Cooper S's are fast.....ask me how I know.... - Page 2

mazenz · #16 (**permalink**) 10-19-2002, 09:09 PM

im not saying the car is slow, im saying i think it sucks to drive compared to a rear wheel drive care. no fun in it whatsoever.

Alphabet_Soup · #17 (**permalink**) 10-21-2002, 06:45 AM

So, here's the rest of the story. At the Rocky Mtn Chapter event yesterday, we had 3 Mini Cooper S's in my class - CS out of 12 drivers.

The Cooper's took Pos. 1, 2, 3 & 10th. A 98 E36 M3 4dr was 4th and I was 5th by 0.05 sec.

The Coopers were 1.5 to 2.2 sec faster than the E36 M3 and my E30 M3. I'll be the first to say, yeah, it's probably 90% the driver, but they are a force out there.

An additional consideration was our course setting which was tight and twisty. Other configurations may or may not yield the same ratios.

Bottom Line: I've got to go faster and hope they end up in another class!

Eric McGovern · #18 (**permalink**) 10-21-2002, 08:19 AM

Mazenz, have you driven a mini? Do you realize a front wheel drive car can be set-up to bring the back end around as well as most rear wheel drive cars?
They have a similar horsepower to weight ration as the E36 M3's. And they weigh about 800 pounds less. They should be able to run away from an E36 M3 with simiar rubber/drivers. A 318 doesn't even stand a chance without a positive manifold pressure.

Rob ITR1035 · #19 (**permalink**) 10-21-2002, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Eric McGovern
Mazenz, have you driven a mini? Do you realize a front wheel drive car can be set-up to bring the back end around as well as most rear wheel drive cars?

exactly.

rob- who puts 10 more HP to the ground than a mcs has to the crank, and ~150lbs less weight

S14+7000rpm=:-) · #20 (**permalink**) 10-21-2002, 10:09 AM

I know we all love our e30s, but the MCS kicks ass. I own a 88 M3 and 90 325i and if you drove the 325 then the M3 and did not look at the speedo you may feel that the 325 is faster. You feel the torque, but if you drive both cars and compared speeds you are going faster in the M3.

The MCS does not have a ton of low end torque but it really goes. also I think the MCS turns in and holds the corners as well if not better that my M3 with bilstiens, H&Rs, IE bars and r-comps. (all the regular street upgrades)

Now I maybe some what bias because I just got done talking my fiancé in to buying a PS/BLK MCS that should be here next month, but I bet that if you where to compare times same driver MCS verse e30 there would only be a few every well setup e30 that would bet the MCS on a road course, autoX or the twisty back roads.

I wrote whats above then desided to do some research.

US e30 M3, hp 192, weight 2750, P to W 0.069
US e30 325i, hp 168, weight 2850, P to W 0.059
US MCS, hp 163, weight 2673, P to W 0.060

I know that some of these numbers could be off if someone has better data post it also we have to remember the although FWD = less fun in most cases, in the case of the MINI it = very little power loss.

thanks
kevin
88 M3
90 325i
03 MCS coming soon

FUall · #21 (**permalink**) 10-21-2002, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tdo325i

And the Cooper S has like 160 hp and 152hp at the wheel, so it's no hp loss whatsoever

And double clutching is good in a drag race right?

Stop watching Fast and Furious....160hp and the crank and 152 at the wheels????

WOW

ADA///M....the hater is back

mazenz · #22 (**permalink**) 10-21-2002, 04:04 PM

all of your points are valid guys and im sure a modern mini is 'faster' than an e30 m3 (arguably) but i HAVE driven one very hard before, along with a thousand (no exageration) other cars in my life and i still wouldnt take any front wheel driver over a rear wheel drive car. it just takes the fun out of it. speed does not equal fun.

bmw325is · #23 (**permalink**) 10-21-2002, 04:12 PM

steve mcqueen raved about the minis, if they were good enough for him, then they pass my inspection.

ODADisback · #24 (**permalink**) 10-21-2002, 06:20 PM

"ADA///M....the hater is back"

WATCH OUT

Eric McGovern · #25 (**permalink**) 10-22-2002, 05:58 AM

152 at the wheels means mis quoted power at crank. Not uncommon any more.

jon325i · #26 (**permalink**) 10-22-2002, 08:38 AM

I have to agree with Han, the new Cooper Mini's, particularly the S, is a hot little pocket rocket. I think many see it as this "cute lil retro car." Turns out this "cute" car can kick some butt. A friend of mine at work autocrosses (has been since 1986) and he wants to get an "S" in a year or so and make it a dedicated track car. In his opinion, its an awesome package for dicing it up with the cones! I agree :-)

Jon