For all you track ****** out there, how have you fared against Mini's? Everyone raves about the handling, but I haven't driven one yet. (There isn't a dealer around here close). Seems like the S's aren't too bad as far as power goes, and since it's FI, making it faster probably will be easier, I'm guessing. Looks is the only department that I'm questioning...I'm not too fond of it, but could grow on me.

Just as a side note, I'm in the market for an E36 M3, R, or maybe a Mini.

 

Dear God help us all!


a Mini Cooper?! :S!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by P Nut &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">For all you track ****** out there, how have you fared against Mini's? Everyone raves about the handling, but I haven't driven one yet. (There isn't a dealer around here close). Seems like the S's aren't too bad as far as power goes, and since it's FI, making it faster probably will be easier, I'm guessing. Looks is the only department that I'm questioning...I'm not too fond of it, but could grow on me.

Just as a side note, I'm in the market for an E36 M3, R, or maybe a Mini.</TD></TR></TABLE>

A guy I work with has one, it was disappointing.

I'd go e36 m3

 

The have a supercharger for the Cooper S that makes the car put out around 200 whp. This still isn't a Cooper S forums though

 

they're supposed to be really good handling cars. But they do need some extras I think.

I had a built b16 ek hatch that had gsr brakes and suspension and I could catch a stock Mini Cooper S on Kumho MX's pretty easily.

If that thing had a pulley upgrade, lsd, and some suspension though I don't think that would have been the case. I'd love to drive one with just those 3 things done. I bet it'd be a screamer.

s

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RealTypeR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The have a supercharger for the Cooper S that makes the car put out around 200 whp. This still isn't a Cooper S forums though </TD></TR></TABLE>

ugggh, it comes with a supercharger.

you mean a pulley kit so it makes 200hp.

 

He probably meant the factory works package....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">He probably meant the factory works package.... </TD></TR></TABLE>

Probably

http://www.bmwworld.com/models/mini/works_kit.htm

 

I test drove one when it first came out. It's a fun car to drive, but not very fast (kinda like a Miata, fun but slow).

 

What do they weigh? 2800 lbs?

 

My freind has one but I never get a chanceto drive it. I may next time I see her. I would also want to know how fast are they and how good are they are corners.

 

Forget about that BMW rubbish. What you wont is a proper mini with a JDM ITR lump whish weighs 850kilos(check my sig). now thats fun

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by typeRmini &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Forget about that BMW rubbish. What you wont is a proper mini with a JDM ITR lump whish weighs 850kilos(check my sig). now thats fun </TD></TR></TABLE>


That car is brilliant.

I wonder how D's project Mini is going?

 

I test drove a Stock S and wasn't that impressed. Seemed to handle nicely, although it was a little hard to tell, given that we were on the street. The engine was just so-so. The Works package would be the way to go, as stated previously.

Edit: And yes, the old Mini with a B-series tops my list of awesome project cars to have eventually.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Big Phat R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What do they weigh? 2800 lbs?
</TD></TR></TABLE>

From MSN.com, they say that the base model (116hp) is at around 2570 lbs, and the S model is a little over 2600 lbs.

I'd really like to know how they fare at a track.

 

I only saw one at the track at my HPDEs last year, and it was a base model driven by a really slow goob.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Big Phat R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">


That car is brilliant.

I wonder how D's project Mini is going?</TD></TR></TABLE>

he hasn't touched it since Dec. He's been too busy with school and fixing the Real R

 

I have driven the Cooper-S many times. The engine is lively and the suspension is very good. I also have a ITR. But the Cooper-S just doesnt that the overall ability to outhandle/accel the ITR. Even the slightly modded S isnt as good as a stock Type-R. So fear not the Cooper-S of BMW. Now the Works package is a whole other beast.

 

The E36 M3 is one of the best or the best handling car in america.

Here some things to back it up..heres what motor trend had to say

The Best-Handling Car for More Than 30K" "Motor trend"
Here's what car and drive had to say bout the m3


The ///M3's cockpit works naturally. The driver's seat offers a commanding view of the road and the hood's corners. Hands fall instinctively to the steering wheel and shifter, as do feet to the pedals. Heel-and-toeing is possible, and a dead pedal is included. An adjustable steering wheel would have been nice, as well as more lateral support, but these issues didn't get in the way of our adoration.

The ///M3 possesses uncanny roadgoing ability. This is the most-agile car here. The steering eagerly bites into corners and is alive with feel. "Constantly talking to my fingers," wrote Csere. It latches onto a line in corners as if on a mission from God. Webster: "Rolls gracefully into curves at a constant rate and goes right where you point it."

The ///M3 covers for you. The suspension shrugs off bumps, swells, and off-camber depressions without upsetting the line. Not once did any driver cross it up. Smith: "Overcooked a corner, and the BMW's forgiving nature made it interesting rather than scary." Even at the hairy edge of traction, the ///M3 is accepting of further driver input, which builds tremendous confidence. Unlike the Acura NSX, the Dodge Viper, or even the Ferrari F355, you feel free to explore the ///M3's limits without fear that something awful awaits if you miscalculate.

The ///M3 is like one of those mules that pull tour duty in the Grand Canyon, year after year: It isn't capable of a misstep. This car lets you seek out its limits quicker and more confidently than any of the other cars here. If that doesn't make for a winning handler, we don't know what does.

.... So, what's the best-handling car at any price? ...It's an eight-horn salute to the BMW ///M3 as "the best-handling car."



Theres a Vette,viper, RX7 and other cars in the background...

ANd E36 M3 has 240hp and like 238 TQ...good balance

 

I've driven against several on the track. In the right hands they can be really very fast. Theres this guy who instructs at mid-ohio alot with a stock (Works package) Mini that gives alot of 911s and 944s a run for their money.

Very very fast capable car with the right driver.

 

but i thought R's probably better than M3's at skidpad r gets like .92 G and i think m3 is little less than that and porsche GT3 is also .92 G ??

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DAsix &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have driven the Cooper-S many times. The engine is lively and the suspension is very good. I also have a ITR. But the Cooper-S just doesnt that the overall ability to outhandle/accel the ITR. Even the slightly modded S isnt as good as a stock Type-R. So fear not the Cooper-S of BMW. Now the Works package is a whole other beast. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Works pakage is a whole different beast, however, equiped the way I would want it my works mini would cost $32,000. That is REDICULOUS. There are too many much better cars in that price range, plus a damn good used E36 M3 can be had for less than 32K.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Jockdeeznutz &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The E36 M3 is one of the best or the best handling car in america.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Are you going to hijack EVERY TOPIC ON HONDA-TECH to talk about your old M3, just like this one? Are you TRYING to get banned, or are you oblivious to the fact that people don't want to hear about an old M3 when they ask a question that has nothing to do with it?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nsxtasy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Are you going to hijack EVERY TOPIC ON HONDA-TECH to talk about your old M3, just like this one? Are you TRYING to get banned, or are you oblivious to the fact that people don't want to hear about an old M3 when they ask a question that has nothing to do with it?
</TD></TR></TABLE>

LOL

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by P Nut &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'd really like to know how they fare at a track.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I've driven my mostly-stock ITR (R compound tires, pads, rotors are the only mods) in the instructor run group at several events where other instructors were driving the Mini Cooper S (without the "Works package"). I passed them all and lapped some of them.

There is a big advantage to the ITR in straight line speed because I could overtake them pretty easily on the straights; I don't know about the turns (but it probably depends on the tires more than the cars).

 

I'm not sure how big of a difference it would be, but I know even though they lack a LSD, the Coopers (S and base) have equal length driveshafts, which is supposed to be really good for a FWD (no torque steer or something?)