986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners - View Single Post - Mini Cooper S or Boxster

shadrach74 · 03-07-2013, 07:45 AM

My GF drives an '06 MCS which means I drive one by default. It is a fantastic car and is likely similar in performance to the non-S Boxsters that you're considering, while there's no way the fr engined, fr drive Mini's handling will approach that of the rr drive mid-engined Box if both are in stock form. However, it will out perform the box in bang for the fuel buck. Even with relatively aggressive driving and lot's of stop and go commuting our MCS averages 27MPG. The Mini's transmission is far better than the tranny in my 02 Boxster S.

Potential issues:

Electric PS pumps - some Minis have been known to to need PS replacement as early as 40K. I DIYed my GF for ~$400 IIRC. It was not horrible to do, about a 6 on the PITA scale...

Clutch &DMF: 11hrs minimum in labor for a pro. I converted hers to a SMF at 78K when the clutch went TU. It ran about $1500 total.

Other than those issues, the MCS has been a very practical and sporty dual purpose vehicle!

03-07-2013, 07:45 AM	#3
shadrach74 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Frederick MD Posts: 658	My GF drives an '06 MCS which means I drive one by default. It is a fantastic car and is likely similar in performance to the non-S Boxsters that you're considering, while there's no way the fr engined, fr drive Mini's handling will approach that of the rr drive mid-engined Box if both are in stock form. However, it will out perform the box in bang for the fuel buck. Even with relatively aggressive driving and lot's of stop and go commuting our MCS averages 27MPG. The Mini's transmission is far better than the tranny in my 02 Boxster S. Potential issues: Electric PS pumps - some Minis have been known to to need PS replacement as early as 40K. I DIYed my GF for ~$400 IIRC. It was not horrible to do, about a 6 on the PITA scale... Clutch &DMF: 11hrs minimum in labor for a pro. I converted hers to a SMF at 78K when the clutch went TU. It ran about $1500 total. Other than those issues, the MCS has been a very practical and sporty dual purpose vehicle!