F55/F56 Gollum III - well mebbe a teeny bit of stinkin' powah?
#176
02-24-2015, 06:04 AM
2nd Gear
I must be extremely lucky with my B48, I've only been to the dealer twice in the past six months/ 5000 miles of very hard driving (except for the break-in period), once was for installation of a sunroof Black Jack graphic and the weeping wiper ducts and the other was for a 1200 mile oil change. The past two months in particular have been very hard going 95-100 mph for 30-60 minute spurts at a time on the highway every day, which I imagine isn't very good for an engine, but the car is so smooth I don't even feel the speed, and I'm still getting a good 30 mph at these speeds; however, my N14 has had more problems in 4 months of ownership than my other two MINI's combined in 3 years! Any who, I love both of them to bits and I'm glad at least one seems to be reliable!
#178
02-27-2015, 11:57 AM
2nd Gear
Join Date: Mar 2014
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I must be extremely lucky with my B48, I've only been to the dealer twice in the past six months/ 5000 miles of very hard driving (except for the break-in period), once was for installation of a sunroof Black Jack graphic and the weeping wiper ducts and the other was for a 1200 mile oil change. The past two months in particular have been very hard going 95-100 mph for 30-60 minute spurts at a time on the highway every day, which I imagine isn't very good for an engine, but the car is so smooth I don't even feel the speed, and I'm still getting a good 30 mph at these speeds; however, my N14 has had more problems in 4 months of ownership than my other two MINI's combined in 3 years! Any who, I love both of them to bits and I'm glad at least one seems to be reliable!
#179
02-27-2015, 05:47 PM
#181
03-11-2015, 12:54 AM
I agree...
http://autoweek.com/article/drive-re...e-drive-review
Except it's better with DSC disabled and Sport ON!
Cheers,
Charlie
http://autoweek.com/article/drive-re...e-drive-review
Except it's better with DSC disabled and Sport ON!
Cheers,
Charlie
#182
03-11-2015, 06:22 AM
Now that the next blizzard has started, I've tucked Gollum back in the garage for at least another 24 hours - but is he safe?
I've had guests in the extension of the house you see - in the ceiling and the tops of the walls - and energetic guests they are! Sometimes the noise is such that sprint races or wild cavorting must be the source.
But I've not heard the gnawing sounds that characterized the rats whom I trapped two winters ago in the same area - and more chittering than squeaking.
And yesterday morning when I went once again to refill the windshield washer reservoir I found a little nest marked by peanut shells on the top of the engine!
Ah HAH!
SQUIRRELS!
I dunno why I prefer squirrels to rats, as both are rodents and have similar habits, and the suburban rats I was trapping a couple of years ago were cheerful critters not accompanied by the plague fleas. Yet I do prefer squirrels - perhaps I am a sucker for a fluffy tail?
All that notwithstanding they have to go, as when a critter moves into the car it's war.
So the Havaheart trap is baited with nice fresh peanuts and I am trying to decide where the heck to put them when I catch them.
My son is contributing too, by sharpening his aim with the air rifle and also striking a deal with a local red-tailed hawk. So far the score is hawk - 1, and 0 for the air rifle. I prefer the trap myself, but when you mess with Gollum you gotta take your chances.
Cheers,
Charlie
I've had guests in the extension of the house you see - in the ceiling and the tops of the walls - and energetic guests they are! Sometimes the noise is such that sprint races or wild cavorting must be the source.
But I've not heard the gnawing sounds that characterized the rats whom I trapped two winters ago in the same area - and more chittering than squeaking.
And yesterday morning when I went once again to refill the windshield washer reservoir I found a little nest marked by peanut shells on the top of the engine!
Ah HAH!
SQUIRRELS!I dunno why I prefer squirrels to rats, as both are rodents and have similar habits, and the suburban rats I was trapping a couple of years ago were cheerful critters not accompanied by the plague fleas. Yet I do prefer squirrels - perhaps I am a sucker for a fluffy tail?
All that notwithstanding they have to go, as when a critter moves into the car it's war.
