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Sort of gotten the bug about getting a Mini. Anybody know much about the difference of model years? Probably going to use it as a commuter car and daily driver as I am looking to move out towards MSR. And as usual I will want to be able to track it every once in a while. Any thoughts
There's a member on the forum, mvalant , he's a Mini owner. You might shoot him an email or PM (I'm not sure how often he visits).
If you're looking to keep it stock, I'd recommend an '05+ Cooper S with the optional limited slip diff. '05+ Coopers Ss got revised (shorter) gear ratios in 1st through 3rd and the optional diff, which wasn't available on '03 & '04 cars.Quote:
Originally Posted by IPRESS
Either that, or find a used John Cooper Works car with the upgraded supercharger good for 200hp.
Doesn't Madmerv also have a mini in his collection??Quote:
Originally Posted by sammm
Yeah... I think he bought one for his wife last year.Quote:
Originally Posted by POS Racing
Wait for the 2007s, which are all new and should be hitting showrooms shortly. BMW/Peugeot turbo replaces the S/C Brazilian Chrysler lump, updated chassis, interior, exterior, etc.
http://www.mini2.com/images/of_r56/comp_s_fquarter.jpg
Or just buy a Civic Si and save a boatload of cash.
S.
The Lone Star Region (Houston) of the Porsche Club of America has banned them from DEs. Here's some details...
There were a number of roll-over accidents at turn 7 at TWS. In the more serious cases, the doors came open. I personally witnessed a case where the Mini rolled three times, landing upright but seriously damaged. The car bounced on the driver's side during each revolution. On the first bounce the driver's door opened. On the second bounce the door was folded in half. The driver had serious injuries to his left hand.
There was also some anecdotal evidence of the door coming open in roll-over incidents in a couple of pro races.
From the lsrpca web page:
The currently prohibited cars include:
Open Wheel Cars
Cars with only one seat in the Green and Blue Run Group
Convertibles without a proper roll bar installed.
Mini Coopers
Any vehicle deemed “unsafe” by the LSR Officials.
Holy cow! :shock: They don't seem like they'd be roll-prone. Does anyone have any hypotheses into what's causing this?Quote:
Originally Posted by Bell
S.
Physics!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by srivendel
I've chased a few out at MSR and they seemed very stable. They might have had mod. suspension. And they had no roll cage which might move the center of gravity higher.
I don't think anyone had a good explanation and it came down to speculation. But none the less, there it is.Quote:
Originally Posted by srivendel
No! :shock: Next thing you know you're going to mention gravity, too!Quote:
Originally Posted by scmx5driver
S.
well, then maybe we shouldn't mention coefficients of friction and what not either...Quote:
Originally Posted by srivendel
http://arwen-undomiel.com/images/gol..._listening.jpgQuote:
Originally Posted by Dave04
Not listening...
::Clown::
What I wonder is: why a Mini and not an RSX, for example.
S.
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h7...t-see-shit.jpgQuote:
Originally Posted by srivendel
I drove one right after I bought my car last year. They realy have quite a bit of stability. My friend also owns a BMW Z3 as well as the 2005 Mini Cooper S. I didn't feel the least bit of any roll over when he whiped it around in a bat mobile manuever and a E-brake turn around in a wide open concrete parking lot. It was one fun ride.
I asked the Mini of Dallas guy when the 2007 models are coming out and he said it would be in February. The Convertibles will still be the 2006 model until later. I did read that there is another mod out there that is done by a reknowned BMW tuner company that is a lot easier to install than the JCW package and costs about $4500 for parts. The power output is the same as JCW package. I think the name of the company is Dinan.
Picture of one of the crashed ones on the Mini Forum.
Quote:
Originally Posted by POS Racing
::Shocked: ::Shocked: ::Shocked: ::Shocked: ::Shocked:
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com...ersdoor3ei.jpg
You would think that a simple roll cage/window net rule would be better than an outright ban. :confused:
I dont think a window net is going to help when there is no door. I bet the reason why they dont want a roll cage rule is that it still looks bad everytime a car wrecks. If you have a type of car that is rolling often even if it has a roll cage it brings the illusion of danger more and more into DEs.Quote:
Originally Posted by blackzx3_13
Mac,
Shelley's is just a plain 'ol Mini (no S), and it is a fun little car. I doubt the car was at fault at TWS turn 7 and wouldn't let that keep me from buying one. That said, visibility is great, very stable with the wide track and wheels at the corners, and rides decent. The back seat is pretty cramped, but for hauling, it beats a Miata. Fuel economy is equal to a Miata (32 on a commute like you would have). Great thing is that you get BMW service, which is EXCELLENT!
Are ya gonna buy an MSR condo??????? I have a house in PPOA for sale....includes a six car garage :D
That garage is badass! :clap:Quote:
Originally Posted by MadMerv
You are teasing me with that six car garage! I just can't go that far as the wife has to be able to get to the hospital in FW pretty quick. I am looking between the track and Whiskey Flats. I am not sure on the Mini but I am considering it. I have a good friend who will be trading in a S2000 with 60K total hwy miles so I might be tempted there. I have always wanted one, and with those miles I could mod it a little if I wanted.Quote:
Originally Posted by MadMerv
I'd take a close look at the Mini vs the S2k. I'd say the Mini S would provide a lot more fun on a daily basis. S2k's lack of torque is something I could never get over. I even drove a new model which supposedly has more torque, still not impressed. I'm waiting to drive one of the new turbo mini's. They hold their value so well, it's almost cost prohibitive to get a new one vs used.
A friend of mine in Portland has one (on his second) as his daily ride. He's also owned an Elise, the new BMW M5, almost got the Aston V8 Vantage and so forth and he still drives the mini the most. His datalogs from PIR show that it's nearly as fast as his Elise! Check it: www.dpcars.net
I know a few other people like this as well. They can drive just about anything they want, but choose the mini for the fun factor.
The company I work for also rents them. Let me know if you want their info.