Just wanted to write the experience i had with my buddy's 350z last night AT THE TRACK. Well my friend wanted to see what my Mini had so i decided to give it a shot. It was about 65F at 10pm. To make this short, i had him about a half of a car from 1st, 2nd, and 3rd to about 5000rpm. After third he started to pull from me, but not to hard. I was pleased with my performance because people said i was going to get smoked, which obviously didn't happen. The point of the story is... i don't know? I thought it would be fun to tell!

My mods are: 15%,MTH,obx w/cat,tein lowering springs, cooling mist Meth Injection, HAI,One-ball,VGS

This post was edited.

 

Nice... not enough people give the R53 MCS credit, especially when it comes to drag. I will admit the MCS seems to lose a lot of steam after 3rd gear, but it's one helluva show up through those initial gears.

GotMINI

 

was it an auto 350Z?

 

I wonder if the results (especially in the lower gears) would have been even better with a newer R53 with the improved gearing.

 

It was a 6spd with an intake and exhaust. It sounded bad A$$!

 

I think 02-04 MINI has the longer gears than the 05+. If i had performance head or an 05 trans, i think i would have had the upper hand.

 

ive owned both a 2004 MCS and a 2004 350Z. i do believe what you are saying but owning both cars i find it pretty hard to believe. the torque on the 350Z is insane right off the line and it pulls hard all the way up. even my 2007 MCS with the sport button activated has less torque (pull) than a 350Z off the line. and my 2004 MCS needed a few seconds for the supercharger to spool up. again, im not saying its impossible and i do believe you but i would need to see it in person. now in the twisties i can see the MCS spanking the 350Z (the Z was a dog in the corners compared to the MCS).

 

You are entitled to your opinion and that's cool I don't know if anyone had the same results that i did, but that's how it went. He could have been a bad driver or maybe all the planets aligned for those few seconds to give my MINI the extra torque it need to stay ahead. Either way, it was his idea, so i know he was giving 100% and it was a good time! I know the 350z are very fast, but they do weigh almost 800lbs more than the MINI and he had bigger rims with a system that could have increased the weight to about 1,000lbs. OH, i forgot to mention, he only has one leg driving stick. Just joking!!

 

I own a 05 MCc and a 04 350Z roadster (auto) and I can easily see an MCS taking a 350Z. I don't know about the hardtops but my 350Z is heavy and not particularly quick. My MCc won't beat it but I imagine an MCS would.

 

like i said, i do believe you and crazier things have happened. regardless the MCS is a much much better car than the 350Z!!

 

And MUCH roomier too! The 350Z feels soooo cramped compared to my MINI. People are amazed that I drive the MINI so much more often than the Z. I get almost claustrophobic in the Z now. However, it does sound sweet, particularly compared to a stock MCc.

 

um, no

I don't wanna turn this into an R53 vs R56 debate, but TURBO's need time to spool up, not superchargers.

 

With the VGS, the boost almost feels instant on my supercharger.

 

flav - also keep in mind that grillhands is describing an MCS with some significant mods

 

the R56 has a wider powerband, so it may have more power down low, but as far as actual response (time from flooring it to the engine providing max power) the R53 is way better. I tried this test, and it told me everything I needed to know. Put it in 6th, cruise along at ~55. Floor it. The R53 responds instantly, and pulls constantly. The R56 pulls a little, then pulls harder. This is turbo lag, something that the supercharged car doesn't have. Granted, the pull felt stronger on the R53 to me too, but thats cuz it was a JCW R53.

 

I believe it, and that is amazing because the Z is a really fast car! Both Consumer Reports and Consumer Guide list the 350Z convertible at 0-60 mph at 6.2 seconds. They don't list the hardtop times, which if I remember is well below 6 seconds, and the MCS is already fast 0-60 (well under 7 seconds) and grillhands' MCS is modded. Sounds like you're having fun!

 

It's been tons of fun but i cant wait to put the head of my car. I think i would beat him with the head. I told my girlfriend she's not getting a ring until i drop the money on the RMW head. To my surprise, she was cool with it! If i don't do it now than it'll never happen.

 

I'm not saying I don't believe you grillhands, there are so many variables in play anything could happen. However, I own both a bone stock 2003 350Z coupe and a modified 2006 MCS (exhaust, intake, 15% pulley, LDG tune). Now I love my MINI, it's a remarkable car and puts a smile on my face every time I drive it. But the 350Z would beat it handily in a drag race, drivers being equal. I don't even see it being that close.

 

He sure did win, but take this in consideration for my own defense. I stated that i had him from 1st, 2nd, and 3rd up to 5k rpm that's when he started to walk on me. Mini's in the quarter top out 3rd gear, which for me is 7200rpm. Im not sure how the gearing is on a 350z, but he would certaintly run a better time than me. Like you said, dnor72, the 350z would win in a drag, but from 1st,2nd, and 3rd to 5k, i had it for about a 1/2 car. I could've had a great jump, but that's how it went.

 

wow, 350Z < MCS ? in a drag?
WOW GOOD JOB!

 

if you screw up the first 0.2sec engagement on the MCS i doubt you
can catch up to the 350Z's torque, even a AT. especially not on the
earlier R53's gear ratio's.

but dont try it on the street.

 

People wonder how I fit into my MINI all the time. I have sat in 350Zs at car shows and they are cramped. For that matter, my head touches the roof in almost any car I get in except big trucks, the ocational van, and my MINI.

The 350z vs. MINI sounds like it was fun. I wish there was a track at my hometown.

 

I know that I'm not in a first gen but... in a similar track race of my R56 vs a 350z I pulled ahead until about 110 then he started to catch up, but then we ran out of track good fun!

 

Road & Track:

MINI S, 6-07 issue, 0-60 6.2 sec, 1/4 mile 14.9 @ 94.8

350 Z, 3-05 issue, 0-60 5.6 sec, 1/4 mile 14.1 @ 101.8

 

Yes sir, it can be done.