Well this story is not exactly about the MINI but for those who know me they know that I purchased a MCS '05 to replace my crashed S2000. I crashed it with a spin out on CA-154 outside of Santa Barbara during the rainy season here.

Since the accident I have gone over what has happened and I went back to the accident site. What I discovered now that I was seeing things with a clear head is that I had spun out while GOING STRAIGHT. There had been a turn but it was too far back to have been a factor in the accident. Why in the hell did I spin out while losing traction? I couldn't figure it out.

I got the car back last night (S2000) and the body shop did an EXCELLENT job of putting it back together. I drove it around a while and decided to head off to the Mac user's group. It was a decent evening I have to say. Prior to going into the group though I had three problems that I discovered.

1. The roof would not go back 100% the way it was.
2. The right window would not roll up
3. On the way I thought I felt the car pull to the left some on acceleration. I wasn't sure about this one as it was not strong enough of a pull for me to be sure.

So I gawk at Mac stuff and now it is time for me to leave. I get in the car and discover that the window lock was on so I was able to roll up the window. I found that I could pull a bit on the rag top and it would go into position. I decided then to test my pull to the left issue.

I got onto the freeway and did a test. The car running at highway speed was straight as an arrow. When I accelerated however the car veered to the left when I let go of the steering wheel. It was not out of control by any means--but the veer was there and it was definate.

I was not happy at all. I thought "Oh no.. my car that someone here described as "whailed in the ***" is never going to be right"

This morning I drove to the body shop. He looked at the ragtop and noticed that there pins he was supposed to line up. No problem he said.

The window was fine so no issue there.

Then we talked about the problem with the pull to the left. He was confused by my description but agreed to look at it.

I then went to work and talked to my car buddies. One of them did a google look up and found a thread on the pull to the left under acceration problem. The answer?

Everyone said "Put air in your tires! One of your wheels.. perhaps the rear left one (since the car pulls to the left) is low!"

There were the typical cat calls and then someone gave the explanation--it was the LSD in the S2000. Evidently the Limited Slip Differential thought that the left rear tire which was about 10 lbs under pressure was "slipping" and thus it applied more power to the right rear wheel to make up for it. The result--veer to the left under acceleration!

I called the body shop giving them the news about what I had discovered. They called back later and sure enough--adding air fixed it perfectly. They said they would not have thought of it either but they were embarassed that they had not checked the air pressure to start with.

I picked up the car this evening and everything is 100% You really can not tell anything bad has happened to it. The veer is gone. The rag top works like new (it should be .. it is a brand new top) and the car is a blast to drive again.

Then it hit me.

Imagine my tire pressure being low on the day of the fateful accident. It had to be for it be 10lbs low now. The accident happened Feb 19th.

Here is what I am able to piece together now. I came around the turn after a heavy downfall. The rain had stopped but there was water on the road. I was on straight road and starting to accelerate. I passed 50mph. Speed limit is 55 there. Most traffic is at 65 however.

I hit the water and the car starts to hydroplane. The left rear wheel being low on air is assumed to have less traction and thus LSD pushes more power to the right rear wheel (remember the S2000 is rear wheel drive) I start to veer into the left lane (which is how I remember it.) I hit the brakes (mistake) as that sets me up for the spin. I spin.. Toyota Tacoma hits me and the rest is history. Case closed. Low tire pressure + LSD set me up for the crash. My lack of experience in the start of a spin finished the job--assuming it was even possible to get the car back under control.

Anyway--I know the MINI has front wheel drive and perhaps LSD on it will behave differently--but the lesson I learned today might save your life one day as I nearly lost mine on that CA mountain road. Check your tire pressure. Keep it right. You may not really understand the physics that are in play when you are going down the road.

I didn't.

What am I going to do now? Not sure. Love the MINI.. love the S2000.

-mark=

 

Its a good feeling, knowing why you crashed in an accident. Ive had to retrace my steps on a track a couple of times to figure out where I went wrong, or what broke that made me go wrong.

One great feature of the MCS is the low pressure warning system

I have a friend witn an s2000 w/ the Mugen dampners...that car handles amazingly!! And taking a car to 9K (although a bit scary at first) is a great feeling!!!

 

Wow - good detective work! And tire pressure seems like something to habitually check, especially if you have LSD!

Thanks for sharing!

-Paul!

 

The S2000 is very sensitive to tire pressure (as most cars really are) and you should be checking the pressures pretty often.

People complain a lot about the S2000, always saying its tail happy, or the tires suck. Not trying to be a jerk but it usually comes down to driver ability. It sure sounds like you learned what not to do on this example, which is great. I always try to get the S2000 guys in our group to get out to a performance driving school and really learn the limits of the car and subsoquently their own abilities. It'll fix problems and stop some from being created.

Its also a blast!

I say keep the S2000 and get an MINI . Life's too short not to.

 

Mark,

May want to consider installing an aftermarket tire pressure monitoring system. Also, sounds like all cars will have them shortly.

 

Thanks for the headsup. Ive been looking at S2000's for future purchase
so this would be an item I need to remember.

Does the s2000 not come with dynamic stability type control?
I would assume such program would correct the yaw and maintain
control in the wet

 

The S2000 has no form of traction control whatsoever. I've just sold mine (leaving monday) and the Cooper S should be here in a week. Anyway, the S2K isn't for rookies, easy to get out of shape on the open road if you're not accustomed to it.

 

Agreed, people are always getting out of sorts with it at the track, though I haven't seen any bad incidents, just lots of spins.

 

I have a MINI Cooper S.. love it.

Actually I think I am going to turn my S2000 into a new R1200RT motorcycle.

Thanks everyone for your kind words. Love this board.. you guys are always great to me.

-mark=

 

The solution is to give the S2000 to your well-deserving girlfriend, who would take care of it lovingly and always put air in its tires.