I faced this very problem over the past three weeks.
Since the Cooper S was released I wanted one, but had held off driving one until I could afford it. I felt it would make driving my current car (BMW 316i Contour Auto 1998) too tough if I experienced the Cooper S too early.
So three weeks ago after sitting in MCS's so many times, I finally decided to take one for a drive. At the same time the new BMW 120i was being launched, so I took the opportunity to first drive an 120i auto for about 10mins, and then take a MCS for about a 40 min drive.
Early conclusions:
BMW 120i auto: Feels like a BMW, and drives like a 330Ci, but with less power. Much less power. In fact after initial impressions, it felt slower than a Jeep Cherokee, so much so that I felt I'd be humbled too many times at the traffic lights.
Cabin also seemed cramped, and rear access shocking. I thought no point having rear doors, and only slightly more rear space than a Mini.
MCS: Seemed basic. It has all the features, but you don't get the impression you are buying a luxury car. However the speed more than made up for it. Pity the brakes didn't. However the car screams fun, and brings a smile to your face everytime everytime to see it and hear that supercharger whine.
Choice after first drives: MCS, I needed a step up in power after driving a 316i for 6 years and this car offers it.
However, after driving an auto for so long and with my main driving being in city traffic, I was worried about a manual. My fantastic dealer (Doncaster BMW) allowed me to test drive the MCS over a longer period (about 18 hours, which included overnight) which allowed me to experience the manual in peak hour traffic. After this experience I was less than happy as there was only one way to take off smoothly...fast. This is not suitable to everyday traffic and my passenger wasn't that impressed with that either. Whilst I liked the flexibility in being able to skip gears, smooth take offs were a hit and miss affair. The seats also seemed very difficult to get comfortable in, and you feel like you are siiting on a desk chair with no support.
Odds at the end of this drive: MCS 50%, waiting for auto MCS %30, 120i 20%
To make a final decision, I decided to test drive the 120i again, two weeks after my initial drive.
This time, after briefly carrying four people in the car, the conclusion was the interior had heaps more space than the Mini. Performance had improved heaps with more kms on the clock, and it felt like an expensive car, which it is, as is also the Mini.
Whilst it was no performance machine, the handling and features made up for the lost buzz. The auto also made life easier. So it raised the question, should I wait for an auto MCS and save a few bucks?
Well yesterday I ordered a BMW 120i, so the answer was no.
Final decision was made because the Mini didn't feel practical enough. The interior was all looks, with compromised functionality. Sunvisors are a joke, the side mirrors are so far back, looking at the far passenger mirror involves basically looking side on, and the rear vision was not what it should be for such a small car.
My heart said MCS, but my brain and wallet said BMW. I couldn't imagine driving the MCS for more than three years, whereas the BMW could suit me for a lifetime.
I'm not really bagging the Mini, just saying that it is an emotional car purchase, and once actually driven, a huge fan can become less impressed.
Since the Cooper S was released I wanted one, but had held off driving one until I could afford it. I felt it would make driving my current car (BMW 316i Contour Auto 1998) too tough if I experienced the Cooper S too early.
So three weeks ago after sitting in MCS's so many times, I finally decided to take one for a drive. At the same time the new BMW 120i was being launched, so I took the opportunity to first drive an 120i auto for about 10mins, and then take a MCS for about a 40 min drive.
Early conclusions:
BMW 120i auto: Feels like a BMW, and drives like a 330Ci, but with less power. Much less power. In fact after initial impressions, it felt slower than a Jeep Cherokee, so much so that I felt I'd be humbled too many times at the traffic lights.
Cabin also seemed cramped, and rear access shocking. I thought no point having rear doors, and only slightly more rear space than a Mini.
MCS: Seemed basic. It has all the features, but you don't get the impression you are buying a luxury car. However the speed more than made up for it. Pity the brakes didn't. However the car screams fun, and brings a smile to your face everytime everytime to see it and hear that supercharger whine.
Choice after first drives: MCS, I needed a step up in power after driving a 316i for 6 years and this car offers it.
However, after driving an auto for so long and with my main driving being in city traffic, I was worried about a manual. My fantastic dealer (Doncaster BMW) allowed me to test drive the MCS over a longer period (about 18 hours, which included overnight) which allowed me to experience the manual in peak hour traffic. After this experience I was less than happy as there was only one way to take off smoothly...fast. This is not suitable to everyday traffic and my passenger wasn't that impressed with that either. Whilst I liked the flexibility in being able to skip gears, smooth take offs were a hit and miss affair. The seats also seemed very difficult to get comfortable in, and you feel like you are siiting on a desk chair with no support.
Odds at the end of this drive: MCS 50%, waiting for auto MCS %30, 120i 20%
To make a final decision, I decided to test drive the 120i again, two weeks after my initial drive.
This time, after briefly carrying four people in the car, the conclusion was the interior had heaps more space than the Mini. Performance had improved heaps with more kms on the clock, and it felt like an expensive car, which it is, as is also the Mini.
Whilst it was no performance machine, the handling and features made up for the lost buzz. The auto also made life easier. So it raised the question, should I wait for an auto MCS and save a few bucks?
Well yesterday I ordered a BMW 120i, so the answer was no.
Final decision was made because the Mini didn't feel practical enough. The interior was all looks, with compromised functionality. Sunvisors are a joke, the side mirrors are so far back, looking at the far passenger mirror involves basically looking side on, and the rear vision was not what it should be for such a small car.
My heart said MCS, but my brain and wallet said BMW. I couldn't imagine driving the MCS for more than three years, whereas the BMW could suit me for a lifetime.
I'm not really bagging the Mini, just saying that it is an emotional car purchase, and once actually driven, a huge fan can become less impressed.
