Tires make all the difference here. Also handling is more than just g's it's how the car feels, how direct the steering is etc.

Paul

 

The SRT4 is under-rated from the factory. It puts 230 hp to the wheels. More importantly, it has lots of torque everywhere in the powerband. Torque peaks at ~240 lb/ft at the wheels at just 2700 rpm and stays above 225 lb/ft to 5500 rpm, tapering off to ~175 lb/ft at 6500rpm. Factor in the standard Quaiffe limited slip diff (for 2004+) and you can see why its so fast 0-60.

The S2000 is a different story. Because it revs so high they can put ultra-short gears in it and still get to 60 before the 2-3 shift (at least in the case of the 2.0's, the new 2.2 runs out of second well before 60). Again, a gear-type torque biasing differential helps distribute power. And, as others have mentioned, the weight transfer under acceleration helps the traction on a RWD car where-as the weight transfer on a FWD car hurts acceleration.

Come to think of it, the short wheelbase of the Cooper doesn't help with the weight transfer either. The SRT4 has a substantially longer wheelbase so the rear-ward weight transfer under acceleration isn't as detrimental.

 

To answer your question regarding 30-50, maybe...I'd say more like from 40 mph up so you're in the sweet boost/rpm/tire grip combination. It also depends on what you've done with your Mini. I've tried many 0-60 timed runs and find it futile because of the extreme first grear spin. This is the pitfall of front drivers. I've personally avoid drag racing anyone from stand still because of the excessive shock on tires and drive train. Any V-8 "muscle car" could easily lurch off the line and be two car lengths ahead of me before my 220+ hp would be able to catch up and that's after burning off 100 miles of tread That said, I have on several occasions taken on "stock V8s" (emphasis on stock) Trans Ams, Mustang GTs, etc. from a rolling run at 40 mph/second gear/4000 +-rpms and walked away from them. The "stock" V-8s may have torque but don't have the hp-weight ratio of a 220hp Mini

I think the gearing is just fine.

 

4gasm- your Charger had lots of power and a V* if im not mistaken. Lots of those 70's cars were de-tuned to meet emissions regs and to make them more market friendly. the 30 HP mods for the old V8s often only required changing the carb or a new exhaust so that it could perform how it was DESIGNED to perform. not how chrysler or dodge or ford detuned it for the general market.

now emphasis is on getting the most reasonable, cheap HP (out of a 4 cyl) while still adhereing to the laws of physics, and emissions standards and mileage regulations.

and of course --do it CHEAP.

 

you're funny

 

The six speed gets shorter gear rations for 2005. We'll see what this does to the times.

 

I really like being able to shift out of 1st at 30mph and racing to 50mph in second. I'e had many BMW's in the past and the tall gearing always impressed me. Although we should all be glad that the MINI doesn't have the small 4 speed gear box my old 2002tii had! The engine would sound like it was going a 150mph at 70. The MINI can cruise nicely at 90mph and feel like only 60! This is a feeling you usually get in much larger & powerful cars.


JJ

 

At least the Cooper S has some torque. The more important question is why did they gear the base Cooper, with all of 110 lb/ft, so tall? 67 mph at fuel-cut in second gear (with the optional 16s, more like 64 with the base 15s) is rediculous! The first three gears should be 15% shorter, at least for the North American market.