That is a line from "Over the Hedge" when Hammy the Squirrel is in a panic trying to run on a tile floor and is going nowhere. RJ the racoon stops him from scrabbling around and advises him to use "Less nails, more pad."

Anyway, I have been the very happy (second) owner of a 2005 MCSCW for two months now. For the rest of this winter I have ditched the worn down run flats for some new Conti all season tires on the stock JCW 17" wheels. I also have a brand new set of Falken FK tires on Flik lightweight 5 spokes that I am going to mount come spring along with new shocks and lowering springs.

Anyway, if I take off quickly from a dead stop and sometimes when I shift into 2nd or even 3rd the tires scrabble for grip like Hammy on the tile floor. It happened big time with the worn out run flats and it is still happening somewhat with the new Contis. Will it also happen with the Falken tires? Is this just the way it goes with a 200hp Mini that does not have LSD? Should I just trim it's nails?

Grant

 

200hp? What mods are you running???

 

If you have the JCW tuning (210 hp), sticky tires will help, but even the LSD won't prevent wheel spin. The LSD, however, will prevent you from shifting lanes every time you powershift. The problem is that there isn't enough tire clearance to put significant amount of rubber on the car. I've seen fatter tires on a baby carriage.

 

Just the JCW kit that it came with. I underestimated the hp since it seems to be called into question on occasion here.

 

Funny you mention that. I was checking out the kid's stroller the other day but unfortunately it is a different bolt pattern.

So how do the guys with the 250hp+ MINIs put the power down?

 

LSD, high performance sticky tires, careful during shifts...even then, still going to have some problems.

 

I suspected as much. I will see how it goes after I mount the Falkens and decide then if I should add an after-market LSD.