nickrg3

Got used to the old FWD, first slippery morning in the S and I got huge rear end slide when I pulled out of my street onto the main road this morning.. Scared the crap out of a guy in a golf driving towards me, luckily I reacted quickly enough to get myself out of trouble - bet it looked good

Funny how your driving style quickly adapts. Had an MR2 Roadster a couple of years ago which was rather twitchy but since then got used to the cooper S. I very quickly reverted back to the 2 driving style in a 10th of a second.

As for my Mini Cooper S V S2000 report.

The S is a fantastic car, it drives well, has a better turning circle than the MCS and is a lot of fun on the twistys... I smiled a lot today as I took the very long way to the shops. It feels like I'm driving a racing car. brutal, raw, and unforgiving.. The MCS was fast but had nothing of the pull and grunt that the S has, nor did it have a decent driving position.

On the motorway the S is a pleasure, a comfy car that purrs along, around town it is a little more of a struggle in 1st around but something to get used to - clutch is much heavier. I guess generally it is more a handful to drive, less the point and push of the MCS, you do need to be a little more gentle with it - I guess thats just the increased power and torque and lack of traction control. Feels like i need to rev it to 2-3k RPM to get it moving smoothly (or have i bought a dodgy one?)

The S doesnt rattle at all. It is a very solid car, considering it is Aug 01 it's amazing how tight it still feels. My 52 MCS was falling apart, i would hate to know what it drives like in a couple of years. Amazing how solid it feels.

Havent seen one since I got it on Wednesday and I have seen a thousand MCS'. I accidently wave at them sometimes as I forget I'm not driving one but the guy down the road recognised me as we passed so flashed at me - kinda nice that MCS community of friendly wavers.

People move out of the way. I was VTEC' it off a roundabout onto a dual carriage way and an SLK got out of the way rather quickly.. Perhaps other more prestigious car drivers dont think much of the MCS?

The S gets nowhere near as many looks as my previous MCS. It's funny, I didnt think I noticed the looks I got in that but I noticed today when no one looked at the S. funny to say but my mate with the boxster S said that the other week when he was in the MCS.. more looks than his Porka, not bothered - prefer people not to stare at me anyway. Guy in a TVR Tuscan next to me did have a good nose at the S though

Cant work out the alarm / immobiliser thing. Press the button to unlock the car, sometimes it just starts, other times I have to press the button again... Maybe I press it twice sometimes outside of the car... Not sure, dont like it much though - an inconvenience, would prefer it in the key.

Fuel economy isnt as bad as I thought it would be.

Went to McD's drive through and opted out of the drink.. Where's my cup holder?? i know its a silly thing but I miss simple things. one net and an unergonomic box between the seats isnt ideal at all. No where for me to put all of my rubbish lol guess I will have to just get used to being tidier.

No clock!!!!!!!! WhereTF is the clock?????? man that is well annoying. i dont wear a watch and get used to looking up at the clock. Now that is really annoying. anyone done a clock mod? either that or I will have to go buy a wrist watch.

As for comparisons with the MR2 roadster there is nothing in it other than brute power. Amazing how similar they are. Same build quality, road handling, driving position... more luggage room in the S but less in the cockpit. I always missed the 2 when I bought the MCS, that was a bad move! Looks like I got it back, just an angrier version

Chris Type R

The cup holder is in the centre console under the flip up panel. You might have an ashtray installed, which pulls out. No good if you're a smoker.

I think that the attention thing might be related to car colour (seriously), how clean the car is, and also how much noise you're making.

Rteyp

Nice report, only had mine 2 months and I also moved from FWD (ITR) - chuckability isn't quite the same but that will come with careful practice.

Just love the roof down driving in winter - can't wait till summer

Agree no clock is a bummer and I often forget my watch

Not tried it yet, but I think you can take the ashtray out and it will reveal a kind of cupholder

Paper Lawyer

[QUOTE=nickrg3,Jan 22 2005, 04:04 PM]
As for comparisons with the MR2 roadster there is nothing in it other than brute power.

little Chris

Glad your please with the S, I was looking at getting a MCS, I test drove one and thought it was lovely, so easy to throw around, don't try it in the S take your time in learning the car. I've had mine now for 2 months and there is still soooooo much to learn, I thought I had got used to it last weekend but I spun the S on a round about. Ok, I might not be the best driver in the world but I'm certainly not the worst! Just watch the tail end if your going round corners and going into Vtec, the increase in power from 5500 RPM to 6,000ish rpm is crazy, its about 80BHP difference, It will make your MR2 look very tame.

Clock - What about the stereo? My JDM has a clock on the stereo, but you don't need it, you'll be having way to much fun to worry about the time.

The Ashtray does come out.

Have you found the secret compartment yet?

First modification - Take the air filter lid off, head for a fast tunnel and floor it! You'll think your on a Ducatti!

nickrg3

oh yeah ofcourse.. the middle lid thing. yeah forgot about that but thats where my phone lives and Im convinced I would knock my drink over every time I go to change gear. Would work if I was stationary. G/friend would have to just hold hers lol.

Nick Graves

Good write up!

CTR IS right - BB gets many glances when its polished & waxed, on a sunny day - who needs bling?

OTOH, dirty & overcast, no-one notices the car.

PS do learn to adjust the line with your foot, not the steering wheel. The RWS is there to help you!

I'd say have fun, but it sounds like you've already worked that bit out!

GTFCTIM

And practise the 1st gear ass end moments out of junctions. They do look, and feel great.

nickrg3

I havent really sat still in it yet so have fiddled with a few things but yet to discover the hidden compartment i had heard about...


How secret is it? Can you tell me or will you have to kill me?

GTFCTIM

Have you found the traction control button yet?