Contemplating Leaving the MINI Fold

[Naughty Magpie]

After doing the Cat & Fiddle run yesterday following VXs, S2Ks, Elises I have come to the conclusion that although my Cooper S is amazing and lovely and special, I desire something with a lot more power.

I'm not saying this cos I couldn't keep up - I could no probs. Those who have driven with me & Scott know that I drive the socks off my Cooper S. Two new fronts in 7,800 miles speaks for itself.

Anyway, after thinking about this for a while, I have whittled the very short list down to this:

[pic]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y119/naughtymagpie/26839-1.jpg[/pic]

It's a Marcos ML500. There happens to be one for sale on Pistonheads. The sellers details are:

[i]"20,000 miles. Marcos LM500
V8 4.6ltr 350bhp
P 1997, 20k miles, Blue metallic paintwork.
VGC, FDSH, Tax & MOT.

A rare opportunity to own a piece of British motor car history. Gorgeous V8 sound. Drives and handles like a dream and very easy & comfortable for every day use, with a touring size boot easily accomodating luggage and/or golf clubs

Electric mirrors/windows, Adjustable steering column & pedals, Heated screen, 'Image' Alloy wheels.

Full Leather Interior (Cream with Blue Piping), Walnut Dash, Smith Dials.

Recent Monies Spent:
- Completely New Hood
- New Front Brake Discs and Pads
- New Front Dampers/Shocks
- New Exhausts
- New Extended Rear Underspoiler
- New Cat1 Sigma Alarm
- New Alpine Head Unit
- Complete Body Waxoyl "[/i]

The decision is not yet finalised about the Marcos because there are one or two misgivings in my head about the drastic change.

1. Going to cost a bloody lot to fix if it goes wrong (but Scott knows engines very well so maybe it'll be a bit cheaper for little niggles)

2. It will be my only car, my everyday car so it will be driven in all weather, beautiful hot sunny days and foot high torrents of rain and snow. Am I going to kill myself in it?

I'm aware that obviously this is a MINI forum but I wouldn't mind some positive points about the Cooper S that I haven't thought of. I mean , I love the car, it's very forgiving and extremely predictable in all weathers as well as headturning without the "rich git/w*nker/daddys girl" sort of reaction.

Your thoughts (good, bad & ugly) please.....

[PatHeald]

Naughty Magpie said:

Am I going to kill myself in it?

Yes, you probably are.

I have just sold a Griffith 500. One of the reasons I fell out with it is because it scared me to death in the wet.

Have you thought about an Elise?