Today I got my first taste of what a Mini Cooper can do. Nugget is 10 days old and coming up on the end of the breakin period (80 miles to go!) My bride and I were motoring thru a particularly curvy section of VT 100 in the Moretown/Middlesex area when I noticed an Audi A4 turbo about three curves ahead of us. Using the gears to keep the engine just shy of the 4500 breakin limit, I caught up with the Audi within half a mile even though the driver saw me in the rearview mirror and was obviously trying to maintain his lead. Nugget caught up easily, despite my wife beating on me in the corners!

The Audi pulled away a bit in straighaways, but not much. (Okay, so I went past 4500rpm a time or two) And as we dropped down to 35mph approaching a village I could see the shock on the guy's face that a normally aspirated Mini Cooper was more than capable of keeping station 50 yards behind him! I've never driven an A4 before, and while it obviously had some speed I don't have a feel for how they corner, but it was a thrill biting his tail for seven miles!

For the second time in ten days the lovely Mrs Boondox has taken my keys away...but it was worth it! Pete

 

 

I think its good you didn't get the MCS. You could kiss those keys goodbye!

 

There's an art to making a Cooper go. It may not keep up on an airport runway, but otherwise.......well best not to underestimate one in the hands of a knowledgable driver. Just wait 'til the breakin period ends when you can explore those higher revs.*

*(disclaimer: yes, while observing posted speeds.....except maybe on highway entrance ramps or those other special places. )

 

Hee, hee. Here's what I've done: I like it when Mustangs get behind me. I will slow down just below the limit. When a twisty part comes, I'll HAMMER it! I usually lose sight of the 'Stang. I always think, "Hey, Mr. 300 hp man, you've just been MINIed!" :smile: Sppphhhhtttttt!

 

Yup, I know the feeling well!!! Zippy has been surprising folks (including me) since mid-02. It's amazing what you can do with a "lowly" MC, especially after you've spent a lot of quality time/miles together. The best part for me is how much fun it can be at sub-warp9 speeds. I can't remember how many times I've scared passengers s***-less by "accidentally" stomping on the gas instead of braking for a 90-degree intersection turn. Trust me, if you give a good performance (like you're actually starting to panic....just a little, don't overdo it) they'll about pee their pants , and you all get a nice adrenaline rush.

 

I've driven an Audi 1.8 T recently, and a N/A MINI not so recently. The Audi has 180 peak BHP, but weighs a bunch. And there's no way in heck it can hold a candle to the MINI in the twisties. At 3351 LBS, it has too much mass and inertia to change directions as quick.

Pretty different animals.

 

My old MC CVT was a great car. Never the fastest car but could hug the turns like nothing else. Although I can't wait to see what my MCSa can do once I get past the break-in. I need to get a good drive in. I have just under 400 miles on my car and almost 3 weeks of ownership.

 

just last week a neon str wanted to play.
long story-short. blew his doors off.

 

I believe this was talked of once. A MCS has more pavement pounding tourque accross the power band then a SRT does.

 

str guys don"t buy it. i just confirmed it.

 

As we MINI drivers know and the rest are finding out. Don't underestimate the power of a MINI. Regular MC or MCS. They will definitely open the eyes of the nonbelievers. MINI's Rule

 

Perhaps it's time to merge Boondox's thread with the "Reasons to Get Leatherette Seating" thread...?

 

How downright devilishly fiendish! I like it! MUAHAHAHAHAHA.

 

Having just traded in my '03 A4 1.8T I can say that at 180hp and 179lb-ft and 3450lbs its certainly no rocket. The MINI S is actually substantially faster 0-60 (about .5s) though I dont have the numbers for the n/a MINI to compare. The audi corners exceptionally well for a vehicle its size especially if the driver is willing and/or able to control a bit of drift but going back to an earlier post, it is way to heavy to compete against the MINI. Not the mention longer and wider increasing its polar moment of inertia (read: turns slower). All that having been said, while its certainly a fun comparison to make, its not really a fair one. Our MINI's are "luxury" sport compacts versus an A4 which is a luxury "sport" sedan. Different emphasis breeds different results. I wouldnt be surprised to see an S4 give a MINI a strong run though. Extra power to compensate for extra weight and a tighter suspension. Still won't corner the same but closer.