(also from RB; having driven both an MC and an MCS coast to coast only a few weeks apart, his comparisons are extremely valid!)
Having read, on Gabe’s MotoringFile, about how similar the MCS and COOPER were and since I covered nearly the same sort of elevation and terrain changes during these odyssey’s and I have a few notes on the MCS VS the COOPER.
The MCS was equipped with both Premium & Sport packs as well as heated leather Panther Black seats while the COOPER had the Premium pack not the Sports pack and had cloth, non heated seats.
The MCS wins the handling contest as the COOPER didn’t have the sports pack or low profile tires. The COOPER felt mushy in quick lane changes.
Acceleration and torque goes to the MCS, hands down! I had read on Gabe’s MF that the COOPER accelerated just as fast through 1st and 2nd but too my butt it’s nowhere near the MCS. As far a raw acceleration I really don’t see where COOPER owners get the feeling that they can accelerate as fast??? I could never get the COOPER over 110, where as the MCS easily did 135, my ’02 MCS never got over 125.
I was surprised that the fuel economy wasn’t that different between the two cars. Neither did over 35 mpg, my general speed in both cars was 85-90. But I would have to say the COOPER did a bit better in this area with the COOPER getting, at the high end, 35 and the MCS getting only 28 mpg.
In cab comfort and interior cab noise, I give that to the COOPER. The COOPER didn’t have low profile or run flat tires so it was markedly quieter and smoother. I also found the cloth seats much more comfortable.
With the COOPER’ 5 gears I found that at high speeds, 85-90, it seemed less calm than the 6 speed MCS. During major elevation changes I had to do a lot more down and up shifts that the MCS, but not as many as I had expected. Denver area gave the COOPER the most trouble and felt dead a lot of the time. No offense meant but I found Denver to be a little LA, UGH!
I had always kinda looked down my nose at the COOPER but I must say I was impressed with it and could see why many people choose this car over the MCS but for shear butt kinking fun I’ll stay with my MCS, thank you.
A note on my disdain for automatic transmissions. Ian’s 2005 MCS with the automatic showed me that if I ever get too old too shift or was from a country were I was used to shifting with the opposite hand that this set up would be quite nice. He, [Ian] made an acceleration run that impressed the hell outta me.
M&I / GBMINI 
Again I would have to disagree with you on the low-end acceleration. My old MC was always about as quick off the line as an ’02 or ’03 MCS. The gearing is really well done (depsite the gearbox giving very little positive tactile feedback). All that said. it’s no where near the ’05 MCS 0-60 times.
The other area I have to disagree on is the cab noise. The MCS is much more composed and quieter at highway speeds due to that 6th gear. The MC’s revs are just a little high and bring too much engine noise into the cabin at high speeds. Cruising at 90mph is just not as comfortable. And forget about accelerating from 90mph!
In terms of MPG – I’m seeing about 7-8 MPG difference from my ’02 MC ro the ’05 MCS. This is mostly in city driving.
110 eh? We’re you going up a hill?? 🙂
Gosh Gabe, these are just my insights from an accumulated 6600 miles.
1. I just didn’t see the acceleration you and others talk of. Sorry. I found the ’03 MC to be a SLUG.
2. Remember this car had no run flats and no sports package. As soon as my wife took a ride in the MC she said, ” wow much quieter!”
3. gas mileage was pretty close to what you say, not much better.
4. I was running in a very flat part in Nebraska when I pushed the car as hard as I could and 110 was it. Your MC may have done better but this one couldn’t get above 110.
I’m sure there will be some folks who have MC’s that have gone faster and get better mileage but this is what I observed in my 2 journeys.
If the MC is so equal then why do most switch to an MCS?
RB
Including YOU.
I also remember you had a better exhaust and maybe some other modifications that would help wit acceleration …..Huh, Gabe?
I actually the only top speed test I did was before I started modding. Anyway I still don’t see why you have so much negativity towards the Cooper. I’m certainly not the only one that has mentioned the surprising close low-end performance compared to the 02-04 MCS. I’m also not the only one that pronounced the Cooper to be the more pure drivers car.
I think the reason most people buy an MCS from a Cooper is that they would like to naturally step into the higher model or simply want something different. Just like I know a few people that have owned an MCS (one who even had a JCW MCS) buy a Cooper. The reason I now own an MCS… that’s what I always had wanted in the first place. Hell I had a deposit down for one in March of ’02 before being involved in a pretty ad accident and suddenly needing a car asap (hence the Cooper).
Gabe, I felt my review was a very fair comparison of both cars in the limited scope of my time in both. I did start out with a preconceived idea the Cooper was less of a car but during my drive from Boston had that changed.
I even said………”I had always kinda looked down my nose at the COOPER but I must say I was impressed with it and could see why many people choose this car over the MCS but for shear butt kinking fun I’ll stay with my MCS, thank you.”
I’m glad your Cooper had a higher top end, I’m not doubting you, but this one was stuck at the 110 mark, with no head winds and on very flat terrain in Nebraska.
But that’s what “Comments” are for even if yours seem a bit defensive. Also I have never met anyone who has had a MCS that would change to a Cooper but maybe I like EGGS.
LOL…….RB
I can assure you that I didn’t mean to be defensive. I thought it was obvious i was kinda joking about the top speed thing. Yes I managed to get my car past 115mph (on an isolated highway in the desert of Utah with no other cars around) but none of that matters – in fact it’s all a bit ridiculous really. I just think it’s unfortunate that some people have so much negativity towards the MC. That coupled with a superiority complex (not talking about anyone here mind you!) from some MCS owners just make the whole issue a big eye roller.
It’s very hard to know the emotional set of an email isn’t it.
Rolling along in any MINI is very KOOL, don’t get me wrong my friend, I love them all. And what was your top end, if I may ask?
I think there is a clutch issue with this one. My dealer says no but under hard acceleration it seems like the clutch is trying to catch up kinda like an automatic feels when low on fluid.
I still feel I that my review was very complimentary to the Cooper.
’nuff said….
Yeah it was fairly positive and really a good read. Thanks for sharing it and thanks to Ian for hosting it.
Oh… forgot to answer your question. I saw just under 120. Supposedly the MC tops out at 125. Again this was done in a totally remote area on a flat straight road with no other vehicles nearby.