So the Havaheart trap is baited with nice fresh peanuts and I am trying to decide where the heck to put them when I catch them.
My son is contributing too, by sharpening his aim with the air rifle and also striking a deal with a local red-tailed hawk. So far the score is hawk - 1, and 0 for the air rifle. I prefer the trap myself, but when you mess with Gollum you gotta take your chances.
Cheers,
Charlie
#183
03-12-2015, 06:10 PM
I befriended a local feral cat to combat mouse infestation in my garage. I let her live in the garage during the Winter. She gets shelter, food and water and I get no mouse nests and droppings. I got her fixed and she has her shots too. Before I did this mice ate some wiring on my classic car and found a way to clog the air box.
Thanks,
Charlie
#184
03-15-2015, 04:33 AM
Stirring after the hardest winter
Gollum III finally got a proper bath yesterday, with the temperature mercifully above freezing and the caked on salt of the February battles wanting removal.
It is a hopeful step, as is Lewis' debut at the top step of the Melbourne Grand Prix.
Another racing season appears at the horizon, but only a fool looks too far forward at this time of year.
To quote the bard:
"APRIL is the cruelest month, breeding Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing Memory and desire, stirring Dull roots with spring rain."
But lurking in the cellar are the racing rims, which want legal rubber for 2015 as the Toyos from last year do not make the minimum TW200 rating called for in the current regulation.
All in due time, but at least the rains now come in short doses, and the melt has thus far been gradual enough to preclude flooding.
Cheers,
Charlie
It is a hopeful step, as is Lewis' debut at the top step of the Melbourne Grand Prix.
Another racing season appears at the horizon, but only a fool looks too far forward at this time of year.
To quote the bard:
"APRIL is the cruelest month, breeding Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing Memory and desire, stirring Dull roots with spring rain."
But lurking in the cellar are the racing rims, which want legal rubber for 2015 as the Toyos from last year do not make the minimum TW200 rating called for in the current regulation.
All in due time, but at least the rains now come in short doses, and the melt has thus far been gradual enough to preclude flooding.
Cheers,
Charlie
#185
03-15-2015, 07:37 AM
Charlie - For tires, did you catch the tire test article in the Feb issue of the SCCA magazine? They came up with the Hankook Ventus R-S3 (version 2) as the best dry tire by a long shot. The RE11 and ZIIs were equally best in the wet (test results for the wet were on an "abbreviated" course, so the times aren't directly comparable to the dry times). Interesting, the RE11s and ZIIs got their best wet times with totally different driving techniques.
As for being a fool for looking too far forward...I a big "fool"
then as I booked my first track event (May) back in January 
. Then had major work done to my MINI in Feb with the hopes it would be sorted out by May (still working on it 
). Looking forward to that first day out... 
Here's to spring, washing cars, putting on summer (at least A/S) tires and cleaning the pile of salt off the garage floor that accumulated from dripping off the car
As for being a fool for looking too far forward...I a big "fool"
then as I booked my first track event (May) back in January . Then had major work done to my MINI in Feb with the hopes it would be sorted out by May (still working on it ). Looking forward to that first day out... Here's to spring, washing cars, putting on summer (at least A/S) tires and cleaning the pile of salt off the garage floor that accumulated from dripping off the car
#186
03-15-2015, 11:11 AM
More spring stirrings
So I got a bee in my bonnet, put the belts on, and went up the coast road from Hampton to Portsmouth. 35 degrees, light rain, not much traffic.
Y'know those OEM Conti's on the stock rims aren't bad at all!
Eddie - what about the Toyos I wonder? They are legal again. I just have to buy this years model.
Size: 225/45ZR16
Rim Width: 7.0-7.5
Treadwear: 200 AA A
Revs/mile: 871
Ah let the pondering begin - that should take me a few weeks.
Early in the season the R1R can be like a gun in a knife fight. In August, not so much. Also I'd have to run the 225/45 which might pinch a little. Do I dare?
Cheers,
Charlie
Y'know those OEM Conti's on the stock rims aren't bad at all!
