So, I finished my first 1000 miles with my MCS. What a pleasant surprise this little car truly is...... I am still in "break-in", so I have been restraining myself, but couldn't help but to push him in the corners & some of my favorite highway ramps that make those beautiful carving turns. I have bought my MCS to give my 03 911 a well deserved break after 87,000 miles of daily drives. What is scaring me is how far I can really push with MCS. Porsche has BFG Pole Positions (my favorite), my MCS still has Conti runflats. I have a spiritual relationship with my Porsche chasis, MCS is "new", feels quite like most of the neutral BMW chasis under stress. I have taken 911 to 100mph on my favorite ramp, and I am finding I am doing 85 on MCS without trying: revealing beautifully stable chasis. I hold back because I don't have faith in Conti's and newness of MCS. How scared should I be when that speedo reaches above 90 next time I take that ramp? What are your experiences been like adjusting to MCS from other competent vehicles of sporting nature ? Love to hear your transition stories.

 

Funny as it sounds I went from an '01 Dodge Durango (which we still own), and I pushed that rig in the corners all the time, and I thought it handled very well. BUT nothing compared to my MINI...I often catch my Husband "Hanging on for Dear Life!!"

 

Currently driving a Cayman S in addition to my MCS, have also owned a variety of other "driver's cars." Before doing anything stupid, I would suggest you do an autocross or DE in the MINI where you can learn more about its limits in a safer environment. There is no doubt my mid-engined P-car has higher ultimate limits but the MINI can also be very enjoyable, I actually kind of like mastering the torque steer. Lots of debate around here about the stock RF tires. I think they're decent performers but there are certainly much better performance non-RF tires out there, simply much better compounds available. Michelin is now making Pilot Sport PS2's in RF config, which I would get for my MINI in a heartbeat, but so far only available in very limited sizes.

 

Scooner,

I hear you ! Going from my GT mustang to Wensleydale was like going from a bus to an F1 car Yeah the GT would go straight fast but turns were ummmmm, yeah......the MINI never seems to give an indication that its getting loose. I have broken it loose but mainly in slower turns and by doing the dumb newbie thing of letting off the gas when I got understeer, on wet that sends the boot around quickly when the fronts bite.

Recently, I switched from the stock Goodyear GSA RF's to the F1 GSD3's (larger 215/45/17) and I'm still trying to convince myself they handle better. The sidewall flex is very noticable vs the RFs. It feels like you have to "set" the roll of the car and then continue the turn, if that makes any sense. Like you have to get the sidewall flex out first then get the turn going. A good friend says a larger sway bar in the rear will help with this. Though from my r/c car days, I always thought a stiffer bar gave less traction in the back and more to the front. Perhaps it keeps the front planted, avoiding the understeer in the first place ? On top of that the rear feels a bit looser than before.

There is no question that they ride better and are much quieter, not to mention better in the wet, but those RSA's felt really good in the twisties.

Be careful out there !

 

Ms Molly, Scott, & Spitfire,

Thank you very much for your responses. The break-in is nearly done & I had chance to drive bit harder today. Remains amazed at how competent the chasis feels at speed. I too enjoy "taming" the torque steer and already learnt to filter most of it out & be smoother with the acceleration pedal. For this reason, I still like the non-sport steering & accelerator pedal calibration allowing me to more easily provide compensation. I am also looking at non-RF options in 205/50/16 config as there are lot more choices than 195/55/16's. Took my whole family on a 45 mile trip to Huper Optik tint shop Saturday, and all my wife can say was "Oh.... my..... no wonder the Porsche is in the garage "

 

LOL

I am running 205/50-16 BFG Traction TA/V for my summer tires and 215/45-16 Falken Azenis for Auto-X and HPDE tires. You are correct about the sidewalls of the RF tires offering much better "turn-in" than a conventional tire. The Azenis are much better than the BFG but I think that is bacause of the shorter sidewall and less to do with stiffer sidewalls. Don't worry about flats, just carry a small 12 VDC air compressor, some "Slime", and some plugs and you will be OK. That is what I, and many others, have been doing for the past six years

Entrance ramps are "launching pads"

If you think those are fun wait until you "track" it thru some esses, then you will really learn what a MINI can do. Just try to keep it sane on the streets, it is dangerous out there.

Find a local Auto-X club and have some low speed fun. Always a blast. Something to hold you over until your next track day fix.

On the track you will be amazed at how many "faster" cars get in your way and slow you down thru the corners. It is quite an eye opener. The stock handling is pretty darn stable at well over 100mph. The stock calipers are more than adequate when paired with some track quality pads such as Ferodo 2500s and some high temp brake fluid such as Motul or ATE Blue.

Good luck, enjoy your new toy.

 

My first Mini was a 2006 "justacooper" I came from a 1986 corvette that at the end of it's life was a pure track car set up for road racing i.e. 300+ HP, 2900 lbs, lowered suspension, big brakes, anti-roll bars the size of sausages, 6 point roll cage, etc. I didn't think I'd ever enjoy a front driver for spirited driving, but was amazed at the Mini. It could be pushed hard, was VERY forgiving, gradual and controllable under steer as expected. Did a few track days in it stock and then upgraded the suspension with the SS+ springs and Koni adjustable shocks and larger rear anti-roll bar (to dial out some of the inherent under steer). The car had the same predictability on the track, both stock and modified, and was MORE fun then the vette, my only beefs being with no LSD (you'd be surprised that even with only 115 HP, how easy it is to "lift" the front inside tire causing the engine do bounce off the rev limiter) and too little horsepower, so I just got my '09 JCW and now can't wait until Spring time, just about the right time for it to be completely broken in, and my first HPDE in it

 

When I first moved to TN and hit the Dragon on the first weekend I broke it loose just a smidge on some of those curves with the stock Conti RFs. I never felt out of control or had much wheel slip, just a little. I however felt very unsure in rain which I didn't c are for. I now have it lowered, bigger sway bar, and Firestone Firehawk Wide Ovals. I have yet to break these loose and I hit ramps pretty hard, and they are a little better in rain. I let off because of my lack of confidence in myself and my skill not because the MINI or these tires can't do it. My next MINI will have the LSD, and I hope one day I can do some driver training or autoX so I can increase my skill and confidence.

 

Just keep in mind that the 911 and the Mini are very different cars, turn in is way different. Both have a high threshold in the corners, but how you get to the apex is very different. One thing you will have to watch for as you increase in your ability and confidence with the Mini, you may have a bit of "lag" when you next drive the Porsche.

Be careful, they're both a blast to drive, but way different at the limit.

 

Glad to see you are having such a good time with your MINI. Like a lot of members of this forum you have come a background of "spirted" cars and have been somewhat surprised at the MINI's abilities. My last car was a Camaro and it was very quick off the line, had an exhilerating top speed, and wasn't that shabby in the corners. Before the MINI there was a long background of go fast cars from the UK, Germany, and Italy and just one quick Japanese. None of them could outdo the MINI in the twisties or feel more comfortable at 90+ mph. In fact I'm still amazed at the stability of this little rounded box at speeds above the century and how quickly it gets there. So enjoy your MINI but give the 911 its share of exercise too. and like Herleman above says they are two different cars that call for two different driving skills.