I've always been a Subaru man - I currently own 2 red Imprezas, a 2000 2.5RS Coupe that I rallycross and autocross every chance I get, and my 2004 WRX Sportwagon daily driver. I've always had a soft spot for MINI's (rally heritage, great handling, unique look), so when I saw this car when looking to trade up my WRX for something newer, I thought it was time to try something other than Subaru and couldn't pass this up! Plus, it's red, so will fit right into my driveway, and I just can't get over that supercharger whine!

Can't wait to pick it up early next week! Pictures of my cars below!


New on the left, old on the right!


My 'race car'


Any advice or words of wisdom to the new/first time MINI owner?

 

Grats on the JCW!!! It's a great looking car!

 

Thanks!! Still haven't heard when I get to pick it up yet The waiting is killing me

 

were you like me and said "oh crap I have to buy this" the first time you heard the supercharger whine? hehe

 

Welcome to NAM!
Great selection of car.

 

yeah good choice enjoy the SuperCharger WHINE!!!!

 

I have no idea what you're talking about..

I kid, that sounds exactly like my test drive experience, haha What a sound!

Thanks guys!

 

same test drive as me then

 

Congrats, I`m still debating between SC or turbo model year. I have more turbo experience with prior cars.

 

I vote S/C. I have more turbo experience also, but the sound of the supercharger is unreal. Also, driving my turbo car at the limit was a bit unpredictable (mostly loose-surface rallycross stuff (gravel, snow, etc.), didn't use it much for autocross) because you had to take turbo lag and the dynamics of a turbo car into account. Not sure if this will be the case with the supercharger (still haven't gotten a call telling me the car's ready yet ) but it was hard to hold a controlled slide in the WRX, because it had 0 power/torque off-boost and was a wagon (heavy), so it would be 'no power, understeer.. no power, understeer.. no power, understeer *turbo spools* POWER! all-four wheels spinning *let off to try to catch the slide and lose all boost* no power, understeer.. *foot back on throttle waiting for boost again*... Just kind of frustrating, haha. Then I bought the n/a RS pictured above that just oozes torque in the low rpms Very predictable and easy to control compared to the WRX.

EDIT: I realize I won't be doing any 'controlled sliding' in the MCS, it was just an example where the inconsistent power delivery of the turbo was annoying . That specific car had other issues that could have contributed to my experience, though.

 

Yeah my turbo car was a DSM AWD. Lots of lag. I've been told the cooper turbo has almost no lag. The SC should be instant esp with a Roots style blower.
One of my other sticking points is the SC being a SOHC vs the turbos DOHC. Tho motor trend has the '03 S listed as dohc. Any verification on that?

 

You'll learn to love the way the Mini handles and you have enough power. The only problem for me is the never ending up grading mods that keep coming out. It'll drive you crazy. You made the best choice with the S/C.

 

Yeah, it's twinscroll, so should be very quick spool!

No idea on the sohc vs dohc though.

 

Your sig really shows that, lol, do you have a build journal or anything?

How do you like the air/water intercooler? One of my buddies was trying to talk me into setting one up on my WRX when I was going to build the motor on it.

EDIT: Also, love the red/checkerboard on white wheels! I'm hoping to pick up some white wheels to put some sticky autox tires on someday. Are those the pro-race TD's?

 

My build sheet would take me at least a week to put togather, but here is a pic that should help.

 

SOHC, but don't let that sway to you much. I went from a non-turbo eclipse (2.0L DOHC, set of crane #12 cams, stiffer springs, some other little negligible HP goodies) to my R53 in about a week.. just had to find the right mini with the best deal. Lighter car, little less torque, slower on the throttle (drive by wire, emissions, etc), but... super charger whine and a suspension that handles better and doesn't feel like bricks


only "sticky" point of the R53 and R56 is the finer point of gas milage
I leave the tach readout display on the current MPG just as reminder that I get +-25mpg if I take it easy or closer to 30 if I use cruise control... and I've gotten it as low as 8, haven't achieved much worse. 12 is about average for hard acceleration when I feel like whining a bit, hehe.

 

^ That's better than my WRX was getting for gas mileage, haha..

Pickup in 3 hours!!!

 

nice looking ride. i have a subaru and a mini as well!

 

Pick it up yet? If so you probably won't post until late 'cuz you'll be out driving!

 

I have a twin to yours in the '04 variety, but with white wheels. Love It! Congrats on the purchase.

 

Cool! How do you like the GR? I was looking at an '08 STI, but decided to look for something cheaper and fell in love with the MCS I bought.

Lots of driving, haha.. then getting ready to leave town for work.. Pretty much drove around for a while, put it in the garage, then left for almost a week. But I'm back now and loving it! DAMN this thing can handle!

Thanks! I love the red on white wheels look - the car came with an extra set of tires I'm looking to get mounted on something white - just have to find something white, light, and affordable to put them on, haha.

 

A lot of white wheels out there shouldn't be a problem to find some good light weight ones.

 

I have Team Dynamic's and I beleive there about 17lbs each.

 

Yeah, I was thinking of those, but they're a bit pricey and I don't know if I've found them in stock.

Was also thinking about these 17" SPEEDY WHEELS Lite-7's, but I don't know anything about that site or brand.