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 Post subject: Mini Cooper
PostPosted: Thu Oct 21, 2004 12:14 pm 
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Tadpole Lover

Joined: Thu Aug 28, 2003 6:42 pm
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So what sucks about an HS BMW Mini Cooper? All I can remember is limited camber, and lots of inside wheel spin based on watching Mark Chiles at Rocky Mount last year.

Anything autox-related or daily-driving related...

Also, is there a respectable Mini forum, and if so where?


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Oct 21, 2004 12:40 pm 
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Location: Arlington, MA
http://www.roadfly.com has a mini forum

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Oct 21, 2004 2:30 pm 
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Mark was running the GS car at Rocky Mount. The HS Mini has barely any wheelspin compared to the S. - AB

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Oct 21, 2004 3:18 pm 
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A friend at the old job had an S, and he had some irritating, but minor electrical issues with the car which are aparrently pretty common among the MINIs. His main glitch was a airbag idiot light, indicating that the airbag system was inop. He had the car at the dealer (Flow Motors in Winston Salem) numerous times, and eventually sold the car because of that and similar issues.

To folks like us, this doesn't mean that much - it doesn't interfere with the driving fun of the car, but it is irritating, and doesn't bode that well for the long term electrical health of the car.

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Oct 21, 2004 5:43 pm 
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Don't I have something better to do?
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The electrics in the car share most of thier parts with that of the regular 3 series BMW cars from what I read, or at least some other major BMW platform. So i bet the electrical problems if it had some are easily solved.

I think the thing that really sets them apart is really good shocks and stiff springs stock. I got to ride in an HS cooper when I still had my Cavalier. I think I probably was fairly close in cornering speed because my car had alot of alignment adjustment and maybe a bit better out of the corners because of torque. But that car would simply own me so bad in any slalom I'd have no chance of keeping up. It stops and turns in really really well too. Also, you can get the S suspension package on a stripper model base engine car. I bet those cars are under or around 2500 pounds.

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri Oct 22, 2004 12:57 am 
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My friend has had an S for about 2 years now and hasn't had any issues...period (knock on wood). Then again, he doesn't exactly abuse it much either.

BTW - It weighs in at 2700 lbs. Not a lightweight given it's overall size.

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri Oct 22, 2004 9:17 am 
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You gotta race the truck
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http://tom.kat.free.fr/mini.wmv

Enough said :D

Yes I know its an old mini but I just love that video :P

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri Oct 22, 2004 9:35 am 
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Badass

Joined: Mon Sep 01, 2003 10:24 am
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FWIW, when Brain Garfield won the HS Pro Solo Championship in his co-driver's Mini a few years ago it was on stock shocks. They had ordered the Sport Plus suspension. So, you don't have to dump a lot of money into setup to be fast. I'm sure the car can be improved with various setup changes though. It's hard to beat an HS Mini if you're looking for a level playing field in a class.

Eric


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri Oct 22, 2004 10:59 am 
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Retired Admin
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Location: Durham, NC
Rob Keehner wrote:
The electrics in the car share most of thier parts with that of the regular 3 series BMW cars from what I read, or at least some other major BMW platform. So i bet the electrical problems if it had some are easily solved.


I know the same guy that Tom is talking about. With the airbag light issue, the following items were replaced by the dealer and the light would still come one sometimes...

* Airbag
* Computer that controls airbag and display
* Wiring harness

Car was still under warrentee and BMW/Mini could not fix the problem. I believe he sold the car out of frustration.

But I did drive the car and it was fun to drive. :)

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri Oct 22, 2004 12:52 pm 
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Joined: Fri Aug 29, 2003 6:06 pm
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Location: Shelby NC
One of the keys to successful Mini-crossing is to not get the big rims with Runflat tires. They, apparently, weigh 1.0 metric ass-ton.


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 11:02 am 
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Tadpole Lover

Joined: Thu Aug 28, 2003 6:42 pm
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Thanks for the info, guys. Unfortunately, I testdrove an STi on Saturday & now I have to sell my 2.5RSes & buy one of those.

:lol:

Anybody interested? :D


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