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Back in 02 Getrag built a AWD mini as a bit of an experiment and it proved not to be not much of a success. When you add all the mechanical drag of a AWD system you have a drive train loss of over 30% compared to about 12% for a two wheel drive. For example the dreamed of JCW 220 hp AWD car would be putting about 150 to the ground and weigh at least 200 Lbs more . Are you sure you would really want one of those ? And as for STI's they aren't that much of a problem out here but we have really tight roads
I'm not looking forward to an AWD Mini until they increase the displacement of the engine to a 2.0L or 2.2L. AWD only helps you from the launch and the extra weight from the awd drivetrain will slow you down once you get rolling. It would be nice to have awd for wet or snowy conditions though.
Awd drivetrain loss is much less than 30%. Haldex based systems (Saab, R32) are primarily Fwd until slip is detected which makes them efficient and seamless in power delivery.
Asking the front wheels to turn and accelerate/brake at the same time is always limiting to the car. awd is the way to go if any more power is introduced to the car.
Asking the front wheels to turn and accelerate/brake at the same time is always limiting to the car. awd is the way to go if any more power is introduced to the car.
12 second Dodge Neon SRT-4's are a dime a dozen (they do it on street tires and pump gas). If anything, I'd like to see a rwd Mini before I saw an awd Mini.
The AWD MINI is coming next year, but might not be what you wanted. It will be in the form of the R60 crossover ("Countryman"). An AWD R56? It will never happen, not from MINI anyway.
The MINI was out front the entire run around the 'Ring.
I tossed that link up there because the in-car was in a Subaru, one of the most commonly seen "performance" cars with all-wheel drive. The FWD MINI more than holds its own.
It's also worth noting that All4, or whatever BMW will call their all-wheel drive system, will first be found in the forthcoming R60. The Countryman is a SAV, not a performance sedan. I suppose one could argue that once in the R60, we will eventually see All4 in the (JCW?) Coupé, whatever.
Personally, I wouldn't have any interest in an all-wheel drive MINI Cooper. As far as I'm concerned, as a consumer/enthusiast, the MINI is already wonderful in situations where all-wheel drive might do well. (Of course, if I had a sudden career change and found myself competing in the WRC, that might be a different story.)
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Im in for one if for no other reason than snowy/icy conditions.. Make getting to work a little easier and look funny to see a mini in the lot with everyone elses 4x4 trucks.. LOL
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2009 Justa, Black all over, Trying to gather knowledge and opinions on a stereo upgrade..
I read on Motoring file the MINI is looking to collarborate with ProDrive in developing an R60 WRC car. I REALLY hope this makes it to fruition. I'm a big fan of WRC and to have MINI in the fray would be the best!
I forsee someone who is loaded doing a swap on the awd system in the R60 to a R56. The thing is it will be heavy but you can offset that by using lighter weight parts and dropping some weight else where in there car. The parasitic loss is going to be difficult to over come though being that the ECU is so finiky. But you might have to put a stand alone in the car to be able drive it or at a bare minimum a decent piggyback. Putting awd on the MINI would be awesome and it would handle a lot better but I don't know that it would make it that much faster. So if anyone wants go in with me I will sacrafice my car for the better of the MINI world.
AWD would be a nice system but let's not forget the weight percentage increase premium. It would likly add 500lbs and push the MINI above 3000lbs. This of course would require a larger, more powerful engine (and heaver to boot) to keep the power to weight ratio reasonable. Then you have to beef up the suspension to support the extra weight (adding even more weight itself). With all the extra pounds the handling and quick launching would suffer. So it's not always a good choice to head down the "more is better" bloat road.
True That Power To Ratio WIll Always Play A Big Part In The Game, Plus Really ? AWD ? I Mean I Can Smoke S2k's With That Tiny Bit Of Mods I Got On, Now Imagine Like IDK An Overkilled 400 HP Mini ? I Would Rather Have All Those Horses Go To The Front Wheels And Spank Half The Cars Around The States Then It Be AWD And Have STi's On My Butt... BUUuuuuuT Like ig109 Said It Would Be Good For THose People Who Live In Snowy Places..Idk I Wouldn't Get One, Im Wasn't Very Good At Launching My STi When I Had It :D
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ALTA_Chris
Dave, We as a company are done with you at this point.
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Winston - 2009 chilli red MCS
'07 R56 MCS (10/07 build) CR/W Premium/Sport/Cold WX pkgs, 17in Crown Spokes. Sold- '04 R50 MC (03/04 build) PS/PS Tarten Red/Anthracite dash, Premium/Sport/Cold WX pkgs, Xenons, Auto wipe, rear fogs.
