Hello All,

Nice forum. Very geeky/detail oriented people here! good to see.

I have several questions that can fit various forums:

I am about to purchase either a mini S or a mini regular.

First thing I want to do is swap tires. Whichever model I purchase, they will have the V-spoke 16's. I will yank the runflats off (waste of money yes ). I want to put Pirelli P Zero Nero's M+S on it.

The 205/55 WR16 size. i know that 195 is the standard for the mini, i duno if the 205's will be too wide for it. they say they can 5.5"-7.5" width. the rim is 6.5 width. I thought that would work? My goal is a softer ride than runflats yet super wet/dry all season traction. I duno if getting a slightly wider tire will be going a step backwards or not. I know though that runflats are like bricks.

Suggestions for all season here?

Next question:
Someone on forums made mention of the letherette/cloth combo to not have lumbar support. Is this true? I would be getting sport seats no matter what. I thought this had more support like that. (they felt much better thats for sure, but we only tested leatherette).

Third question:
I am thinking about either the Electric blue or the black metallic. Im wondering how strong the bonnet stripes are or aren't. It's not paint right? I would put a white top on an S in black body with chrome trim package and white striping. Or, the light blue car with chrome trim package and silver stripping (and probably solid/matching hood for the blue instead of silver).

I want it to look good I think the tuxedo look might be nice. I am afraid though of the black masking the curves and pop of the cute buggy however.

On the blue I would go chromed hood scoop. What is the quality of these things?

Fourth: if I go the regular aspirated cooper, I would want to strengthen the suspension a bit more just because it's possible. I was wondering about the extra sport package here. Is it a good idea or not that necessary?

Fifth: none of the coopers had an armrest. I enjoy chilling in high gear on highways. I always have had an armrest! I do use them when they are there. Does it look crappy though? Does it get in the way ? (im 5' 7" and i weigh 150 lbs, so not much gets in my way in that respect)

Sixth: has anyone seen 'piano black" interior dash setup? I know I liked anthracite for most colour options, but the tuxedo kitty look might look cool with piano black. If anyone knows it's worth the 200 beans, let me know.

I am in a rush as I dont want to get stuck with a 2007! I think they are too modern looking. I would get a toyota scion tc in nautical blue if I was forced to go for the new version. which would be .... sad

Seven: Does anyone notice a difference in the MCS between the limited slip posi vs the regular limited slip? I am all about control. I wish the regular cooper had this as an option. I have had rear wheel camaro 80's car limited slip, and I loved it. But that car couldnt handle like this one at base.

Thank you and I HOPE that someone reads any of this before the end of this week! (and answers!)

-James from NYC

 

First on the leaterette/cloth I do not think that is an option, You can get Leather/cloth with the sport seats and it does have lumbar suport.

I did not upgrade to the Sport plus for my Cooper and it handles great, I'm sure the sport + suspension would handle even better but might be a bit more stiff for everyday driving.
I also have the arm rest from the factory and I do like how it feels, you can get an aftermarket armrest, lots of opions on which one is the best.
Good luck

 

Tires: http://www.gbmini.net/mtblog/archive...nrunflat.shtml 205/50 not 205/55 - good tires

Base leatherette-only seats have no lumbar adjustment. The upgrades (cloth/leather or full leather) do.

Used? Because you can't get electric blue any more.
Hood stripes are vinyl. They hold up quite well.
No experience with chromed hood scoop.

You have the option of JCW suspension upgrade also - might want to check that out.

I don't like the armrest, but you might. If you can get it.

Not seen piano black but I've read that it looks very good. The optional dash treatments generally look very nice on the MINI.

Yes to the LSD. It really shows when accelerating out on a corner, where you can lose traction on the inner wheel and then the traction control cuts power.
But higher up you thought about an MC, where the LSD is a non-issue!?


Good luck with your decisions

 

205/50 16s fit fine. They improve handling quite a bit in the MC.

A rear sway bar aftermarket would also help the handling quite a lot. A 19mm bar on an MC takes out more understeer than whatever stock suspension comes with an MCS, IMHO. Pretty cheap and easy bolt on, too.

The piano dash looks good, esp. with chrome accents, but is really a matter of personal taste (a bit too much bling for me).

I agree with GBMINI on the stripes...the vinyl holds up well and are easy to replace once worn.

