Me vs Mini Cooper S (turbo)

[s202rxi]

So I just encountered a mini cooper s on the thruway, it was at least an 07 because I did some research on them after this and could tell by the grill. I’m not big on mini's so I didn’t know they put turbos in them since 07, I thought they still s/c them.

Some background I drive an 05 wrx, 35,000miles on it with just a cbe for now.

The mini looked at least like it had aftermarket exhaust. I do not know the guy so I didn’t know for sure if he had anything else done.

Well he got behind me and was on my bumper doing about 50mph, I could hear his engine so im assuming he was at least in third/fourth. So I shifted to third and gunned it. To my surprise, he was doing a decent job keeping up. I backed off at around ninety. I gained a few feet on him but that was all. He gave me the thumbs up and that was it.

I know their four/five hundred pounds lighter and have a six speed, but is this what I should expect in a 50 roll race?

[ZACK777]

That's shocking I had no idea the Mini went to a turbo from a S/C.
I see a really nice Red Mini Cooper S every morning, it has a checkered roof and mirrors, black wheels with red lip and like 4 big fog lights on the front. I have never ran him but I bet they are quick, but not WRX quick.

[s202rxi]

yeah i feel like off the line would be a whole nother story. But i have more respect for them now, at least the S turbo lol.

[RayfieldsWRX]

I drove an '08 S owned by a coworker recently, and thought of it as being "peppy", but not particularly quick. OTOH, his is the auto, and that 6-speed may make a difference. Looking at the mag data, it looks like they trapped in the mid-90's, so not terribly different from a stockish '05 WRX.

[liljon350]

a good friend of mine has a JCW (John Cooper Works) Mini S which makes 200 bhp from the factory which i believe is 20 more than the mini s...they started selling them in 07 and came with an upgraded suspension, exhaust, tune, interior bits, and brakes...it was a pretty quick car from a roll and was about dead even with my 06 wrx ... the car handled amazingly too

[complexx]

I think it was on this forum... there was a very friendly competition between an stock STI and a fully modded mini-s (supercharged). I really don't remember the story that well, but I think the STI driver had no formal racing experience and the mini driver did.

I believe the STI was still quicker on the road course.

This was a while back. I just thought I'd bring it up because it was a fun little competition and brought back remnants of a good memory. Anyone else remember?

[goBoating]

So I just encountered a mini cooper s on the thruway, it was at least an 07 because I did some research on them after this and could tell by the grill. I’m not big on mini's so I didn’t know they put turbos in them since 07, I thought they still s/c them.

Some background I drive an 05 wrx, 35,000miles on it with just a cbe for now.

The mini looked at least like it had aftermarket exhaust. I do not know the guy so I didn’t know for sure if he had anything else done.

Well he got behind me and was on my bumper doing about 50mph, I could hear his engine so im assuming he was at least in third/fourth. So I shifted to third and gunned it. To my surprise, he was doing a decent job keeping up. I backed off at around ninety. I gained a few feet on him but that was all. He gave me the thumbs up and that was it.

I know their four/five hundred pounds lighter and have a six speed, but is this what I should expect in a 50 roll race?

If he was tucked up in your slip stream, you were moving all the air and he was not = huge difference in loads.

I'm opposed to running on public roads. So, if you get a chance to run one on a track, just make sure he's pushing his own air (beside you instead of behind) and you'll walk away from him.

Gotta' friend with a MiniS and there's no doubting the difference in power between my stock 06 Rex and his stock MiniS. Now, get into the curves at an autoX and I can not catch him. 'Beats me every time with a lot less HP and only the front two pulling.

[ZACK777]

Now, get into the curves at an autoX and I can not catch him. 'Beats me every time with a lot less HP and only the front two pulling.

Looks like the rex needs a driver mod

[s202rxi]

If he was tucked up in your slip stream, you were moving all the air and he was not = huge difference in loads.

I'm opposed to running on public roads. So, if you get a chance to run one on a track, just make sure he's pushing his own air (beside you instead of behind) and you'll walk away from him.

Gotta' friend with a MiniS and there's no doubting the difference in power between my stock 06 Rex and his stock MiniS. Now, get into the curves at an autoX and I can not catch him. 'Beats me every time with a lot less HP and only the front two pulling.

Good point! I never even thought that because he was behind me it was easier for him to keep up.

[Dan00Hawk]

Last fall I took my 2004 Mini Cooper S (stock 6 speed) to the dragstrip, and managed a best of 14.9 @ 93 mph. Best 60' I could get was a lousy 2.4. A new 2008 MCS (also stock 6 speed) got a 14.8 @ 95 mph on the same day. The new ones have a little more top end with the turbo, but they are all difficult to launch well. I'd expect a stock MCS to stay close with a stock WRX (2008 and earlier) from a roll based on comparable trap speeds. Anyone who can get an average launch with their WRX would eat up a stock MCS from a dead stop, of course.

It's a fun car to drive, and an absolute blast in the turns, but I do miss the AWD in the rain and snow.

[goBoating]

Looks like the rex needs a driver mod

No doubt.

I replaced the OEM tires with a set of BFG TDKs and it sticks a lot better. Unfortunately, we have not run in the same event since, so I don't know if I can catch him with the new improved rubber. I'd also like to upgrade my rear anti-role bar at some point. If I could reduce the push a little, get the nose in a little quicker, I think I'd be chasing him down.

Even so, he's pretty good with his car. And, in the SC region, the Mini's routinely took fastest run of the day (2007 season).