I'm in the market for a new daily commuter and after hearing (reading) all the hype on how great the MC(S) handles, I just had to see for myself. I took a test drive of an MCS yesterday, and though I must say the car does go precisely where you point it, tracks the road beautifully, and takes corners better than most of its competitors, I find the steering feel a bit too heavy, even for a front engine FWD car. I was expecting a much lighter feel because I see many people use adjectives like "nimble" or "agile" to describe the MC(S)'s handling.

Maybe I'm expecting too much, my current daily driver being a 914, a truly great handling car that's also light on its feet (unfortunately, it's also a lousy shifting car, thus the search for new ride).

I will test drive an MC soon to see if the lighter weight (by 155 lbs if I'm not mistaken) makes any difference.

 

This one is a first. Not sure if I've seen a post which complains about handling before.

 

Well that's subjective for ya - to me the steering feel is the feel of the road, I hate cars that feel too effortless or boosted, a little heavy feels connected, and yes, I call this car nimble in its response. I'm coming from BWWs which I feel all had excellent handling mated to a meatier direct steering feel (and the Mini is not at all heavy in comparison). Perhaps it does depend on the weight of the car you are accustomed to. Let us know what you think of the MC.

 

For sure if you compare the MCS to a 914 you will feel it's heavy and not so nimble. For everyone who thinks the Mini is a streetable gokart... think again, the 914 takes that adjective to a new level!

Think of it as a 80's Elise...


Personally I think the MINI just feels like a small BMW, or a lightweight GTI... which is great.

 

Right, different class of car there - then what is wanted is a Super 7, Atom, or, as you said, Elise, not a practical front wheel drive, safe/airbagged, 4 seater hatchback with options

 

a MC without sunroof equipped with 15" wheels will be right around 2400lbs, so its about 200lb or more lighter than a MCS.

But you drive a 914 I don't think the MINI to have the same lightness and agility.

 

I hate cars that give you no feeling in the steering wheel at all (like to much power steering)... you get no sensation of becoming one with the car. I just say, you are to used to your 914 (old school go-kart)...well meet the new school go-kart (Mini)

 

Hmm... I think your expectations were a little misdirected. First, as good as the MINI is, its FWD. Coming from a mid-engine car, its impossible to expect a similar feel in dynamics. I've had to recalibrate some of my technique since getting the MCS. IMO, as far as I can tell from simple break-in street driving, it is a car that rewards smoothness and doesn't take too kindly to being pitched. As its an understeering car out of the box, I found a tendency initially to add too much lock and then have to correct which doesn't work well in this car. I have found, however that given its nose heavy, once you get it more precise with it, its a very good handling car, although theres no doubt when stressed, theres really too much understeer, at least for my taste. From what I've read here this is pretty easily corrected with a rear bar.

One other thing to consider, is that if you drove a car with very low mileage, it does take sometime for all the suspension bits to get comfortable with eachother. I've noticed that my car is sorting itself and handling better now than when I first got it. Nevertheless, FWD is different and where I come from I can certainly understand no matter how good the car might be, preferring the RWD dynamic. I think though, if you spend some time with it, in the end you'll be a convert.

 

its the stock suspension

 

The Porsche 914 is one of the best-handling cars ever made--the Fiat X/19 was nearly its peer during the seventies--and it was the best handling car for the money, period. The MINI is likely the best handling car (in stock configuration) at its price point today. Yes, it's a different beast than a 914, and the "heavy" handling does take some getting used to, but once you adapt there will be no going back.

 

I thought that the handling was too light, realized I was able to change lanes w/out thinking. It took some getting used to coming from two American and one Japanese car. As far as the go-kart refrence goes, I went go-karting for the first time since owning a MINI a few months ago, those had heavy steering, again I had to get used to the light steering and even lighter throttle all over again.

 

I agree with findude,my first Porsche was a 71 914 and i had alot of fun with that car.Q

 

I had a MC without sunroof before my MCS with sunroof, and I have to say that it did seem to handle better around town. It had more predictable cornering, but that could also be because I wasnt going as fast, or maybe because it hadnt rained for a month straight so I forget how it feels to corner. Hmm...

I've never driven a 914, but I did have a gokart as a child, and the MINI is the closest thing that I have driven to this feeling yet (minus a formula 4 van diemens).

When you do get used to or adjust to the MINI, for me it is definately the most predictable car that I have driven.

 

Welcome to NAM, doh! Be sure to turn off the DSC if the car you test-drive has it. That will influence your launches, for sure. Also, try to find a very twisty course for your test-drive. The MINI really shines on twisties and in canyon-carving. Interested in reading your take on the MC test-drive.

