Hmmm, will you be doing much freeway/highway driving?

Might i suggest the clear bra?
better safe than sorry.. those dreaded flying rocks and pebbles! -shakes fist-

(and I do admire your build )

 

My commute alone would add up to over 21k miles over 52 weeks (only slightly inflated by not subtracting holidays, vacation, and such), and much of it is highways or 50+ mph zones. So, yes, I will be doing much freeway/highway driving!

I don't know about a clear bra. I'm tempted a bit... but are the MINI front ends and the paint covering them really that much more delicate than those of every other low-clearance car out there? I'd hope not.

And, I expect to get dings, nicks, scratches, and other such things over time. It gives the car character, and once you get that first blemish (which will happen with or without a clear bra), it's a lot easier to fully enjoy a car without the worry of maintaining a showroom look.

At least with a clear bra, I don't have to decide before placing an order -- in fact, were I dead set on getting one, I'd probably not go through the dealer anyway.

 

Skip the DTC and get the LSD,

If you intend on doing any real aggressive driving (especially track or autocross) you'll want LSD. Especially the first time you jump on the gas coming out of a corner and you noticed your not going anywhere because you're inside front tire is just spinning in the wind smoking up a storm.

It does not ad complication to the diff, its just a different diff. Its also much better than an electric nanny which is basically just there to keep you from spinning wheels in snow or wet.

If you're at all performance minded the LSD makes a HUGE difference, and the slight torque steer is of no concern either.

 

I'm still glad I got the chrome exterior package. It really completes the car. Most people that don't like the chrome are the same ones who'll pry off the MINI logos and paint everything flat black or body color. Chrome's just not their thing, is all. And that's fine. Different strokes! I must say that the chrome mirror caps are especially sharp, and are a nice alternative to the white or black caps.

As far as the iPhone adapter goes, MINI now offers a cradle for it and I have no intention of getting another phone anytime soon. This baby does it all! If I need to "find that bistro" I can always disconnect it from the cradle, conduct my search, and return it to the cradle when I'm finished.

One thing I discovered yesterday: pairing the iPhone to my car was a breeze, and I can use the USB/power line I got with the car to listen to my iTunes, but the tradeoff is that I can't receive phone calls while I'm listening to my music! Hopefully, I'll be able to access my iTunes AND receive calls once I purchase and install the appropriate cradle in my armrest. We'll see...

Worst case scenario, I'll just leave my iPod in my car for the tunes and keep my phone in my pocket to utilize the bluetooth, and the power adapter I purchased to juice it up.

BTW, Robin Casady: that's a pretty schnazzy setup!

 

Funny thing is that I'm usually the guy who dislikes chrome (have you seen the front of a Ford or the back of a Chevy lately?!). I just think it looks nice - in certain places - on the MINI.

Ah, but then what you've been listening to through the phone goes away while you're searching. That's what I'd like to avoid.

 

I agree, the LSD keeps your wheels from spinning and hooks up coming out of turns. If you are not going to track it, then the DTC is fine, but on the track, the DTC can hurt you because its trying to limit slip by applying braking forces which slows you down. If you turn it off, then you have no limited slip and are just running an open differential. As far as the horsepower and need for LSD, you can't go by horsepower alone. You also have a very light car, so not a lot of power is needed. Plus if you have bumped up the power its nice to have.

I have an automatic as a concession to my wife and wish I could get an LSD for my car.

 

Very true. Silence IS a party killer!

 

Well, JCW owners have used DTC, because it's been available for all Factory JCW's, so someone experienced with the feel of LSD systems who has driven both an LSD MCS and a DTC JCW should be able to give some insight.

FWIW, the guys at CAR magazine in the UK praised the DTC in the JCW they tested recently in the "Performance Car of the Year" comparison, and awarded it the crown in the "Hot Hatch" category.

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/News/Se...the-year-2008/


As far as DTC for MC/MCS goes, there are a couple members on here who are very close to taking delivery of their DTC (Sport Package) equipped MCS's in Europe. Also, as far as US-bound DTC-equipped cars, I don't know of any MC/MCS MINI's that were completed before mine (~11/30) OR that made it onto the Undine. So, unless someone hasn't spoken up yet about a SP car that is on the way, I think the soonest we'll hear from a NAM member with a US non-JCW MINI w/ DTC is going to be the week before Christmas, whether it's my MC delivered to FL, or possibly a DTC-equipped car on the NEXT boat (Maersk Wind) which is delivered to Canada or the North-East.


