MINI’s are great cars and the ultimate for performance handling, but it’s not a Ferrari.

I have a hard time reading how people want to transform their MINI into a world class gazillion HP beast everybody on the road 0 to 500 MPH in 0.2 seconds kind of car. The MINI is not and never will be that type of car. It never was from the concept of the car years ago. I had a '64 and '67, so i'm talking from experience.

There are people who buy a MINI and then realize it does not perform the way they want. How many other cars have you bought that have given you the same positive feeling from the beginning. The new people to the car world may be disappointed in the over all speed off the line, but more experienced drivers have to know that the MINI was made for everyday driving. It’s not a Ferrari!

In a racing scenario, the MINI will have to deal with other cars in its class. None will ever out corner or maneuver it, but overall speed is another thing. This is the nature of racing and something the people racing will deal with if they wish to win.

I wish my MCS had a 250 HP engine, but it doesn’t and I accept that. I wish it was as fast as a Ferrari, but it’s not. It is however a very reliable (mine is) everyday car that will out handle anything else on the road. I just hope more people will realize this before they jump into the wonderful world of MINI. It’s a fantastic car, but don’t get confused between handling and speed, its two different things.


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"What a gorgeous day. What effulgent sunshine. It was a day of this sort the McGillicuddy brothers murdered their mother with an axe." W. C. Fields

 

very well said sndwave

i remember i said somewhere the mini wasnt gods gift to cars..and i got chewed out for saying that. when i bought the mini i knew what i was getting. i was getting a 20K hatch that was fun to drive. it was not Sti or R32, it didnt have raw power and it couldnt balance the twisties like an nsx. but i knew that. i am happpy wiwth my mini, since it does its intended job very well. i love some people on this board (i wont name names) who says forget the m3 and m5, the mcs is better. what they dont realize its these are different market segments. MOST people in thier right mind would buy a m3/m5 over a mcs, well at least i would.

thanks for making this thread, i hope more people realize that the mini is a fun hot hatchback, that gives plenty of smiles to the mile. its not a ferrari neither is it a luxury car neither is it the gods gift to cars. trust me i love my mini, but its not the end all and be all of all cars, and i wish some people would stop acting that way.

and whats also funny is, the people who swear the minis are the best cars in the world and they would never sell them back and keep them for ever yada yada, saw the new VW in offtopic, and said they would buy that since that is the next hottest thing in the market yeah good loyalty there

well sorry for the rant, but thanks for a much needed very good thread

 

Is that a Zen thing? My MINI is not a Ferrari. My BMW R1150 GS is not a Ducati 916. My toaster is not a kiln. My umbrella is not a tent. My T-shirt does not make tea. Oh, no, the Earth is slipping off it's axis as I realize the implications.

 

Where can I buy a prancing yellow horse emblem? I need one real bad!

 

>>Where can I buy a prancing yellow horse emblem? I need one real bad!


you can go buy it a type r sticker factory

 

Your right sndwave, I would suggest this web site for a good read about how the MCS fares against much more expensive and powerful cars with a set of brake pads. I wouldnt be suprised if you havent already read it though. I wana know when the next one is.

 

Thanks sndwave for the much needed, occassional reality check.
As much as I long for a Honda S2000 or NSX-R in my stable, my MINI also tickles my fancy.
I know they're not in the same class and never intended to compare them so.
I bought my MINI for it's intended purpose of autocrossing and putting a big silly grin on my face.

My MINI is a MINI!!!! Not my MINI is a wannabe.....(sports car of choice)!!

 

For once, I agree with you, sndwave. :smile:

I say if you want to hop up your car... do so, but don't blow your life savings on it. I only plan on buying some minor mods to aid in racing. If you want a fast car, go buy a fast car, y'know?

