There is no simple answer to this. I love my MC, and am still glad I got it over an MCS. The price difference allowed me to get a really nice MC with all the trimmings I could ever desire (NAV & Leather). And besides, with everyone wanting an MCS these days, I feel a bit more unique! I'll go on a run, and out of 10 cars, I'll be the only Cooper. I like that!

For me the lack of the hood scoop was important. I liked the cleaner lines and the extra chrome options--which are now available on the S as well. Probably the best question to ask yourself is, Do you see yourself possibly wanting to upgrade the car to squeeze out more horsepower? The S is the best platform for going from the stock 163hp to 200 or 250hp or more. The Cooper drivetrain can't really handle more than what the stock MCS already does.

Richard

 

I love my mini! Being 16, its my only car of course. I personally couldnt ask for much more. It gets great Mpg. I can have a lot of fun if i really want to. I didnt want any sort of SUV or anything big because i cant stand big cars.

If need to haul anything, thats when the benifit of the back seats coming down comes in. Its quite handy really. You can fit anything you want. I've had 2 full sets of golf clubs in the car along w/ room to spare.

My friends all love the car. I get everything from "its so cute" to, "haha, its a mini," (thats untill i show them what it can do, then it changes all their attitudes). Of course no one drinks or eats in the beast, but it can be done.

My only complaint would be the lack of cup holders, good ones at least. I have the mini-fini one, but its to obtrusive on the passengers. Other than that, couldnt ask for anything more. Hope that helps ya out, and also, ive had no problems since ive gotten it in Nov. of 03. (04 build).

-Scott

 

I'm with MINI USA. Gasoline is expected to fulfill many requirements to guarantee the desired operating conditions during all environmental and driving conditions. All current MINI models have a requirement of premium unleaded gasoline, with a minimum octane rating of at least 91. Minimum octane rating corresponds to the Anti Knock Index (AKI). The anti-knock value is the quality rating for gasoline and is required for controlled combustion. Anti-knock value is expressed with an octane number. A higher number indicates better anti-knock properties of a gasoline. Field experience has indicated significant differences in fuel quality: volatility, composition, additives, etc., among different gasoline brands in the United States and Canada. The use of poor-quality fuels or fuels with lower octane rating than required may result in drivability, starting and stalling problems especially under certain environmental conditions such as high ambient temperature and high altitude. If you have any more questions regarding the fuel requirements for MINI vehicles, feel free to call us at 866 ASK.MINI and mention Reference # 200422200254 so that we can help you more efficiently.

 

Get the short shift kit. I can have my cupholder swung to the left all the way and not rap my knuckles when shifting to 5th. That's how I talked the wife into letting me buy the kit. "But dear! If I get this you'll have more room!"

 

Hey paulie, I am from CT as well. The dealer in Hartford wasn't the best to buy from but the service department is top notch. My MCS is a daly driver and my wife drives a New Beetle turbo. They are great for about 98 percet of everything you need to do. My motto is, if it doesn't fit into the MINI, the it should have gotten delivered anyways. (You can always rent the Home Depot truck if needed too).

My car is 16 months old with 34k miles on it. I get upwards of 30 mpg out of it. It is an easy car to maneuver through traffic as well as parking lots. These cars offer great peace of mind. Full coverage on all maintenance including oil changes and brakes. Plus the resale value is unreal. I could sell my car for nearly what I paid, it's crazy.

Do yourself a favor and get the car, you will not regret it.

 

Hey, Mike.

Thanks for the tip about the dealer. Have you experienced any major problems? I am definitely going to buy one. I just have to sell my Subaru Forester first. Did you buy off the lot or did you have to order and wait?

I also looked at the New Beetle Turbo. I liked it but I liked the MINI better.

Best of Luck with your MCS.

~Paul

 

Congratulations on your decision, Paulie!
Back to the original post, the Consumer Reports thing had me worried as well. Mingo is (was going to be) my only car and I have a 30-32 mile commute each way, as well as frequent 50 mile trips into Atlanta. I had a two year old Toyota MR2 Spyder with 76,000 miles on it. And CR gave that car huge kudos for reliability, so I was worried.
It seems that the 2004 cars do have fewer reliability issues. Even though CR gives the Mini TERRIBLE reviews, that is the only source that I have found that has not given the car raves. Every other source I looked up gave it the thumbs up. I hope this helps reassure you a little..Where is the other review you read from Automotive something something? Where it said it had few reliability issues?

