Has anyone taken their JCW or S to test their stuff, or has a reviewer done a semi-decent test of what the 0-60 is for the Roadster S or the JCW?

I thought I read somewhere that the Roadster's got *slightly* faster times than the hard tops due to less weight and slightly better aerodynamics. Am I dreaming this up? I can't seem to figure out where I got the idea from.

 

When MINI released 0-60 times it was Coupe, Hardtop, then Roadster. The Roadster weighs the most.

 

In almost all (if not every) case the convertible (soft top) version = more wight, worse aerodynamics and lower performance figures than the hardtop version.

 

Anyone notice that final gear ratio for both s coupe and s roadster are differnt than the s hardtop ? s Coupe and s roadster use same final ratio as JCW hardtop.

With roadster being 90 lbs heavier than hardtop I'd expect it to be about .1 slower in 0 to 60. But if gearing is slightly different that might change things.

 

IMHO, the 0-60 time differences are largely irrelevant. Acceleration from a standing start is not what a MINI was designed to excel at.

Of course, snaking through the twisties is a completely different matter...

 

Weird, not sure where I heard that they were lighter, but 90lbs isn't too bad.

The Roadster is more aerodynamic than the hardtop, isn't it? That is what I was referring to.

 

If by aerodynamic you mean drag coefficient (the most common quoted but only one of many measurements) then yes technically. The windshield rake angle gives the Roadster (and Coupé) a slight advantage in frontal area (not enough to significantly influence 0-60 or 1/4 mile times or overcome 90lbs) but the Hardtop does have a VERY large downforce advantage. 90lbs doesn't mean as much in a Mustang Shelby GT-500 but 90lbs in a MINI JCW's = almost 1/2 pound added per horsepower which is significant.

Drag coefficient and CDA (coefficient rattings x frontal area) for JCW models:

Hardtop: 37 - 74
Roadster: 36 - 72
Coupé: 35 - 69

Of course the Coupé is more aerodynamic than the Roadster and a more direct comparison (since both share the same windshield rake).

 

Ever notice how you can ask a perfectly reasonable question and get a lot of posts that have no answers at all?
Motor Trend was able to squeeze the fastest 0-60 time out of the JCW Clubman at 5.7 seconds.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...l/viewall.html

 

And then there is the top up vs top down issue. My roadster gets worse highway mileage with the top down. I believe the wing drag is causing some of this but I can't stand the stupid warning chimes long enough (when I disconnect the motor) to test the theory...