My girlfriend has an 06 Cooper. I test drove a 07 MKII MCS before getting the Z4C. The Mini is definitely a fun ride. It handles as well as it can for a FWD car. But the Z just feels much more raw and like a sports car in corners. Keep in mind, if you think your MCS is small now, the Z is much tighter inside. Make sure you get the sport package and the M seats if possible.

Oh, the MCS feels pretty punchy down low but it runs outta steam fast. The 3.0 in the Z just pulls and pulls as the rpm goes up. It's truly a tried and true engine.

 

I thought I should step in, since I own both...( A R52 Cooper S Vert and a Z4 M Coupe).

Have you heard of the paralysis of analysis? Don't waste too much energy.

If you like the Z, go get it. You ARE upgrading so you will be extremely happy. The mini is a great car in some areas, not so great in others. The same applies to the Z. They are both, characterful, agile, stiff and pretty physical.

Do it, do it!

 

I will chime in here we have both a 2004 JCW S with other suspension mods and a 2007 Z4 3.0si with sport, premium and M seats.

Both are a blast to drive but the Mini is not even close to the Z. One is a 28,000 + the other is a 40,000 +. After driving both for a while the Z is more substantial in every area except interior room up front. But on the filp the Mini’s back seats are useless for full size people and I find the hatch area more usable on the Z.

No comparison on performance even with the JCW and mods.

If I have it all to do over again I would have skipped the Mini and went with the Z. If you have a chance drive the Z back-to-back with the mini and let your gut choose.

J

 

I will chime in here we have both a 2004 JCW S with other suspension mods and a 2007 Z4 3.0si with sport, premium and M seats.

Both are a blast to drive but the Mini is not even close to the Z. One is a 28,000 + the other is a 40,000 +. After driving both for a while the Z is more substantial in every area except interior room up front. But on the filp the Mini's back seats are useless for full size people and I find the hatch area more usable on the Z.

No comparison on performance even with the JCW and mods.

If I have it all to do over again I would have skipped the Mini and went with the Z. If you have a chance drive the Z back-to-back with the mini and let your gut choose.

J

Just a note that if you don't need the rear seats of the MINI, you could do what I did... delete them. Yields a lot more cargo (or canine) space, and sheds a decent amount of weight in the process.

[URL="http://www.rearseatdelete.com/mini.html]http://www.rearseatdelete.com/mini.html[/URL]

 

I had '06 fully loaded MCS JCW, now driving Z4 M Coupe. I bought the M Coupe because I crashed my MINI. If you ask which I like the best I'll say both. I would like to have both. However...

The regular MINI Cooper S is fun to drive, but the JCW is a blast. The M Coupe is different. It's easy to drive in streets maintaining low speeds, but when it comes to having fun, turn off the traction control, push the SPORT button and a beast is awaken, now all you need is to know how to handle it.

My JCW was more agile and nimble, however it ran out of juice very fast, where the M Coupe seams to have endless power and maybe better corner handling. I haven't taken my M to a track or autocrossiing, so I can't provide with a better comparison.

I of-course miss my MINI, but love the M Coupe. I test drove the Cayman S before making a decision. Even though many reviewers have given a slight advantage to Cayman, I like the coupe much better. The way it feels and responds is just what I wanted, plus: It's absolutely fun to drive and it is so unique and rare.

I will definitely say YES, go for it and you won't regret!