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Congratulations on the new to you MINI.

Love the color

I have driven manual transmissions for 40 years, and I rarely ever downshift into first. Then again, when I started driving sticks, no first gear synchros.

I give my motor time to warm up before hard accelerations, but it's cold out now and the oil needs to warm a bit.

Motor on.

 

Congrats and Happy Motoring

 

Very nice MINI. I love the red with black roof. I eventually want to get a JCW with that color combination. I suggest a 17% pulley, and as for headers and cams I would give Jan at RMW a call. I plan on getting my cam from him sometime soon.

 

Love the color. Welcome to NAM. The only thing I can say to get is Strut tower brace to prevent mushrooming. Motor On!

 

Congrats, and I don't downshift to first, maybe in a parking lot on the rare occasion but that's because I'm going like 20 anyways and I don't want to come to a stop. Superchargers don't need to cool down like turbos do and I let the car warm up being go hard on it. Nice bright paint!

 

I downshift into first before entering highway ramps, with proper rev-matching of course. I have to slow down more than normal for the turn, but to be able to run 1st through and go into second through those multi-curved ramps...

 

I know for the new Mini's the Manual says there is you shouldn't let the car warm up. Just start the car and start driving. (unless I misunderstood). I down shift all the time. Now I'm not going from 60 mph to first gears but there are many studies to suggust that down shifting saves gas and wear and tear on the brakes. My rule is 10 - 15 mph for each gear. Hope this helps?....Motor On.

 

Well it makes sense to warm up the engine before putting it to max effort, cooling down is of less necessity, and shifting down into 1st gear on the move is allright as long as you have the skill to do it smoothly as far as the gearbox and engine go. If you have not mastered the art, then don't do it!

 

x 2 on the rev matching

 

I've driven past that car a few times now. Glad it found a home! When you are ready to dump the X-Lites, make sure you post back.

 

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Welcome to the dual pleasures of Mini Coopers and manual transmissions! Both are tons of fun! Motor on!

 

If you are relatively new to manual transmission cars, then this is acceptable. You can try putting the car into gear before the turn as you feel ready for it. Later on, you can try to rev-match or heel-toe to get the car set up and then power out of the corner.


MINIs do tend to have taller gears than most other cars.

 

PICS added

I brought it for an inspection to Mach V today and surprisingly its in really good condition. Suspensions good, brakes perfect, clutch, supercharger is good, all that is good.

This is what they documented for me, im gonna take it to the dealer tommorow to get it all fixed (cause theyll replace all of it)

exhaust is very rusty, bad rust spot at muffler can
air filter needs to be replaced (i saw it, holy crap it was dirty)
Front right fog lamp plug loose in bumper
brake fluid pretty dark and pedal travels far
rattle coming from rear of car all the time



Now the rattle, it sounds like a creaking noise coming from the hatch. Is this common? its happening when you turn or when you go over a bump and stuff.

 

The Turbo cool down is not a myth, but its not needed for the supercharger.

 

If the rattle is coming from the hatch, it might just need a new striker plate. This was a common problem, and the dealer will may do it under warranty for you.