Comments on: The BMW M3 SMG Vs. The MINI Cooper/S

By: hemisedan

hemisedan — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 18:11:33 +0000

Well, why wouldn’t the M-3, or for that matter the upcoming M-1 be a betteer handler, faster than a Mini base with SS, or ever the MCS? My new JCW handles just fine for me in everyday driving, has no dead spots and is is a blast to drive. I’ve never driven a BMW M-3, or any of the M cars, mainly on account of the fact that $50K up is just not in my price category. I’ve been very impressed with my new 2011 JCW, it’s performance as well as its fuel mileage. Would I consider an M-1 or 3? Hell yes, but not for the asking prices.

By: gerrit

gerrit — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 06:13:14 +0000

i have never owned either one but i have driven both because im a valet. the m3 was a lot more exciting. and i love the smg gearbox. i finally figured out how to get it in s6 mode and just about broke my neck with a second to third shift. this is the only transmission that i would prefer over a manual

By: Neil

Neil — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 16:44:27 +0000

I just sold my 6spd ’05 MCS and own a ’05 M3 SMG. While i loved the mini and great daily driver, super fun and wounderful year round car….there is no comparison between these two vehicles. The M3 is in a completely different league. I have a SCCA liscence and raced GT2 up in canada. From a drivers perspetive there is no comparision M3 hands down rules. from a cost vs. fun standpoint the MCS is probably a better buy

By: Scotty

Scotty — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 15:59:34 +0000

I have a 2006 M3 and have driven a friends 2004 Mini cooper S (manual) and the M3 handels much better, is much faster< it is just the better car, the cooper is cheap for a reason.

By: Michael B

Michael B — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 04:00:55 +0000

I used to own a MCS, but sold it and bought an e46 m3. wow. the m3 is quite an astounding car. but, don’t get me wrong, the S is quite amazing itself, especially for the price. and it’s pretty darn fun too.

By: Curt Bengtson

Curt Bengtson — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 20:08:30 +0000

I own a 2006 M3 SMG whith all the fixings and I must say wow. I haven’t drivin the mini yet but I will never sell this car.

By: John

John — Thu, 17 May 2007 14:01:51 +0000

You can’t really compare an M3 SMG to a MINI Cooper or a Cooper S. The M3 SMG is obviously a suped up version of a BMW. And a rather expensive one. You would have to put it against a JCW (suped up version). Speaking of JCW’s you could buy about three fulled equipped JCW’s for the price of one of the SMG. Which would put a bigger smile on my face than an SMG ever would

By: Steven

Steven — Wed, 02 May 2007 21:15:56 +0000

MINI COOPER S FOREEEEEVEEEEER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By: Alex

Alex — Thu, 17 Aug 2006 13:49:40 +0000

I’m a Huge BMW Fan and this is why i have a MCS.. when looking at used 3series after 2000 and under 35k i realized i couldnt get anything i wanted in a BMW and was told that if wanted outragous handeling (which i did) that i should walk 50ft down the hall into the Mini showroom and take a good look at “the BMW Mini) .. just hearing the words BMW Mini made me like it more. anyway two weeks later i was driving a little 05, Black and white CooperS and less than 2 months after that it had a Dinan Stage 3 suspention air intake/exhaust and software. i must say for under 30k i have no idea what compairs to my car and i honestly dont think i couldve driven any car on “the Tale of the Dragon” with as much confidence and comfort as i did for 4 days straight on the “Mini’s on the Dragon” rally… Anyway… M3 Rocks … M-Coupe is much cooler, but the mini coop IS THE SHIT ! and i pay less than 300 a month :)

By: Georgios

Georgios — Sun, 02 Jul 2006 19:36:18 +0000

I am from Greece and I own a 2005 MCS twincharged (supercharger + turbocharger) 400+ hp and 54 kilograms torque. Concerning the handling, my MINI’s Bilstein racing suspension PSS9 and the Brembo brakes helps it to turn like a train. Here in Greece there isn’t an M3 that can keep up with me. 0-100 km/h:4.4 which is 0-60 m/h and 275 km/h

By: Norma

Norma — Fri, 12 May 2006 22:45:54 +0000

I have a 2003 MCS Love it………… cant compare between the two. but the mini is absolutetly an awsome car….

By: Randel

Randel — Mon, 08 May 2006 13:38:05 +0000

My wife drives a 2003 6-speed M3, and I drive a 2005 M5. While "Stupid Fast" is truly an accurate description of the M3, I continue to search for a catch phrase for the M5. Pudden-head fast? Dopey fast? Doppelganger Schnell?

Where the M3 winds its way through the twistys like a scared deer, the M5 is more like a rabid bear.