 

Thanks, jennscooper.

The other review I read was by the AIS (Automotive Information Systems) located at: http://autos.msn.com/home/reliability_ratingsinfo.aspx. They gave the MINI a good review for reliability even though they only have information for the 2002 model year. I cannot remember where else I read/heard the MINI had some reliability issues. I cannot seem to find any information that supports CR's claims of unreliability--Hey, I'm convinced. Where do I buy one?

I am pretty excited be/c today I just agreed upon a price for my current car. Once I take payment from the buyer, I'm on the phone to some dealerships to see what's available--if anything. MC & MCS's don't seem to stay on the lot very long :smile: .

Thanks for the info.

~Paulie

 

Do yourself a favor Paulie.... After you've gone through the break in period, take it to a track day or similar event. Meeting others with MINI's and seeing what your car can really do will give you memories that will last a lifetime....

 

Don't worry to much about reliablity,my 03 MC has never let me down.Sure there are problems,rear hatch rattles, brake computer was not sending a signal to one of the brake lights,glove box door would not stay shut,rear wiper motor would slow down and stop.All this was fixed,and my dealer went out of their way to make sure I either got a loaner,or it could be fixed in less than an hour.
The car starts all the time,even at -47,runs like a top,and except for the boot rattle,now fixed,is tight as the day I got it.25k miles in year one,100 mile a day commutes,gravel back roads,lots of snow.
I've owned lots of car,even a classic Mini,but this MC is the best,most fun car I have owned.
I say go for it,MC or MCS.

 

Thanks, lot15 and J-Didi. After just one test drive (2 actually-1 in the MC and 1 in the MCS) I believe what you folks are telling me. I just sold my current car so it's just a matter of finding a MINI to purchase. I'm having trouble sleeping at night be/c I can't wait .

Thank you for all the input.

I'll let you all know how I make out.

~Paulie

 

Congratulations Paulie!

I just wanted to add in that my only car is my 2003 MCS. It is a great commuter car because it has good fuel legs and is a fun way to get to and from work. It is a great car for my weekend gigs as volunteer guitarist because it holds all my stuff (and the combo amp is big) as well as keeps it dry. As for long items like surfboards and two by fours, that's what the OEM roof racks are for. There is very little I can haul or out drive that is considered a daily driver.

Although I have taken it in for little things (all covered under one of the best warantees in the trade), it has never left me stranded. In addition to Mini Motoring Assistance, I keep a cell phone, 12v air pump and a can of fix-a-flat on hand.

Good luck and Aloha!

 

HI Paulie! I have an 04 MCS and its the mutt's nuts! I'm also 45 mins away from dealer but have no reason to visit. By far better quality and all bugs removed since 02! Go for it!

 

Our family of three essentially has one MCS, but with a backup of something called City Car Share in San Francisco. So, in a pinch we have two. We took the car in for a little warrantee work, a stumble at 3000 RPM. Made an appointment, so as to minimize the imposition. The shop didn't get to it when they said they would. Took two days. Irritating! Check out the dealer's/shop rating from the part of this web site when(if) ever they get it up and running.

Other than this the Mini serves us well. It's a blast to drive! When I get into the other cars it feels like they're on serious sedatives.

The comment about the pot holes is for real.

 

My MCS is my daily driver. I've had her for a year and a half, and she still inspires me every time I drive her! She's got just under 30K miles on the clock, she's never stranded me, and the few minor problems she's had have all been fixed by the dealer under warranty. (Jan '03 build date. I hear the '04's are the most solid build yet...)

The closest dealer is 40 min away on a good day; they book appointments at least 3 weeks in advance unless it's an absolute emergency. While it's a little inconvenient to book so far in advance, it's never been a problem. The car is VERY reliable.

The times I've had to drive other cars, whether they be loaners, rentals, or a family member's car while visiting, I've always missed my MINI. Getting back into a MINI after driving something else puts that huge ol' grin right back on my face every time!

Who needs another car when you've got a MINI? Not me!
G-d I LOVE this car!!