Eddie - what about the Toyos I wonder? They are legal again. I just have to buy this years model.
Size: 225/45ZR16
Rim Width: 7.0-7.5
Treadwear: 200 AA A
Revs/mile: 871
Ah let the pondering begin - that should take me a few weeks.
Early in the season the R1R can be like a gun in a knife fight. In August, not so much. Also I'd have to run the 225/45 which might pinch a little. Do I dare?
Cheers,
Charlie
Last edited by cmt52663; 03-15-2015 at 11:26 AM.
#187
03-15-2015, 04:58 PM
They only tested the BFG Rivels, ZII, RE11 and the Hankooks. I don't think Toyos had anything at that time.
Their course the times were using race preped Scion FR-Ss:
dry wet
BFG 29.583 29.7
RE11 29.568 29.2
ZII 29.723 29.2
R-S2 v2 29.29 29.9
Remember the wet was a short course. So don't compare that to the dry times.
The other thing was the comments that they made. Their comment about the R-S3s was that they were "constant and fast" and easy to catch if pushed beyond the edge.
Can you put the 225s on a 7 1/2 wide rim? They should do well with that. They are pinched a bit on 7" rims.
Their course the times were using race preped Scion FR-Ss:
dry wet
BFG 29.583 29.7
RE11 29.568 29.2
ZII 29.723 29.2
R-S2 v2 29.29 29.9
Remember the wet was a short course. So don't compare that to the dry times.
The other thing was the comments that they made. Their comment about the R-S3s was that they were "constant and fast" and easy to catch if pushed beyond the edge.
Can you put the 225s on a 7 1/2 wide rim? They should do well with that. They are pinched a bit on 7" rims.
#188
03-15-2015, 07:50 PM
5th Gear
F56 & f56s
Gollum III finally got a proper bath yesterday, with the temperature mercifully above freezing and the caked on salt of the February battles wanting removal.
It is a hopeful step, as is Lewis' debut at the top step of the Melbourne Grand Prix.
Another racing season appears at the horizon, but only a fool looks too far forward at this time of year.
To quote the bard:
"APRIL is the cruelest month, breeding Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing Memory and desire, stirring Dull roots with spring rain."
But lurking in the cellar are the racing rims, which want legal rubber for 2015 as the Toyos from last year do not make the minimum TW200 rating called for in the current regulation.
All in due time, but at least the rains now come in short doses, and the melt has thus far been gradual enough to preclude flooding.
Cheers,
Charlie
It is a hopeful step, as is Lewis' debut at the top step of the Melbourne Grand Prix.
Another racing season appears at the horizon, but only a fool looks too far forward at this time of year.
To quote the bard:
"APRIL is the cruelest month, breeding Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing Memory and desire, stirring Dull roots with spring rain."
But lurking in the cellar are the racing rims, which want legal rubber for 2015 as the Toyos from last year do not make the minimum TW200 rating called for in the current regulation.
All in due time, but at least the rains now come in short doses, and the melt has thus far been gradual enough to preclude flooding.
Cheers,
Charlie
I really enjoy your thread. At 63yo and a car nut, I have owned a lot of sporty cars( an understatement ). After owning two R56S' , I find the new MINI a real revelation. It handles as good or better while being a much better car for daily driving or touring. I haven't tried the limited slip option that turns the traction control yet.
Good luck with your autoX. I used to auto cross a 911 in the Porsche Club, a much less competitive series than SCCA.
#189
03-16-2015, 01:35 AM
Charlie,
I really enjoy your thread. At 63yo and a car nut, I have owned a lot of sporty cars( an understatement ). After owning two R56S' , I find the new MINI a real revelation. It handles as good or better while being a much better car for daily driving or touring. I haven't tried the limited slip option that turns the traction control yet.
Good luck with your autoX. I used to auto cross a 911 in the Porsche Club, a much less competitive series than SCCA.
I really enjoy your thread. At 63yo and a car nut, I have owned a lot of sporty cars( an understatement ). After owning two R56S' , I find the new MINI a real revelation. It handles as good or better while being a much better car for daily driving or touring. I haven't tried the limited slip option that turns the traction control yet.
