[Phantom]

In September 03 I finally got my beloved MCS I was thrilled to be the driver in the family to have the fastest car (never had a performance car before) and quite smug that my Hubby always wanted to drive it.

He enjoyed the power of my 'S' so much he has changed his Lexus IS200 and has just picked up his BMW 330ci. I know that on paper his car is quicker than mine, but even he admits that the 'S' would have the advantage on the 'twisty bits' although we haven't had a side by side yet. The sales guy at the dealer reckons that I will still have the edge.

So, have i still got the fastest car or what?????

[Hobbe]

Maybe not the fastest, but surely the best !

[obehave]

Using a grin per £ comparison you win hands down.

[marchamundo]

I have a 320Ci and Cooper S, I can tell you for sure that the Cooper S has steering feel that the BM can only dream of. However, I wouldn't be so sure that you'd run away from him. I drive my 320Ci to the limits of grip and it feels faster than the S, depending on the types of roads, long sweeping corners the BM will eat the Cooper S for breakfast. ( Ok, it won't be that clear) The Cooper S just can't offer the same rear drive grip and traction. If you have a series of short sharp corners and tight country roads, the Cooper S will feel much nimbler and probably faster as you'll have more confidence throwing it threw them.
Don't forget the 330Ci has a book time of 0-62 of 6.5, but most car mags have tested it at under 6 secs. It already has a advantage of the line. It would be a close run affair.
If you race, good luck.

[warped]

Quote: Originally Posted by phantom

In September 03 I finally got my beloved MCS I was thrilled to be the driver in the family to have the fastest car (never had a performance car before) and quite smug that my Hubby always wanted to drive it.

He enjoyed the power of my 'S' so much he has changed his Lexus IS200 and has just picked up his BMW 330ci. I know that on paper his car is quicker than mine, but even he admits that the 'S' would have the advantage on the 'twisty bits' although we haven't had a side by side yet. The sales guy at the dealer reckons that I will still have the edge.

So, have i still got the fastest car or what?????

In standard spec the MCS won't stay with a 330 in a straight line but will give it a lot of grief in the twisty stuff ... a modified MCS however will crawl all over the back of a 330

In a straight line a modified MCS is probably slightly slower thou I know of at least one head to head between a local JCW driver and a 330 which was an effective draw

I suggest you give yourself an early birthday present and get your MCS 'upgraded' and give hubbie a little challenge

[543kal]

Quick question because I'm sort of in the same boat - i currently have a brand new BMW 325i E46 and have taken up the option at work to have a Mini Cooper S Works.

How does that compare in terms of power/performance handling etc?

Cheers guys

[badboyzbadboyz]

Quote: Originally Posted by 543kal

Quick question because I'm sort of in the same boat - i currently have a brand new BMW 325i E46 and have taken up the option at work to have a Mini Cooper S Works.

How does that compare in terms of power/performance handling etc?

Cheers guys

My neighbour used to have the current 325 BMW. In straightline performance we both agree that the 325 and MCS are about as fast as each other, but around corners they feel very different. The MINI is by far more nimble but the rear wheel drive on the BMW gives a very different type of grip and certainly doesn't hang around. I must admit as much as I love the handling of the MINI I would love it if it was rear wheel drive because of the feel you get from it.
A JCW MCS is slightly slower than a 330 but faster than a 325 I believe.

[Washy]

From personal experience I would say a JCW (or any of the 200bhp S's) is pretty much a match for a 330ci. Depends on the type of road though. On a good twisty road our old Cooper used to toast our freinds 320i.....
Having said the above the BM's are fairly good down a twisty road. Our E46 M3 is quicker than our JCW even down a reasonably twisty road...what it loses in nimbleness it gains in sheer grunt out of corners

Funny thing about the MCS though is how slow it is from a standing start. I'm convinced from 0-30 my wifes streetka is quicker

[ABG]

Quote: Originally Posted by badboyzbadboyz

My neighbour used to have the current 325 BMW. In straightline performance we both agree that the 325 and MCS are about as fast as each other, but around corners they feel very different. The MINI is by far more nimble but the rear wheel drive on the BMW gives a very different type of grip and certainly doesn't hang around. I must admit as much as I love the handling of the MINI I would love it if it was rear wheel drive because of the feel you get from it.
A JCW MCS is slightly slower than a 330 but faster than a 325 I believe.

330 Saloon / coupe (231 bhp) is 0-62 6.5 secs, 330 convertible 6.9 secs
I traded my 330 conv. for a Works and the Works feels much faster around the high speed straights and roundabouts of MK. I agree with the 0-30 stuff the MINI struggles to get even 200bhp down but once it's locked in it flies! Drive both cars hard and you will soon notice the size of the 3 series becoming tiresome in the brake hard - accelerate hard sections.

