I have a stock 2011 Mini Cooper s with the N18 engine and for some reason it feels so much faster than my friends mini who has a stock 2009 Mini Cooper s with the N14. Is there really that big of difference in the years?

N18 has a much different power delivery curve from the N14 engine. N18 has VANOS on intake and exhaust, N14 has only VANOS on the intake. Stock for stock, the N18 should "feel" quicker.

So Vanos is just variable valve timing and the n14 only has it on one cam?

Correct.

There's a few other things involved as well. Power to weight ratio, torque and power curves, gear box and differential ratios and last but not least, driver's technique. As an old track rat once said: "If you can't go fast with 90 HP, 900 won't help you." On the other hand, as expresses by many on the forum, the N14 just wasn't up to the task.