[Adventure_Man]

Hi everyone. I'm new here and have recently been seduced by the whole 'Mini2' thing and need some help as to which model i go for.
I've driven both the MC and the MCS and they both seem great fun but long term am i going to long for the power of an 'S' if i go for the Cooper or will i regret the extra expense (especially running costs) if i go for an 'S' ??

Your thoughts are appreciated.

PS: Seems a great friendly forum by the way!!

I suggest that you drive both, after that I think it will be easier to decide. For me, the deciding part was the test drive of the regular cooper, halfway through the corner, when I got on the power, it just seemed to fall on it's face. Now, granted I probably just needed to keep the tach up higher, but still...

-Andrew

[mikehome1]

Spend the extra for the s,you'll be so happy with the power that you'll never think about the extra money.If you are watching the budget, get the s as bare as you can find it.The extra goodies aren't too meaningful.

[scooterboy]

Quote:

Originally posted by mikehome1
Spend the extra for the s,you'll be so happy with the power that you'll never think about the extra money.If you are watching the budget, get the s as bare as you can find it.The extra goodies aren't too meaningful.

I think that entirely depends on your reason for buying one. If you want one to drive it hard and fast for the rush of taking corners quickly and so on, then I agree with you - get the MCS even if you have to get it bare of options.

However, if you're not buying it to drive it hard, and just like the looks of it and personality of the interior etc, then you might be better off getting the MC and more of the goodies instead.

I'm getting a MC to commute in, just because I like the uniqueness and style of it. I won't be taking it to the track. I like zip and handling as much as the next guy and will play with that occasionally, but it's not my highest priority. So I opted for the MC with more options.

Different strokes, and there's a MINI out there for everyone's needs.

[ZAMIRZ]

I don't mean this in a bad way, but I drove the naturally aspirated model after the S and thought it was an absolute dog. I floored it and the car did not move, no meaningful acceleration whatsoever. I think it would be in your best interest to go with an unoptioned S over the NA model.

[HarryHBMCC]

People who say the Cooper has no acceleration need to sit in the passenger seat of mine. The plain old Cooper has plenty of power if you now how to use it. If you like a wide fat power band, get the S. I think it is more fun to drive a car which takes some skill to get the most out of it, one that makes you downshift to pass and makes you know where the revs are at now and where they'll be when you exit the corner.

Plus if I want to get good gas mileage I can do so by babying it while the S will never get the mileage of the Cooper even if driven lightly. The supercharger is always a drain on the engine, whether or not you spool it up.

Finally, I think the Cooper looks better with a clean uncut hood and a plain spoiler. This is a personal opinion of course and only you can decide which looks you prefer.

Which one is the better deal? To buy, the S is better value as the additional power for the small additional cost is really good but higher insurance and fuel costs on the S make the Cooper a cheaper deal in the long run, total cost of ownership.

Harry

[mrhollio]

IMHO...

daily commuter + occasional spirited fun = Cooper
daily commuter + desire to attack every corner = S

if you know from your past that horsepower is never enough, start with the S...

money tight? I would pick a Cooper with some options before I got an S with no options...

just my view

oh yeh, welcome aboard!

[wongakh]

I got the MC instead of the S was simply because of the long wait of the S. The MC is not a bad choice and it feels pretty lively after 4,500 rpm!

[Lilly-May]

Hi
I have had a cooper for just under a year now and am upgrading to an S. First of all you need to address what kind of car you are currently driving and what you are used to in terms of BHP. I drove a Golf GTI before and found the Cooper lacked that punch at 4500 RPM.
What I did learn however was how to work a car hard to get the most out of it and that can be just as much fun as flooring a car through the gears especially when it handles as well as the Cooper.
Granted the engine thrashes a bit and you have to spend most of your time in second and third gear but it's still bags of fun and makes you feel a more skilled driver as you learn how to get the most out what's available.
One thing I can guarantee is if you do like lots of horses on tap you'll soon start itching for more and look at 'S' drivers with a degree of jealousy. Also, don't forget the resale value of a Cooper is great so if you do upgrade within the year you won't be too out of pocket.
Good luck and welcome to Mini2
Lilly-May

[Adventure_Man]

Thanks for your response guys&gals !
At the moment i have a (14yr old !!) Peugeot 205 1.9 Gti which, although long in the tooth, is still very quick to 60 (7.9secs) and this makes the Cooper feel a bit slow (although the Cooper handles even better and is much more refined and i still luv it to bits.)
Im probably going to have to go for a Cooper S now as i've just read the Hartge upgrade report which looks incredible value at half the cost of the JC Works version and gives the MCS similar performance to a Focus RS Cosworth. Wow!! Cant wait. !!
If i was to 'low spec' a Cooper S whats the minimum i should get on it option wise?