Your statement implies that the DTC's eLSD will allow the inside tire to spin and "smoke up a storm", but if the functional description of the system and anecdotal evidence from places like CAR magazine are to be believed, such is not the case.

While it goes about limiting inside front tire spin in a different way than a mechanical LSD, the eLSD will minimize inside tire spin in corners and transfer useable power to the wheel with traction, instead.

Does a mechanical LSD or eLSD work better? I don't know... and I'm as much against mechanical nannies as the next guy, but the theory behind and execution of the eLSD seems to work to the same end as a mechanical LSD.


The braking that the DTC does is to a spinning inside tire.

Applying some braking to a spinning tire is not going to slow you down... in fact, it will result in power being transferred over to the other wheel, which has traction, resulting in better acceleration.

In general, braking slows you down. In this case, the braking the spinning inside tire makes you faster.

 

Ok, this thread seems to be turning into another LSD/DTC back and forth. I appreciate the information, but let's not get too focused on one particular line item in the build -- especially when there are so many other threads dedicated to hashing this out already.

 

Sorry... I don't mean to drown out your original question/topic.

For the benefit of others reading now and in the future, however, I didn't want to allow the final word on DTC to suggest the system would allow massive inside tire spin and slow you down at the track.

 

As a supplement to my post earlier re: chrome exterior package --

Actually, I think it looks great on the non-S Cooper (which apparently is what AvidMINI drives). One of the most memorable examples I've seen was at MTTS-Boston -- a solid colored (non-contrasting roof) Chili Red Cooper without bonnet stripes but with chrome exterior package. With an otherwise "plain" exterior, the chrome gave the car a simplistic, timeless, classic "look" that I'm guessing will help hold its value for years to come.

I just don't like the chrome on the Cooper S, which has more sight lines, bonnet scoop, etc...and your order is for an '09 S. All IMHO.

Happy Motoring !!

 

You're absolutely right, SpeedPedal. I think my Justa Cooper looks great with the chrome exterior package, but as you said, it's mainly because the base model screams for enhancements!

 

Well, the exterior chrome doesn't add all that much, does it? Just a ring around the lower grill (like the upper grill), mirror caps, and the boot handle, right? All I really want from it is the boot handle. Then I need something other than stripes to break the blue of the hood, so I add the bonnet scoop (the carbon fiber one wouldn't fit well at all).

The mirror caps are a bit much, and if I get the exterior package I may end up ditching them... is that what you guys are basing your feedback on? Or is it really the whole package?

 

Actually, I think the mirror caps are great! Most opt for the white or black caps, relative to their roof color, but the mirror caps are a sharp alternative. I was sold on them once I saw them on a MINI parked in the street near where I live. The chrome trim around the front and rear foglamps seems fitting, and the chrome on the lower grille ties in nicely with the chrome above. I just think it completes the look of the car. My car in particular, because the base Cooper is rather bland and needs a little dressing up. From what I've gathered, it's a good idea to replace the scoop on your S anyway, as it seems to be prone to melting due to the heat from the turbo!

 

As a fellow Arizonan, here's a few of my observations for what they're worth.

I went with the exterior chrome and am pleased with it although I have replaced the grill already. As for the sun roof, I have now been through a summer and it was just fine without tint. I didn't bake and the AC kept up just fine. The leather seats are a tad warm though. If you are considering a clear bra by all means shop aftermarket, you will save 50% + of the dealer cost. I had a very pleasant experience with these folks. The only other thing I might mention from experience is be aware of what the labor charges are on the dealer installed items before you pull the trigger. It forced me to rethink a couple of items.

Oh, and nice build by the way. Congrats!

 

200hp, 250hp, don't matter and you know what I mean. Go to the track with the MINI and have fun, just don't get your hopes up. It's all about the ride.

Your welcome and thanks back to you my friend.

 

Thanks, but don't congratulate me just yet... I still have to find the ***** to write a big check.