You don't mention mileage as a consideration...BIG difference between the MCS and MC...I'm getting around 6 better in city and 8 better on highway than my MCS friends. But, there is also a big difference in acceleration.

Good luck with your decision!

 

Thank you all for your posts.

My question is now:
why not 205/55 vs 205/50? wouldnt 55 be a softer ride? it has more air in it and tire wall distance.

Compared to runflats, I am depressed that it doesnt feel any better. That concerns me. my MAIN concern with the mini is a jaring ride with 16 inch wheels. I know the 17's are rediculous. I want however some luxary in my pricey purchase!

 

With non-RFT's, you'll be fine with 205/50 in terms of ride comfort.

 

"My question is now:
why not 205/55 vs 205/50? wouldnt 55 be a softer ride? it has more air in it and tire wall distance."

A 205/55 tire would taller than a 195/55. A 205/50 is about the same height as 195/55. Remember, the 2nd number is a ratio based on the with of the tire. So with a 195/55, the sidewall is 55% of the width. So if you have a wider tire, the ratio of the sidewall reduces, but not the actual size.

All MINI seats have some built in lumbar. The Leather seats have an adjustable lumbar.

MINIs look good in any color combo. Pick what you like the best.

I am assuming that you have driven various combos of MINIs with differnt wheel options. Because the ride, even with runflats, is not as bad a some reviews make it out to be. And for someone looking for more sporty suspension options, a little bit of a bumpy ride come with it. I would suggest that you get the MINI and drive it for a little while and see how you like it. It is very easy to mod it down the road. All those decisions don't have to be made right now.

If you are in to sporty driving, and especially if you plan on taking your MINI to a track (highly suggested), then get the LSD. It is a very cheap option that is very hard to retrofit later.

 

I currently have 205/55 on GBMINI#3 - more tire choices, but as said the final tire is a bigger diameter than stock, which can be an issue.
I'm certain that on a recent trip home with a very laden trunk, the rear tires twice rubbed against the car, presumably due to the slightly too big diameter tires.

 

Tell that to my lower back after driving my friend's S with leatherette seats for a couple hours! Beleive me, there's VERY little lumbar support, if any, in the standard cloth and l'ette seats. The $$ I paid for the leather/cloth seats, which do have adj. lumbar, was the best $$ I spent on my S. JB

 

If you have back issues, it's prob worth upgrading, otherwise save your money.

 

Hm, adjustable lumbar never appealed to me. Normally, that means that flat as a board bad in the off position, or pop out for weak backs overly curved position, and makes them even weaker. Give you too much sway to your spine after you get tired.

Yes, I do not care about mileage.

Leather and cloth? You mean Letherette and cloth right? Thats a free option. Is it actually LEATHER and cloth? Thatd be swell. And of course English leather, which, although I would love, is too expensive if i go for the MCS. And of course, we are talking sport seats right? My girl noticed the difference in how well they felt.

If I go Non MCS, I might consider leather. That would feel luxurious with piano black and chrome trim interior. *BLING!*

The more I understand and get into this car, the more I realize that A) I want a 2006 B) I want to customize its visuals a lot more than I would have thought. I have to check out a piano black interior with Chrome trim interior. Does anyone know if the chrome is synethetic and strong, synthetic and weak, or actually a chrome like substance on metal? If not, then I wonder if theres aftermarket trims you can do. I know of a chroming plant that is up the street. for 70 dollars he will dip anything into his tub of any size. Kinda of odd, yes. Highly toxic non osha environment? 100%

I am still trying to figure if a chromed hood scoop is redundant or would look neat with the silver curved pin striping. I know it looks great with the white strips on black and black stripes on the light/flat colours.

If anyone wants to assist me with tires/suspension, I am going to post now separately in that forum. I think that I should stay in first gear for options, but aftermarket/purchase items I should place there.

I wish everyone in the NY area could drive by and show me their mini I have seen ONE mini in 10 miles parked and 4 minis in 2 weeks driving.

 

The free options are leatherette OR cloth, not a combo of both... There is no leatherette and cloth combo, only leather and cloth - but you have to pay extra for it... Hope that helped clear it up

 

The chromed interior pieces are a "high quality chrome on plastic" - I've never seen any chips.

 

The guy at my dealership said that the 1700 dollar option of Black panther leather is much nicer than the regular black leather.

I know it does LOOK the best. He said it also is a finer quality leather. Anyone test this out?

