Looking at the December issue of "Road & Track" and in the Road Test Summary on page 160/161, the MINI is one of the world's top performers in the slalom category. Only four cars top its 67.6 MPH speed and the MINI beat the McLaren F1 by 3.1 MPH. I'd like to see what their run for a MCS tests at.

Mini may not have that top end speed, but will out handle about anything on the road. Isn't that what motoring is all about?

Oh ya wasn't one BMW in the four.

 

just read recently the new Dodge Neon 250 hp article that featured it's 68.4 slalom results, guess mini is now # 5 on the list.....wasn't surprised at the neon's 5.8 0-60 times which all that power....but was somewhat surprised at the handling speed through the slalom, must have really beefed up the suspension ......

 

Forget the published numbers, given the same car, it will vary by driver skill.

X2

 

>>Forget the published numbers, given the same car, it will vary by driver skill.

That's true, but since numbers ARE going to be posted, being 4th in the world of motorcars is amazing.

 

interesting......
maybe i'll drag these old bones on a track..again

Peace,
D

 

Just for comparison, does anyone know the ball-park cost of the McLaren F1?

How incredibly cool is it that a base model MINI is faster than this in the right situation?!?!?

 

>>Just for comparison, does anyone know the ball-park cost of the McLaren F1?

$1,000,000 if you can make the waiting list.

 

>>Looking at the December issue of "Road & Track" and in the Road Test
>>Summary on page 160/161, the MINI is one of the world's top performers
>>in the slalom category.


Was there any indication as to the wheel size and tire combination used for that run?

 

No, but the reference issue is dated 2-02. I would have to guess this was the car they tested and then posted the marks from. Its HP is listed at 115 so it's not the MCS.

 

As i understand it, the cost of a routine service is about $15 grand, add a few more and you have a MINI

 

The S would be no different in a Slalom, unless the Cooper they used didn't have the plus suspension. Speed isn't as much of a factor as is handling when it comes to that.

 

In the current Motor Trend, there is a comparison between the MCS, beetle turbo S and Pontiac Vibe. If you check the performance results at the end of the article, the MCS's slalom speed is over 68 mph. (I forget the exact speed). If anyone has seen it, remind me..

 

As cool as something like the McLaren F1 is, I would not be able to show my face in public after being spanked by a $16k economy car.

Talk about "buyer's remorse"

 

"...In the current Motor Trend, there is a comparison between the MCS, beetle turbo S and Pontiac Vibe. If you check the performance results at the end of the article, the MCS's slalom speed is over 68 mph. (I forget the exact speed). If anyone has seen it, remind me.. "

68.2

 

>>If you check the performance results at the end of the article, the MCS's slalom speed is over 68 mph. (I forget the exact speed). If anyone has seen it, remind me.. >>68.2

If that's an accurate figure, then according to the R & T stats, it bumps the MINI up to # 2.

 

My friend in LA has lowered his mini and added stiffer springs, I am willing to bet his slalom is higher than 68.2. He spent 1200 for the upgraded springs and installation.

 

I 100% REFUSE to believe the Neon can beat the MINI in a slalom test. I'd bet my soul on it. The suspension geometry is SO much better in the MINI, not to mention the wheel position.

$0.02

R

 

>>My friend in LA has lowered his mini and added stiffer springs, I am willing to bet his slalom is higher than 68.2. He spent 1200 for the upgraded springs and installation.

Money won't make the car perform better - the driver will. I was making reference to a STOCK MINI. A better setup will help though, if that's what you're getting at.

_________________

"Suzee" MCS, Sport, Areo, Rally Lights

 

>>I 100% REFUSE to believe the Neon can beat the MINI in a slalom test. I'd bet my soul on it. The suspension geometry is SO much better in the MINI, not to mention the wheel position.
>>
>>$0.02

Make that $.04... I'd have to see it to believe it... and they i'd knock the drive or the MINI upside the head and tell 'em to do better next time...

Rocketboy_X

 

>>>>I 100% REFUSE to believe the Neon can beat the MINI in a slalom test. I'd bet my soul on it. The suspension geometry is SO much better in the MINI, not to mention the wheel position.

Rocketboy_X, I'm with you. But if a stock MINI can out perform a Ferrari F-40 in the same slamon test - why couldn't a Neon (DREAD THE THOUGHT) do the same?

There are three (cover cars) tested that the MINI out did and one jet. They didn't list the slalom time for the F-18. It may be harder to calculate, but I'm sure the MINI is right "UP" there.



_________________

"Suzee" MCS, Sport, Areo, Rally Lights

 

"Handling with the new suspension and tires was stunning. The already impressive 70.2 mph slalom speed jumped to 71.2, and the stock 0.88g on the skidpad seemed like the work of a tricycle next to the 0.98 it could pull now."

Article on the new Z in Subcompact sports car magazine......sounds like the new Z is blowing everything away on the slalom. I did test drive one and they are really quite impressive, but I think I like the new infinity coupe even more with the 2+2 option.....cheers