[GothingNC]

Shaun,

Best years is the 05-06
Teflon coated blades in the super charger
Better gear rations 1st and 2nd
Back pressure popping sound (Sounds very cool)
Electric power steering pump is much more reliable

I drove an 06 MCS DD for about 6 years, it was a blast and the 15% pully on the supercharger really woke it up.
The sound is so intoxicating.

Handles like a Go-Kart and had fun taking cloverleafs flat out.

I was lucky to get 20 to 22 MPG, SC causes it to drink fuel like a McDonalds straw :-)



Only reason I sold was traffic was getting really bad for my commute and I was suffering with the manual gearbox in stop and go traffic so I sold it for a Golf TDI.

I purchased it with about 60,000 miles on and and it had about 160,000 miles when I sold it and still had the original clutch. (next owner wiped out the clutch 2 weeks later)

Biggest expense was replacing the supercharger with water pump at 130,000 miles
Harmonic Crank pulley separated.
Rebuilding the front suspension-all new bushings and power steering hoses
Oil leaks, oil sump pan is at an angle and requires the front suspension to be removed to remove the pan

My old Mini is still on the road in WNC.