[RallyMINI]

I am personally in love with the MINI, it is one of the most unique and exciting vehicles I have seen. I have test driven one (only for a short while), and really liked the way it performed. I really want to order one, but I am a little hesitant because I don't know how practical it is as a daily driver. I am looking for alternate opinions...

How do people feel about it after driving one around for a while? Is it large enough for your daily life? Any regrets about size, performance, option packages, etc? If you were ordering it for the first time again, would you do something different?

I am also soliciting opinions on my design because I plan on ordering the following...

MINI Cooper S John Cooper Works Edition
Indi Blue / Black
JCW Sport Seats (Blue Lapis Color)
HK Stereo
Sport Package (duh) (Minus 17's, I have other plans)
Cold Weather package
Roof Rack

I plan on adding Team Dynamics 17" Motorsports in Gloss Black with Bridgestone Potenza S0-3 Pole Position Tires.

Any input is welcome as I have a few months to decide.

RMout

[2nd Mini]

It's FUN!!! What a hoot. The only thing I might have done differently for every-day driving is go with a softer suspension package and/or 16" wheels. While my sport suspension plus and 17" wheels stick like stinkin' glue to the road (yahoo!), you feel every little jounce firmly in the seat of your pants.

I carry guitars. You are going to have to fold down one or both rear seats for that.

2nd

[IBMiniG]

Every day you drive a MINI to work, the day starts off on a good note (supercharger whine). I used to drive a 4-runner. I have had no real worries about space, everything has fit so far (skies, full cart at COSTCO etc.). I have had friends offer to trade my MCS for their full size pick-up if I need to haul anything. Haven't taken them up on it. I have never heard anyone with a Jeep Wrangler or older CJ ever worry about space, I think the MINI is bigger inside. I'm glad I got rid of the 14 MPG SUV, sure I used all the space in it, a few times a year! I decided that if I really needed a big vehicle for those few times I could trade a friend, or just rent. I think the MINI will be excellent 362 days of the year. (4500mi, 6mo ownership)

[Naughty Magpie]

I drive a Black MCS and carry my 10 x 10 ft market stall in my MINI without too much of a problem. As long as you don't plan to give lifts to anyone (ever) you can fit most things into this remarkably small car.
However, I do rent a pick up if I'm taking more stock than usual. I refuse to fit a roof rack as, in the U.K. the rack has to be cut into the roof and can never be removed. I think it looks ugly also. Spoils the lines.

[HarryHBMCC]

I drive my Cooper daily and I love it. Every drive in and back is fun (I take the back roads only, faster and more fun). I love walking past the window at work and looking at my car on the way to the loo/head or the pop machine (as long as a monstrous vehicle doesn't block the view).

It is big enough to take 3 passengers out for lunch no problem. More than enough room for some briefcases or backpacks in the boot/trunk. With just one passenger it holds a TON of stuff with the seats folded down so cargo is only a problem if you're shopping for large furniture or extension ladders.

I just have a Cooper but it is powerful enough for me to drive too fast and pass people for no good reason so I don't think you'll have any performance anxiety at all with a JCW MCS.

Only downside? It is so much fun that you'll want to throw it into every corner which means you'll be replacing tires and brakes pretty often (I hope to get two seasons out of each set of tires, not sure about the brakes). But that's the price of admission for a car like this.

I think the stock Cd (boost) stereo is great and most people with the HK seem to complain about it more than anything so I don't know if it is worth it. Wasn't one around to listen to when I got mine but make sure you listen to both before you spend extra on the HK.

Sport package and cold package stuff are great, they're all I got. Don't miss the computer or MFSW.

Harry

[fishie <///><]

MINI makes going to work not such a bad thing afterall. then again, i look forward to getting off work, so i can take the long way home for a nice drive.

[R1]

God dammit the bloody things beautiful!!!

[MINImeat]

While everyone else on their commute seems to be ****ed at the world, I'm driving a car that makes me happy just to be in it.
I sometimes let the poor souls in their same-old-mobiles go by me gritting their teeth while I smile and enjoy the drive...
Then I hit those few special bends and corners and arrive at work whistling.
It's also fun to take a break and walk through the parking lot to "accidently" come upon that beautiful little car and mutter "that's just too cool!"

