Mini-owners, please give me some advice. I currently drive a BMW Z4 3.0i, 6-speed (non-sport). It's a terrific car, BUT, I want to do track days, and I can't in my Z4 (without installing a roll bar, which ain't gonna happen). Also, I occasionally need a back seat -- enough that it's been an annoyance without one.

So, I'm thinking of selling the Z4 (I won't lose much if anything on it) and getting an MCS-JCW. Am I crazy? I've driven an MCS and I'm sure it out-handles my Z4, although my Z will smoke it in a straight line. But I'm sure a JCW would be plenty fast.

I also thought about keeping the Z4 and getting a base Cooper, for commuting and track days. That's a little more expensive and somewhat wasteful, but maybe a good compromise.

What would you do?

Thanks!

EDIT: I can't reply to my own thread. Is it because I'm new??? What can I do so that I can reply?

 

But go for the Mini. I've got a freind who went from a Boxter to a MCS, and no regrets. My neighbor has two Ferarris.... And a MCS! But I gotta say, the ragtop Mustang I have is a nice counter to the roof on the MCS....

You won't regret it, but you will miss going topless every now and then.

Or you could buy a used MCS, and keep the ragtop.

As for getting the Cooper, it will hold it's own in the turns, but any straight away, and it'll get passed by a lot of cars.

Matt

 

You're right, it's a tough choice. But, here's the thing: I also have a nice '81 Fiat Spider and a couple of Ducatis, so I wouldn't be giving up open-air motoring. I *would* be giving up that insanely-smooth and torquey inline-6 in the Z4, however. I'm sure I will miss that.

Anybody else?

 

FWIW, I sold my turbo miata for my MCS and I haven't looked back.

-jac

 

I think the Z4 would be a great daily driver, but you won't see me giving up my MCS anytime soon.

I typically go open sunroof and both windows down, not the same as topless but I can be set for the track in about 10 sec.

 

If it were a MCoupe I would totally understand the dilema. Or if you were deciding between the new Z4 Coupe and a MINI, but although the Z4 is a nice car, the MCS is way more fun all around.

 

My mother has a Z4 and it's a nice car, but I actually prefer my MCS to it.

As for the suggestion to find a used MINI, they hold their value so well, you may as well order a new MINI. Because of the MINI's backseat and hatch, I think it is more practical than the Z4.

Good luck and welcome to NAM!

 

Put a deposit on a JCW GP. Do not settle for less.

 

ive never owned a Z4 so can't say for sure, but i think you won't go wrong
with the MINI's.

but if you like FR, then might want to see if you can keep your Z4 AND
get a MINI.

 

Yes, you are crazy, but not for the reasons you might think.

Before you do anything you have to decide what is it you plan to do on the track and where you think you'll be after a year or two. Driving a street car in DE in the lower run groups is a fine thing to do, but if you start to get fast, you will soon find that driving a street car on track involves a series of fairly serious compromises. So what are they?

Well, heres just a few:
Seats: Sliding around in your seat on track will not only slow you down, but its dangerous. Any true track seat will be a serious compromise for the street. Want safety? Halos. On street? Fogetaboutit.

Harnesses: One you go to a true race seat, you MUST have a harness. That means at minimum a harness bar. There goes accesibilty to the rear seats...

Air bags: Airbags and helmets don't mix very well. While there is an ongoing debate about whether an open face or closed face helmet is better in an airbag equped car, an expert in the field that I know, whose done sled testing has told me that neither is a good situation. A closed helmet can cause jaw injury, an open one neck injury (as the air bag tends to catch the leading edge of helmet and tries to rip it off your head. So which do you choose , safety on track, or safety on street. Not an easy choice.

And this is all simple basic safety stuff, as you get faster you start to realize that a cage isn't a nicety, its a necessity. I realized that the first time I crested the hill on the back straight at VIR at 148MPH. I had a cage before my next event. And then there's fire surpression, kill switches, etc and we haven't yet even mentioned anything to do with altering the cars performance.

