I couldn't post this under the original "Vendor Announcements" post, so I thought it belonged here.

"The best $10 you'll spend in Vegas", according to Mini Works, is use of their scales to determine overall vehicle weight and corner weights.

I don't dispute the value of a ten spot for anything car related, but what is the benefit for us average MINI drivers who don't run stripped and add-weight-where-you-want-it race cars, aside from just curiosity?

Is this a way to help determine optimum tire pressures? How big a box of cat litter to store in the passenger side of the boot to offset driver weight? How big a rear swaybar I need?

Not trying to be a smart-***. Tell me how I can use that information to my (car's) benefit, and I'll gladly stop by. Thanks.

 

It would be worthwhile if you had coilovers and didn't have the car corner-weighted, or gained or lost some weight since you had it corner-weighted, or bought the car with coilovers, etc... otherwise, it's only worthwhile if you just really want to know what your car weighs with you in it (e.g. if you did some work to lighten the car up, etc.). And, a lot of people do want that info... $10 ain't bad for a quick weigh! I've seen people charge $25 or more for the same service...

A local vendor here brings their scale setup out (a drive on, drive off setup) to local autocrosses with their full trackside alignment rig and software - they provide a detailed printout of your weights, camber and toe. That provides a bit more information... Of course, they charge more than $10, too! It's a NICE freakin' setup, but wasn't cheap!

 

Can't argue with the price, but considering that I prolly don't need that info, I don't think I want that info. I'd like to cling to the illusion that the MINI is a small, lightweight car. I don't think I want to actually see the scales top 3,000 lbs with a tank of gas and me in it.

 

Well, you could put some light-weight parts on the car (such as swap out the factory wheels for something like SSRs), lose the rear seats and if you don't weigh too much, you won't tip the scales over 3,000 lbs....

 

Unfortunately, I'm probably going a little bit in the other direction. The lower rear control arms that are going in soon might be a little lighter than stock, but the 17" R99s that I'm putting on soon are going to be a bit heavier than the 16" Panasports that I've got on the car now. (I've got the wheels brand new in the boxes. I set one of the bare wheels on a scale, and it weighs 22.8 lbs - if anyone was curious about those) The M7 stb and TSW engine damper are both pretty light, but will still add a few non-stock pounds.

My car, as usually driven, is probably right around 3,000 lbs. - maybe a little less. I'm 180-185, and I have the factory tool kit, jack, a lug wrench, about 20 cds and random other small items in the glove box. Plus, I have the sunroof, which adds anywhere from 50 to 200 lbs, depending on who you believe. I plan to keep my back seat, but a set of the GP aluminum rear swing arms would be nice.

Now, where did I see that carbon fiber bonnet...... ??

 

carbon fiber hood:
http://www.visracing.com/catalog/adv...6fa0e896150d84

From some other mini forum lost in my favorites(I have a .txt of it):
This is from someone at MINI USA
The sunroof adds 61 lbs.
Its weight is distributed w/ 22lbs on the front axle, and 39lbs on the rear axle.

 

I will try to answer your question,

90% of the minis running coilovers are not set properly, setting the coilovers with a tape measure from the ground to the wheel arches just does not do it.

90% of the minis with lowered springs, have an unbalanced front to rear weight ratio (or not optimized)

Both contribute to ill handling cars, uneven tire wear, or borderline dangerous

What we will provide is not a miraculous cure,

We will provide technical information about your current set up,

What you do with that info is your own business.

Victor

 

So it's of limited use to cars running factory suspension?

 

Without adjustable stuff, you'll have numbers and no way to change them.

 

Unless I put me or the car on a diet.

 

Well let me explain

The only info useful for a car with factory shocks and springs is the total weight.

For cars with lowered springs, the useful info is the weight ratio front/rear

For cars with coilovers, the useful info is corner weights.

And trust me, from experience, there are a lot of mini owners out there that will be pretty upset when they see the numbers............and numbers don't lie.

We are not doing this to show you what suspension you shoud use,

Just info.

Victor

 

Snid,

That is not correct,

You can change the numbers, and get close to an optimum set up, even without coilovers

Victor

 

I realize I know less about this stuff than you do, but...

without adjustable suspension pieces, how are you going to change the weight distribution of the car? Move stuff around inside of it?

I don't consider changing springs or other pieces of the suspension to be a straight-forward answer to how you will adjust things on a non-adjustable suspension.

 

Trade secrets,

I will have to tell you, when you get your car on our scales.

Victor

 

My car would benefit with every suspension mod on it...but they are either set at full stiff or like the coilovers.....threaded all the way down.