So, I got my lovely dream R57 a couple of weeks ago (2012, with ~12k miles on it). The honeymoon isn't over by a longshot (I've had a riot driving everywhere with the top down, taking the wife and kid out places, and whatever else), but I still have my R50 (2005, with ~210k on it ). Both are justas.

So, because I still love them both, I thought I'd better ride the R50 in to work today to stretch its legs. Taking it for a zip out the driveway, it seemed to me that I had a little more pep in that old engine than in my brandy new one. So - am I being to nice to my 2012, and it really has more ***** than my old R50? Or are they about the same? Maybe I need to get used to the shifting patterns on the 6-speed? Or, worst case scenario, is my new(er) mini underperforming?

Full disclosure, I drive like an old man. I sip fuel, drive smooth, and drive between 1 and 4 MPH over the speed limit So if I'm feeling performance differences, they are occurring in the sub-3k, maybe even sub 2k RPM range.

Or, to summarize: how do second gens stack up against first gens?


Cheers and best wishes,

- Ald

 

it's a lighter and more raw feeling car, that goes a long way to what you feel.

I've owned 3 2nd gens and I currently own 2 1st gen R53's I prefer the more raw feel on the 1st gens even though they are slower at hpde & autocross

 

Which wheels do you have on both cars? There can be a big weight difference between wheels and If you have lighter wheels on the R50, that would be some of the difference you're feeling.

 

I've just got the base stock aluminum rims on both, nothing fancy.

 

There are a couple of stock base wheels that are very light, but most stock wheels are heavy. Your R50 might have the 15" R81 "holies" which are about 12 lbs each, and your R57 might have the another base wheel that are about 18-20 lbs each. On a car with low HP, this can make a big difference in the way it feels.

Check out this link and let us know which wheels are on each car:
http://minicooper.wikia.com/wiki/OEM_Wheels_and_Tires

 

I'd have to guess you're also noticing the extra weight of the convertible compared to your R50. That has to make some sort of impact.

 

Gen 1 is more connected to the road, on the gen 2 the ride is smoother. The Gen 2 has the turbo and pulls hard. The Gen 1 has the whine of the intercooler and pulls pretty strong also.