MINI Cooper - READ ONLY

2671 messages, Last post on Mar 31, 2009 at 1:03 PM

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#2623 of 2671 Re: One thing that struck me.... [plekto] by Mr_Shiftright HOST Aug 27, 2008 (5:28 pm)
Replying to: plekto (Aug 27, 2008 4:11 pm) And will help your braking and maybe even spare those broken shock bolts and motor mounts that come up in early MINIs.
#2624 of 2671 Re: One thing that struck me.... [plekto] by bodble2 Aug 27, 2008 (7:12 pm)
Replying to: plekto (Aug 27, 2008 4:11 pm) A large part of the Mini's appeal is looks, or style. 15 inches wouldn't look right, let alone 13"!. Even the Fit is going to 16", VW's have had 17" for years. I agree they need to replace or refine the RFTs, or retune the suspension to suit the tires, but the large wheels have to stay.
#2625 of 2671 Re: Help [sabrinae] by coupah Aug 28, 2008 (9:29 am)
Replying to: sabrinae (Aug 27, 2008 4:55 am) Sorry to say you've been given poor user info regarding paddle shifting. The post labeling them "a gimmick" is from someone who is clueless. This technology has been developed from open-wheel racing. And is currently the fasted way to shift a transmission. In hundreds of milliseconds... I am NOT implying that the MINI shifter is racing equipment, rather, it is proven technology... Here is my take... I drove, just last week, an 06' S with paddles. At low speed and low RPM's-yes it could shift a bit faster. But above 4,000 RPM and shifting near redline, this vehicle ROCKED! I had all I could do to keep it on the road! All my attention was devoted to where I was going and having both hands on the steering wheel allowed me to drive it hard. I have an '06 6-speed and i can't come close to driving it like I did w/ the paddles. All I can say is that the naysayers are ill-informed, have NEVER driven the paddles and I may very well order an '08 with paddles. Catch me if you can! Replies to this message: blueguydotcom (Aug 28, 2008 10:27 am)
#2626 of 2671 Re: Help [coupah] by blueguydotcom Aug 28, 2008 (10:27 am)
Replying to: coupah (Aug 28, 2008 9:29 am) Sorry to say you've been given poor user info regarding paddle shifting. The post labeling them "a gimmick" is from someone who is clueless. This technology has been developed from open-wheel racing. And is currently the fasted way to shift a transmission. In hundreds of milliseconds... I am NOT implying that the MINI... Or someone who has driven the Cooper (R56) and Cooper S (R56) with the silly 6 speed automatic (an automatic with a torque converter - power sapping, slow to respond). It's a cheeseball system designed for average drivers to suffer from the delusion that they have some kind of automatic with manual abilities. The 6 speed automatic in the Cooper adds weight, cost to the car, complexity, maintenance issues and removes the driver from really controlling the engine. There's a reason BMW's sloppy 6 speed automatic is not on the M cars and there's also a reason all of today's performance cars are shifting to computer operated twin clutches; BMW's upcoming variation on the dual clutch automated tranny concept, the Evo's new twin-clutch, Nissan's twin-clutch in the GT-R, Audi/VW's DSG, Bugatti's DSG, Ferrari F1, Porsche's take on the DSG - yes Porsche's finally ditching their horrible Tiptronic. I drove, just last week, an 06' S with paddles. At low speed and low RPM's-yes it could shift a bit faster. But above 4,000 RPM and shifting near redline, this vehicle ROCKED! I had all I could do to keep it on the road! All my attention was devoted to where I was going and having both hands on the steering wheel allowed me to drive it hard. I have an '06 6-speed and i can't come close to driving it like I did w/ the paddles. All I can say is that the naysayers are ill-informed, have NEVER driven the paddles and I may very well order an '08 with paddles. Catch me if you can! That's adorable and very misinformed. We have a DSG - a real manual with computer controlled clutches - in one of our cars. Even that system, which can shift faster than a human, still suffers from adding weight, complexity and extra maintenance. If you like it and believe it somehow is superior to an automatic, go for it. But don't roll up and pass on this marketing garbage about race-developed transmissions. It's a straight up automatic tranny - just like the kind found in every manumatic for the last 10 years.
#2627 of 2671 WTF is: 'That's adorable and very misinformed' ? by coupah Aug 28, 2008 (11:41 am)
Huh? All I know is I drove one and I liked it. I doubt you have... I think you might know too much for your own good... Replies to this message: sabrinae (Aug 28, 2008 11:58 am) blueguydotcom (Aug 28, 2008 12:26 pm) bodble2 (Aug 28, 2008 12:35 pm) sabrinae (Aug 28, 2008 1:25 pm) ltq (Oct 30, 2008 8:48 am) and 10 more... blueguydotcom (Aug 28, 2008 12:28 pm) ltq (Oct 30, 2008 8:33 am)
#2628 of 2671 Re: WTF is: 'That's adorable and very misinformed' ? [coupah] by sabrinae Aug 28, 2008 (11:58 am)
Replying to: coupah (Aug 28, 2008 11:41 am) Back on point.... Is the mini hardtop a good car to drive back and forth on a 40 mile round trip 5 times a week and will a teeny tiny woman be comfortable in the regular seats? It's all about me you know, I can't help it I'm British. Replies to this message: blueguydotcom (Aug 28, 2008 12:26 pm) bodble2 (Aug 28, 2008 12:35 pm) sabrinae (Aug 28, 2008 1:25 pm) ltq (Oct 30, 2008 8:48 am) bodble2 (Oct 30, 2008 11:55 am) and 9 more...
#2629 of 2671 Re: WTF is: 'That's adorable and very misinformed' ? [sabrinae] by blueguydotcom Aug 28, 2008 (12:26 pm)
Replying to: sabrinae (Aug 28, 2008 11:58 am) The base cooper with 16s is plenty comfy for long drives. Set the cruise - get that multifunction steering wheel - and the little bugger will chew up the miles and give you great gas mileage.
#2630 of 2671 Re: WTF is: 'That's adorable and very misinformed' ? [coupah] by blueguydotcom Aug 28, 2008 (12:28 pm)
Replying to: coupah (Aug 28, 2008 11:41 am) I love driving cars. Try a DSG-equipped VW/Audi if you really want to be wowed by an automated manual.
#2631 of 2671 Re: WTF is: 'That's adorable and very misinformed' ? [sabrinae] by bodble2 Aug 28, 2008 (12:35 pm)
Replying to: sabrinae (Aug 28, 2008 11:58 am) Is your commute on the highway? The Mini is actually very stable (like all European cars), and surprising quiet at highway speeds. At least for the automatic which is what we have. Replies to this message: sabrinae (Aug 28, 2008 1:25 pm) ltq (Oct 30, 2008 8:48 am) bodble2 (Oct 30, 2008 11:55 am) ltq (Nov 01, 2008 11:02 am) and 8 more...
#2632 of 2671 Re: WTF is: 'That's adorable and very misinformed' ? [bodble2] by sabrinae Aug 28, 2008 (1:25 pm)
Replying to: bodble2 (Aug 28, 2008 12:35 pm) Bit of both really and I would get an automatic, the quiet ride is important. I just spent 7 years driving a Saturn L300, not a very quiet car. Steering wheel whistles when turning to the left since the first year. Dealer fobbed me off until warranty up.