Basically, my dad bought me a first generation mini cooper s 2004 plate 3 weeks ago for my 19th birthday but doing my research AFTER I purchased the MCS already, I am hearing how MCS 2nd generation is much better with less fuel consumption?

My MAIN question is, is the 1st MCS fuel consumption that DRAMATICALLY rubbish compared to the 2nd MCS that the 2nd MCS is worth it?

Secondly.. How many miles can the 1st MCS FULL TANK run in comparison to 2nd MCS?

It would be nice if I can get a variety of options as I have tried Yahoo Answers and nobody is willing to answer me. Thanks.

Your comparing supercharged to turbocharged two totally different animals. There is definately going to be fuel consumption differences plus the turbo has 3 additional years of product development behind it not to mention a heavier price tag as well.

My suggestion: be glad your dad bought you a car and enjoy it :)

In like for like driving, there's about 5 mpg in it. Given the choice between the two, I'd have the version you have every time!

In my experience, comparing an R53 Cooper S JCW and an R56 JCW, there's a difference of ~10 MPG. The first gen car would regularly return 19-21 MPG, with the second gen car returning 25-30 MPG.

With the smaller fuel tank in the earlier car, I was getting just over 200 miles per tank if I remember correctly... and with the second gen car, just under 300 miles.

As far as you saying, "how MCS 2nd generation is much better" - with the exception of fuel economy, it isn't. They're both very different cars, but the first gen certainly isn't worse... if anything, it has more character and is a more engaging drive. Having owned both, I preferred the power delivery from the supercharger when compared to the "run of the mill" turbocharger on second gen cars.

My suggestion: be glad your dad bought you a car and enjoy it :)

Agreed. ;)

Your dad has made an excellent choice you really need to thank him . Its interesting that you say youve been told the second gen model is "better" . If by better you mean newer and more economical then thats correct . However the earlier model is better for the following reasons : fabulous addictive supercharger whine , more run to drive , more Responsive , better steering and much better looking . The list goes on . If you are a real car enthusiast then your dad has made a great decision . If you are not and economy is paramount then youd probably be better of with a diesel . I think your first gen Mcs is the best choice and I guess your dad made a very well informed choice . Please drive the car for a few weeks and i guess you will become as attached to your car as many of us are . Then i bet you will be thanking him for making the right choice . I"d really like to hear your views after a few weeks . First gen Mcs"s are "growers ' - mine has continued to grow on me for the past 5 years . I"ve test driven lots of cars and still cant find one to beat it . Good luck .

Well i don't know about the 1st gen but on my 2nd gen R56 i'm only getting 21mpg :eek: (all city driving).

Thats terrible you must have a very heavy right foot or a hole in your petrol tank :-)

Mine does 31-33 mpg on mixed roads , but no city work . I think you ought to get yours checked - surely that cant be right :smile:

We could fit a bigger pulley to give you less boost = less fuel he he he he

Ho ho - on a serious note i will be paying you a visit . My last tlc service is at end of June - when warranty expires . after that its time to look at brake and engine upgrades

sooo. i've had an 03 (super charged) s. i now have a 2011(turbo charged) fjcw. what is better?
if i'm honest..... its the works all the way for me. feels meaner, and the fuel economy is better. do i miss my old one? YES i do.(partly because the suspension on the r56 is rubbish) bilstein here i come:biggrin:
super charger vrs turbo. it will go on forever. in an ideal world i'd have both. the r56 is defo cheaper to run, is it beter than an r53? personal choice really. i know people who will rant till they can't breath defending either.
drive your car, thank your dad, & enjoy. ifyou can't afford the fuel, maybe look at trading up(?) to an r56 in a while.

drive your car, thank your dad, & enjoy. ifyou can't afford the fuel, maybe look at trading up(?) to an r56 in a while.

I agree about this being a personal choice thing .....however trading up because of fuel costs? That would have to involve some SERIOUS mileage to recover the cost of trading + the offset between current and replacement car.

My personal view: If I swap from my Cooper S it would be for a second gen JCW but I'm still enjoying driving S too much. I still makes me :D every time I'm in it.

The R53 is the better "drivers" car, as it is lighter, lower to the ground than the R56 and its instant power.
The R56 is a better cruiser, as it is more refined and has better fuel return.

But most of all, dont drive with your foot to the floor, I get low 30s in my S (2004)

Basically, my dad bought me a first generation mini cooper s 2004 plate 3 weeks ago for my 19th birthday but doing my research AFTER I purchased the MCS already, I am hearing how MCS 2nd generation is much better with less fuel consumption?

My MAIN question is, is the 1st MCS fuel consumption that DRAMATICALLY rubbish compared to the 2nd MCS that the 2nd MCS is worth it?

Secondly.. How many miles can the 1st MCS FULL TANK run in comparison to 2nd MCS?

It would be nice if I can get a variety of options as I have tried Yahoo Answers and nobody is willing to answer me. Thanks.

Your dad bought you a car - think yourself lucky. 1st gen, 2nd gen, does it matter?

Your dad bought you a car - think yourself lucky. 1st gen, 2nd gen, does it matter?

Exactly, I mean he could have got you a Kia Pride or a Peroda Nippa or something else less desirable.

We are getting 28-30 mpg mainly town driving from our 2003 S, it does drop to 26 occasionally as my girlfriend has a heavy foot at times and loves throwing the car about.

When we were looking at buying we tried numerous 1st and 2nd Gen cars, we ultimately went for the first for three main reasons:

The supercharger provides lovely power even tho the car doesnt feel as outright powerful as the 2nd gen, also its sort of special for a car in that price bracket, then theres the Noise which after coming from a straight cut classic mini was nice to hear.

The chassis of the 1st gen is definitely better, lower and more responsive as has been said above, the standard Cooper S first gen is a fantastic handling car, the 2nd gen is definitely softer even in JCW spec.

They simply look better, rules and regulations have destroyed the look of the 2nd gen in my opinion, its too tall and looks out of proportion.

After driving my girlfriends for a bit im tempted with a 1st Gen GP :D

My 03 MCS gets 28.6MPG consistently, since I bought it. This is with VERY spirited driving, constant 100mph pulls, literally letting the supercharger whine every single time I switch gears.

Been a great car, have had it for a little over 6 months now, and I absolutely love it! Very fun car, especially after doing the Tein S-Tech lowering springs.