[ghost]

Which is better in your opinion?

MCS: EB/W, Xenons, Fogs, Premium, Kaleido Cloth ~ $21,000
NB: 1.8T, GLS-Trim ~ $19,000

It's hard to decifer reliability at this point.

Thanks for your help!

[olerud400]

Just out of curiousity, what's the deal with the CVT Cooper S? how much? how? why?

[ghost]

My mom is aging. She cannot drive a manual as eagerly as she used to. She wants a EB / W MCS, but needs an auto.

How much? $1250 on top of MCS price.
How? I've spoken to MINI. They're aware.
Why? Up there /\

Any more?

[olerud400]

I'm suprised that they are only charging $1250 (or same cost as the option on the cooper) for the custom work. I would've though the dealer would have charged a largeish premium on top of that for it. cool though.

[ghost]

It's not the dealer, it's MINI in Oxford. It's the same car, all they really have to do is take a CVT from a cooper and bolt that sucker into the MCS. The dealer has no control on this, besides what they think is a profit, when In fact, they won't make a cent on it, from me at least.

[stryder]

Quote:

Originally posted by ghost
My mom is aging. She cannot drive a manual as eagerly as she used to. She wants a EB / W MCS, but needs an auto.

I think its your mom's decision then which car isn't it? Obviously most people on here will vote MINI, but really its not simple, since personal preference, and things like how easily can she get in and out of the car, visibility, etc, etc all start to matter much more then things like which engine is more reliable.

Perhaps if you gave a few more (if there are any) of your mom's preferences, it'd be easier to choose. The cars are similar, but have different features which are mostly personal preference. (Like the interior of a VW looking much more expensive and refined then the plastic of a MINI, but the handling of a MINI being pretty well unsurpased in stock cars in the class)

[BruceK]

Sorry, I don't want to offend anyone, but I am extremely skeptical of the possibility of a factory custom-built MINI Cooper S with a CVT transmission.

Since it's impossible to order so much as a custom paint color on a MINI, I find it more than hard to believe that one-off mechanical and engineering customization job is so easily available -- and for the same price as a mass produced CVT option on the standard Cooper?!

Please convince me that someone doesn't have their facts wrong. Has the dealer promised something that they can't possibly deliver?

[olerud400]

That's exactly why I was asking what was up with the MCS with CVT

[notpaddyhopkirk]

Wouldn't this engine-transmission combination need an additional EPA certification before MINI could bring it in?

I am concerned that this person is getting the right information from whomever he is speaking with.

[cooper4us]

The MCS is NOT available with a CVT or ANY other type of automatic transmission at this time.

I think this person of his selling dealer are totally and completely misinformed.

If there was the possibility of getting a MCS with a CVT, trust me, I would have been on the waiting list and put my deposit down a long, long time ago.

The MCS with a CVT DOESN'T EXIST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MINI doesn't do out of spec cars to order. They have a policy of "Built to order" but based on the specs they offer and describe not on wild desires.....


While you are at it, can you order me a Cooper 'S' twin-turbo V6 with a SMG transmission....they can yank-out the SMG tranny from one of their BMW M3 coupes...is that's simple!!


Anyway, stop fantasizing and get a regular Cooper CVT...more than enough performance for the regular folk, smooth power delivery, great looks and built in fun factor.


Repeat after me...the MCS with CVT, doesn't exist.....The MCS with CVT doesn't exist....

[AprilWhine]

Thank you, guys, I thought the BS flag should be raised.

But for NB vs MC, I am uniquely qualified to offer an opinion, since I have both. Both are loaded with options and the NB has the sports handling package, which makes them very similar. The Beetle has better seat heaters, with a five position switch instead of a two position switch for hot or hotter. The handling of the MC is a little better, but again, not by much. And both are very cute!

[Electric Sheep]

Quote:

Originally posted by ghost
It's not the dealer, it's MINI in Oxford. It's the same car, all they really have to do is take a CVT from a cooper and bolt that sucker into the MCS. The dealer has no control on this, besides what they think is a profit, when In fact, they won't make a cent on it, from me at least.

