Not a 350 Z, but my wife had an '03 G35 coupe, and my '03 (pullied, intake and exhaust w/ RSD) could ever so slightly pull on her. Her's was an auto so I'd imagine that a manual would A. keep up with me or B. walk me...

Don't speak so soon son. Although the G35 may weigh slightly more, they also have more power... As stated above, you're not going to smoke a G35 stock. It takes several mods, and even then, my wife's was an auto...

Don't doubt the other cars on there, but that VW had to have been stock (engine mods)... My old '01 Wolfsburg would smoke Mustang GT's, and all I had done was an AEM Intake, Cat-Back exhaust, and APR ECU. I miss that kind of speed, but I love the curves more so now than I ever have before My Jetta also kept up with an Evo (not from a dead stop). I also had issues with my boost hitting 20-21 PSI, so that could be why...

As for my list...

Beaten:
'03 G35 Coupe
'03 Crossfire Convertible
'03 Lexus SC430
Various other MINI's
RSX-S
VW GTI MK4 (don't believe there was any software involved)

Been beaten by:
2001'ish Pontiac GTP (all I saw was a boost guage on the pillar)
Brand new G37 coupe (not by much, but he was still pulling away)

I don't race much. It's been said many times on here before, the MINI isn't made for straight line. If you want to feel good after a race, get involved with SCCA or take it to a road course. I've taken down turbo'd Prelude's, Civics galore, and many others on the course, and you get a lot of respect. Just keep it off the streets, please.

 

Don't even think about it... you're just pissin' in the wind...

 

Yeah, the G35 actually has LESS power (I just confirmed that via Motor Trend and Nissan).


You are incorrect, sir. It had quite a bit toys on it. As stated between Rally and I, I overly spoke when saying "heavily modded," but it was indeed far from stock.

Regardless, we're talking about a car that makes about 20 - 30 less HP (stock) than an R56, and most certainly weighs more. It wouldn't even keep up.

From looking at the specs, I wouldn't say "pissing in the wind." I'm not saying that I could take him (at least not in a straight line), but it wouldn't be like a Mustang GT vs. Geo Metro.

 

Srt-4s are fast fellas, my roommate has one, its similiar to an sti, minus all wheel, and mods make them fast for little. They are however front wheel drive so they pin most of there power from a digg. From a roll though once they hit boost u wont be able to catch up withouts some fair amount of mods. When i drive his i can break em loose if i just stomp on it.

 

Very fun thread indeed. I really need sleep, however I strongly feel the need to put my $0.02 in. I'm now thinking how I can best "water things down" and still be informative.

I've owned my MCS for just over 6 years. I've been around modded Mini's since day 1, back when the 15% pulley was a "risky" mod and still in the beta testing phase :-). I have ran several different setups that once included a larger throttle body (waste of $$$) and M7 Venom nitrous (3 tanks total using 50 shot and 80 shot). Check out my sig for my current setup, but I pretty much just have all the standard bolt-ons.

Trying to stay on topic, based upon my 6 years of "experimenting", hockeyman your ~195whp MCS would probably be:

Too close to call (different outcomes possible depending on starting speed, driver skill, temperature, transmission type, and how full the gas tank is):
* lightly-moderately modded Acura RSX-S's
* 1999-2006 G35's
* stock and very lightly modded SRT-4's. However, say bye bye to them if they get any boost upgrade
* lightly modded Mustang GT's from the older fastback 5.0L's to the newer 2004 GT's. The new 2005-current models are a bit too quick...
* Lightly-moderatley modded Volkswagen 1.8T's (Golfs, Jetta GLI, GTI...)
* lightly-moderately modded 2006 and newer Honda Civic Si's. The older models should be no problem.
* lightly-moderatley modded S2000's (they don't seem to be much faster even if modded)
* older modded H22 Honda Preludes
* lightly modded Eclipse GS-T's (the older turbo versions)
* Nissan Maxima 3.5L
* Mazda Speed 3
* lightly modded Nissan 300ZX TT
* stock Ford Lightnings with the supercharged 5.4L V8 (from a roll only)
* older Porsche Boxster's (I believe from the late 90's-2005ish)
* lightly modded Subaru WRXs (all year models are potential game)
* lightly-moderatley modded Audi A4 1.8T's. As long as it has stock size turbo, it should be close.
* Lightly modded Pontiac GTP. The GTP's also have a popular pulley reduction mod that adds a good amount of power.
* MAYBE a completely stock Evo 8 or STi; IF from a roll, you have no passengers, <1/4 tank of gas, and he has a fat passenger and a full trunk . The probability of finding that exact scenario is very low, however it still exists ahahaha.

ALSO it is very important to keep in mind that having a passenger makes a HUGE difference for your MCS. For example, when I run my roommate's modded 2005 RSX-S when we both have no passengers, I pull ~2 cars from 2nd through top of 4th gear. With a 190 lb passenger in my car, we are dead even from 2nd-4th (literally less than 1/2 a car). If the same 190 lb passenger leaves my car and gets into his RSX, I pull ~3 cars from 2nd-4th.

Way back in summer 2006 when I had spray .... oh how I miss those days. However for me, it wasn't worth keeping it considering the astronomical potential consequences, so I quit while I was still ahead.

 

Like someone has mentioned on here, they're quick and cheap cars to modify. A friend of mine tied off his wastegate or something to that effect and he achieve approx 2lbs of more boost. I'm not sure if that's 100% correct, but it was something he did in his garage, and it was free. As for it's specs, 2900 lbs, 220 HP-245 lbs (I've even heard they've been underestimated from the factory as well). I'd say that's as close to a Mustang vs Geo as it gets. If we even can get 220 HP out of our cars, our torque isn't even anywhere near the 245 lbs.