So, if I were you, assuming you are serious about going to the track, I'd sell the Z4, buy the MC, and use the $$$ diferential to acquire a dedicated track car. USe the MC for track initially and as you learn more about track you'll be more able to figure ouot where you want to go. This doesn't mean a race car or a completely unstreetable car. You could go for someones stock class racer from SCCA, BMWCCA or Porsche club racing or just find a car that someones done up for DE. You can easily find an excellent BMW E30 325Is for well under $10K, a 911SC or Carrera for well under $20K. A good Spec Miata would slot somewhere in between. Safer, more fun, a lot less money in the end.

 

JCW MCS!! *Drool*

 

I love the Z4 but I would have to go with the MINI just for all the reasons you mentioned. I think you will be happier with the MINI.

 

I too think youll be happy in a MINI!

(just dont get the JCW GP- its a waste!)

 

HEY, you just got it, you can't be upgrading yet. Just go aftermarket (it's a lot cheaper)

Earl

 

The next Smackdown WWF bout will be between

The Future Queen (JCW GP; it's a waste) vs DrDiff (JCW GP; Don't Settle for less!)

Tickets will be $25 in advance, $30 at the door!



Matt

 

Do you take MC/Visa??

Earl

 

Seems to me you are making a good choice. MINIs offer a lot of flexibility for both passengers and cargo and is a good fit with the normal, daily stuff of life. Lot's of us value this factor. The JCW will give you a nice balanced performance package and a full warranty so it seems like a win all around. You may be making little compromises here and there, but what you'll be getting is one, single cool little car that does so many things (practical or not) so well, it's a little freaky.

 

I'd highly recommend dropping the Z4 for a JCW MCS.

I was between various cars before buying this in late December- including a M Roadster, the fun AND real world usability (can fit A LOT in the back) sold me.

Also love the JCW package.

 

All valid points, but if you stick to DEs you don't have to do ANY of this stuff. I've been doing DEs/open track days for 10 years with a stock car on street tires--now I'm doing them with a Cooper (non-S) and having a blast.
Just keep it maintained and you'll be fine--it's alot nicer having a new car to track than something that's been hammered, like a old race car (unless you plan to trailer, which I don't).

 

you are asking a bunch of MINI drivers if you should switch to a MINI...
of course we'll say "yes".

test drive a JCW MCS. Sit in the back seat of an MCS. Then decide...

dan

 

Yeah.. lol I'm adding little by little.. I thought I saved money and there is goes..

 

Well...I am not going to get into whether or not the Z4 is better than a JCW MINI or any MINI for that matter...but, what kind of Z4 do you have that doesn't have roll bars??

The two big grey humps behind your head are steel tubes encased in plastic (for looks)...those would be rollbars...the windshield (windscreen, whatever) is also reinforced with steel tubes...

See the sig and pic below... (note the MINI up the hill, upper right...)



Track days are awesome. There was a MCS on the track with us that day and was doing pretty well, though it was being driven by a beginner. So I can't say how well or whatever it would do with a seasoned "track day'er"...

(By the way, I do think that both vehicles are exceptional for driving enjoyment on or off the track)

Happy Motoring (as the MINI crowd would say )

 

That's an interesting idea I hadn't thought of. But it pre-supposes that I will be serious/competitive on the track. I'm not sure I want to be -- I just want to drive fast on a racetrack. So far. So, I'd rather get a JCW-MCS, drive it a couple years and then maybe get a race-prepped Miata, or something.

 

AFAIK, NASA HPDE and most driving schools want a real roll bar on open cars, not just "factory hoops". Like here:

http://www.thunderhill.com/html/driving_school.html

What type of event is that in your sig?

 

True, but many clubs (if they allow verts) do not see those as adequate. A friend of mine with an M Roadie had to put in a rollbar (Harddog?) to take his car to the track with some groups - and honestly I think a big part of his reason was so he could use harnesses as his bar had a harness bar attached. And, there are many groups...including most BMW groups that flat out won't allow convertibles regardless of the roll protection installed.