Bring on a separate new Mini forum??
Discussion
Paul V said:
Hi Trackdemon, yeah the S is going very well, it’s done 14k now and really feels like the engine is revving more freely now.
How’s the NSX? Had any runs recently?
14k
Ours WAS on 15k. Then we moved to Essex - now closing in on 28k!!! Runs like a dream of course 2nd service coming up soon.... NSX great, exhaust sounds mucho naughty these days
Another car in for a service soon too.... Big run up to Brunters for VMAX this weekend first though!It’ll take another few years to reach that sort of mileage.
Will be nice to hear to NSX, I’m probably going to have the Griff exhaust sleeved when I get it back, it’s been with TVR for the Taraka upgrade since before Christmas but unfortunately I’ve not been to well recently so unable to go collect it, hopefully will be well again soon though, I’ll have to join you for a drive in the summer.
Will be nice to hear to NSX, I’m probably going to have the Griff exhaust sleeved when I get it back, it’s been with TVR for the Taraka upgrade since before Christmas but unfortunately I’ve not been to well recently so unable to go collect it, hopefully will be well again soon though, I’ll have to join you for a drive in the summer.
trackdemon said:
I would like to compare the two in a race. Anyone fancy putting there money where their mouth is at say Prescott?
Presumably you'd compare std spec vs std spec?Lets do another round at - say - Bedford autodrome?
No, as we're petrolheads, a proper no holds barred race.
road legal of course 
KLEAKY88 said:
And the mini is a bmw and is bought by people who want to look cool but also want to semi jump on the 'i love mini bandwagon' but can't be arsed to put the effort into owning one and would never be seen dead in an original becuase the ride is just too uncomfortable.
What a load of piffle, have you been eating chassis filler or something?
I bought a new Mini because I wanted a reliable little car that has a bit of character to liven up the commute to work. CGAF about the old mini heritage bollox to be honest. Why would you want to "put the effort into owning one" when there are sooo many better cars around these days which require far less effort as you put it.
Internet forums always seem to bring out the worst in people, they forget they are car enthusiasts and pin their colours to the mast of the thing they have in the garage because perhaps in some way it defines their identity.
KLEAKY888 said:
Its not a mini and quite honestly its a disgrace that it has been named so - shame on bmw!! And if it wasn't BMW and for example Rover had made 'the new mini' they wouldn't be seen dead in them!!
Deeply sad.
>> Edited by AndrewD on Thursday 17th March 07:47
Every morning I drive a piece of British heritage to work. You on the other hand drive a GERMAN production line car to work. They're not even made at BMW!!
Thats the difference so don't compare.
And I aren't sad, I like the new mini as a car. It is funky but it's not a mini. Its a maxi
Thats the difference so don't compare.
And I aren't sad, I like the new mini as a car. It is funky but it's not a mini. Its a maxi
Rather entertaining thread this! FWIW, my tuppence:
Mini: Is a car
MINI: Is a car
They have absolutely nothing in common, except for a trade name that BMW bought. Classic Mini owners who get upset at the new MINI should get out more, and vica versa.
I've driven a Works Cooper S Mini (for only half an hour) and own the MINI Works Cooper S. Both very entertaining drives, that should appeal to most Petrolheads.
I really don't understand where all the aggression coms from, man
If Mini owners have anything to be upset about, it's with BMW and the rather aggressive way they went about buying and protecting the brand name.Raify said:
Rather entertaining thread this! FWIW, my tuppence:
Mini: Is a car
MINI: Is a car
They have absolutely nothing in common, except for a trade name that BMW bought. Classic Mini owners who get upset at the new MINI should get out more, and vica versa.
I've driven a Works Cooper S Mini (for only half an hour) and own the MINI Works Cooper S. Both very entertaining drives, that should appeal to most Petrolheads.
I really don't understand where all the aggression coms from, man
well said that man. Surely this all this argument boils down to is personal choice. Perhaps we should all just calm down and respect each other's views on the cars. I love my MINI but I can also see why people love their Minis, and I do see them as a classic. I don't really see why we have to slate each other's cars. To each their own.
trackdemon said:
I would like to compare the two in a race. Anyone fancy putting there money where their mouth is at say Prescott?
Presumably you'd compare std spec vs std spec?
I would rather do it on the tarmac and gravel roads on the Eppynt Ranges in mid-Wales! Now, that would be interesting and a proper test.
Cooperman said:
love machine said:
I would like to compare the two in a race. Anyone fancy putting there money where their mouth is at say Prescott?
Presumably you'd compare std spec vs std spec?
I would rather do it on the tarmac and gravel roads on the Eppynt Ranges in mid-Wales! Now, that would be interesting and a proper test.
My point was that despite the mini being a shite car, from A to B on the twisties, there is one obvious winner. The physics is all wrong with the BINI, if you put the engine in the back, it might be OK, but that much power through a heavy front wheel drive car doesn't work. You just cant get the power down out of corners (properly). It's the same with the Golf GTI VR6, etc, as a track car they probably rule and as a circuit car the BINI will be streets ahead, without a doubt. But track racing is pretty naff really from a man and machine point of view. I would rather drink a cup of coffee in a BINI and race around Goodwood but for tight twisties, there is one car for the job.
For hillclimb and rally stages as well as sprint tracks, a decent old mini will whip ass. You only have to watch your local motorsport to see how they still rule. They shouldn't agreed, but it is a testament to the design. I suppose from a modern day motoring point of view, picking the kids up from school, etc, it is the better car by far BUT from a motorsport/performance point of view, the thing is badly laid out and that's a fact.
If you think about it really - everything would have been ok if it wasn't for them remaking the italian job in such a disgusting fashion.
Have to say though I never noticed any of those MINI's going on rooftops or through Sewage pipes!! Thats a bit of a contradiction in terms really - you see its called a MINI (wrongly) but its too maxi to fit!?
Have to say though I never noticed any of those MINI's going on rooftops or through Sewage pipes!! Thats a bit of a contradiction in terms really - you see its called a MINI (wrongly) but its too maxi to fit!?
love machine said:
BUT from a performance point of view, the thing is badly laid out and that's a fact.
Fact? fact? How is this fact?
The Cooper S Works I drive is one of the best performance car packages I have ever driven. And I have driven a LOT of cars, believe me.
If anything, the main issue with the BMW Mini is that you want for more power. The S Works certainly does not feel overpowered as if the chassis is struggling to cope.
This is why the BMW Mini is such an interesting car.
As the first and only FWD car BMW have ever offered, they spent an inordinate amount of time and engineering effort into working a solution to the torque steer and general problems associated with performance FWD cars. And in the main it has worked, when you REALLY push on with a Cooper S, it is amazing how little it understeers and how neutrally it handles.
Its the best handling FWD car I have ever driven. In fact, i hate FWD in the main, so the fact that the Cooper S is still on my drive means to me that it must be pretty good....
By your own admission Love Machine, you have never driven one.
Maybe you should find a decent driver with a Cooper S Works to take you for a spin, or maybe blag a 24 hr test drive to see for yourself.
I have owned an original Mini. I have been up to my knuckes fixing the thing on many occassions. I also own a BMW Mini.
So i think that puts those of us who have owned both in a better position to comment....
miniman said:
I have been up to my knuckles fixing the thing on many occassions.
To me, one of the big attractions is, that I can.
A fair point ! I think one of the reasons I like the BMW Cooper S is the fact that it needs zero attention !
I can understand the enjoyment out of working on cars however ( I am fixing up an old Porsche right now ) but I like my daily driver to be not only fun but also as reliable as my TV. Cooper S achieves this..
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