(Updated Photo) I’m only showing you this angle because there is nothing else to see. What you are looking at is a bone stock Cooper S that MINI USA has graciously let MF borrow for MTTS. Ok, someone at the port did throw on the JCW aerokit, but other than that it’s a $23k Cooper S and nothing more. In the past we’ve reviewed JCWs, Convertibles and a navigation equipped $30,000 Cooper S so this is (to put it lightly) a departure. But I have to admit… I kind of like it.
It’s as light as you can get an MCS without removing doors and as comfortable on a 2,000 mile trip as any MINI could be. It also has a scrappy character with those little 16″ wheels and that aggressive looking aero-kit (kinda like a little bulldog with huge teeth).
So do I love it? No bluetooth, no nav, no anything makes it not necessarily my style. But you don’t get anymore pure MINI than this.
I’ll let you know in a week but it’s hard thinking it won’t be a great car for this trip.
For those have followed Whiteroofradio on twitter you’ll know that my coherts have had wide ranging results for their MTTS cars. DB is in the Cooper version of what you see above (yes that means 15″ wheels with the JCW aero kit) and somehow Todd ended up with a loaded JCW convertible. Don’t worry, we’ll make sure everyone knows how cool he is (Top Gear style).
For those have followed Whiteroofradio on twitter you’ll know that my coherts have had wide ranging results for their MTTS cars. DB is in the Cooper version of what you see above (yes that means 15″ wheels with the JCW aero kit) and somehow Todd ended up with a loaded JCW convertible. Don’t worry, we’ll make sure everyone knows how cool he is (Top Gear style).
<p>Gabe, you’re going to have a wonderful time in that MCS. I’ve read a post or two where MINI owners have gone slummin’ after having loaded MINIs and were perfectly happy. Happy motorin’!</p>
<p>So you].re bitch’n about a free ride… hum.</p>
<p>Enjoy the ride! It’ll be a good setup for the distance you’re doing, especially over those midwest frost-heaves!</p>
<p>Only wish I was able to go this year too 🙁 Good luck, and have fun!!!</p>
<p>“Oh if I still just had my OZ 18’s.”</p>
<p>Buck up. Roll out. Party on.</p>
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<p>So you].re bitch’n about a free ride… hum.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Not sure if you read the whole thing but I actually like the car quite a bit. Just making note of how different it is to any other MINI I’ve driven.</p>
<p>Just out of curiosity- are you more of a BMW or MINI guy? I know you have an R56, but behind this little guy I see an M3, a early 90’s 5 or 7, and a 3 series wagon. Interesting!</p>
<p>Sounds like my ride – MCS, 16″ wheels, no sunroof, no nav (i.e. incomprehensible radio controls), no upgrades. When I picked it up, the salesperson said I had chosen the perfect track/autocross model. Go find a twisty road and have some fun!</p>
<p>“Don’t worry, we’ll make sure everyone knows how cool he is (Top Gear style).”
I can only imagine what you are going to write on Todd’s MINI in an attempt to get him killed.</p>
<p>Have a great time following MTTS Gabe. Enjoy the simple life. Make sure to find some twisty roads along the way. I look forward to reading your reports from the road.</p>
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<p>I know you have an R56, but behind this little guy I see an M3, a early 90’s 5 or 7, and a 3 series wagon. Interesting!</p>
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<p>Actually I sold my MCS JCW in late 2008 due to needing a larger car (I still miss it). I currently have an E28 535is (pristine), a 330i ZHP and an E46 manual wagon I just sold to my dad. I’ll likely be buying something new (1m or MINI Coupe are the top choices) in 2011.</p>
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Have a great time following MTTS Gabe. Enjoy the simple life</blockquote>
<p>Will do!</p>
<p>Those brake ducts flow very well with the JCW kit, good look MINI.</p>
<p>BTW, anyone who is even thinking of getting a 1M I applaud. Alas, that’s a serious stack of cheese, so I’m really looking forward to impressions on this MCS.</p>
<p>I want to cry….couldn’t make it out to MTTS for the trip from NYC to Philly this weekend because some local tire flat fix goon punctured my runflats. A common practice among shady flat fix owners who need to generate business….you guys don’t understand how disappointed I am. :(</p>
<p>Whoops! Didn’t know you sold the R56, but hey, if you ever sell that 535is… !!</p>
<p>Geeze Gabe, I’d like to think that owning at least 1 Mini would be a prerequisite if not a perk in owning a site targeted to Mini enthusiasts! Given you have 2 other Bimmers, credentials are well filled for Bimmerfile. Despite the nice pricing you must get nice from BMW NA, Im not sure a 1M vs. any Mini is really a hard choice even for Mini fans.
