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I can not say how nice it is to have an exciting car to run around in. We had a couple of Mazda 3's with a stick which were ok. Economical, kind of sporty with the stick but truely lacking a soul. We have a 09 Jetta TDI stick which is the mileage work horse. Great mileage, lots of torq and rides good for road trips. My fun car is a 05 Maserati Coupe 6 manual with a Larini exhaust. I picked it up late spring and have truely enjoyed driving this car every nice day I had a chance. This is a car with a soul and a pure joy to drive. I found on rainy weekends I was depressed when we could go for a little spin to town and shake up the country side witht he exhaust wail. I hated driving our other cars. Boring and unspirited. Friday we picked up the MINI S. She wanted a Bug at first and I was dragging my feet in the search. I didn't want to be seen in it let alone drive it. Then I brought up a MINI. She was excited.
Fun and different. She has barely got to drive it so far. I am more then content to drive it to work or just out running around or a costco run. Getting 30 MPG by the computer getting down to end of the first tank. Lots of hard acceleration and some highway trying to get mileage. Hard not to press Jack too hard but he sure loves to go. Love zipping around in the rain.
So agile and tossable. The Maserati you have to work through the twisties, transfering the weight and keeping her balanced. Jack just attacks the twisties and eats them up. Way to much fun for a driver. I will be driving it a lot I think. Good second choice when the Maser is in for foul weather. Commuting it just seems to flow through traffic effortlessly. Glad we didn't get the brite color she wanted. Blends and hides well in traffic but easy to
pass and get by others. People seem not to mind the MINI going by like they do other cars. They do not even try to squeeze you or slow you up and you just zip by and let you. Plenty of power with the S. I might have purchased the non S for thge wife as it would have been more then enough for her. Hard to keep it slowed down for me. Could be trouble in the long run. Over all I am totally impressed with the ride, handling, power and how solid the car is.
I want to rent one when we are in Europe next year on our trip. He might need a little more front end grip. 195's are doing a lot of spinning upon corner exits with Sport on and the traction control off. Needs a bit more bite but do not want to scrafice the quick turn it. Tires are newand its an issue so I know it will get much worse when those run flats get hard and slick with wear. I would drive it daily for work but I think the company would think it is
to small for clients. I hardly take anyone to lunch anymore anyway. MINI's Rule!!!!!!!!
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2010 Mini Cooper S. 6 speed manual, Dark Silver Met, grey pleather, 16" Bridge Spoke Alloy's Black,Piano Black Interior,Sun Roof,Arm rest, Bluetooth,
fogs and MultiFunchtion Sterring Wheel, Black Racing Stripes, Black Jack mirrors, 3M,2009 Jetta TDI-6 speed,2005 Maserati Coupe GT- Grigio Alfieri, Red Leather,Head liner,6 Speed,BallPolished wheels,Larini Exhaust,2004 Dodge 2500- Cumins, 6 Speed-Not stinking Autos in this house.We all row the gears.
congratulations and welcome! sounds like you've had a lot of car experience. glad to hear about how much you love the mini
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'02 Electric Blue/ White top Cooper S So far: One ball exhaust, Dinan CAI, M7 STB, Alta oil catch can, added OEM driving lights, dropped on Bilstein PSS9's
They are especially fun in the mountains on a summer day. Congrats
Some 205/50-16 might be better around those Bridgespokes.
For summer some super sticky 205/50-16 Dunlop Star Specs.
Welcome to NAM, sounds like you have become a total MINIac. By the way the base Cooper will move pretty quickly and get you into "trubble speeds" before you know it.
__________________ SCOOTER2009 MC, Chili Red/White, Automatic, Cold Weather, MFSW, Sport Seats, Now Alive and Well in Salt Lake
Some sticky 205's would be ticket. I want to take over and totally mod the car. I see MINI is not a friendly player when comes to others mods. The exhaust I just heard on line would be assume. Then again this is the wifes car. I will probabaly stay stock but I promise to run him when I can. Where is the all wheel drive version of the MINI. They are a sleep at the wheel.
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2010 Mini Cooper S. 6 speed manual, Dark Silver Met, grey pleather, 16" Bridge Spoke Alloy's Black,Piano Black Interior,Sun Roof,Arm rest, Bluetooth,
fogs and MultiFunchtion Sterring Wheel, Black Racing Stripes, Black Jack mirrors, 3M,2009 Jetta TDI-6 speed,2005 Maserati Coupe GT- Grigio Alfieri, Red Leather,Head liner,6 Speed,BallPolished wheels,Larini Exhaust,2004 Dodge 2500- Cumins, 6 Speed-Not stinking Autos in this house.We all row the gears.
Yeah MINI dealerships are pretty anal about mods. But you can get JCW upgrade kit, which is MINI approved and RMW ECU tune, which is undetectable with the JCW bits and RMW ECU tune, you should get a nice hp/torque figure. Really, though a rear sway bar and sticky tires is all you need. Check out current crop of sticky tires (note:not meant for winter) here: http://www.northamericanmotoring.com...blication.html
As for 4 wheel drive MINI, they have been testing for awhile. And ever since Suburu and Prodrive "mutually" dumped eachother. The WRC rally series rumors are that they came to an agreement and are testing a individual MINI parts for the FIA World Rallye Championship (WRC) details here: http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsAr...llCars/244415/ AND Here: http://www.rallybuzz.com/prodrive-mini-crossover-wrc/just wish Colin McRae was around RIP to Pilot the MINI, but Petter Solberg will work as a MINI Pilot. Also, I wonder if there will be a conflict between the official MINI Motorsport Centre and Prodrive, but doubt it since MINI Motorsport Centre is BMW/MINI owned. Dude, I am so stoked about this , I hope it goes through!
So far: One ball exhaust, Dinan CAI, M7 STB, Alta oil catch can, added OEM driving lights, dropped on Bilstein PSS9's
SCOOTER 2009 MC, Chili Red/White, Automatic, Cold Weather, MFSW, Sport Seats, Now Alive and Well in Salt Lake
But you can get JCW upgrade kit, which is MINI approved and RMW ECU tune, which is undetectable with the JCW bits and RMW ECU tune, you should get a nice hp/torque figure. Really, though a rear sway bar and sticky tires is all you need.
Also, I wonder if there will be a conflict between the official MINI Motorsport Centre and Prodrive, but doubt it since MINI Motorsport Centre is BMW/MINI owned. Dude, I am so stoked about this , I hope it goes through!
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