[CurtP]

I guess I see things in a slightly different perspective. While my MCS is fun to drive, and is a great every day driver, it still doesn't bring a smile to my face like my 400+ HP Firebird Formula M6 does. Nothing like sitting at a light with the T-tops out, engine cammin' hard at idle waiting for the green, then rowing the gears with a wonderfully sweet Pro 5.0 shifter topping the Borg Warner T56 tranny making the rear 315/35-17 R-compound tires scream for mercy

The MINI makes me grin. My other car forces a stupid ear-to-ear smile on my face. Many times I wish I would have bought that used C5 instead of a new MCS, but I'm still happy I got her.

[aircanuck]

I'm a little disappointed in the car as the practical get to work car I had hoped for. It's nice to think that I can drive to work to pay for a car that most likely won't start well enough to get me home. But at least, I can always have my 2000lb electric blue paperweight.

[HarryHBMCC]

I thought they had the MCS cold start problem licked. Your dealer's been no help?

Harry

[Dark Silver S]

I use my S as a daily driver, and there is ONE MAJOR PROBLEM.

The S is so much fun to drive, I don't want to stop driving when I get to work. Then, of course, in the middle of the afternoon, I start thinking about going home, just for the drive. And on the way home, I wonder what kind of errands can I run.

CurtP, my seond wife had a TransAm, and it was a PIA to drive to work. First, we had to worry about the possibility of rain. Those big wide tires floated up on top of the water so easily. Second, a bright red TA just screamed to the local constabulary "ARREST ME". Third, only amputees could ride in the back. And, finally, the car had to be in storage from November to April, because it would slide out of the parking lot by itself on snow.

MINI is better!

[binkydognose]

It makes my day, every day.
We even stuff all of our groceries very nicely in the boot, no slide around on cornering with all those plastic bags holding each other in place.
The big ol' 4 door Accord stays parked usually.

[dinlo]

I drove a 13MPG Expedition to work everyday for the pass 2 years, now I'm driving my MCS to work everyday and get 29MPG. I don't have any parking, and high gas price problem now. Plus I'm looking forward to drive my car everyday, it make a happy morning before I go to work. You should do the same

[Southernsun]

to work, from work....umm.....and all over! i feel like i never want to get out of the car! now thats an awesome feeling.

[mtnMINI]

Quote:

Originally posted by IBMiniG
Every day you drive a MINI to work, the day starts off on a good note (supercharger whine).

My thoughts exactly! I love my MINI as an everyday car. I can fit loads of things in the boot with the seats up. (groceries, rollerblades, emergency blanket, etc.) With the seats down there is plenty of room for everything else I would need - snowboards, coolers, folding chairs, etc etc.
The only thing I wish I would have ordered - cold weather package. I'm raelly missing out on those nice rear-end warmers!

[fishie <///><]

Quote:

Originally posted by mtnMINI
The only thing I wish I would have ordered - cold weather package. I'm raelly missing out on those nice rear-end warmers!

ah the almighty buns warmer. it's truely wonderful. get in the car, start it, warm up your buns. it's like being back in bed while driving to work. mmm... warm and toasty

[mrhollio]

DON'T DO IT!!!... unless you can handle the smiles on the way to work and on the way home... everyday! Even a bad day can be saved by a spirited drive home.

[stryder]

I don't think anyone has mentioned this. But the MFSW is the only way to get cruise, and the non-leather steering wheel isn't anywhere near as nice.

Tons of people mention missing the MFSW, especially since the radio is a giant annoyance to have to use the buttons. (but other people, like Harry don't mind it).

I'd say the steering wheel is the biggest regret, so you may want to add that to your options.

Also IB/B is a bit odd looking, its not sporty or traditional like with a white roof, but it doesn't look like a normal car, like the matched roof. See if you can find some pictures of it, you may still want to get it, but it is a bit uncommon combo, most people who get black roofs do it with the lighter colors.

Depending on your preference for luxury items, climate control might be useful, its a nice daily driver option so you don't need to adjust the fan speed, etc all the time, but certainly you can get along without that.

[benggolf]

Faced with a choice of what car to drive everyday, I find myself slipping behind the wheel of the MCS 99% of the time!

It is such a fun car to commute in and brings a grin just hearing the supercharger whine and charging the ocassional twisties. This is one car that makes you want to drive and drive.....