‘No nav, no bluetooth not your style’? Kinda pretentious especially for what is in the garage? Get a Garmin and an earpiece. It is still a free S with an aero kit and its not even a fifi color. I’d love to rack up those free miles and call it work!! Have fun on the trip, I wish they included Toronto or something closer.</p>
<p>I’m not sure what’s pretentious about wanting a few options like Nav on my own daily driver that I buy myself. Or are you talking about the car above? If that’s the case of course I’m more than happy to take it, stick my iPhone with Navigon on the dash and have a great time.</p>
<p>I don’t get where it looks like I’m complaining about a bone stock MCS. I think I state pretty clearly I like it and am looking forward to the trip.</p>
<p>Gabe, was only saying what he likes on his cars, as his 2008 MINI had those features like nav and bluetooth and was one hot car. He seemed happy to have a free MINI for the MTTS. Everyone is worked up here over this. Gabe, have a great time and I look forward to living though you over the next few days. :)</p>
<p>I LOVE your garage Gabe! I’ll be looking forward to your impressions on the stock R56S. My lease is up next year on my well optioned ’07 R56S and I’m actually thinking of ordering an R56S with the “mini”mum of options to keep the car and my wallet a little lighter. Please post some more pics as I’d really like to see what the JCW aero kit looks like with the 16” rims. Have a great time, be safe, and motor on and on and on!</p>
<p>Have a good roadtrip Gabe… looking forward to following along with the antics through MF!</p>
<p>Re: options on MINIs, stripping them away is always a good way to better glimpse a car’s basic “DNA”, always useful in a car review. (But for a daily driver car, I agree that many of the MINI options add rather than take away from the ownership experience.)</p>
<p>Re: next spring, if both cars come out as good as I and many are hoping, “1M v. MINI coupe” is going to be a complex decision-making process… will likely be two very different ways to skin the “driving joy” cat.</p>
<p>Don’t get me wrong, your site is the first stop I make EVERY morning. You appeal to both enthusiasts and casual admirers alike and provide very articulate reviews on everything Mini related. Fluff aside and with all due respect, my pretentious comment stems mostly from your choice of wording “not my style”. The implication it gave was that you weren’t impressed with the car you were provided when most of us were impressed you were provided a car. It is akin to complaining that a rental is missing certain amenities I suppose. I guess I really feel bad for DB especially if he has cloth 🙁 Whatever, I don’t mean to be picking on the verbiage, I guess it struck a cord so it was noteworthy. No offense intended.</p>
<p>Always love garage scenes, but for me I would have to have a good ole hotrod. Every garage of a car enthusiast needs an old hotrod. You know, 30’s style car modenized, maybe even 50’ised.</p>
<p>Jamie – no worries. I get where you’re coming from!</p>
<p>See u in indy gabe, look for the hot orange MTTS MINI.
And dont forget to sign the MTTS picture.</p>
<p>Movie night here in columbus tonight.</p>
<p>Just making a little joke.</p>
<p>Sounds like my Mini. Only options I got were the HID lamps, and multi-function steering wheel. It was an option back then!</p>
p>@Gabe,</p
<p>Could you tell me about the GB sticker/emblem on the boot? Source?</p>