Good luck with your autoX. I used to auto cross a 911 in the Porsche Club, a much less competitive series than SCCA.
May I respectfully suggest you try your mini on an autocross course? They really do dance very nicely, and us old farts have to represent y'know!
Cheers,
Charlie
#190
03-16-2015, 01:37 AM
They only tested the BFG Rivels, ZII, RE11 and the Hankooks. I don't think Toyos had anything at that time.
Their course the times were using race preped Scion FR-Ss:
dry wet
BFG 29.583 29.7
RE11 29.568 29.2
ZII 29.723 29.2
R-S2 v2 29.29 29.9
Remember the wet was a short course. So don't compare that to the dry times.
The other thing was the comments that they made. Their comment about the R-S3s was that they were "constant and fast" and easy to catch if pushed beyond the edge.
Can you put the 225s on a 7 1/2 wide rim? They should do well with that. They are pinched a bit on 7" rims.
Their course the times were using race preped Scion FR-Ss:
dry wet
BFG 29.583 29.7
RE11 29.568 29.2
ZII 29.723 29.2
R-S2 v2 29.29 29.9
Remember the wet was a short course. So don't compare that to the dry times.
The other thing was the comments that they made. Their comment about the R-S3s was that they were "constant and fast" and easy to catch if pushed beyond the edge.
Can you put the 225s on a 7 1/2 wide rim? They should do well with that. They are pinched a bit on 7" rims.
Cheers,
Charlie
#191
03-16-2015, 05:13 AM
Anyone want to help me beg to Koni?
I just pinged Mason O'Hara in KY at Koni - to see if there has been any change.
This was the story last year:
From: OHara, Mason - ITT Motion Technologies [mailto:Mason.Ohara@itt.com] On Behalf Of info.koni.us,
Sent: Tuesday, June 24, 2014 9:00 AM
To: Charles Thompson
Subject: RE: KONI-NA website contact
Charles,
There is currently no tentative date for a release at this time.
Mason O’Hara
Technical Sales Representative
KONI North America
1961A International Way
Hebron, Ky. 41048
859 488-0324
This was the story last year:
From: OHara, Mason - ITT Motion Technologies [mailto:Mason.Ohara@itt.com] On Behalf Of info.koni.us,
Sent: Tuesday, June 24, 2014 9:00 AM
To: Charles Thompson
Subject: RE: KONI-NA website contact
Charles,
There is currently no tentative date for a release at this time.
Mason O’Hara
Technical Sales Representative
KONI North America
1961A International Way
Hebron, Ky. 41048
859 488-0324
#192
03-16-2015, 01:04 PM
I just pinged Mason O'Hara in KY at Koni - to see if there has been any change.
This was the story last year:
From: OHara, Mason - ITT Motion Technologies [mailto:Mason.Ohara@itt.com] On Behalf Of info.koni.us,
Sent: Tuesday, June 24, 2014 9:00 AM
To: Charles Thompson
Subject: RE: KONI-NA website contact
Charles,
There is currently no tentative date for a release at this time.
Mason O’Hara
Technical Sales Representative
KONI North America
1961A International Way
Hebron, Ky. 41048
859 488-0324
This was the story last year:
From: OHara, Mason - ITT Motion Technologies [mailto:Mason.Ohara@itt.com] On Behalf Of info.koni.us,
Sent: Tuesday, June 24, 2014 9:00 AM
To: Charles Thompson
Subject: RE: KONI-NA website contact
Charles,
There is currently no tentative date for a release at this time.
Mason O’Hara
Technical Sales Representative
KONI North America
1961A International Way
Hebron, Ky. 41048
859 488-0324
But Mason said that nothing is in the works - which is bad.
Oh well,
Charlie
#193
03-16-2015, 02:06 PM
#194
03-16-2015, 04:06 PM
That helps - thanks for the tire ****.
Mind you I run 16" rims, and am looking for the highest possible revs/mile (smallest OD) I can get to help the gearing - that is a TALL 2nd gear in a B38.
