This is my first post, and I have to say that this is the best automotive forum I've ever found. The amount of information available here is unbelievable. It is great to see so many owners with a passion for their Mini's.

I've been a BMW owner for 35 years, and have sadly watched the brand go from appealing to owners who appreciated BMW engineering, to many who now buy based on the roundel on the hood.

My current X5 goes off lease in about 5 months, and I've agonized about what to replace it with. I don't much care for the new X5's styling, size, i-drive, & price.

Last week when I was at my local BMW dealer (trying to warm up to the new X5), I walked over to the Mini showroom. I was instantly amazed at the styling, features, and build quality of the new Mini. I took a test drive of an '07 Cooper S, and was hooked. What a blast to drive! It reminded me of my old 1974 2002tii, except it was much more fun to drive.

I decided right then and there, what was going to replace my X5...

I have a couple of questions, if anyone would be kind enough to answer:

1: Runflats: Has anyone switched them out for non-runflats? If so, did the switch improve ride quality?

2: Navigation: Is the new Nav. any better than BMW's antique navigation system?

3: Torque Steer: Having driven RWD or AWD, and never FWD, the Mini S that I drove had a fair amount of torque steer under hard acceleration. Does the LSD option help to minimize this?

Thanks in advance!

 

Welcome to NAM!

 

I can comment on a few of your questions:

Switching to non-run-flat tires does slightly improve the ride quality because standard tires' sidewalls are typically less rigid. You'll want to keep a can of tire slime or a mobility kit however just to be safe in case of a flat.

As for torque steer, the limited-slip would increase torque steer as the clutch packs "hunt around for grip". Lowering the car [as it begs to be done from an aesthetic POV] also reduces torque steer. Even though the R56 has equal length drive shafts like the R53, it does have more torque steer-ish tendencies for some reason.

Hope that helps, and welcome to NAM,
Ryan

 

Based on my car (with LSD)... nope.

Increased torque, increased torque steer.

 

Welcome to NAM coffeeman! Looks like you got the bug too...you will see in soon grow into an obsession.

 

Not true. My turbo R53 had 250wLb-Ft, and had virtually zero torque steer. My R56 now has 212wLb-Ft, and has obvious torque steer, though lowering it has helped.

 

Welcome, Coffeeman! And congratulations on your decision to own a Mini.

I've had my R56 for a couple days now and have experienced the torque steer as well. My opinion: it just adds to the overall feeling of exhiliration while driving. (Of course, coming from a 15 year-old Accord the Mini's turn signals are "exhilirating", lol).

Cheers!

spykdpunch

 

Thanks! I drove a six speed, which is what I want, but I assume that with an automatic, at least I could keep both hands on the wheel. Two hands on the wheel would go a long way in controlling torque steer.

You can thank the rocket scientists at BMW for the non-mechanical turn signals...an answer to a question that no one asked.

 

But how does the torque curve compare?

 

The new Nav is state of the art, and finally brings the MINI into the latter part of the decade. Having a BMW should guide you into selecting suitable options. Definately look at the Lounge Leather. I have the Redwood Lounge Leather and it's stunning. I believe that the R56 with Dunlop runflats give an improved ride quality over the first generation wheel and tire combination, but we have mostly smooth roads here in Western Washington.

 

Exactly. 250 @ 5000 RPM, for example, is not comparable to 212 @ 1600.