Perhaps sometime, we'll see

 

it didn't seem like speculation... it seemed like keyboard engineering and still does.

 

Now this is something new indeed. Expensive but Mini's have there share of well funded owners. This should be a real boon to those with track uses whether it be drag racing or road course. You can not help but lower your lap times by having consistent shifts and the mini is not known for that when driven hard. Everyone would have to agree that having both hands on the wheel at all times is a good thing . The stick option looks like a piece of art but I would just go with the basic paddle set up. I will reserve some judgment until I actually get my hands on one but the premise and concept are sound. Well done

 

In a rally car it is quite normal to have to turn the wheel to the extreme to recover from some of those broad slide turns, and then the stick shifter could come in handy as an addition to the paddles.

But generally, with our cars in the canyons or on the track, if you are having to turn the wheel 180 degrees or more, you already have a bigger problem than finding the right gear.

But that said, I am looking forward to that addition, if for nothing else than parking lot maneuvering when the wheel is all over the place.

Bill

 

If your really rolling in dough, you can get some dog tooth gears and a stand alone ecu that can be set up to cut the ignition during shifts. That and this setup would allow you to ignore the clutch pedal entirely once in motion. Personally, the only thing I don't understand is the cables going to a box in the rear? Why not take out the stock mechanism and use the space there with the stock cables? That said, it looks good.

 

Wow, I have gotten a lot of feedback since posting this. I am interested to see how this develops and finishes. I wish I could take a drive to see how it is in real life...but I think I will be in Cali for a week in the summer. I will get in touch with you guys and see how it is

-CooperSS can you post some more pics?
I thought it was your car, just could not remember your screen name. Nice seats BTW
Thanks.

Chris.

 

That's the joy of online forums, I can say whatever I want and really don't give a crap what you think it "Seemed like" . I've driven cars with F1 gearboxes, and thought it was uninvolving and boring. It doesn't take much of a leap to "Speculate" that this will be no different (Considering it doesn't even offer the full benefits of an F1 gearbox).

As I previously posted, some people will like this sort of thing, and for them it's perfect. It has several merits (Reduced chance for a mis-shift, and an extremely small reduction in shift times) and it also has several downfalls (Still need to use the clutch, so it doesn't REALLY reduce times by that much, still requires clutching in traffic, complicates shifter mechanism, more chance for failure, etc)

There's no need to be an *** towards me, if you want to try it out, go try it out, I'm just as entitled post my own opinion as you are to post yours.

Get one, and come out to the track on the 18th, we'll see how much of an advantage it offers you .

 

Let me get this straight, this kit replaces a perfectly fuctioning proper manual with a flappy paddle? Pass.

 

Has there been any consideration to mounting the paddleshift mechanism similar to BMW, so that it remains stationary during steering wheel rotation?

Infiniti has a similar system to this, where it rotates around as the wheel is turned (Complicated to use while turning). BMW's paddleshift mechanism is stationary, and always works the same, regardless of the direction the steering wheel is turned in.

This could solve some of the issues at low speeds, and still keep a clean look for those that don't want a shifter assembly in the middle.

Also good suggestions on the dogtooth gears .

 

Been watching too much Top Gear . That's right out of Jeremy Clarkson's mouth .

 

This would never find it's way into my car. I simply don't have the money and i can shift just fine. Besides if you took the time to talk to the people presenting this product you'd find that they are echoing some of the comments you're trying to beat to death... ie this isn't for everyone. I think it's pretty obvious that this is the first step in development of said product. I just don't understand why you would come in with no real knowledge of m7's application, no real background in producing such a product, no real background in prototyping any sort of product... and talk up your other wordly experience in ergonomics and driving cars. I mean come on.

in other news i contemplated coming to the track with you guys until amviv, now i'd rather go solo or even not at all... maybe a nopi event or something would be more appropriate?

 

chicken

 

Jan, are you guys that mean at the track?

I would give a lot to run with all of you

 

I talked up no such otherworldly experience . I merely echoed what so many others had already said, and offered my own opinion on the system. I have talked to Peter, and Randy, and spent quite a bit of money at M7 on various parts (I'm currently almost $35,000 into my car on top of the purchase price). I'm quite familiar with their products, and think they make some interesting aesthetic parts.

Whatever issue you have with Danny for screwing around in a parking lot at 2 am with nobody around shouldn't have anything to do with me. There were a lot better ways to deal with it than the way you did.

Judging from your sig on MU it looks like your thing is to "Take people's Stickers", As if that somehow signifies something . Part of the reason I never got into MU, there are some nice people, but I'm not into the whole elitist attitude there. It's easier to get an American Express Black card than to become an MU member .

 

Sean is putting down 1:27's at willow on DOT R-Compounds. The track record is in the low 1:22's I believe .

 

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeepeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeen +2 you're right maybe i shouldn't have been so DL about how i handled what happened that night. Next time i'll go full bore.

there's no elitist attitude at the m|u... simply saying that there is clearly shows you don't get "it". besides... most of us haven't owned 1000 mini's and spent 100000000000000 dollars on them. Also we definitely don't know everything. it's no surprise you don't like it over there. alright... back to my nam retirement.

 

That is insane

 

Perhaps you should retire your career and join the OCSD. It might better suit your attitude and need to police what other's do. Oh, and they probably pay better too, starting pay, 50k+ with no college, woo .

If you had an issue with what happened, bring it up to the hotel security, that is what they are there for after all. I'm rather sure MU doesn't have a trademark on the circle with an arrow emblem, and even if they did, you're not even an administrator, you don't have the authority to do a damn thing on the site.

As I said, you could have pulled him aside and talked to him about it, walking up to someone while they're selling parts and "ordering" them to remove a sticker from their car for "misrepresenting MU" is not only out of line, but completely retarded. Last I checked Jan doesn't get phone calls every time someone see's me going faster than 65 on the 101. Putting a sticker above your exhaust doesn't mean you "Represent" anything .

Back on topic maybe now ?

 

False, all the logos are trademarked.

On topic though.....the shifter setup isn't for everyone. No surprise there. You're never gonna have a part that EVERYONE drools over.

I went ahead and sat in the car and played around with it....it's definitely a cool gadget to fiddle with and it's clear that they put a lot of work into it. It's not for me....but for people interested, it seems that M7 is offering a nice setup. Even if the majority doesn't see a need for a part....if you can sell enough to cover your costs while still creating a cool product....go for it IMO

 

I stand corrected .

Agreed .

 

 

My My this thread has been busy , we do appreciate it . Rally you have hit the nail on the head , its not for everyone. When Peter first ran the idea by me I thought it would be something that we would sell a few of and hopefully cover the R and D costs . Based on the response in Vegas and even more so since this thread hit I am surprised at the much broader appeal the system has and our projections were very much on the low side. It isn't for everyone BUT it apparently is for more people than I realized We have several interested parties meeting up with us in Calabasas this sunday for a demo if anyone is local and interested please PM me and perhaps we can set some time aside for you as well. Again thanks for ALL the interest.

Randy
M7 Tuning

 

i like reading threads.

 

I like reading threads as well, I'm almost always able to learn something even if the only thing I learn is that certain posters are just stupid sometimes.

I don't suspect Nick wants my endorsement or even cares if I do, but I really do think Nick (RustyBoy155) has had some important points to make and he certainly shares my sentiment about M.U. Keep it up!

I think M7 has put together some great products and though I'm not going to run out and order this gear I do think we all need to keep thinking, keep inventing, and keep sharing those inventions.

Paul