Finally drove a Mini Cooper S... yow!

My buddy just took delivery of a spankin' new Mini Cooper S (only 7 miles on the odo), and he let me thrash on it a little bit (call it a half-ass thrash, since I didn't want to spoil the break-in mode). I've previously driven base models of both generations of Minis and loved 'em, but this was my first time in an S model...

Man, that's a nice ride! Great power with zero turbo lag, deceptively quick (I kept looking over at the center speedo and realizing that, suddenly, I was doing 70 in a 35 - repeatedly), solid as a rock, and (as we all know) it handles great for a front-driver...

...but you guys prolly already know that.

Just thought I'd toss in my two pennies. :burnrubr:

A friend of mine bought a Conv S for his wife, and it's still super stiff! I can't imagine how stiff the fixed top would be. It's an auto, so it is slow, but it handles really well.

I concur, I was very shocked when we test drove an automatic S (that's all they had on the lot). The ride was VERY firm, about on par with my R pack equipped Miata and only slightly softer than my sport pack Elise. The scary part is that the car DID NOT have sport package. I think a lot of it is the run flat tires with the very stiff sidewall. The car cornered well and braked well with great linear power but had tons of wheelspin. The automatic doesn't have LSD but I know even with LSD and a heavy foot it will still spin a lot.

Try it on Koni DA.

Is there more power to be untapped from the new turbos?
I know the superchargers with slightly limited in their quest for more economical power.

Chris

I thought the ride was quite compliant - no complaints from me. I think this one has the sport package, but is riding on the 16" wheels (I could be wrong about the sport package part).

As for turbo upgrades, there's a dealer-installed John Cooper Works upgrade for $2100 that nets you a whopping 189 hp (over the stock 177). It does have an "overboost" feature that ramps it up to 208 for short bursts, though.

I did notice some wheelspin, but at least it wasn't all over the road with torque steer like a hot-rod Cavalier... ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Miatamaniac92

Is there more power to be untapped from the new turbos?
I know the superchargers with slightly limited in their quest for more economical power.

Chris

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I think people are making about 200 whp with boltons and 240 wtq. They dyno 170 whp/200 wtq stock.

http://www.altaminiperformance.com/s...chipstage1.jpg

Thats a pretty dyno graph.

Chris

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ken o

http://www.altaminiperformance.com/s...chipstage1.jpg

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That's with a few boltons and the chip too right or chip/intake at least?

I think it is. The turbo is small and runs out of power at the top end.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Miatamaniac92

Thats a pretty dyno graph.

Chris

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I think a dyno for a Miata is prettier. Much better top end.

I meant the colors and such. It takes a little cash to get those numbers in the Miata though.

Chris

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Miatamaniac92

I meant the colors and such. It takes a little cash to get those numbers in the Miata though.

Chris

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Ah, I see.

And I meant the general shape. I have always had a penchant for engines that had a top-heavy torque curve.

break-in mode is pretty hardcore, and taken care of in the first few times you drive the car. Its 2008, machining has evolved over the last 30 years.