The Hankook 205/45-16 RS3 Version 2 is listed at 894 which is a damned good number.
The Dunlop Direzza ZII Star Spec does not come in a /45 for that rim, and thus produces a disappointing 867 revs/mile. That's 3% loss of thrust under acceleration and braking.
The Toyo R1R does not yet have a 200 TW rating in a 205, and also does not come with the /45 - so they're out. Repeating the lessons of earlier years is not tempting to me.
The BF Goodrich g-Force Rival S comes in a 215/45-16 at 881 revs/mile, so that makes the short list.
Them RS3 tires are looking pretty good.
Cheers,
Charlie
Mind you I run 16" rims, and am looking for the highest possible revs/mile (smallest OD) I can get to help the gearing - that is a TALL 2nd gear in a B38.
The Hankook 205/45-16 RS3 Version 2 is listed at 894 which is a damned good number.
The Dunlop Direzza ZII Star Spec does not come in a /45 for that rim, and thus produces a disappointing 867 revs/mile. That's 3% loss of thrust under acceleration and braking.
The Toyo R1R does not yet have a 200 TW rating in a 205, and also does not come with the /45 - so they're out. Repeating the lessons of earlier years is not tempting to me.
The BF Goodrich g-Force Rival S comes in a 215/45-16 at 881 revs/mile, so that makes the short list.
Them RS3 tires are looking pretty good.
Cheers,
Charlie
Last edited by cmt52663; 03-16-2015 at 04:20 PM.
#195
03-21-2015, 11:02 AM
2015 Tire Dilemma - the Short List
OK, I've had a slow day and thus have scraped the Internet pretty hard for information about the contenders for Gollum III in this years season.
They are:
BF Goodrich G-Force Rival S in a 215/45-16 at 881 revs/mile, and
Hankook Ventus R-3S (Version 2) in a 205/45-16 at 894 revs/mile
Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R in a 205/45-16 at 897 revs/mile
A 1.5% difference in gearing favors the narrower Hankook and Bridgestone
The fun thing is, these tires have never been tested head to head. The SCCA SportsCar magazine test compared the Version 2 Hankook to the older Rival - not the Rival S.
TireRack hasn't done it yet either, although they promise to do so in March.
Pete Calhoun is of course predicting dominance for the BF Goodrich compound change, but given last year's Nats results what choice does he have?
The brand new Rival S offers both the advantage and the disadvantage of a 10 mm wider contact patch - on a 7" rim.
The Version 2 Hankook is a tried and true bird in the hand, and the Rival S is the bird still emerging in the bush, in terms of competition results.
The Bridgestones took top honors at the Dixie Tour in C Street and D Street, but G and H fell to the Hankooks.
In San Diego, the Bridgestones again showed well.
The picture is still emerging, with no dominance thus far.
No wrong answer I suspect.
Cheers,
Charlie
They are:
BF Goodrich G-Force Rival S in a 215/45-16 at 881 revs/mile, and
Hankook Ventus R-3S (Version 2) in a 205/45-16 at 894 revs/mile
Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R in a 205/45-16 at 897 revs/mile
A 1.5% difference in gearing favors the narrower Hankook and Bridgestone
The fun thing is, these tires have never been tested head to head. The SCCA SportsCar magazine test compared the Version 2 Hankook to the older Rival - not the Rival S.
TireRack hasn't done it yet either, although they promise to do so in March.
Pete Calhoun is of course predicting dominance for the BF Goodrich compound change, but given last year's Nats results what choice does he have?
The brand new Rival S offers both the advantage and the disadvantage of a 10 mm wider contact patch - on a 7" rim.
The Version 2 Hankook is a tried and true bird in the hand, and the Rival S is the bird still emerging in the bush, in terms of competition results.
The Bridgestones took top honors at the Dixie Tour in C Street and D Street, but G and H fell to the Hankooks.
In San Diego, the Bridgestones again showed well.
The picture is still emerging, with no dominance thus far.
No wrong answer I suspect.
Cheers,
Charlie
Last edited by cmt52663; 03-23-2015 at 01:15 AM.
