Difference in FEEL between MPC2K XL and MPC2K XL MCD (blue)?

Hey Guys..
Im about to buy myself a brand new MPC2000XL MCD (blue) mdl. Im just paranoid that maybe there could be slight differences between the two.

Could anybody who has used both tell me if they have noticed any difference in the "Feel/groove" between the two??
Is the casing made out of the same material?
Do the pads feel the same as well? (Physically)
Is the only difference with the MCD version REALLY just the colour and the capability to load multi cards?

ALSO, i just spoke with my distributor, they told me that the MPC 2000 is being discontinued because of the new 2500. Is this true too?

Hi U3, yeah the XL (MCD) will be discontinued due to the release of the MPC2500. Who did you talk to? Elfa?

Rest assured, the MCD is exactly the same in feel/construction as the regular XL. I couldn't tell any difference between an MCD's pads and my own on my regular XL, either.

Have you previously owned a XL? Or just used a mates' or something?

You should be able to find a good deal with the new 2500s due to hit the shelves so soon. Have you been given a price yet?

HEY WDJ,
Yeh thats a shame theyre stopping the MPC 2000XL.
I spoke with elfa - they told me they only got one left (only one left in australia) and so theyre not really cutting the price down that much. $2100 (no expansions or anything). Im gonna go in 2moro and put down a deposit. I plan to use this for a long time and dont want any problems - so im going 1st hand.

Never used one before, but ive downloaded and read the manual and im 99% sure im gonna dig this way of working with midi/drum programming. Been using Logic for the past 5 years staring at a screen. Now its going to be used for just recording and spitting samples into my MPC now bro :>

damn u talkin US dollars man? 2100 is a lot for a 2000xl....the 2500 is 2 grand brand new....i thought them mcd's were like 1700 or somethin

wish I knew that...I copped a 2kxl for like $536 the other week...flipped it

if I knew they was goin away, I'da sat on it for a minute

nEGATIVE - thats $2100 AUS = $1575 US (@ 0.75) . (Not thaat crazy)
Im just hoping akai havent changed any hardware bits or anything in this MCD which will cause its feel/groove to be lost from the earlier 2KXL's..
Should be kool, see how i go.

I spoke to Akai 2 weeks ago and they said the 2500 is NOT replacing the 2000. Both will continue to run.

Affirmative. Ive been mis-informed, rang the store earlier and they confirmed that its not replacing the 2000 BUT theyre going to see how the 2500 sells before making any decision to discontinue it. If the 2500 really starts selling more than the 2000 and the sales of 2000 are minimal - thats when they will consider stopping it.. Thats what the guy told me at least.. + over here in australia from now on, if u want the 2000 u need to get the store to order it in from akai. Hope they dont stop the 2000..