j/k

 

Sorry it didn't work out for you. Go hit the track, now!

 

That sucks you dropped the LSD...that means you can get a Quaffie and run in DSP :P

 

Yeah... even WITH the LSD the runflats will spin up. With the LSD it's just hold a line a little better when they break & regain traction.

Try better tires. You'll be pleased.

 

what is LSD?

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limited_slip_differential

 

j/k

 

Just got to do a bit of throttle modulation, no dropping it off the line with the engine actually putting torque down. Ive been to two so far and have had quite a bit of success off BF Goodrich KDWs summer tires. Been plenty competitive against R53 with slicks. The availible torque is amazing on the R56 just gotta learn to deal with it, which im sure is tough with all seasons. I wish I had ordered the LSD too, but without it forces me to drive better so that may be good

 

15s and azenis. run em!

 

huh?

 

No the real solution would be a MCS w/ an AWD system.

 

ha yeah AWD would be nice, but i would hate to see what kind of price tag BMW would attach to that one. Been some rummors here and there about it, but FWD is kind of a big part of being a mini. Yeah, i definately wouldnt suggest going a size down in tire for the R56. The gearing worked really well (im running 215/50 R16 to match stock diameter) for me and if i went down a bit I might find myself having to go for third. With all the low end torque you are better off staying the same, or just going with 225/50 R 16s cause its a size you kind find in slicks. The grip would be fun and R56 torque would be fine with the slightly larger diameter.

 

I have a set of Michellin Pilot cups in 225/50/16 lying around. Will they scrape any part of the car at all? Tirerack told me they would fit on 16x6.5. But I don't know if I should get 16x6.5 or 16x7. What do you think?

 

run your current setup and learn to drive that quick, getting better tires will mask your current mistakes. and the limit is easier found on crappy tires.

 

So you think I would have been faster if I were more gentle with the throttle and cause less wheel spin?

 

After a good deal of shopping I replaced the 16" stock wheels and run flat tires with a set of Koshi 17" X 7 wheels with the new Bridgestone Potenza R01 in the 215/45 size. The difference in how the car sticks and drives is amazing. I was pleased with how good the OEM run flats were, but not in the same league as the Potenzas.

I had won my class at two events with the stock tires and wheels. I went to the third event full of happy anticipation at how I was going to beat up on the opposition. Unfortunately I was doing too much anticipating and not enough watching where I was walking. As a result I fell and broke three or four bones--the count varies with the doctor--in my left wrist. In an instant my autocross season was over. But, as is often said, wait until next year.

If anyone is considering the new Potenzas, I would encourage them to try a set. The ride is a little better than, or no worse than the stock setup, even with the plus 1 sizing.

Happy motoring,

Joe

 

spare tire? will you get stranded if you get a flat?

 

My brothers got the RE-01Rs on his subie and he really likes them. I also like my KDWs, but hard to test them out without trying different things on the same car. I would say if you want to win something there is nothing better than slicks, but if you are really in it to learn as mentioned just run what you have. If you learn to deal with it how it is youll be a better driver. I know i struggled keeping the wheel spin under control while autocrossing, but ultimately i managed to get the mini to the edge by carrying speed and give up most of the accelerating till i could straighten the car out. If you are looking to stay stock class techincally i think youd have to go with the 16X6.5 and close to the 45 offset. Its possible someone might care if you are running slicks on them. Just use what you got for the rest of the year for sure and think over your options for the next. Autocross is really for the fun of it no point in blowing a bunch of money unless you think youll really have that much more fun.

 

When I started autocrossing and had runflats and stock camber, I noticed that if I was in a fast turn and the front wheels started complaining/spinning, it was usually because I had the steering wheel turned too far. If I took a little bit of the steering input out, the car stayed on the same line, but the tires stopped complaining, and I could apply more throttle and go a little faster through the rest of the turn.

So, if you hear your front tires start talking to you, try reducing the steering input a little bit and see what it does for you.

If you hear instructors or other drivers talking about this, they'll usually refer to reducing the steering input as "getting out of the turn a little bit".

 

First check to see that it is legal to run rims that are 16x7 not the stock 16x6.5 for the class you want to autocross in.

G-stock requires stock sized rims so 16x6.5 with +48 offset or close to it.

225/50-16 fits rims 6-8" wide with perfect fit for 7" wide rim.
Section width is pretty wide at 9" (like most 225mm wide tires).

I'm not impressed that the Pilot Sport Cups would be the best choice for autocrossing. The tire size is wide enough but the rubber is not sticky enough, it's more durable and better suited for track duties.

You're looking for slightly tall so up to 24.9" or less. Could be very sticky R compound or soft street tire (like Extreme Performance Summer).

I have driven R56 MCS with LSD using 16x6.5 rims and R compounds and tire spin happens alot, it's easy to do.

15" wheels with less wide tires would be hard to work with unless the rubber was really really soft.

I think Quaife or LSD would help a little but only so far. You still have to deal with the gobs of torque in lower gears. A worn asphalt track surface won't help either. Concrete would be better.

 

no...

 

SCCA stock class rules allow the MCS to run in G stock. Because the car is available with 16X6.5 or 17X7 wheels, it is legal to run either size. The stock offset for the MCS is 48 mm; in a crazy mix of measurement systems the rules allow a .25" variation.

Whatever and wherever you plan to autocross is it vital to learn the class rules before making modification to your car. It is all too easy to end up way overclassed because of making a modification that may not help the car much, but which will force it to run in a tough class. Of course if you are just out for a good time, do what you want and have fun. For me it is just is much fun to win as not to win, so I try to opt for a class that suits my bone stock car on street tires. Locally we have a street tire class that has been a good spot for me.

Joe

 

I plan to try out autoX at the end of October for the first time at a local NJ BMW club in my MCa with stock 15" all seasons and DSC. Never done anything like this before, but after getting a Mini I have the racing bug. Sorry if I embarrass my fellow Mini drivers.

Anyone interested in going?

 

Dont worry people go all the time that arent serious. Nothing like trying it out for the first time

Your just talking about text book optimizing the slip angle of the tire. The point of the tires highest grip is not full steering input. The best way to test it out is just drive circles in an open parking lot and feel through the steering wheel how it responds to more/less steering angle. Luckily for us the MINI has great steering so it should be easy to tell and pick up on. Now optimizing it during autox is another story but it helps to understand for sure.

 

You can use Pilot Sport Cups for autocross (I have with my MINI) but they aren't well suited and you won't get tons of grip. They are best for higher speed track- they are more durable.

If there are no regulations you are free to pick and choose any combination but just consider that if you ever want to autocross with SCCA there are many rules for what is legal and what is not. To me it makes sense to choose an autocross wheel/rim size that will also work for track so later if you want to you can to that and keep the rim.

16x7 or 16x7.5 would be something to consider, even 16x8 if you can find it.

Tires (extreme performance summer tires?)
Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R soft rubber treadwear 140-180
205/45-16 $151 fits 6.5-7.5" rims, Perfect for 7" rim, 23.2" tire diameter
205/55-16 $117 fits 5.5-7.5" rims, Perfect for 6.5" rim, 24.9" tire diameter
225/50-16 $122 fits 6-8" rims, Perfect for 7" rim, 24.9" tire diameter