I drive the Mini very fast. But never I have a pushed it on corners. Which it is known for.

I just took my first 90 corner at 25, with no problem (Dry ground of course). This was done in my sub-divsion.

So HOW FAST CAN YOU TAKE A CORNER. What is pushing it?

 

Hey sounds fun, I think I've cornered faster in my Mazda Protege 5 than in my Mini!

I think it's IMPERATIVE that if you are going to take a 90, to make sure you can see where you're turning, and that you have aftermarket tires, not the slippery runflats!

 

Ahhh, one of my favorite subjects. After a evening sipping a couple at my favorite hole in seattle. A friend and I decided to see if the MINI was all it was cracked up to be and went out to do some "Tron turns". I kept the eyes on the road and he watched the speedo. We took a 90 in his neighbor hood first at 45 just to see and then went up and up and up. I ended up in a front yard when I hit 90. Not too bad ( using Toyo Proxes TS1s) The top controlled turn without using ebrake was 70-75.

No animals were harmed during those experiments

btw. A rear sway bar makes all the difference in those situations!

 

At least that's what my friend told me as we hauled but out of somebodies yard! :???:

friends don't let friends drift drunk

 

Best thing you could do to learn what the limits of your MINI is in cornering is to go to a local road track and spend a day with a professional driving instructor who can help you to learn what your MINI can do on the relative safety of the race track. There you can learn without putting yourself in unnecessary danger and especially not putting other innocent motorists in danger.

Here is an excellent thread about what happens when someone pushes it too hard taking a 90' turn at 90mph. . .



A thread about a totaled MINI

 

The best place to try this type of driving as you describe is at driving school with orange cones and supervision.
On the track you can really test things out with an instructor driving or helping you drive. If the turns are banked or gradual then most S turns can be done at about the 45 to 60 mph range or close to it.

90 degree turns in a car control clinic on a flat dry course you might be able to do at speeds over 35 mph.
Hair pin turns about 30+ mph depending on your set up. MC vs MCS, track tires vs non runflats and runflats.
Lowered suspension and rear swaybar with balanced settings- not too firm or too soft if adjustable- more or less negative camber in the rear, and of course driver skill. Road conditions will change with each lap due to heat of the car and the track. And each track is different.

On the street 25 to 30 is about all that is possible. there can be debris and oil or other hazzards like curbs. Hit a curb and you will destroy your wheel/tire and suspension maybe. Not worth it.

Check with your local BMW Car club of America chapter for the next High performance driving school event- usually a couple of times per year and some are geared to younger drivers. If you like turns then do a car control clinic that has the skid pad- round and round you go at full tilt. It's very fun.

 

Since we're on the subject of going fast. What's the top speed you've ever had it up to?

My wife... 105mph. I know that because WSP busted her doing it
Me... I-90 west bound entering the gorge ( you washingtonians will know the spot. Nice steep grade ending in a hard 90 onto a bridge.) Hit the brakes just bfore the turn with the speedo buried (240kmh). I figure I was around 145 near as I can tell. It was scary but fun!

 

Sorry guys, but I am going to have to sound like a mom here...

The speed you can take a 90 corner in any neighborhood is the POSTED SPEED LIMIT!!!!!!!!!

Good grief, any sane person would think that maybe a child, an animal or any other living being could be hurt or harmed by your irresponsibilty! If you really want ot test the limits of your car go to a track or other non-habited location and have some fun!!! No one is expecting you not to try to see if you can "do all you can do" but keep it in the right place. I don't think anyone ever really wanted to say was "if only" in a bad situation. Motoring does involve thinking! (drinking then trying this is even more rediculous!!!!) :???: :???:

Rant over... back to motoring.

 

I agree it was irresponsible and more than likely stupid but i won't lie and say it wasn't fun.

 

>>I drive the Mini very fast. But never I have a pushed it on corners. Which it is known for.
>>
>>I just took my first 90 corner at 25, with no problem (Dry ground of course). This was done in my sub-divsion.
>>
>>So HOW FAST CAN YOU TAKE A CORNER. What is pushing it?

Not wanting to sound like an old frat but, Get yourself to a track! The street is not the place for that kind of thing. Go to a "Track Day" and have some real fun without endangering anyone else on the roadway.

I really don't care if you prang you car, but worry that you might hit someone else.

 

Hi Robyn.

I agree. In the neighborhood I never go over 30. I'm a partent too. Most of the time I go 25. That's why I took the corder at that speed (not over the speed limit). Alsoit's a very open corner. You can see around it to make sure no one is there (cars and/or kids).

I also agree I need to get the track for pro training. Next spring.

 

If you really like 90 degree turns I would suggest that you find a car control clinic with a large skid pad.
The skid pad is like a large but limited driving oval with orange cones to limit the size to one wide lane which is big enough for one car to do full throttle turns like hairpins, complete the turn, throttle up to the next turn maybe 30 to 35 mph before taking the corner again.

It is a practice situation to learn how to take the correct steering line, when to brake before the turn, where to find the correct apex of the turn, and how to accelerate smoothly out of the turn. You can use the knowledge gained on the track or road. You'll get a feeling of how the MINI will handle on a hard corner- where the limits of handling are for the suspension and wheels that your MINI has. And it is done on a clean flat surface with cones to mark your way so you won't risk crashing into anything that will do you harm or let you harm something other than a squishy rubber thingy.

It's very fun and worth a try. You will become dizzy but your instructor will then tell you to do the next bunch of laps in the opposite direction-after that you will be ready for a break (brake).

 

I'm not really into the lecturing so much....but next time you feel the need to see how fast you can go (straight or around corners), maybe think about that little kid pictured in your signature. I'm assuming that's your son.....and I'm assuming he'd like to keep you around :smile: !

The MINI is fun....Life is funner!!!!