#196
03-23-2015, 09:18 AM
had someone last weekend test rs3s and re71rs back to back (on an str nc miata) and came out saying the re71rs are the more capable tire. he said they were sharp like the z2's but grip was higher. this is a totally different car with lots of camber, so ymmv
lot of people seem to be leaning toward the re71rs at the moment, but they are the newest freshest thing. i'll wait to hear how the shoulder wear is before jumping ship
lot of people seem to be leaning toward the re71rs at the moment, but they are the newest freshest thing. i'll wait to hear how the shoulder wear is before jumping ship
#197
03-23-2015, 10:59 AM
had someone last weekend test rs3s and re71rs back to back (on an str nc miata) and came out saying the re71rs are the more capable tire. he said they were sharp like the z2's but grip was higher. this is a totally different car with lots of camber, so ymmv
lot of people seem to be leaning toward the re71rs at the moment, but they are the newest freshest thing. i'll wait to hear how the shoulder wear is before jumping ship
lot of people seem to be leaning toward the re71rs at the moment, but they are the newest freshest thing. i'll wait to hear how the shoulder wear is before jumping ship
Cheers,
Charlie
#198
03-23-2015, 02:04 PM
Salt relief - and the appearance of renewal
Ah the car spa - making salt disappear, the miles null and void, and bringing shiny hope to a frozen landscape. Bloody expensive, but what's the price of being fooled that one's car is new again?
And another oil change - the 4th in 19k miles.
But no proper rims yet, and no racing rubber.
To take that step would be to tempt the gods to shed another foot of snow.
I'm no fool - been living here a long time.
Cheers,
Charlie
And another oil change - the 4th in 19k miles.
But no proper rims yet, and no racing rubber.
To take that step would be to tempt the gods to shed another foot of snow.
I'm no fool - been living here a long time.
Cheers,
Charlie
#199
03-25-2015, 02:47 PM
Baby needs new shoes
OK, I am a lemming.
I've just sourced some RE-71R for the racing rims, and will have that lot on the car by next week.
My relationship with Town Fair Tire is now severed, after many years. My friend the manager over there changed to a new location, and the nice folks that tried to help me could not get ANY RE-71R. The gentleman called Bridgestone and was informed they had NO tires - national back-order - availability in April.
Fair enough - I called Chad @ TireRack, who pointed out that Bridgestone had stocked them up last week and there would be no problem with immediate shipment.
Not a level playing field folks!
On a separate note LORD is it good to be driving a clean car again after so many months...
Cheers all,
Charlie
I've just sourced some RE-71R for the racing rims, and will have that lot on the car by next week.
My relationship with Town Fair Tire is now severed, after many years. My friend the manager over there changed to a new location, and the nice folks that tried to help me could not get ANY RE-71R. The gentleman called Bridgestone and was informed they had NO tires - national back-order - availability in April.
Fair enough - I called Chad @ TireRack, who pointed out that Bridgestone had stocked them up last week and there would be no problem with immediate shipment.
Not a level playing field folks!
On a separate note LORD is it good to be driving a clean car again after so many months...
Cheers all,
Charlie
#200
03-25-2015, 02:50 PM
Because racecar - that's why.
Yes I am bull-goose loony.
The schedule for April 19th begins at 6 am at Devens for the inaugural points event up here with the New England Region of the SCCA.
The red-eye that takes me to London leaves Logan at 7 pm, arriving at 7 am in Heathrow.
The two-day business meeting near the upper Thames commences Monday at 9 am, with a dinner at 7 pm.
That is going to be one HECK of a long 36 hours!
The things I do for love and money...
Peace,
Charlie
The schedule for April 19th begins at 6 am at Devens for the inaugural points event up here with the New England Region of the SCCA.
The red-eye that takes me to London leaves Logan at 7 pm, arriving at 7 am in Heathrow.
The two-day business meeting near the upper Thames commences Monday at 9 am, with a dinner at 7 pm.
That is going to be one HECK of a long 36 hours!
The things I do for love and money...
Peace,
Charlie