[dbmb]

My MCS DS/B is due 20th Jan (ordered 01st July). Up until recently there has been no doubt in my mind that I’d made the right choice. My test drive 6 months ago left me with a huge grin on my face and very impressed by the handling/performance.

However in the last month I have started to doubt my decision……Help I need re-assurance! I keep reading car magazines and looking at threads on here that seem to suggest that the S is underpowered! This all came to a head the other night reading Autocar. On a number of occasions they suggested that the S was, well, slow!? (to be fair though they did say the S was the most complete hot hatch and the handling the most “real world”. It seems that unless a car has 200bhp+ it’s underpowered.

Anyway, after reading this I had to make a list of all the car in the same class and eliminate them one by on;

Ford Focus RS – V Fast, handles well (on a track), trouble is, it’s a ford!!

Seat Leon Cupra – Again fast but boring, oh and it’s a Seat!

Renault Clio - Fast, made of bacofoil and will probably only last 2 years.

Honda Civic type R – Superb car, I like Hondas (had old civic VTI). The only trouble is, in a couple of years all the local boy racers will have one.

Cooper S – Fast (enough?) Stylish, Better built? Has got character, an overall is fun! When I get bored I suppose I could always get the Works conversion.

Above all, for all the other cars I have had insurance quotes of about £800+ pounds! My cooper S quotes have been about £450 (N Union, Mini & Elephant).

Can anyone think of anything I have overlooked (I’m sure there’s lots). Come on, I need reassurance!! It must be fast with 163bhp (I'm sure my memory isn't that bad)!!!!

[Spy Car]

Don't worry the car is fast!

I just picked up my MCS a couple of hours ago, I after waiting a year for it and I'm still treating this one gingerly per breakin instructions. However the wife and I had the good fortune to be able to drive a rental MCS like we stole it . Took it for an extended 200 mile test drive through beautiful empty winding roads and the car is simply amazing.

Even tonight coming home and trying to keep the speeds down on its virgin drive (had 9 miles on it) it was very easy to accidently find ourselves doing 90. You do not--I can assure you-- feel a loss of power at 90 or feel the car is making any effort what so ever--infact the car is just begging to be pushed harder.

Maybe there are some who are gluttons for the kind of grunt a V8 produces but this is not that kind of car. The MCS will not snap your neck taking off. However,you are seriously going to scoot when applying fuel and working through the gears. Very smooth and strong application of power in my opinion. For some to say the car is "underpowered" I would have to ask, compared to what?

OK I'm sure a 200bhp MCS really fun (oh god yes it would!) But the cars as is is quite fun and way fast enough for mere mortals.

Besides as anyone who has driven one or owns one knows the fun with this car comes in taking it through the twisty mountain and canyon roads, this is when the MINI feels like an exotic and every expensive automobile. And, knock on wood, I haven't had a moment driving a MINI when I didn't have a huge smile on my face.

So yea it is not an American muscle car, it is someting much better and more refined. This is the great British
(ok and German) sports car I always dreamed of and could not be happier with my litttle Xmas MINI.

Reading all the great posts over the last months here on MINI2 made the wait far more endurable. Thanks too all who contribute so much time here!

Peace to all.

[dsc68]

Lots of power is great, but only if you want a drag car. The Mini Cooper S has more than enough power to get you into trouble and the handling to get you back out. You can hit the highway speed limit in 7 seconds and still be in second gear!

Save the money from a works conversion and speed it on bed and breakfast accomodation on nice trips in the countryside.

[Bonnie Scotland]

At 163 BHP the "S" is defo not underpowered, however, having had the engine converted to 212 BHP it really is in a different league.
I would advise you to test your car for your own preference, if you are happy then thats fine, but, if you wanna try for a few more BHP get the Hartge conversion from Birds Engineering

Having said that please don't draw me into warranty issues, there are plenty of threads on that.

alan fae bonnie scotland

[tip]

Weight is a majour factor. Lotus builds cars with only 150hp and weigh only 1000kg, and they will blow the doors off most cars with 200hp in handling and performance. So you do not need high BHP to have fun.


Charles

[jnzmini]

It all depends on what you want! I had a Cooper for a year before buying my MCS and that was such fun to drive that yes, I, too, had a great big smile on my face every time I got into it but I felt I wanted a bit more oomph when overtaking, etc. (Loads of big hills in Cornwall!!). I've had a number of faster cars but none that combine the handling, feel, superb engineering, available power and FUN factor that the MCS has. It is just pure pleasure to drive, and I don't think I could drive an 'ordinary' car again - I'm a total MINI convert.
It's not just a car - it's a total concept and I get a massive kick everytime I get into it even when I have to drive somewhere I don't really want to go - at least the drive will be FUN! Don't hesitate - get the MCS - you won't regret it!