 

Yeah, you are expecting a bit too much, but you may also be overlooking a few things. Not only is the 914 RWD, but it is much lighter and (likely) shod with much narrower tires. This will all add up to a very light, active feel to the steering. I went from an 69 Alfa GTV to my first MC and had the same reaction. However the Mini was by far the closest in feel to the Alfa of any comtemporary car I test drove. I have not driven another FWD that even touches the Mini's steering for feel, precision, and lightness. And the ratio on the Mini's steering is super-car quick, which is one of the primary contributors to it's "go kart" feel.

 

its not only rear wheel drive, its mid engine so we are talkign about vastly different weight disturbution differences. that porsche slides through the corner much differntly. its also a PORSCHE, different class.

thats being said its hard to find a drive as fun as a MINI... and at 20 some grand, fuhgeddaboutit

 

I had a '73 914 (2.0) here in the canyon before my MINI. On dry roads, the 914 was a blast, but when wet, Lord, not fun at all; especially the hydroplaning due to the light front end...

The MINI (FWD) took some getting used to, but it doesn't take long as the car is very easy to drive well/fast. The MINI is my ideal FWD Fall/Winter (wet here in CA) canyon commuter.

RWD for the Spring/Summer is next. Who mentioned the Atom!? I'm on those forums also .

 

The idea of trying out a Cooper is a good one. Many people have mentioned that the Cooper is a more nimble car than the S, by some small amount.

The idea of changing tires is also good. When I go from 205 width summer tires to 185 width winter tires, I immediately notice how much lighter the steering is. Probably due to both the decreased tire width and a less sticky tire too. I don't know if a narrower but still sticky tire would have a noticeable effect on steering effort since I haven't tried that.

 

I know you probably don't want to buy a car and start with mods but the aftermarket rear sway bars as well as getting rid of the runflats, lighter wheels and after market springs all make a considerable difference. The 914/6 is a pretty cool ride....... as a dailey driver and the ability to carry 4, small hatcback = ability to carry lots of stuff......etc......

 

The best handling cars that I've ever driven were a Merlyn Formula Ford, a Lotus Europa and a 914, in that order. Compared to the 1650-lb Europa, I wouldn't say that the 914 at 2900 lbs was either agile nor nimble. Granted there's about 20 years separation, but the 914 felt solid and attached... like the MINI. That being said, I gave the two 914s in my college sports car club fits. On the autocross course, they couldn't keep up with my '69 Beetle.

I'd be inclined to work on the shifter. I still have a Europa and it's shifter is terrible, but there are DIY mods that people have worked up over the years to improve it -- including cable and electro-magnetic shifters -- and I'm sure the same has been done for the 914. You could probably rework the entire shift mechanism for the price of half a months MINI payment. With the 914 you have a great commuter car with a reliable, easy to rebuild engine and a bulletproof tranny.

 

Hi! I'm a dumb car critic who jumps on the forum and makes a stupid post and then never comes back! I am gonna ***** about the handling of a car I don't own and generally waste everyones time so that I can somehow feel better about myself.

Come on!!! If you dont like it, go buy your honda or scion or whatever you feel is "light" enough for you. We love are cars and will defend them to the end.

 

Indeed, the 901 transaxle was impressive! It saw V8 abuse, so it was certainly over-built...

The engine... pain in the butt to adjust the valves, but easy to rebuild with a good VW book in-hand. I still remember carrying the engine from one table to another

As a commuter car... I found it barely practical, and in the rain, as said earlier... coupled with the fogging of the windows, it was scary at times. Fond memories, but time just got to her... namely the rust, in the usual 914 places...

The MINI was my first new ride, simply because nothing ever compelled me to buy a new car. I had more to spend, but the MINI won-out for what I wanted. Out-the-door for 24+k still makes me feel like I got one heck of deal!

 

thank you! finally someone said it!

two thumbs up!

 

My brother had a series II Europa growing up and I'd second the notion that it was, like all Loti, a benchmark in its day that still is quite an amazing machine even now. The 914 actually weighs (depending on model) around 2200 lbs. It was a heavy car by the standards of the day, but Porsches have always been a bit heavier then many of their competitors, but to a purpose, that of reliability, something, having owned many of Colin Chapmans creations in my family over the years, a Lotus could never be accused of.

The 901 tranny in the 914 is a much maligned, but mostly mis-aligned gearbox. When properly adjusted, its actually pretty good. Unfortunately, my experience is that it can not take a lot of power without serious mods at least in a track setting. I actually prefer its shift pattern to the dominant one for 5 speeds with first down to the left as its a far better pattern for track use:

R 2 4
|-+-|
1 3 5

BTW, 914s are still going strong at PCA AXs here in the Northeast at least, and modified ones often take FTD, so I suspect you're either a great, great driver or your competition wasn't too good. I oughta know, I AX against them all the time in the ulimate super beetle, a 2100# 911 with close to 300HP.

 

Well, with narrowminded, ignorant dumbos like you lurking on this board, who wants to come back. You guys are a riot. Enjoy your self-congratulatory love fest, I'm outa here.