07/08 MCS

[RobLS]

BIMMERPOST / Classifieds

Asking Price:

None

Item Interest

Well, since the 135i is still out of my price point, I have been really looking into the mini cooper s. I enjoyed a regular 03 mini a family member has, and wanted to see who has driven one here and could get your input on it.

[turbomg]

I took a test drive in the new version just the other day, in fact. I had a few hours to kill while my '04 MCS was being serviced.

MINI really made some significant improvements, I was fairly well impressed with the car. The new turbo motor is much more refined than my supercharged unit, and with noticeably more torque off the line. The transmission is loads smoother.

Overall refinement of the car is way up, and the doesn't seem to have lost much in terms of driving feel. Steering is great, but while I like the sport button in general, the "heavier" feeling it provides felt fairly artificial. It's a bit less ragged feeling when you're blasting through curves, this could be a good or bad thing depending on how you feel on any given day.

As expected, MINI has available just about every customization option you could want. Even the anthracite headliner. (WTF BMW. You let MINI have it but not the rest of us?)

As I'm in search of a slightly more refined car, all these things appealed to me. However, I'm also in search of a significantly faster car with RWD, and the MINI falls rather obviously short there.

The only thing I can say that I actually disliked about the car is that the center-mounted speedo, which was cute if largely pointless in the older car, is now just really, really large. Seriously, it's easily twice the size it needs to be.

[RobLS]

cool thanks, I'm gonna go look sometime this coming week.

[Call]

I've owned an 02,03, 04, 05, 06, 07 MINI COOPER S and JCW. Hands down is the 07 MCS. Many mods on the 02-06 but very few needed with the 07 to get it to the same level. I think the weak link in the Coopers is the suspension which when upgraded to coil overs becomes very nice. If you even think you might like the Cooper, test drive the 07 MCS.

Our little group of MINIs just love to get the vettes and vipers on the track...easy pick'ins.

I'm down to two at the present, an 05 MCS cabrio and the 07 MCS plus a half MINI. I'll be adding the 135i on March 26th so we will see how it compares:thumbup:

[turbomg]

Originally Posted by Call

I've owned an 02,03, 04, 05, 06, 07 MINI COOPER S and JCW.

Whoa. Did you really need to get a new one every year?

[RobLS]

wow that is quite a few cars there. But anyways, I have a question about the 'Automatic A/C'; What exactly does it do and is it worth it?
I'm sure Ill be having more questions, but this is what comes ti mind right now.

[Call]

I actually didn't have to have a new one every year. At one time I had all of them at the same time. I just liked different colors and styles. I just ran out of room for all of them and the insurance for all of them was insane.

As for the auto A/C...you set the temp and leave it alone. With the manual you have to "dial it in" and it just isn't as even temp-wise. If you are buying a car for tracking then don't get the auto A/C...if you are buy the car for every day use then get the auto A/C.

Call

[randomquickness]

he liked the Italian job

[ARES45]

I priced a new one to 30k, that is a bit steep for a mini imo. Not that it matters, no mini dealership within a hundred mile radius.

[Evolved]

Originally Posted by ARES45

I priced a new one to 30k, that is a bit steep for a mini imo. Not that it matters, no mini dealership within a hundred mile radius.

Same thing for me. I've always wanted one but I can't see spending $28k-$30k for one.

[imported_MPower]

Originally Posted by ARES45

I priced a new one to 30k, that is a bit steep for a mini imo. Not that it matters, no mini dealership within a hundred mile radius.

Be very careful with the options list (particularly the packages). For instance, I really see no use to the Sport Package at all. The point is to get only exactly what you want. Ultimately, I decided on a lightly equipped model so that I could spend some left over cash on the good stuff. :biggrin:

[ARES45]

I was just doing some last minute shopping to ensure the 135 is what I want.

[ulrichd]

I've have an 03 MCS and the 135 is about the only car that could get me to part with it. Personally I can't stand what Mini did with the redesign, especially the front end (see the pic above). It's a great car if you can get past the new bugeye frontend.

Ulrich

[RobLS]

Alright, so the auto ac it is. I'm going to lightly spec it, but a few must haves. Hopefully this coming week I'll be looking at them.

[RobLS]

alright, thoughts on the dsc? I know for sure I want the LSD though.

[turbomg]

I can't say I really tested the DSC on the '08 I drove, but the DSC on my '04 is nothing short of retarded. It seems to be best at cutting power completely just as soon as you pull out into traffic.

I'd spec the car without it next time around.

[Call]

DSC will be standard on all MINIs with the 2010 model year. I wouldn't buy a new MINI without DSC and LSD. I cut the DSC off unless it's raining or ice is on the road. If your significant other is not really in to aggressive driving it really comes in handy during those bad days. It can save your bacon!

My last purchase of an 07 MCS was not very overloaded with packages because I planned on doing a number of setups for the track. I paid $25k plus the JCW AeroKit and painting it.

You can purchase low mileage MCS for about $20K and some older for about $18K.

Call

[RobLS]

So are you able to turn the dsc on and off?

[turbomg]

Yes.

[edge350]

Originally Posted by randomquickness

he liked the Italian job

He LOVED the Italian Job. He's taken up safe cracking. He's found a black friend who's afraid of dogs and lost his hearing in one ear as a child. :smile:

[richsnuc]

I've got an OCT Build '06 for sale!! This car is miles better than the '03 I traded in for it, and in my opinion, every bit as fun as the '07 I drove as a loaner while mine was in for service.

It's loaded with Premium, Sport and Cold weather packages, English Panther leather, a piano-black (Se7en) interior, Digital Power Sound Module ($1700 Hi power factory stereo), integrated XM receiver, MillTek exhaust, and a spare set of light-weight racing wheels by Kosei (K1-TS). ~13,500 mi

I paid $29K in November '06.

Looking to get $21K out of it.

Rich

[imported_MPower]

Originally Posted by RobLS

alright, thoughts on the dsc? I know for sure I want the LSD though.

Not worth it, in my opinion. The standard ASC will be plenty fine for 99.9% of circumstances.