Some background

I bought a 2006 MCS in 2009 with 8K miles on it. Kept it for 4 years, absolutely loved that car!

After I retired, we bought at house here in SC. The house is, or has been, depending upon point of view, a fixer-upper. We knew that when we bought the house that the MINI was not the most practical vehicle considering everything that needed to be done. So I sold the MINI, and bought a Chevy Avalanche. The Avalanche has been a great truck, but most of our major work here is complete, and I have been looking at MINIs. In particular, a 2014 Paceman S.

I must say that its not the same as a supercharged MCS, but its still a nice car. Roomier, sits higher, but just doesn't have the same get up and go. But its more practical to drive the MINI in downtown Charleston than the Avalanche.

I just don't have the same excitement thinking about the Paceman as I did about that MCS.

Life goes on.

Have to update my signature if I buy the Paceman.

 

Whatever you do best of luck. Paceman was my least favorite car at Mini, wound of with a Countryman, wanted 4 doors. My Jersey girl wanted AWD otherwise I would have gone with MCS manual.

 

I am very pleased with my 2014 manual MCS Paceman. It has plenty of power, handles very well, good interior size, good mpg and is very fun to drive.

 

Test drive one. And then considered this -- throw a JB+ on the Paceman and it has almost the same zip as the MCS; add a strut tower brace and a thicker rear sway bar, and you have almost as good handling -- definitely better handling and overall responsiveness than just about any other small SUV. Not quite the same fun factor as the MCS, but it's close. Add in the extra room, comfort, quiet and AWD that you can't get in the MCS. Not to mention it's still one of the more unique looking vehicles on the road. Think of it as a slightly growed-up MINI.

 

+1 on the jb+

 

We are in our third mini since the 05 hardtop. I think the new hardtop is butt ugly and has none of the fun factor the 05 did. We chose the paceman all4 manual because I
Of the all wheel drive and is a little under powered due to the all wheel drive. But will be safer for a new driver in a year. Love the grip in the corners.

 

I like the Paceman, but if you're going to sacrifice the MINIness of your R53 (handling, pep), then I would go with the practicality of a Countryman.

 

So I bought the Paceman a week ago. It's a comfortable ride, still has that MINI feel, and I got a great deal.

Now I have to get used to push to start/stop. After nearly 50 years of driving with a key, I keep reaching for the fob and trying to turn it to turn the car off!

The biggest change from the R53 is this one is an auto. A concession to the wife

 

Post up some pics.

 

MINI needs a good wash. It is pollen season here and it is just raining pollen and junk off the oak trees. I couldn't wash it and get it dry before it's covered in pollen. Maybe in a week or so

 

My personal opinion, the auto is really not a bad concession in this car. My Paceman is a manual, but my wife had a Countryman auto, and most of the time the auto actually drove better. I've had the clutch replaced in mine, and I've got the JB+ tune, and while those greatly improved things, to be honest, I'm still not 100% satisfied with this manual.

 

Whenever you can get it cleaned up , post up some pics.