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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ OT Any (new) Mini Cooper Thoughts?

Posted by: bmcwilli Jun 23 2005, 09:02 AM

My 944 S2 is a great car, but it's 14 years old, and starting to nickel and dime a bit. I'd like something different

Any thoughts on the Supercharged minis? They are very popular at the AX these days

Thanks

Posted by: jasons Jun 23 2005, 09:41 AM

I have an 89 S2 as well. The car I would like to convert it into would be an e36 M3. Just my $0.02

The mini is FWD. How about a WRX?

Posted by: scott thacher Jun 23 2005, 10:05 AM

if there is a car that needs a diet this one is it, they need to lose about 200 to 300 lbs. i dont know where they put it but for its size that car is heavy for its size, i dont know how it weighs 2500 pounds and is that small.

Posted by: Joe Ricard Jun 23 2005, 10:12 AM

Dealer option John Cooper Works Package and Option delete everything possible. No stinking Sun roof No stinking Climate control, Wonder if you can delete the stereo? Speakers are heavy!!!!
SCCA Super Stock by the way with JCW package. And yea that car is FAST.

Posted by: aircooledboy Jun 23 2005, 10:22 AM

Drove a non-super charged car for a week recently. Car was just plain fun. Had to rev it to 4000+ to get to the real zip, but it was there. Certainly didn't feel heavy top me. Handled great, rode shockingly well for such a litte car. My friend who owns the car said he passed on the supercharger because it has a very noticable whine. Since this was the same guy who loaned me his Bentley, we know for sure the cost wasn't the issue.

Posted by: Joe Ricard Jun 23 2005, 10:31 AM

I have great difficulty going from my 914 to wife's Cooper S. Top heavy like an SUV well, consider my base line comparision.
Supercharger is music to my ears. Someday I will fanagle an Autocross event with it. But wifes says pigs will fly out my butt 1st. Sure is gonna hurt.

And the S motors have forged engine internals. and oil squirters.

Posted by: mudfoot76 Jun 23 2005, 12:07 PM

My MC S is my daily driver and I love it. I haven't taken it to a track yet, but have ridden in one on track. At times it did feel like it was going to tip over. True, FWD is a little sketchy in full power corners, but for daily driver use I have no complaints.

And I do enjoy the s'charger sounds -- music to my ears

Posted by: nynone4 Jun 23 2005, 12:37 PM

I have a 2002 Cooper S that I bought new almost exactly three years ago. It's got 60k nearly trouble-free miles (it was a pretty early car - so it had a couple hiccups like needing the coolant expansion tank replaced multiple times), and I drive the car HARD. It is a VERY stripped down car - no sunroof, no heavy extras - and I use it for SCCA SM class autocross, and do a handful of track days each year in it.

The car is heavy for its size, but is very well built and once you get used to the difference of front wheel drive from driving the RWD 914, it is very tossable and corners VERY well. I think you'd enjoy one as a daily driver. Here's a pic of my car:

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Posted by: grantsfo Jun 23 2005, 07:26 PM

Cooper S is over weight and over priced. That little 1.6 has trouble until 3500 RPM then it has some power. I'd go for the stripped Mitsu EVO at $26K

Posted by: john rogers Jun 23 2005, 07:38 PM

We have a 1987 930 that is fast, a 914 race car that is quick, but the 2003 Mini S is FUN! It has every option except the GPS system and even after two years People still stop me and ask about it. I have had no problems with it and would get another one in a heartbeat.

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