[Tombles]

Hi all,

I Had a 03 reg MCS a while ago but sold it for something more practical and economical etc. (mistake) and got a Golf. I now want another mini as i miss them so much.

I was looking at getting another MCS similar to my last one but i am going to run into some money soon and was thinking of stretching a little further and buying a 2nd gen MCS.

Could anyone who has driven both gens please tell me what they are like compared to eachother and if you are happy with the newer model and if you think they are worth the money. Any comments on how they drive and if they are a large improvement over the old model if the new one lacks anything compared to the old model i would be grateful.

Thanks

[Lawrothegreat]

The 2nd generation car has its strengths and weaknesses but overall it is an improvement.

The 1st gen was perhaps a little more involving (more feel in the steering), and many adore the supercharged whine. The 2nd gen is more refined - something which I personally really appreciate at low speeds and in traffic. Before it nearly drove like a mini-BMW, now it does. In standard form the MCS is probably more a baby GT car, and less a hot hatch, e.g. its better on the road than the track. This is course is only my opinion, and something you could overcome with works kit etc I'm sure.

I think the 2nd gen MCS looks better than the 1st gen MCS, whereas I think the 1st gen MC looks better than the 2nd gen MC if that makes sense.

In terms of quality, some materials have taken a turn for the worse (toggle switches, roof lining etc) and some for the better (real metal trim available, better leathers etc).

Go for a test drive!

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

There was a very similar thread only yesterday:

http://www.mini2.com/forum/2nd-gen-m...questions.html

The R53 MCS and R56 MCS are really very different cars and you will need to check over the differences for yourself to make your own mind up. As I said on the other thread, I have my own opinions on which is best, but your view might be completely different!

[Restyle]

If Fuel Economy & Comfort are top of your list then you`ll like the 2nd Gen
If Driving pleasure & Handling are high on the agenda, then maybe stick to the 1st gen

Its comes down to a very personal choice which only an extended test drive of both can reveal

[Tombles]

Thanks all.

WIll my local mini dealership allow me to take one of their cars on an extended test drive?

[supa-dupa-cooper]

Whos your local?

[118]

I had an 04 S Works and now have an R56 07 S and I have to say I much prefer my R56, the build quality just seems so much better (not that I had any problems with my old car), and it feels more solid. the economy is better, the ride is brilliant (had 18" alloys on both cars, but the R56 is much more comfortable), there is more technology in it (ok, not always a good thing ) and in terms of power I can honestly say that I haven't really noticed any difference. I agree my old S was possibly more fun to drive, but that doesn't mean to say that I have had a shortage of fun with this one - since April I've covered just short of 17k and have enjoyed every single mile!

whichever you go for, you'll love it, but like others have said, try and get some extended test drives to really get a feel for both cars

[msh441]

Quote: Originally Posted by Restyle (original)

If Fuel Economy & Comfort are top of your list then you`ll like the 2nd Gen
If Driving pleasure & Handling are high on the agenda, then maybe stick to the 1st gen

Might be a little simplistic IMO...

I'm in a R53 auto/convertible/standard suspension service loaner right now. It's a nice car... some things I like, some I don't... but it in no way comes close to out-handling my R56S on sport suspension & H&R lowering springs. Nor is the auto tranny (SC or not) as pleasurable of a drive as my 6-speed box (attached to the turbo).

My point isn't that the R53 isn't as good as the R56. I'm not even really talking about the differences between the SC and turbo since I think they're both great performers. What I'm getting at is that there are all sorts of options that can be included, or omitted, from both cars that make a substantial difference in what kind of car they are and how they drive.

Spec either car correctly, and you can pretty much make it whatever you want it to be. If you want a comfortable summer time grocery getter, spec out an auto-box convertible on standard suspension. If you want a hard-core driver's car, go for JCW suspecnsion, LSD, 6-speed etc. I guess what I'm getting at is that along the continuum of "driver's" MINIs... one model generation does not necessarily fall below another. They're all intermixed in there depending on what options are present in that specific car. It just depends your driving style, your priorities relating to comfort vs. performance. It's how you spec your car to reflect your priorities that makes all the difference.

[Tombles]

Quote: Originally Posted by supa-dupa-cooper (original)

Whos your local?

Stevenage

[caesar]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tombles (original)

Hi all,

I Had a 03 reg MCS a while ago but sold it for something more practical and economical etc. (mistake) and got a Golf. I now want another mini as i miss them so much.

I was looking at getting another MCS similar to my last one but i am going to run into some money soon and was thinking of stretching a little further and buying a 2nd gen MCS.