[AidenL]

The Chilli pack is good value anyway, if you want a low spec.......

[Lilly-May]

If you've got a 205 GTI you've made the right choice, as far as options go I'd definatly go for the chilli pack. There's no point in driving half a car and in my opinion thats what you get without the basic options the Chili pack provides, especially if your going for a conversion.
Apart from that you don't need a lot else, just think about resale value, how many cooper s's will be about with the Chili Pack when you come to sell it? Also if you look at what it includes in the price it's a hell of a good deal!
Good luck
Lilly-May

[Kinster]

Quote:

Originally posted by L8 Apex
I suggest that you drive both, after that I think it will be easier to decide. For me, the deciding part was the test drive of the regular cooper, halfway through the corner, when I got on the power, it just seemed to fall on it's face. Now, granted I probably just needed to keep the tach up higher, but still...

-Andrew

Quote:

Originally posted by Adventure_Man
I've driven both the MC and the MCS

Go for the S, it's worth it and the depreciation will be lower

[Mugami]

Beside what Kinster said in previous post (later value which is a good point). Keep in mind about the cooper is you can get the Turbo conversion Which puts it on par with the S in horse power(better even vs stock). which isnt a bad way to go if money is tight cause it is something that can be done at a later date. But if you plan on doing a one time purchase and leaving it alone by all mean get the S.. get the S..

[Tonyt3]

I had a Cooper for 18 months, and loved it, but now have an 'S' and love it 400% more. The only thing that sucks is the MPG, which is a problem because the tank is so small. Wouldn't be such a problem with a larger tank, or proper economy mode. Buy the 'S', or you'll always wonder.....

[KenL]

Quote:

Originally posted by Kinster
Go for the S, it's worth it and the depreciation will be lower

Do you think so? I think the S may be slightly better due to there being less of them but don't think there would be much in it. Maybe 1% or so. The added fuel and insurance costs would soon wipe that out.

[Bonnie Scotland]

Quote:

Originally posted by Adventure_Man
Thanks for your response guys&gals !
Im probably going to have to go for a Cooper S now as i've just read the Hartge upgrade report which looks incredible value at half the cost of the JC Works version and gives the MCS similar performance to a Focus RS Cosworth. Wow!! Cant wait. !!

Oh No Here we go again.

If you are considering an engine conversion and are concerned about cost etc then i agree with all, at least get the chili pack, but also get the auto climate control.
The climate control is certainly one feature that is promoted by most tv car programmes as a valued selling feature at resale time.

Bonnie Scotland

[Linda M]

We originally had a Cooper for about 8 months and what fun it was. Then I got an 'S' and my husband got another Cooper and to be totally honest about this there was an unexplained 'fun' factor with the Cooper that I don't find with the 'S' and I would have no hesitation on going back to one but luckily I've got the best of both worlds

[Bullett]

My grandad always said buy the best you can afford.
I looked at both and spec'd them on the website the way I wanted an S and a Cooper and with the value of the Chilli pack on the S the Cooper only came out about £500 cheaper in the spec I wanted (air con, 17" wheels etc)
So it was a relatively easy decision and as someone said you will always wonder if you don't go for the S.

[goin440]

Ahhh BAH! Get a ford.

Kidding aside, MC vs. MCS: Either. MC is just as lively as MCS, MCS just makes it's power differently.

I test drove both before going MC. Having come from previously driving a dogged Pick up, the MCS reminded me of the PU with a/c on. Sure, the MCS's numbers tell a different story, I just like the livelier feel of the MC powerband-which is a personal preference.

Both are adequate in their intended design: A-to-B with more fun/style. The rest is your call. You say MCS, I say MC. Either way, Cool!