icsmike

got a buddy of mine that just got and '04 and hes already talkin smack, lol.

ErnestSw

On a tight track with a good driver you haven't got a chance. On a long track you'll give him a good run.

icsmike

Really they run that great? he made it sound like it was "spunky" on the phone not fast or pulls hard. I know that 163HP in that little ride has to be fun tho.

Nicole

I've driven a 6-Speed Cooper S (Turbo) a few times. Amazing performance, and amazing handling. But the steering is a bit too direct for driving fast on the freeway.

icsmike

Sooooo, how are we talkin in street light terms....

IcemanG17

Shouldn't be much of a contest...straight line or road course...you should win hands down

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnidpGt7G3Y

Heres a video from a track day last year....bone stock 88 automatic passing a supercharged mini at thunderhill......I think this was my 5th or 6th track day.....

heinrich

LMAO!! A new Mini is a BMW with a teeny engine that weighs as much as any smallcar, with a soft suspension. So ... good luck to him, disable 4 of your cylinders and he may have a chance. Even on a twisty track .. Now an ORIGINAL Mini aka a REAL Mini ... well, that is a different story, on a twisty track. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEftQ4l2N00

Marine Blue

Agree, while the Cooper may handle well it doesn't match the performance of a 928 unless your car isn't running properly.

I just picked up a Mazdaspeed3 which has 263Hp and weighs 500 Lbs less than the shark, I wouldn't even worry about it against the shark in a straight line. As the saying goes, there's no replacement for displacement.

shmark

I sold my '06 Cooper S JCW a few months ago and I will tell you from years of autocross and track experience that on a normal autocross course you will get your *** handed to you. Anywhere the 928 gets to stretch its legs the power will allow you past, but tight twisties and the Mini is an animal. Incredible handling car, beautifully balanced, and in JCW form, more than 200hp. Don't kid yourself that the 928 can out-corner a Mini - well over 1g on r-compounds.

JPTL

Go-cart-like handling. I sense that an Exige could show a stock Cooper S a thing or two...but at a much higher pricetag.
Mark, did you get the feeling of tinny-ness in the Cooper after getting out of your 928?

NickT

I had a cooper S take a crack at me.. No contest, yea I know street racing should be a no no.. but it had to be done. It was my first run after doing an intake R&R so I had to shake her out right?

shmark

Yes an Exige handed MY *** to me at TGP last year. Actually the Mini is extremely well put together, much more solid than Japanese hatches, very BMW-like in fact. There is a reason it costs more than other hatches. And for a car with frameless windows, really solid doors...but they don't have anywhere near the "thunk" of the older Porsches or Mercedes.

Marine Blue

If we are talking about corners I would agree, the Mini would not be something you want to mess with.

shmark

Yes a riot in the corners! That's me driving with local hero Dan Vess running shotgun.

JPTL

A buddy of mine got an S for his wife. He was complaining about the 'tinny-ness". My point was if it wears out or breaks easily, it's tinny (like my old RX-7), but if it holds up over time, it's a good design with lightness in mind.
We both realized that we were both using unfair references as solid, well built vehicles...mine was my 928. His was his old FJ-40 Landcruiser.
Anything will appear tinny after driving one of those for a bit.

Cool pic, BTW. No way that's not fun.