[kif00]

Quote: Originally Posted by ABG

330 Saloon / coupe (231 bhp) is 0-62 6.5 secs, 330 convertible 6.9 secs
I traded my 330 conv. for a Works and the Works feels much faster around the high speed straights and roundabouts of MK. I agree with the 0-30 stuff the MINI struggles to get even 200bhp down but once it's locked in it flies! Drive both cars hard and you will soon notice the size of the 3 series becoming tiresome in the brake hard - accelerate hard sections.

switch his traction control off and the mini will win in a sraight line i have a 330 and cooper s and me and my other half have gone side by side

Same thing in the Kez household - I have the MCS and Mr K has the 330ci.
Speed isn't really the issue so much as pure fun - and guess what - Mr K asks to drive the mini way more than I ask to drive the 330!!!!!!

[543kal]

:-)

Have a read of this site if you get a chance:
http://forum.cliosport.net/display_t...1&ThreadPage=1

I posted there because you do get some really good feedback from these guys..... somtimes ;-)

[plugot]

Not entirely scientific, but I sold my '01 330CI for my '04 MCS and love the MINI. The BMW - mine was a 5 speed - will handily out accelerate the MINI. As mentioned everywhere, the low end grunt of the MINI is deficient. The incredibly smooth torque curve of the E46 3 liter motor can't be beat. It is probably the best six in the world. The ride quality of the 330CI is superior to the MINI, the seats are better, the climate control is better, the overall build quality is better too. After all, there is a difference between a $25000 car and a $40000 car and it's not all profit. That said, I just LOVE driving my MINI. I never loved the Bimmer. Appreciated it, took care of it, respected it. Didn't love it. Maybe it's the lack of weight that makes the MINI feel so much more tossable; maybe it's the direct feel of the shifter (funny considering it's not as direct a connection as the BMW) or the shorter clutch pedal action, or the wonderful feel of the stout steering wheel that makes me feel much more connected to the driving experience than I ever did with the BMW. Since I've had my MINI I've gone back to doing occasional weekend canyon carving which I never did in the 330CI - not that it couldn't, it just wasn't as viseral an experience.
I prefer the handling characteristics of RWD over the MINI's FWD (and I've had a numberr of both over the years) but when reduced to the GPM factor (Grin Per Miles) the MINI wins hands down. Hey like I said originally, this isn't exactly scientific.

[543kal]

Cracking reply nice one matey ;-) How does the MCS compare in real terms against the JCW in your opinion?

Have I made the right choice ditching the BMW 325i for a JCW? The beemer has all the tick boxes ticked in terms of performance 0-60 in 7.2, 192BHP, rear wheel drive etc but I understand what you mean - it does so much well - but it doesnt actually do anything REALLY well if you know what i mean?

[Parc77]

Hey come on lets not lower the tone BMW 330 MCS MCS works ...............Clio ? Punto? Riva? lol only joking

[543kal]

:-)

[Washy]

Quote: Originally Posted by 543kal

Cracking reply nice one matey ;-) How does the MCS compare in real terms against the JCW in your opinion?

Have I made the right choice ditching the BMW 325i for a JCW? The beemer has all the tick boxes ticked in terms of performance 0-60 in 7.2, 192BHP, rear wheel drive etc but I understand what you mean - it does so much well - but it doesnt actually do anything REALLY well if you know what i mean?

I had a 325ci and (fears a flaminfg coming on) actually preferred it to a standard MCS. Having said that I was always a little disappointed with the performance of my MCS, perhaps I got a little carried away with the hype never was quite the car i was expecting it to be.

A tuned MCS is different, much more fun whatever flavour you opt for....

[543kal]

Cheers Washy. Seeing as you've also had the 325i experience what would you say the JCW does better in terms of performance and driveability mate?

[Pobsey]

You want to try a 330D against a MCS, all the mini will see are those two downturned exhaust pipes and an occasional puff of diesel soot, the D pulls so strong and just keeps going, all that tourque comes into its own, but smiles the mini is king

[Washy]

Quote: Originally Posted by 543kal

Cheers Washy. Seeing as you've also had the 325i experience what would you say the JCW does better in terms of performance and driveability mate?

It is diffcult to compare directly but here goes....

The JCW is much more nimble. It's not a smooth as the 325, but it is much more fun to hustle, and at the same time it is as composed as the BMW.

I think for me it is the fun factor, the 325 is a very capable fast car, but it isn't as tactlie a driving experience as the JCW.
The BM will be better on long jouneys as it is a better cruiser and the suspension is more forgiving, even the latest MCS's with the revised damping still ride quite harshly.

Hope this helps