That's what I said this morning when I drove our 530i. It was the first time in 2 1/2 months (since getting Zippeee!) that I'd driven our BMW, and I was appalled at the lack of brake power and steering response in that car. I guess I've been spoiled with my MCS, 'cause BMWs aren't exactly lacking in those categories.

I had a sense of awe (and impending disaster) when a pickup truck passed me going 90 on the freeway. How in the world do they do it with their handling?

 

They do it with a great abundance of stupidity.

 

That's funny. I remember taking the MINI for a test drive. The first red light I came to I stepped on the brakes like I usually do in my current car. I thought I was going to do a 360 mid air flip.

 

That's funny, mufflethis! I've always driven sports cars and sports sedans--mostly German--and all this time I thought I was driving really responsive cars. I look upon my MCS with new respect...

 

You should try going from my MCS to my Jeep Liberty (my winter driver). Talk about a difference...

 

Same here. I go back and forth between my beloved MINI and a Honda Pilot 4x4. The brakes, the steering wheel (way too thin in the truck), and the room it takes to back that tank out of a parking space really make me appreciate my MINI. Not to mention, the fun factor. There's just no comparison. I think of having to drive the truck as if I'm being "punished" for something - usually a ridiculous trip to CostCo.

 

I had to drive my brothers full size chevy 4wd pickup with king cab last time I visited him. It was just for a short stretch, but involved a busy commercial strip and a short stretch on the highway. These big vehicles can hardly be considered under your control. They react so slowly and ponderously to your input. Their size supposedly makes them safer in a crash, which is a good thing because they'll need it.

 

What a way to be spoiled!
Not bad.

 

Hopefully when they do crash it won't be into a MINI.

 

Actually, it's the superior ground effects.


Oh yeah, and my other (brakeless) car is a Town and Country - which has BIG disc brakes all around, but it doesn't matter. The thing weighs a zillion pounds. And when the brakes overheated heading down a mountain a while back, I really DID have no brakes in the van... scary.

My last car was a Sebring convertible. I actually used to have a recurring dream about the brakes on that car failing and me hurtling through a congested urban area trying to do the minimum amount of carnage... I don't have that dream anymore...

 

I think the same thing on the rare occasions I have had the need to ride in or drive my father's gigantic insane Escalade. I ask him why he would choose to fight this unresponsive beast when he could afford a car that handles well and is a pleasure to drive.

 

When I have to drive my wife's Accord I feel completely out of control,when Parking I've almost hit a few cars becouse I never brake enough ,the steering feels squishy I'm going back and forth with the steering wheel trying to keep it strait .The Accord alway's gets praised by the magazine's, # 1 family sedan ,great handling etc... I might have to let my wife drive I just cant drive it anymore.My Dodge pickup feels more like the Mini than the Accord, better brakes stiffer suspention, I cant corner fast becouse the backs full of paint cans.

 

Drove my brother's pickup (an F-150 XLT) this past weekend. Brakes were way too squishy, steering wasn't as sensitive as I've gotten acclimated to. I found the high perch (that I had previously enjoyed when driving those 14' beaters from U-Haul) removed me too much from the road. (Duh, it's a truck.)

When I got back in the seat of my MINI, I was immediately wrapped in comfort by my sport seats and reconnected with the road.

Another weekend a couple of weeks back I drove my old car, a Sentra. Throws were long and rubbery. Brakes were squishy. I couldn't believe that was the same car I'd driven for six years.

I remember when I first took ownership, it really didn't feel like "my" car. Now I can't imagine driving anything else.

 

I split my time between my 07 MC and a 99 Honda CRV. The CRV does 0 to 60 in a minute and a half downhill with the wind at your back. Steering and breaking response ok though, but lightyears from the mini.