What a bunch of crap! Who ever said I bought a 2006 Mini Cooper S because I wanted a car that was meant for the masses?!??! In fact, that’s the exact reason I DIDN’T buy a 3-series, or a Mazda, or Subaru or whatever other kind of car the un-educated, un-impassioned, “masses” who have no idea of the beauty or the history of Sir Alec’s Dream, and the subsequent worldwide success (notice I didn’t say “acceptance) of the Classic cars by Austin. Would any car these days go 30 years with virtually the same body style? To quote Wayne’s World: “Led Zeppelin didn’t write songs that people liked, they left that to the Beatles.” I am an extremely satisfied MINI owner, and if that means I drive a “performance all-the-time” car, that is ALWAYS in “Sport” mode, then so be it. THAT’S WHY I BOUGHT IT!!!!! Got it?

Luckly the car did not arrive on time owing to build quality problems.

I was then able to test drive the new R56 CooperS and decided to cancel the order and keep my November 2007 MCS with it’s 28,000 miles on the clock.

I was so disappointed with the R56 which has lost all it’s mininess and grin factor.

I have decided to have the full JCW kit fitted to my current Mini including brakes, suspension and strut brace, to make it feel like a new car, a proper Mini.

Why change from such a fun car to the R56 which is just a small one series BMW.

Originally I changed to a Mini from a BMW545 sports as I felt that the latest 5 series had become too refined and boring.

Unfortunately, the Mini has followed in the 5′s footsteps.

I will keep my current MCS forever it is so much fun to drive.

In my book it cannot be beaten.

I have wanted a MINI since I first saw the little square magazine inserts back in ’02, but never drove one until I hopped into a 2007 S last week. I loved it, and immediately plopped down a deposit and got into the queue. After reading all of your posts and recognizing the passion implicit in them, I must say that I am very glad to have neither driven nor owned one before. I have nothing previous to compare the 2007 S with. Ain’t I lucky? For 27 years I have been behind the wheel of a ’71 Chevelle SS, a 350 hp straight line ground-pounder. Compared this ancient (if beautiful) lug, the 2007 MCS is Olga Korbut, and my old timey Chev is Dick Butkus.

I can’t wait.

The seats are SOOOO much better than the earlier version. My 6′ 6″ frame is going to appreciate the improved support, and….ahh, cupholders that WORK! Living in Seattle, bad cupholders can cause ‘no’ votes on a vehicle.

We wanted a throwback design, so we ordered both the wood dash and steering wheel combo. Alas, the Safety Police made Mini delete the wooden wheel; a crash-splintered wheel is apparently too prone to finding gaps in your rib cage.

We were unable to drive an ’07 yet, so no comments there; although from Gabe’s detailed review, it sounds wonderful, other criticisms notwithstanding.

Our Chili Red baby just rolled off the Titus in Port Hueneme today. Figure about 10 days before we get to take her home.

Oh yeah, Gabe, thanks for the hard work and great write ups, but think twice before resorting to namecalling. The only person it diminishes is you.

Dorothy, from my experience, you’ll need at least the Limited Slip to make snow navigation easier. Others may disagree, but adding the DSC option depends more on how hard you’ll push the car once underway.

I am involved heavily with tuners and the aftermarket industry. You mentioned a WRX fan boy. How can one not be though.

I’m a huge fan of the WRX but alas am no fan boy.

I’m honestly find it hard to believe someone could compare a A3 and a MINI let alone feel that the new one has lost so much on the R53. Having driven both the new and the old on the track I can tell you the new one is not only faster but corners better and has better chasis dynamics.

I did get on my knees and saw what looked to be an intercooler beneath the radiator in the showroom but when I asked the rep she said no intercooler. If you are saying it has one then the rep has to do her homework better.

As far as wheelbase goes I did look up the car’s track and saw it was the same I do not know about the width however. Being that the car is longer though with it’s exterior and other weight distributed along the chassis maybe that is the feel that I am getting when I drove it that the car seemed more oafy and less sharp.

I do not possess a VW beetlesque attitude as far as what I expect of cars. Price set aside and it’s FWD layout I hold an extremely high esteem for the Mini Cooper S and higher trim models and I expect a LOT. Especially when I know how hard they try to up the ante.

I hit the sport button. And you know what that is the minimum I expected of the car. It felt VERY similar to a tweaked out A3. It feels like the car is driving you more than you driving the car. The older generation models with less power gave me a wow factor that I compared to driving a mercedes SLK350. Whether it was around town, on a curvy road or on a autocross.

I am involved heavily with tuners and the aftermarket industry. You mentioned a WRX fan boy. How can one not be though. The newer car looks less polished and less bulldog than the prev gen. The rear tailights look more chintzy. This takes the car down the totem pole by exterior alone and makes the playing field a much more harsher reality much to the 07s disadvantage.

In my household one of our cars is a Subaru. I can compare the turbocharged 07 mini to my JDM Sti conversion EJ207 which can do 8250K redline all day long and can put buses on mini cooper 07 in long benders drifting out the corners or simply at the stoplight. That’s right I said buses. I was looking into buying a 07 to complement my fiance’s 05 she owned of which I drove to the dealership and back for a 30k service. I drove the 07 MCS and was let down hands down I am not impressed with whatever torque was gained because I own and have driven cars much faster. It did not put a grin on my face whatsoever. I was shocked when I actually yearned to get back in the 05′ MCS after the test drive and the car was serviced. Usually it is the other way around I get back in a car of an older model and am like wow that new one is really hot.

They did their homework suspension wise but the end result that I came out with was on paper it may look the better but in feedback and “grin” factor it was much less.

I wanted more. I wanted a car that would want me daydreaming of me getting the finances ready to acquire one. I am still optimistic and hope the JCW version will give me more as far as the “grin” factor.