Like others, I'm a bit sceptical about this. They can't just go into the parts bin and swap the transmissions over. The "S" sticks out loads more power than the normal Cooper, so the tranny would need to be uprated, else you'll trash it the first time the supercharger kicks in. And then there's all the electronics and so on. It's not as simple as just a quick swap over.

Still, it's a nice idea though... They'd probably sell quite a few (not to me, though, I prefer the normal Cooper, not least for its looks).

[HarryHBMCC]

What about a custom EB MC with CVT? Custom paint is much easier than a new engine/transmission mating.

Harry

[noahe]

I read that there was also a space issue. That's why Cooper's have the larger traditional 5-Spd box or CVT and a battery, but with the MCS's extra oil cooler, supercharger, intercooler, extra bracing and extra bearings, there's no space for the CVT.

Hell, people right here on MINI2 haven't even been able to squeeze in an alarm or air horn.

[ghost]

So here's where we stand. I read the replies previous to this, and decided to call my dealer and rectify they will be doing this. Of course, they decided to play dumb. "An MCS with a CVT? No way!" So, new stealership, here I come. We (My dealer and I) have been negotiating the possibilities of this, and they were about to put the order in. So what we will do is get a MC and respray it EB so my mum can have what she wants. If she needs more power, then we'll do some engine work. I don't know what MINI was going to do about they're deal, but I do know they won't be doing it now.

cooper4us: when someone makes the first one, you'll shut up. Just because you haven't seen it doesn't mean it doesn't exist. I'm sure there is already one somewhere.

[noahe]

Quote:

Originally posted by ghost
Just because you haven't seen it doesn't mean it doesn't exist. I'm sure there is already one somewhere.

No, you're right. One or more do exist... Perhaps not a supercharged MCS due to space limitations, but they did try to make a few high-output CVT's. Turns out anything over 150 ft-lbs of torque breaks them.

The MCS rated at 155 lbs-ft of torque has too much power for any current production CVT. They build them, and they break. But that's how they learn to build stronger ones! It's great technology, but it's still pretty new.

[JonBlakeburn]

Quote:

Originally posted by ghost
Which is better in your opinion?

MCS: EB/W, Xenons, Fogs, Premium, Kaleido Cloth ~ $21,000
NB: 1.8T, GLS-Trim ~ $19,000

Sorry to say it... New Beetle.

For the money, VW's are so much better-built.

[cooper4us]

VW's as a whole are one of the most problematic European cars in the market. Actually, Audi's lead the pack in Lemon Law cases in the United States.

Perhaps VW's have high quality interiors but they reliability of main mechanical and electrical components SUCK!.

A friend of ours used to own a pretty loaded Mexican built VW Jetta and she dumped the car a couple of months ago. Every single week something broke on that stupid car and the wonderful 2 year/24,000 mile warranty obviously was already expired. Couple that to the worst service experience and it was enough for her to let go of the "German" driving experience and get a new 2003 Toyota Corolla.

The VW Beetle is the same crap made in Mexico with a different bodyshell and same teething problems that haven't been solved since 1998.

NO COMPARISON TO THE MINI!

[cooper4us]

Quote:

Originally posted by noahe

No, you're right. One or more do exist... Perhaps not a supercharged MCS due to space limitations, but they did try to make a few high-output CVT's. Turns out anything over 150 ft-lbs of torque breaks them.

The MCS rated at 155 lbs-ft of torque has too much power for any current production CVT. They build them, and they break. But that's how they learn to build stronger ones! It's great technology, but it's still pretty new.

Audi currently offers a CVT transmission in their high end A6 sedan equipped with a 24 Valve 3.0L V6 engine (220HP and 221 Pounds feet of torque @ 3,200RPM).

That disproves the "myth" that CVT's can't handle any powertrain that develops in excess of 150HP of power and greater low end torque.

www.audiusa.com

[cooper4us]

Quote:

[i]
cooper4us: when someone makes the first one, you'll shut up. Just because you haven't seen it doesn't mean it doesn't exist. I'm sure there is already one somewhere. [/b]

Actually I will be the first one to put a deposit on it. Lighten up, having a bad day?