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Thread: Finally drove a Mini Cooper S... yow!

  1. #1

    Default 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.
    '94 Black & Black & Tan
    '99 head swap, JR header, TDR intake & header blanket, MegaSquirt, RB hollow bar, Tein Flex, 15x8 6ULs, HD M2 Sport, FM cat, Borla cat-back, black '95M interior, MOMO Zebrano, IL Motorsport console...

    Dyno Days
    8/16/08 (bone stock): 103.1 hp/99.0 lb-ft - Dynojet
    8/23/08 (Borla cat-back): 108.2 hp/104.1 lb-ft - Dynojet
    8/13/11 (more stuff...): 126 hp/116 lb-ft - Mustang dyno

    Roger Moore: the Danny White of James Bonds

  2. #2

    Default

    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.
    Wealth, power, and experience are apparently not enough to save us from social influences. Groupthink, as described by I.L.Janis, is the tendency for group members to reach a consensus opinion, even if that decision is downright stupid (Janis 1982).

  3. #3

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    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.
    VW Bug in running shoes
    M Porcupine sedan
    M Porcupine coupe
    Crusty old e46 beater
    Battery Powered appliance car

  4. #4

  5. #5

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    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

  6. #6

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    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...
    '94 Black & Black & Tan
    '99 head swap, JR header, TDR intake & header blanket, MegaSquirt, RB hollow bar, Tein Flex, 15x8 6ULs, HD M2 Sport, FM cat, Borla cat-back, black '95M interior, MOMO Zebrano, IL Motorsport console...

    Dyno Days
    8/16/08 (bone stock): 103.1 hp/99.0 lb-ft - Dynojet
    8/23/08 (Borla cat-back): 108.2 hp/104.1 lb-ft - Dynojet
    8/13/11 (more stuff...): 126 hp/116 lb-ft - Mustang dyno

    Roger Moore: the Danny White of James Bonds

  7. #7

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Miatamaniac92 View Post
    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 think people are making about 200 whp with boltons and 240 wtq. They dyno 170 whp/200 wtq stock.
    VW Bug in running shoes
    M Porcupine sedan
    M Porcupine coupe
    Crusty old e46 beater
    Battery Powered appliance car

  8. #8

  9. #9

    Default

    Thats a pretty dyno graph.

    Chris
    91 Miata (#3), Rattle Can Grey(previous owner), Greddy Turbo @7 PSI and Manifold (Only items remaining from the kit), TDR I/C, Godspeed Radiator, RM DP, 2.5 Enthuza Bipes, BEGI AFPR, ACT, Lightened Stock Flywheel, Yellow Konis, FCM on Stock Springs, HDM2S, MOMO Wheel, Ratsback Front CF Lip, Black Rota's on EcstaXS, Corrado Rotors & XP8's on Front w/ 1.8 rears.

    http://austinmiata.com/

    Wishlist: Megasquirt to run 12-13 PSI, White non-spray paint job, 8" 6UL's, RX7 LSD, Evans Waterless Coolant

  10. #10

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by ken o View Post
    That's with a few boltons and the chip too right or chip/intake at least?
    VW Bug in running shoes
    M Porcupine sedan
    M Porcupine coupe
    Crusty old e46 beater
    Battery Powered appliance car

  11. #11

    Default

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

  12. #12

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Miatamaniac92 View Post
    Thats a pretty dyno graph.

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

  13. #13

    Default

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

    Chris
    91 Miata (#3), Rattle Can Grey(previous owner), Greddy Turbo @7 PSI and Manifold (Only items remaining from the kit), TDR I/C, Godspeed Radiator, RM DP, 2.5 Enthuza Bipes, BEGI AFPR, ACT, Lightened Stock Flywheel, Yellow Konis, FCM on Stock Springs, HDM2S, MOMO Wheel, Ratsback Front CF Lip, Black Rota's on EcstaXS, Corrado Rotors & XP8's on Front w/ 1.8 rears.

    http://austinmiata.com/

    Wishlist: Megasquirt to run 12-13 PSI, White non-spray paint job, 8" 6UL's, RX7 LSD, Evans Waterless Coolant

  14. #14

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Miatamaniac92 View Post
    I meant the colors and such. It takes a little cash to get those numbers in the Miata though.

    Chris
    Ah, I see.

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

  15. #15

    Default

    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.
    TXMC: Drinkin, shootin, racin!

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