Thanks for the chrome tip. I should get that before I decide otherwise. Interior presence is such a cool thing on this badboy.

 

go for the chrome bonnet scoop, especially if you have the chrome trim. It kinda ties it all together. gives a nice contrast and makes the scoop look a little more.....something.

 

I think I agree here. If of course, I go with a MC-S.

You really can't have too much chrome on the high contrast colours. I think too much chrome on the grey and maybe the space blue. Black, green, pep. white, hyperblue, all seem to enjoy a nice dose of chrome.
I wish it had big chrome bumpers to be honest

 

E J: comment on the wheels for ya...
I'm in NJ, 20miles from the city. roads as bad if not worse.
I got the 17" lites with the all season run flats, ordered a month ago.
I was expecting to really really regret it...

I've been driving a 1996 volvo 850 turbo wagon (the flying brick) with 205/55's for ages. that car is set up VERY tight in suspension, but it weighs 1000 lb more than the MINI that I finally picked up last night.

VERY PLEASANT SURPRISE. the volvo would almost "bang" on the bumps, cracks, holes, metal plates, etc etc. -- so I was expecting more of the same out of the new ride. Not so. not so. very good news here. the MINI ride is a significant upgrade.

Now, I think there are a couple of things working here
1. the suspension seems very good. i don't expect it to take a lot of serious abuse, but it handles things very well without protest or noise. Note I'm driving an MCS, which may have some upgrade versus the MC
2. the car is 1000 pounds lighter, which radically changes the physics of Force = mass * accelleration stuff.

On the flip side, the dealer guys were really giving me the business about "no warranty on these tires and wheels WHEN (not if) you hit the killer pothole so buy this $600 insurance policy just sign right here good buddy"

hmmm. figure I'd spend the $600 on even cooler wheels and tires if not when the killer pothole from mars finds me.

 

James,

Questions:
1.- If you buy an MC you get 15" wheels stock and 16" 5 star rims as an option- not X-lytes which are stock on the MCS with option for 17" wheels.
While 205/55-16 will fit the stock 16" rim probably 205/50-16 will work for you just as well overall- good handling, good comfort, good tire selection, etc. There is nothing wrong with either tire but the 205/50 is stock sized while the 205/55 is slightly taller than stock. Pirelli PZero Nero all season tires are fine for your uses.
2. There are alot of ways to do lumbar support. I have leather seats with adjustable lumbar and it is not enough for me- I always add my own McKenzie half roll support for all my cars when I drive and that helps me- so it doesn't matter which seat I use. If leatherette doesn't have lumbar you can just add your own and save the money and not buy leather.
3. Check with your dealership on available colors. The bonnet stripes are ok but won't last forever. Eventually they will begin to fray and peel at the edges. I don't generally see any paint fade under the stripe. Chrome scoops are ok and will work more if you have other chrome accents on the exterior- side mirrors, bumper accents, front grille, etc.
4. For the MC, you can add the sport suspension which helps to stiffen the springs/shocks and thickens the rear swaybar. This is good for sporty handling but doesn't really help for daily commuting- for that the regular suspension is better. If you plan to drive aggressively or you wish to autocross then the sport suspension is very helpful. The ride quality is a bit firmer with the sport suspension option- it doesn't really change ride height that much- it's not lowering the MC.
5. Arm rests are fine, lots of options. Most look OK to me and vary in price. Try getting to a MINI club event and check out the interiors for upgrades before you buy.
6. Piano Dash- yes I've seen it and it looks fine. Not my style, it is purely cosmetic and really up to you.
7. Yes the LSD is worth it for those that like to drive with performance in mind. If you have ever owned a car with LSD in the past and enjoyed driving it then get the factory LSD. If you add LSD later it can be really very expensive. LSD is only an option for the manual transmission MCS.

 

Yeah, if I went sport, I would go LSD. I think I might be one of the rarepeople to have driven older cars with it. On the rear it comes in different variations as the drive to the wheels is not a complex as fwd. In short, when you slam the gas on rear wheel, it might first bake one, but then light 2nd up. I think that this would be hazardous on a fwd car that is lightweight.

everyone knows that all cars have limited slip right? this is just a more limiting slip. I think this is the confusing part. Even on rwd cars, the modern limited slip isnt as limited as old "12 bolt posi" I could be mistaken though.

Yes, the cosmetics are almostjust as important as the drive. Tough decisions.