 

:smile: :smile: :smile:

Great thread, baby! I love Wanda just as she is, and in the future, maybe I'll do some mods. But for the time-being, I'm totally enjoying what she has to offer me. Besides, she's a great bad cop, tee hee!! :evil:

Cheers!
Clover

 

For warranty reasons alone, leave the drivetrain stock! At least until the warranty expires. BMW really frowns on warranty repairs on engine/transmission/clutch issues if any type on modification is found. The owners manual spells this out in writing. You won't have a leg to stand on. Just follow the threads on MINI web sites for horror stories. I think the MINI drivetrain should be left alone. We all purchased a 17K-23K 4-cylinder street legal go-cart, not a 12 mpg V-8 musclecar!

 

sndwave,
I'd have to agree with you about this topic. I guess some people are in search of performance without knowing how to define it for themselves. Most of us do not have the means to consider owning and driving a Ferrari so we may look elsewhere to fullfill that desire. They might read a review to take note of all those nice awards and honors that the MINI is receiving and then think gee- performance car for so little! Then they might equate that with their image of a performance car like a Ferrari.

Personally, it never occurred to me to think of MINI and Ferrari in the same class of car. That would be like MINI and any foreign exotic car. Not a fair comparison.

Anyway, the MCS is a great little car for regular people to have some fun driving even as a daily driver and without paying too much more than a normal car. Why did I buy it:
Looks great- very european (british), unique.
Performs great- Excellent handling. adequate power (modding the MCS gives it some kick)
Is reasonably priced- It's in the range of other cars of the $17,000 to $25,000 segment. Could be worse.
Isn't common- Limited supply and strong demand makes for less MINIs out there. I hate common cars.
Has many options for upgrades-I didn't want a stock car. I was ready for some fun. Warranty? What warranty?
Manages decent mpg- For me 28 in mixed driving and up to 33 on the highway even with performance mods.
Reliable- for the most part. Results vary. My MCS is rock solid reliable.
Great support from other Owners/Club-We have both BMW CCA and MINI clubs going, and of course MCO!
Great support from Dealership- we are truely blessed to have an outstanding dealership nearby. Your results may vary.
Nowhere did I have- "handles and drives like a Ferrari" on my list.

Yesterday as I had my car in an audioshop the car next to me was a Ferrari F355 Spider convertible. Gorgeous. No comparison-not anywhere near at all. I could buy a different MINI for each day of the week for the same price.

For a used F355
Engine Type: V-8
* 0-60 mph: 5.3 seconds
* Horse Power: 375 hp
* 1/4 Mile: 13.7 seconds
* Top Speed: 175 mph
* Braking from 60 mph: 122 ft.
* Braking from 80 mph: 219 ft.
* Skidpad: 0.93 g
* Slalom: 66.1 mph
* Fuel Mileage: 16.8 mpg
* MSRP: $137,500 US

So I can sell my MCS and then I have to save about $110,000 more cause the new F360 costs too much.

 

Thank you! I do not post allot but look in all the time.. and was lonesome for the days when removing the plastic on the MINI emblems on the motor was the latest mod!! Remember when stacking pigs was a hit??

 

My $.02

The only way a Mini will beat a Ferrari is standing still.

The Mini is cuter, cooler, and just the best car made in my book, so true, in a race they can be toasted by a car like a Ferrari, but I still love em...

BTW average the performance of the car per dollar they cost.......

Bet that Mini will win on that one.

I still like modding my little Mini, even if it will never be a Ferrari's equal.

 

Ahhhh! Stacking Pigs!!!!!!! The good old days!

 

so in conclusion,after reading the story.....THE MINI IS A FERRARI IN DISGUISE!!!!

 

I agree with your thread (but the MINI is faster on the slalom, hehehe)

 

>>
>>
>>The Mini is cuter, cooler, and just the best car made in my book, .


good thing i dont read the same book as you :smile:

 

The Mini fits in smaller parking spaces than any Ferrari ever made!!!

Of course its no M3 or Ferrari.
But...
My Mini Cooper S has a better ride and much better visibility than our M3 convertible (with the top up).
The MCS has a better shifter and less understeer than the Ferrari 308 I owned.
The MCS gets more attention and folks asking questions about it than our 996 Turbo, a car that was all but invisible except to another Porsche owner.

