Supercharged Mini Cooper S...

[SteveS Cup]

Hi guys,

I currently have a Clio 172, I love it but I'm thinking this year to upgrade but I still want a hot hatch which will put a smile on my face but maybe feel a bit more solid.

I've had a fair few 20VT VAG's and although I've been looking at Golf Anniversary's I can just see it boring the life out of me.

So the only other thing I can think of is the MCS (I'd want the older SC'd one not the newer TC'd one). I've driven a Cooper D and a Cooper and I've always been impressed with them and I've only ever heard good things about the S. I'd also love something Supercharged having not owned one before.

So... There are bloody hundreds of them in the classifieds! What are the ones to get? Works? What do you get extra on the Works? Are all the Works ones 220bhp?

I'd likely changed the suspension no matter which one I got as I like the lower look (not "slammed innit").

Is there anything to look out for on them? Common faults?

You seem to be able to get a 60k mile one for around £6k ish, which I think is good value.

Anyone with any experience with them??? I'd be keen to hear thoughts and opinions on them.

[Corsair7]

SteveS Cup said:

Hi guys,

I currently have a Clio 172, I love it but I'm thinking this year to upgrade but I still want a hot hatch which will put a smile on my face but maybe feel a bit more solid.

I've had a fair few 20VT VAG's and although I've been looking at Golf Anniversary's I can just see it boring the life out of me.

So the only other thing I can think of is the MCS (I'd want the older SC'd one not the newer TC'd one). I've driven a Cooper D and a Cooper and I've always been impressed with them and I've only ever heard good things about the S. I'd also love something Supercharged having not owned one before.

So... There are bloody hundreds of them in the classifieds! What are the ones to get? Works? What do you get extra on the Works? Are all the Works ones 220bhp?

I'd likely changed the suspension no matter which one I got as I like the lower look (not "slammed innit").

Is there anything to look out for on them? Common faults?

You seem to be able to get a 60k mile one for around £6k ish, which I think is good value.

Anyone with any experience with them??? I'd be keen to hear thoughts and opinions on them.

Great cars these, there is a number of companies offerring tuning packages, but I would only consider the proper 'Works' cars if you want the higher power models of this age.

Early MCS Works had around 200bhp, then rising to 210-215 for the later early MCS's.

The later Turbo MCS is a better car, much less raw, much better mpg and power delivery.

Early MCS's could suffer sticky rear calipers and also 'notchy' steering columns. Power steering (electric) also vulnerable to corrosion of terminals. I had two MCS Works and sufferred 10 new windscreens, as they tend to crack on chipping, which was very tiresome.

Best car I've had in years, huge fun.

[BoRED S2upid]

Ive been considering one of these, what year did they change over from SC to Turbo?

[SteveS Cup]

I think it was 2006 it changed to Turbo... I think!?

The Turbo may be the better car but I've had god knows how many turbo'd cars and I really fancy something SC'd. I'd love to SC the Clio but it's money down the drain, I'd have to get rid of the AC and after my last car (a Polo with a 20VT conversion) I don't want something with too much power for the chassis making it feel sooooo fragile!!!!

Plus, I think the earlier ones look better... I can't see it being anywhere near as "raw" (rattly!) as the Clio!

The tuning options I've seen seem quite a lot of money when you look at the prices of the Works ones are fairly similar to standard cars, I like the Works front bumper and grills too (not so keen on the rear bumper).

[Corsair7]

SteveS Cup said:

I think it was 2006 it changed to Turbo... I think!?

The Turbo may be the better car but I've had god knows how many turbo'd cars and I really fancy something SC'd. I'd love to SC the Clio but it's money down the drain, I'd have to get rid of the AC and after my last car (a Polo with a 20VT conversion) I don't want something with too much power for the chassis making it feel sooooo fragile!!!!

Plus, I think the earlier ones look better... I can't see it being anywhere near as "raw" (rattly!) as the Clio!

The tuning options I've seen seem quite a lot of money when you look at the prices of the Works ones are fairly similar to standard cars, I like the Works front bumper and grills too (not so keen on the rear bumper).

yeah, theres no point in spending good money tuning an old MCS, may as well buy a Works with it already done. You'll only be paying a few hundred more than a non Works car anyway.

Also, if you buy a 'factory' WOrks, they generally have a better spec than a non Works car. If your after loads of toys, the Works ones usually have higher spec.

Dont go for the sport suspension if you have a choice in the matter, often regarded as too harsh. I just put Eibach springs on mine to lower it, worked a treat.

This was my beasty:

[SteveS Cup]

That is frickin perfect! Just how I'd want one in the grey with black roof n mirror. Maybe black headlight surrounds too.

It'd be on Coilovers within a week! So I couldn't care less what suspension it had tbh!

[detchibe]

SteveS Cup said:

That is frickin perfect! Just how I'd want one in the grey with black roof n mirror. Maybe black headlight surrounds too.

It'd be on Coilovers within a week! So I couldn't care less what suspension it had tbh!

Get yourself on www.minitorque.com, in particular this:

http://www.minitorque.com/forum/f228/2002-cooper-s...

[SteveS Cup]

detchibe said:

Get yourself on www.minitorque.com, in particular this:

http://www.minitorque.com/forum/f228/2002-cooper-s...

That is bloody nice but seems too cheap... 250bhp at the fly.. is that realistic?

What's the catch!!?? (apart from the rota wheels!)