you drove (converitable) was the older supercharged MCS. the 2007 that is out now (hard top) is turbo. there is a huge difference in drive, power and look and feel. i would really go back and ask to drive the 2007 MCS. that being said, i have a 2007 MCS that i ordered and will be here in 2 weeks. the choice was a nobrainer. i used to have a 2004 MCS and a 2005 MC. don't get me wrong the MC was a great car but the MCS is a fantastic car. the whole time i owned the MC i always missed the MCS. worth much more that the $2000-$3000 it costs. and if you end up getting the MC and get the sports package on it (to get the good seats, wheels and spoiler, that the S already has built into the price) the difference is less than $1500. and the final nail in the coffin for the MC for me this time around was gas milaege. my old MCS got like 25-26 MPG, this new 2007 with the turbo gets 29-34!!!!! thats the same as my 2005 MC!!!! and with all that extra fun power to play with. take it from a guy who has owned both and was just faced with the same decision you are......if you can afford it get the MCS no questions asked, its the best option you can get for your cooper!!!!!

 

You have lots of questions so I will address a couple of them. Moon roof does give you much more light and adds significantly to future resale. If your goal is to keep costs down go for the MC, but I'm sure you have learned by now that BMW has provided a plethora of options all designed to empty your wallet. Configure a couple them eliminate. I have the Red Loung Leather, expensive but BMW quality. Leatherete is still pretty grey, the fabric is quite nice but pretty close to being black.

 

I bought an MC in '03 mostly because it was cheaper than the MCS. After 3 years I finally drove an '06 MCS. I came away happy with my original decision to buy the MC.

 

we test drove both mc and mcs. once we drove the mcs, we liked it better. just felt it had more pick up. it is nice to have when you need it. also we got automatic but you always have the sports drive option thats fun. have run flats -- decided next set of tires aren't going to be run flats -- they make a rougher ride.. we got mcs, auto, prem. pkg., front fog lights, and few interior options. wished we would up graded stereo system but what we gots ok. oh yea got the driving lamps--looks good. this is a 2006 wished we would have waited to the 2007. oh well still love it.

 

In 2002 when I had to decide between the Cooper and S, I went with the Cooper mainly because of fuel economy and that almost all of my driving is in the city. Now that the new engine is much more economical with the turbo I would seriously consider the S.

If you drive a lot of highway miles the extra power of the S would be nice.

 

I should have recognized right away that the MCS we drove wasn't an '07. But combine a new salesperson, a cold day (wanting to get in the car quickly and shut the door), and a ten year old in a hurry, and I didn't put it all together. I do need to drive the MCS, for sure, before making a decision. Other color has been helpful, thanks!

 

It doesn't sound like the extra power of the MCS will mean that much to you. The MC has about the same 0-60 time as my 1990 Acura Integra and it is zippy enough to have fun with. So, perhaps the increased MPG of the MC will mean more to you in the long-run.

That said, I'm getting an MCS because I want a sporty car. However, I don't commute (other than on the internet) and live where the roads are windy. So, my choice probably doesn't apply to you.
I've driven a Acura Integra 5 speed manual for 17 years and a VW Rabbit before that. Test driving a 2007 MCS, I found that its 6 speed is actually easier to use than my Integra. It is a very nice manual. It is also different than the 2006 you drove.

On the other hand, automatics have gotten quite good. So, there isn't a big performance hit with an auto. There is a slight drop in the government MPG ratings. I haven't driven one, so can't say how it feels, but I suspect you wouldn't be that unhappy with an auto.

I have a different attitude towards the interior. I prefer it to be dark. Other than the instruments, it should be invisible when I'm driving. I don't want to distracted by the interior. No chrome for me, thanks.

The red lounge leather does look nice. I didn't think it would go well with a Pure Silver MINI, and I didn't like the black lounge leather or punch leather. So, I went with the cloth seats.
As I understand it, the MC does have a spare, but the MCS does not. Seems that the MCS does not have room for the spare (larger gas tank, perhaps). So, it comes with runflats instead. I'm not sure what kind of tires come with the MC.

My MA has switched his car to standard tires and I may do the same. The thing that runflats save you from is a fast blow-out. According to some statistics posted here, that kind of blow-out accounts for less than 15% of flat tires.

Slow leaks should be caught by the onboard computer in time for you to just add air and get it fixed. The only kind of flats I've had in the last 20 years have been slow leaks. I think that on my second set of tires I'll carry a pump and some latex repair gunk.

There have been mixed reviews of the HIFI upgrade for the stereo. I believe it adds a separate amp (mounted in the boot) and four tweeters. The size and location of the main speakers seems to be the same as the standard stereo. Not sure whether they are the same speakers. I'm going for the HIFI upgrade. If necessary, I'll replace the speakers.

According to reviews, this has changed in 2007. See what you think of that interior, rather than the 2006 you drove.

 

If you get the DSC, in the sports pack or on its own, it does have a hill assist. It will hold the car for 2-3 seconds when you take your foot off the brake and release as soon as some gas is given. I find it very helpful! You can always turn the DSC off too [its next to the imfamous sports button] if you want for some reason, like at a track [which you will end up doing or your son will steal to go to a track!]

 

I would get an MC rather than an MCS if it was my plan to have it be my teens first car. That was not clear from your post, but if you plan on having them drive one of your other cars then the extra power in the MCS add fun, but the MC is still just as fun to drive. If your teen is going to learn to drive in the car then an auto may make more sense - just one less distraction for a new driver. But again, if that is not the case get a manual. Its more fun and the DSC provides the roll back stop that will make your wife happy.

 

If the family is mechnically inclined or athletically not challenged, I would recommend a manual tranny. Manual tranny cars feel stronger than auto, given the same engine.
Personally, I don't have much patience. I cannot live with a car that can't do 0-60 mph within 8 seconds although my current daily driver can't beat that. But that's another story since I am waiting for a MCS.

 

Funny you should mention this. Just walked in the door from an Easter get together, and on the way home, my wife clarified for the kids (most notably, the 14 year old) that the Mini (whether it's an MC or MCS) will not be driven by any kids at any time. Handling, speed, and size make it a less than ideal car for a new driver (at least one in my family), regardless of whether it's an "S" or not.

The 14 year old will, however, learn to drive a stick, as most of his driving will be behind the wheel of my Passat. There's a learning curve, but as I keep telling my wife, when you get a stick down, there's no thinking involved in working it. It just happens.

 

What you are doing now is great. Finding out all that you can. Just do not rush into a decision. Then you will be very satisfied with the choice.
"MCS requires run flats due to the exhaust system does not leave room for a spare" They are expensive, hard riding, yet an awful lot of people like them.
The "Cooper" is smooth with 15". I would of opted for the "S", but the run flats turned me completely off.
Good luck, this group will help you in any way they can.

See if there is a MINI Club in your area and get their input.