 

This may seem like a silly question but it's one I did not think to ask my MA when test driving the MCS. I know it has run-flats but does it have a jack in the event you get a flat and need to take off the tire? Or, do you simply drive on the run-flat to the nearest dealer or tire shop and have them take it off and repair/replace based on the extent of the damage?

Also, I heard somewhere that certain cell phones cannot be used inside the MINI. Is this true? And if so, why? And and if so, what types/brand of cell phone? I don't know where I find this stuff .

Still MINI-less,

Paulie

 

Paulie, Welcome!

there is indeed a jack and a few other tools that come with an MCS. I'm not sure if the MC gets the same tools or not. But you shouldn't need to use a jack for a flat tire; the whole purpose of runflats is that you can travel on the 'flat' for about 100 miles at speeds up to 50 mph. Runflats have very stiff sidewalls designed to keep you going even without air in the tire. You don't want to travel like that all the time, but you should be able to get to a shop to have it fixed or replaced within the safety margin of the tire. If not, you can call roadside assistance.

Where did you hear about cell phones not working in an MCS? That's rediculous! I think whoever told you that was confused. They could have been talking about the supposedly 'standard' bluetooth wiring that's in BMW's and theoretically in MINIs too. I have yet to see or hear of a MINI that's pre-wired for it. Your regular cell phone should work just fine inside the car, provided you are in range of a tower. What you won't get is the phone working through your car's audio system unless you get it wired for that.

BTW, you've probably stumbled into the best place to find answers to all your questions. The best thing to do is do a search for answers to any questions you might have; most have been addressed here before, and some have been asked repeatedly. If you can't find answers after doing a search, then post a new thread and I'm sure you'll get lots of responses!

 

I've had the MC, and now enjoy the MCS. IMO the MCS is worth every extra P-E-N-N-E-Y ! Not only will you love the extra power, you'll probally start modding it for even more power. Also this car was made to be stick driven. Besides I don't think the S comes in auto?

Good Luck!

 

There's more to enjoying an MC than just power. Definitely if modding and power is your thang, than there is no better place to start than an MCS. However, the MC is a fantastic drive as well at a great value and if you really want the power of a base MC in the future, you can add a Turbo kit (which voids the warranty). But as I understand it, future MC's will have the same Getrag gear box as the MCS, enabling more power to be squeezed out with less stress that additional horsepower makes.

The MCS is going to have a CVT version. Don't remember if that was 2005 or later, but the option is coming. But having the stick is so much fun, and I wouldn't buy a MINI without it.

The price difference of the MC/MCS can give you some very nice extras, and if you decide to do any canyon carving, you'll find that an MC can keep up with the MCS just as well.

re: SCOOP
The MC comes with a very complete tool kit that includes a jack, screw drivers, lug wrench, hub cap removal tool, a plastic sheet, and misc. other tools, not to mention a compact spare.

Richard

 

The MCS comes with a jack? Mine came with the tow kit but nothing else. Maybe it's because mine was one of the 1st builds of '02 (stiff suspension ). Anyway, it's got some rattles from the boot (fixed but reappeared) and door but that's not going to keep me from getting another. The new MINI's are built rock solid and are great everyday drivers. We've logged 28k miles and it's never let us down. As a matter of fact, the tire pressure monitor went off last week and we discovered a screw in a tire. A simple drive to a tire shop and we're off again.

 

As usual, thanks for all the info.

SCoop: I'll do my best to search the threads before possibly asking the same question yet again. I don't want to be annoying. Sometimes it's tough just to lurk around, though searching for stuff--I'd rather talk directly to you guys. I don't remember where I heard the cell phone stuff. Obviously not from a reliable source. Thanks for the info.

This sight is great. I don't think I've ever learned so much about a car before buying it. But hey, it's a MINI. This isn't just any car .

Just watched the Italian Job tonight. Very cool. Don't know what took me so long.

Later,

~Paulie

 

Yep. Mine's an early '03 build and it came with a jack. You could try to get one from your dealer... here are a couple of pics:

The jack in it's bag, snug in the boot. It's held in place by two hooks attached to elastic on the back of the bag.


Here's the jack out of it's case. It's not the greatest jack in the world, but it'll do in a pinch I assume.

 

Well after a year of ownership I lowered the spare and tried out the jack,all worked fine,and the spare tyre had 80 lbs in it