Could anyone who has driven both gens please tell me what they are like compared to eachother and if you are happy with the newer model and if you think they are worth the money. Any comments on how they drive and if they are a large improvement over the old model if the new one lacks anything compared to the old model i would be grateful.

Thanks

I cannot comment on the early version of the MCS as I have never owned one. I do have a June 07 MCS which replaced a Civic Type-R which I bought new February 04.

Overall I much prefer the MCS, but miss the additional boot and rear seat space of the Type-R.

Performance wise the MCS is as good or better and much more economical to run, and requires less driver concentration due to the Turbo as opposed to V-Tec of the Type-R. If you wanted to get performance from the 'R' then you had to keep the rev's at 6500 RPM and above.

The MCS is far more manoeuvrable in restricted space due to it's better turning circle, and has a superior gearbox.

I have done 5K since I bought it and had no problems apart from a couple of rattles which I fixed myself. The build quality of the MCS is as good or better and the paint finish is far superior.

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tombles (original)

Stevenage

I remember when Specialist Cars in Stevenage was an Alfa Romeo & BMW dealer on the old Hertford Road Mind you, that was about 1973! (I grew up in Knebworth)

I've called in to their new, new place when I've passed through Stevenage recently. Are they any good?

[supa-dupa-cooper]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tombles (original)

Stevenage

They may well let you have one for a bit longer

Im hoping to borrow a Dooper for 'longer' in the next few weeks, but then I guess it helps that the Dooper will be the 3rd MINI from them in as many years and that I go in there so often

No harm in asking

[supa-dupa-cooper]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tigger, Eeyore & Roo (original)

I remember when Specialist Cars in Stevenage was an Alfa Romeo & BMW dealer on the old Hertford Road Mind you, that was about 1973! (I grew up in Knebworth)

I've called in to their new, new place when I've passed through Stevenage recently. Are they any good?

They are the only dealership I will use (so yes I will big them up and rightly so )

Specialist in Luton is the closest to me (2 miles) but I have only been in there once - hated it! Stevenage (9 miles) have always been ab fab with everything and the Dooper will be my first MINI from the new showroom (the others were from the old showroom)!

[Tombles]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tigger, Eeyore & Roo (original)

I remember when Specialist Cars in Stevenage was an Alfa Romeo & BMW dealer on the old Hertford Road Mind you, that was about 1973! (I grew up in Knebworth)

I've called in to their new, new place when I've passed through Stevenage recently. Are they any good?

With my first MCS i didn't have a very good time there when i was due a service. It's a long story (Search if you want to :P) but the man who helped me was awful and caused a few problems and they didn't check things they were supposed too.

Saying that i have dealt with other people there and they seem very helpful and friendly, i think i just picked a bad person to deal with on the day as everyone else has been good to me.

[supa-dupa-cooper]

Oh and the Cooper S...

Ive never driven a first gen S so cant really comment on that, only to say that as a passenger the sound is amazing (*remembers back to the passenger lap at Top Gear*)

I did drive the new S when they were first launched and I was amazed by the car then The pull in it was great and sound of the exhaust is still quite good

I couldnt quite justify a Cooper S this time round, so I went for the next best thing and bought a Dooper

[Tara&Paul]

I had a modified 2002 R50 Cooper with about 140 bhp, 17" wheels with Toyo tyres and it was a lot of fun to drive, a real seat of your pants go-kart ride!

I now have an R56 MCS JCW which is as much fun to drive as my R50, but a hell of a lot quicker in a straight line!!!

I think the main difference would be that the R56 MCS is put together a bit better than the R53 MCS and also a bit faster.

Just don't get a diesel....

P.

[supa-dupa-cooper]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tara&Paul (original)

Just don't get a diesel....

P.

The words 'bog' and 'off' come to mind Paul

I might just spill a drink over you at the next pub meet

Just remember, i'll be keeping up on country lanes and not be in the petrol station as much as you

[Tara&Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by supa-dupa-cooper (original)

The words 'bog' and 'off' come to mind Paul

I might just spill a drink over you at the next pub meet

Just remember, i'll be keeping up on country lanes and not be in the petrol station as much as you

I'm shocked! And you a Catholic school teacher as well? What is the world coming to? They'll be putting diesel engine's in sports cars next!!!

And make sure it's a large drink!

[supa-dupa-cooper]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tara&Paul (original)

I'm shocked! And you a Catholic school teacher as well? What is the world coming to? They'll be putting diesel engine's in sports cars next!!!

And make sure it's a large drink!

I am not a teacher p or Catholic

My Dooper will be a sports car