Like the title says... what is out there? I've search around and only found a few things and it was Forged performance over in the UK.

I thinking of getting one (I love AWD), but I'm skeptical about the AWD system. I wonder if there's a way to make it an actual AWD all the time, like they claim? I also have zero experience with FWD cars, maybe you all can enlighten me in that area.

I wonder if there are ways to lighten the car up as well? Help with the added weight? I like the idea of the extra room (I'd be using it for a daily driver, my Subaru STI is the weekend warrior), but being a tad bit lighter would be nice.... say carbon fiber roof

Power performance, suspension performance, lightweight performance... any ideas anyone?

 

Given the motors are the same, and much of the underpinnings for that matter, just look to the R55, R56 and R57 boards (the other gen 2 Minis). go in knowing the S motor changed some in 2011, while the "justa's" have stayed much the same. Those boards all have lots of discussion even as to when it matters for some old vs. new motor or other issue.

And no, the AWD system isn't at the level of a Subaru or Audi (the true Quattro ones with the longitudinal motors, not the faux Synchro ones off the Golf transverse platform) that are really full time in nature, or w/ the best e- assisted systems like Acura's. But Mini's is about at the level of 95% of what's out there--reactive in nature, part time and either fundamentally FWD or RWD based, and that works about 95% of the time. Been there done that, comparing and driving the best Audi systems up to 450HP, as opposed to the much more basic Chyslers (made by Steyr like the Mini too) or the Toyota/Lexus as examples. With snow tires they all go and stop well up to the limits of physics and low friction coefficients. W/out and all start to suffer. Buy a $100K Panamera for that matter, and it's still fundamentally a reactive system--they say it reacts in 1/10 of a second. Well at 60, that's about a full wheel revolution. For accelerating and starting at low rotational speeds, no biggie. At the beginning of a spin arising in a cornering context at some speed (ESP aside)--could be major, major biggie.

 

My main concern is getting it to weigh less... which I don't think I'll find much of in the other areas. Performance wise, I definitely take a look in the other areas of this forum.

Last question.. I wonder if they'll ever come out with a controller to control the AWD system?
2 or 3 levels or settings as so:
1) Stock type where it splits it as necessary
3) A 50/50 split setting (literally AWD all the time).
2) Then maybe a 100/0 split setting (obviously FWD)

I think that would be kind of neat, seems feasible, the electronics are basically already doing that in the car. We would just need to narrow it down and control each setting. Maybe I thinking way out of the box, lol.

Thanks for all your input so far, I'll start looking around as far as performance goes in the other boards.

 

I think the Mini system is just the commonplace silicone clutch pack sitting along the driveshaft front to rear that self engages reactively. Relatively low tech, and nothing like the switchable systems, nor the quality Torsen real time and inherently limited slip (front to back; side to side is still EBD) systems you find in an Audi or something.

Weight reduction. In a tracked MCS or JCW, you might see a rear seat delete. Some are home made, and kits are sold too. Obviously there is the remove the accessories and upholstery stuff, and increasing sound insulation (which buyers want often) is adding literally dozens of pounds. Sunroof is a no-no with the most serious too--more weight, a bit less structural strength, and higher center of gravity. As one more tweak, some will change the battery to a lighter and/or lower capacity one. Little stuff in the engine compartment like removing the "noisemaker" (BMW's attempt to create faux sweet engine sounds with plastic parts and diaphragms linked to the HVAC by a hose) and deleting the "muffler" in the turbo intake system pulls out a pound or two here and there and maybe (it's debated) adds a few HP (or faster turbo spool up or pressurization). There are posts on many of these items in the gen 1 and gen 2 boards, all of coupe, clubman and JCW variants.

 

Remember they also are about to release the WRC Countryman. I would wait till the car is officially released before you buy anything. From what i have read about the countryman is is way over weight and way underpowered. I would first see what type of performance modifications they used in the WRC car. I highly doubt any of it is from the factory (new 2.0 motor, sequential transmission and a real AWD system) I see you want this as your daily driver because you have an STI (I plan on that being my future project car). I also do not know you budget, but my advice would be lean as much as you can about the stock car, and find out what they did to it to make it a WRC car. Then move forward from there.

 

I've actually read a bit on the WRC car, it's a 1600cc (1.6L) engine and supposed to produce over 300 BHP (over 250 WHP) and 400Nm (300 ft-lbs). The AWD system is definitely an actual real system, at a 50/50 all time split. The WRC car sits at 2646 lbs.

I'd say my first concern, before power, is to make it lighter. Not go overboard with it, but maybe do the following:
- Lighter front seats (reclineable Recaro/Sparco racing seats)
- Lower seat brackets (less metal than stock and lower center of gravity)
- Lightweight battery
- Lighter wheels
- Lighter brake rotors
- Aftermarket exhaust/headers/IC piping/Intake Manifold/intake (tends to be lighter than stock)
- Lighter front and rear bumper beams? (available for Subies, not sure about MC)
- Fully Adjustable Coilovers (Always lighter than stock and lower CG)

Not sure what else is out there for this car, as far a lightweight parts go. Carbon fiber roof would be an awesome part to get, lower CG and take a decent amount off too. I'd guess all that could potentially take around 170 lbs off the car (maybe more). I'd assume the rear seats are pretty heavy, but I'm not going to remove those, since this will be my daily driver. But if I can get to under 3000 lbs (I know that's still heavy for a mini) I'd be happy for now. Then maybe shoot for 300 WTQ

 

I don't want to jack your thread so check your PM's