[LMB]

Quote:

Originally posted by Bonnie Scotland
At 163 BHP the "S" is defo not underpowered,

I agree, and what it lacks in power over some of the competition it makes up for in superb handling.

And should you get your S and want more power, there are now several manufacturers offering that service.

[QQQ]

Don't worry dmbd, this little car is so great, I still enjoy every minute I spent in it It doesn't feel underpowered at all, problem is that the availability of 200 BHP makes you hungry. But hey, you could always go for the JCW upgrade or one of the other upgrades for the MCS. But trust me that you've made the right decision, there's just no better value for that money.

The only thing you should regret is the black roof you got, which of course should have been white

[GMINI]

fahhhgitaboutit!

No contest. The MINI COOPER S.

Speed and acceleration are never an issue with this car.

Go for another test drive.

[MINIjunky]

My $.02... If driving the car for yourself left a big grin on your face, why would you care what the mags say?

[cosworth]

Like a few others have said here, I think some of the people who are disappointed in the car's performance may just be used to the up-rooting, off the line acceleration of a big cube V-8. Don't get me wrong, the S has very good acceleration off the line, but its when the motor's wound up that it really comes alive. Combine that with the incredible handling, and I really don't think you're going to be disappointed. Outside of the quarter-miler's, who just wants to go in a straight line, anyway?

[dbmb]

Thanks all, I feel much better now!!! I can't wait for the new year!! I can't believe I have already waited 7 months (although I think I'm going mad. Thank god for Mini2!).

Oh and QQQ "The only thing you should regret is the black roof you got, which of course should have been white". I love the look of White on DS although I really wanted the sunroof which is hidden on a black roof!

Thank's again all and Merry Christmas!!

I know you'll have seen it all before but I will not be able to help myself posting pics when I get the car!!!!!

[cosworth]

I, for one, happen to like the color combo you picked (!). You damn well better post pics when you get it, we all want to see her! Have a good holiday!

[R1]

Out of your choices, get the "S". Great car.

All the MINI models are!

The problem I found with the "S" is that although it is fast it just didn't feel fast?

Don't take mine or anyone elses word though!

If you test drove it and you liked it, buy it.

I've never bought anything on a magazines say so!

As an example, people around here keep telling me the "S" is much better than the Cooper. After trying both cars, I don't think it is!

[rich]

dbmb

Overall I'm very impressed with mine

Yes, the pickup from standstill is a little slow relative to other hotties (though still respectable), but other than that it simply flies

It is truly fast through the gears, and put any kind of significant curvature in the road, and it excels both in speed and grace

It's a driver's car in the true sense - Cars that are only good for a straight line dash are really just passenger cars if you think about it

There is also a unique pleasure in owning one... That feeling of knowing there is a lithe & subtle predator lurking ninja-like beneath the cheeky/chic exterior

[john woodall]

dbmb,

its not all about speed.....

if its was - you'd buy an evo 7 - that'll about out drag most things.

i've got a boxster as well as a cooper "S" (and a smart car) and the "S" is sensational. not the fastest, not the best handling, not the best looking,

but when you put it all together into 1 package, and chuck in a pedigree as long as a gas man's mac, you've got one very special car.

hand on hart, it gets more looks than the porsche and it cost £22,000 less.

beware of expensive iminitations, do i hear you say ??

happy christmas.....

[dickhilt]

Don't worry about your choice, you've made the right decision! I've had a Cooper since October 2001 and when I drove the 'S' I was mildly disappointed, it didn't feel much faster.............until the supercharger was fully spooled up! My 'S' arrives January 13th and I've gone for DS with a black roof for the same reasons as youI(sunroof)
I suggest you read the January 2003 issue of EVO magazine and their car of the year article.
Here are a couple of quotes:-
"To start with you wonder what all the fuss is about, but ten minutes later you're terrorising an SL55. People won't believe it, but on any give-and-take road the Cooper S is ballistic"
And whilst tailing a Porsche 911 C4S and Honda NSX R "I'm expecting that at any minute they'll slowly and inexorably pull away. So I just keep driving the Mini as fast as it will go-and I'm still right with them" It finished sixth out of twelve and beat, amongst others, EVO 7, Clio Sport Cup, Imprezza STI and Focus RS. Needless to say, they love it, as you will too...........Merry Chrstmas!