In short, the MCS is the most bang you can get on the road for your buck... in initial cost, online community, and cost of upgrade/modification... its a great buy!!!

 

I agree, but when it comes down to it... All But ONE Ferrari LOOKS better than ANY MINI ANYWHERE.

 

I agree the mini is no ferrari, but its just as fun!

 

>>minihune--the f355 imo is the best looking mordern day "3" series ferrari. the f360 isnt for me..i am old skool pop up headlights guy

The F355 I saw was super nice. I think I would have to agree with you. I might put up with a lot of not great things to have a car like that. But I'd be too protective and worried all the time. Which is not much fun.

>>and in general when sndwave made this thead..i didnt think he meant it as a direct comparision to the ferrari. i took it to mean, people buy a mini and think its the best thing in this world, and its not. thats the point i took away from this thread :smile:
I know. I don't think the MINI is at all close to a true exotic but I drive my MINI everyday rain or shine, shopping mall or not. So in short, yes there is no comparison-not even worth it to try. Yes my MINI has flaws and yet I have tons of fun from behind the wheel. Gosh that F355 was wickedly nice- dream on.

 

A MCS is not a Ferrari.....but a great car. The Mini does actually have better cornering and stability than most Ferraris. I browsed many reviews that have claimed this fact. A Ferrari engine could never fit in a car with as charming a body as the Mini. Anyhow.....who would want to be seen driving such a garish beast(exception to the pre 1970s models)......I would feel like an ***! Aston Martin or TVR over Ferrari any day. If you don't have class it doesn't matter what class of car you drive.

 

First of all, if I wanted a really fast car, a Ferrari wouldnt be it either. Only two Ferrari ever made impress me as fast, the F40 and the Enzo, both of which cost twice as much as most peoples homes.

Secondly, its the American way of things to make cars faster than they were meant to be. If myself or others get joy out of hotrodding a MINI, why would that be a problem? Sometimes its about the challenge of doing what was previously thought undoable.

I dont want my MINI to be a Ferrari, a Porsche, a Lambo or any other car for that matter. I bought the MINI cause thats what I wanted. I will also modify it to be faster cause thats also what I wanted. See, thats the great thing about this country......I think its the 23rd ammendment or something.

"The right of the people to hotrod their cars shall not be infringed"

I find cornering junkies to be snobs......same way on motorcycles.

 

This was something I posted after spending some time in the Mods and Performance forums this past weekend.

Seems many people are disappointed in the slow off the line type speed the MINI has. Also many feel after mods have been done to their cars they still do not get as much power or performance as they would wish to have.

I only used a Ferrari as an example, it was not meant to be literal. I could have used any other exotic big HP sports type car, I just chose Ferrari.

I have had many cars over the years and have accepted the limitations of everyone for the car it was. My MCS is no exception. It will never be a 500 HP beast, though it seems many are trying to make theirs just that. If I had an unlimited budget for modifications I would still be hard pressed to sink $7000 plus in to my MCS for an extra 30/40 HP.

I love my MCS. I’m one of the lucky people to have one that has been 100% trouble free. I bought it for the styling and handling. It’s a very unique car and stands out no matter where I go. It’s so much fun to drive. I just hope people would be happy to own a MINI for what it is and not be disappointed when their modifications don’t produce the results that can’t be obtained.

 

Amen for this thread!!! People that complain about the MINI not delivering neck snapping acceleration from the get go had bought the wrong car for the wrong reasons. This is a 1600cc engine not a 5.7L V8 and both of these powerplants are totally and completely different beasts.

If gobs of torque are your priority, then a late model Camaro/Firebird or a new Mustang could be right up your alley. RWD, Pushrod V8's and superb straight line acceleration and handling equivalent of a buckboard. You can get all of these for the same admission price as a MCS.

There is certainly nothing wrong if you want to make your MINI faster but complain that the car feels gutless is a bit of an exageration IMO. My CVT dusts lots of similar "Asian" cars in stoplights, so then again what is the problem?

I think for most Americans used to V6 and V8 engine performance, the find anything under 2.5L to be.....hmmmm.....quite underwhelming