But sadly, Connecticut doesn't have an autobahn. We grow weary of driving like grandma.

Both cars are now for sale, and we are picking up a MCS today!

By: Marko

Marko — Thu, 04 May 2006 18:02:51 +0000

I JUST did it! I got a 2003 MCS, and I’m selling my 2003 M3 w/SMG. The M3 is an awesome car, amazing car! But it doesn’t have much soul right now, it’s a bit too refined. One thing, it’s been in the shop so many times. The SMG is a huge pain in the butt for dependability. I’ve never raced the car or tracked it, or even blown it around on a weekend! Seriously babied this thing , and I’m afraid it’s a bit dissapointing on ownership, but def a great car to drive (when it’s not being towed AGAIN to the dealer!).

We’ll see how the Cooper-S holds up, but it’s got the fun factor. I bought it fully loaded, all the features and navigation! I’m 35 now, so I don’t know if this will be a ‘grown-up’ car, but it’ll fun to own for a while!

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 05:22:50 +0000

continued—- I just wanted to add that I am speed freak and the JCW kit really isn’t needed for I think the S has plenty of pep.. But what the hey I’ll probaly get it anyways, hehe..

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 05:19:23 +0000

I own a 2004 M3 Convertible SMG that I have driven for about 12,000 miles.. I also just test drove the Mini Cooper S today in Automatic but used the Paddle Shifters.. I'd have to say that the Mini was indead more fun.. It's probably because it's a new feel and I'm used to the M3, but the Mini is so tiny that it feels very go-cart like and really wants to take the turns to the extreme.. I took it around tight turns and punched the pedal and overall I'd be tempted to buy a Mini now and drive it more then my M3...

I have driven my M3 to the limit a bunch of times, but I think the Mini's excitment will always be comperable because it's a very tiny, very fast and very nimble car..

It's a tough choice over all but for me paying for my M3 new at around 65K, the Mini sounds like a steal!! Plus it's got kayak racks for my kayaks, lol!! I'll probably buy one but would like to take for a spin the new "Saturn Sky and Pontiac Solstice Turbo" first... The Posche Caymen S is pretty sweet too.. But I'd say Mini all the way.. Plus the

By: wils

wils — Wed, 15 Feb 2006 05:58:17 +0000

MCS’s already beat M3s around the track – have witnessed it myself more than once! :)

anyway, having driven both, and currently owning a MINI i can say they are both wonderful cars to drive but i don’t think the point of the article is to say that a MINI is a faster or better handling car to the M3 it’s saying that both are wonderful and very capable cars but that the Cooper S is just as fun and just as good to drive for the money as we all know it’s abt a third of the price of an M3…

By: Arman

Arman — Tue, 03 Jan 2006 00:25:28 +0000

I happen to be a huge fan of the JCW MCS. Im certain removing the air filtration system that makes the car pretty much choke will add a good 20-30 horses. With such a light weight car, and the fact that it does have better handling at the lower speeds, couldnt the MCS give an M3 a run for its money, on a track with a lot of bends and twists, where the amazing M3 speed is taken out of the equation.

Yes in a drag race im sure the M3 will be pretty much be out of sight in a few seconds, but from what i hear The new JCW kit has the tires the suspension and the power to out preform an M3 on a track. Especially since and i quote "The back-end will come around on you in a heartbeat" trying to make turn at the speed M3 boasts about.

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 09 Nov 2005 01:25:07 +0000

Personnal give I would much rather take a heavily modified MCS, just because any rich fart can go out a buy a M3 off the showroom floor. Correctly modifying and MCS is hard work and when its done the result, is a personnalized one of a kind master peice. I have $5,000 in my MC, I know it sounds stupid but I can’t even begin to describe the feeling of when one time i rolled up next to a MCS at stop light and cooked it, the guy never saw it comin.

By: Gabe

Gabe — Wed, 26 Oct 2005 22:41:07 +0000

Mike - no offense but did you even read the article? I loved the M3... and think I was pretty straight forward about it being a much faster car.

And if you think a MINI Cooper S feels scary cast and 30mph it sounds like you need to take one on a test drive.

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 26 Oct 2005 22:05:01 +0000

OK what sane person wrote this? Not one who has pushed the M3 deeper in a turn than a Porsche Turbo. Has smokeed several P-Cars with the M3's amazing torque. Yes a mini might be fun but let's get really. You will never ever get at the limit of a M3 in a mini. How can you compare a car that will get you around a corner in triple digits vs a car that 30 mph is scary fast.

Ok, so I have an Dinan S2-M3 that is wickely fast than stock ;)