 

Yeah, I realize the 150hp on the Jetta was 99 - 01. I'm sure this guy fell into that range. It was definitely a bit older.

Again, "heavily modified" was mis-stated, but, if what I was informed of is correct (through a friend of a friend sort of deal), then he's running CO's, an exhaust (not sure if it's turbo-back), CAI, BOV, FMIC, and some other goodies (maybe a chip?). I figure he might have been up around 190hp - 200hp.

An important thing to keep in mind - and I've said it over and over and over again - is that most of this depends on the driver's ability - granted, not as much in straight line as in the twisties, but still. If you can't drive the car, mods don't matter. All of the guys I've listed may have never even seen a track before, whereas I got plenty of drag strip experience in high school (Beech Bend - WOOT WOOT!).

On the neon... I guess I'll have to wait until I get some more HP from somewhere BEFORE I TAKE HIM DOWN!!!

 

I have an 05 MCS Intake, pulley, lightweight flywheel.

I beat my Buddy's Stock 05 G35 6sp manual.
I have beaten every Civic Si I ever raced.
Smoked my mom's 07 v6 Accord.
Smoked my buddys lightly modded G60 corrado.
Beat SVT Focus
Walked a 94 Thunderbird (LOL)
I beat an 06 Mustang GT
Beat a newer Caddy STS or something like that.

Raced my friend's MazdaSpeed 3, beat him everytime up to about 75
and then Raped him once we went on some mountain roads.

BUT,
I got schooled by a lightly modded SRT-4 Neon. He was boosting in the 20's and just made me look like a geo metro.


Just my $.02 from my experience

 

what flywheel are you running? weight?

 

does anyone have a REAL 1/4 mile time? or even an educated guess?

------------
here found some 0-60 and 1/4... stock MCS is a tough to break 15sec.

2003 Mini Cooper S, Manual 7.2 15.3 (MT April 04)
2004 Mini Cooper S, 6-speed Manual 7.2 15.3 (MT Oct 04)
2005 Mini Cooper S, Convertible 6.6 15.2 (C&D June 05)
2003 Mini Cooper S, John Cooper Works, 6.2 14.5 (MT April 04)

2006 Honda Civic SI 7.2 15.1 (Edmonds)
2006 Honda Civic Si 6.3 14.9 (MotorTrend.com[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2])[/SIZE][/FONT]
2003 Infiniti G35 Sedan 6.2 14.8
2003 Infiniti G35 Coupe 5.5 14.2
2004 Honda Accord EX Sedan V-6 5 Speed 7.0 15.5
2004 Honda Accord EX Coupe V-6 6 Speed 5.9 14.5
2006 Mazda MAZDASPEED 6, 5.8 14.6 (MT Feb '06)

 

Its from Turner Motorsports.
It weighs +- 10lbs, much better than the 27lb stock one

 

I wanted to buy the one from Mini Madness, but I had a buddy who had this and had sold his car, so he gave me a DEAL!
He told me he bought it from Turner though, and it looks VERY similar, so Im thinking that its the one

 

Those Civic Si times look a bit off. I've seen several of them run at the local strip and they're barely breaking 16's, and those usually aren't stock.

Edit: Sorry those were 2001 Si's, not 2006. But it still doesn't make sense. I think the newer Si's are slower than the 01's.

 

Looks like those times were pulled from http://www.albeedigital.com/supercou...0-60times.html

 

After making my way through all of the comment on this topic, I have the opinion that not many bought their Mini (as a daliy driver)to beat out other cars in the 1/4 OR the track, but have been suprised by the excellent overall handling and performance they have.

When I was shopping in '06 for a new ride, I looked at many choices...GTI, MS3, 350Z etc. Fast cars yes. Overall appearance, comfort and character..not so much.
After sitting in the Mini and test driving, the decision was easy. It really felt better inside and out. Knowing I couldnt beat all the competion on the street never played a role in my purchase, even though I do feel the need for speed.
I had the money to buy faster cars but also looked at what made me happier driving and (at the time) a good resale value for the future.

 

I believe you're correct. Those times seem a little liberal.

 

This was an AWESOME write up! Thanks! COOOP99

 

What cool guy started this thread and got all these excellent participants!! Another awesome reply! I bought Mini for many of the same reasons!

I started with it being my daily commuter, which it still is......but have turned it into a REALLY fun, fast car!

 

hey thats me....

 

Nice. Whos the dude in the MS3?

 

best friend

 

Nice video. Pretty tight shift light.

Also, you know you probably would have pulled an extra 1-2 cars from 1st-4th if you didn't have a passenger (you should have made him sit in the MS3 hahaha).

 

heh, thanks...the passenger was the gf. and he had his gf with him so that was pretty much even.

 

The other evening, while merging onto an expressway, I pulled about one car length on a 2004ish GTI VR6 (visual mods: lowered with aftermarket wheels, and exhaust). Both of us were at about 45-50 mph. He started in 2nd gear, and I started in 3rd gear. He jumped in front initially, but fell back when he shifted to 3rd. I held the one car length advantage until we both let off somewhere in my 4th gear.

Later, a 2009 Dodge Ram Hemi crew-cab (appeared totally stock) was able to stay side by side with me from about 20 mph until we both let off near the top of my 3rd gear.

My only mods are in my signature, stock pulley, 76,000 miles.

Disclaimer: This all took place in Mexico, so no local laws were broken.