MC vs. MCS?

[bumboola]

I went to my local dealer yersterday to drive a MCS. It was out for a test drive, so I drove a MC until it came back. I had never driven a Mini before, and was thrilled with the MC. When I got back, the MCS was in and I took it out for a drive. I figured if the MC was that much fun, the MCS would be twice as good! Wrong! First thing I noticed was an engine vibration which was not present in the MC. Hey, I can live with that. Next thing I noticed was the seat was not as comfortable as the one in the MC. No big deal, must not be adjusted right. The increased power was nice, but hey, neither car is that fast. When I took it out on the highway, I was shocked. On the exact same stretch that I drove the MC on, the MCS totally lost it's composure when the road was slightly bumpy, had a weird left to right steering wobble and seemed to lose contact with the road. It had the 16" wheels so it shouldn't have been that bad, and I am used to stiffly sprung cars. Was this just a bad example, or is this typical of a MCS at 75mph+ on a not-so-smooth highway? I would love input from owners who have driven both extensively. I wasn't even interested in the MC before the drive, but now I prefer it. Any answers would be appreciated.

Thanks

[Martin L]

Firstly welcome to MINI2

I've owned both and from your description I would guess that the MC was riding on normal sports suspension and not sports suspension plus (which is what the MCS has).
If both cars had the same suspension you would find the MC more "jittery". The additional weight of the MCS helps stablise things.
I've never really had too many problems with the high speed stability of either cars, although on a recent trip to Ireland where the quality of the road surfaces are something left to be desired you do have to work hard to keep the car on track.

If I were you I'd definately take the MCS out again and see if you can live with the harder suspension. Although the MC is a great little car in it's own right the power of the MCS is what this car really deserves. You can get the MC to perform well but you do need to keep it on the boil all the time where as the MCS has more usable power low down the rev range.

I hope this helps

[Paul]

Agreed.

[PortRhombus]

here here

[nobbyclark]

I have been known to travel at 'frowned upon' speeds in my MCS and have never noticed wobbling or loss of contact with the road - even on the staggeringly badly maintained M4.

[lespurgeon]

Hmmmm, funny had the opposite experience - asked to drive the MC first, but was taken out in the MCS first, then drove the MC. I couldn't go back. It was still a nice drive, but not an improvement over my Honda Integra. Ordered the MCS. Loved that tight suspension (sp?) through it through a couple of 25 mph flat corners at about 45 with no body roll.

[nobbyclark]

Quote: Originally Posted by lespurgeon

through it through a couple of 25 mph flat corners at about 45 with no body roll.

That's what I love about it - what you save on brake pads, you spend on tyre rubber !

[minniedryver]

I drove an MCS first, and decided on an MC. Neither was exceptionally quick (I'd call them "peppy" compared to my 221 whp miata), and to me it's more about the handling anyway!

[R1]

Quote: Originally Posted by Martin L

Firstly welcome to MINI2
You can get the MC to perform well but you do need to keep it on the boil all the time where as the MCS has more usable power low down the rev range.

That's what makes the MC a more involving and exiting drive for me.

Just ask the "S" owner I left behind last night on some "B" roads!


And the MC looks better, but then you all knew I was going to say that!