Convinced my wife that we need a 3rd car

[kyriian]

The new ones interior are so fancy these days compared to my old 03.

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

Oh but they do offer a manual still. My only reason for not optioning the manual is because that would defeat one of the original reasons for getting this 3rd car - my wife is unable to drive manual and thus unable to drive my M3. So if I ever need to take the big X7 out, she'd be stranded at home.

I did drive it 2 hours on the highway bringing it home from the dealer, I didn't find it to be dangerous at all.

Wow! Do you know which models offer the manual? Just seeing this on the website but they have so many models. Maybe I’ll call my local mini dealer. Thanks

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by Bimmerfun82

Wow! Do you know which models offer the manual? Just seeing this on the website but they have so many models. Maybe I’ll call my local mini dealer. Thanks

I believe the 2 door/4 door hard top base and S models offer manual, along with the convertible base and S.

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

I believe the 2 door/4 door hard top base and S models offer manual, along with the convertible base and S.

Thanks! It’s tricky- JC convertibles don’t have the option, but coupes do.

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by Bimmerfun82

Where we live, it’s a bit dangerous having such a small car unless we stay off the highway.

That's the most American thing i've ever read.

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

That's the most American thing i've ever read.

Very much so. We live in a suburban corridor that’s heavy with semi traffic. If I stay in the carpool lane I’m more visible … but not super comfortable in our Z4 much less a mini. Cars, trucks, and SUVs have gotten so much bigger over the years. I take my Z toward the mountains, away from suburban and city traffic.

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by Bimmerfun82

Very much so. We live in a suburban corridor that’s heavy with semi traffic. If I stay in the carpool lane I’m more visible … but not super comfortable in our Z4 much less a mini. Cars, trucks, and SUVs have gotten so much bigger over the years. I take my Z toward the mountains, away from suburban and city traffic.

Wow, you're not comfortable in a Z4? I mean, sure it's not a huge car but my bro's Civic is the same length and I could've sworn our Z4 should've been shorter. I wish to have the smallest car next time.

You'd have a heart attack in a MX-5 or even a BRZ/GR86 (Btw, wtwo3, how does your Mini compare to those size-wise?)

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by tranquility

You'd have a heart attack in a MX-5 or even a BRZ/GR86 (Btw, wtwo3, how does your Mini compare to those size-wise?)

This is a very timely question I was in Arizona last weekend on business and rented this 6spd MX-5 -




Size-wise the Mini is a bit taller, but overall dimensions are similar (the mini is actually a bit shorter in length than the MX-5). The interior however feels significantly roomier in the Mini.

Exterior dimensions:

MX-5: 154" Length X 68" Width X 49" Height
Mini: 152" Length X 68" Width X 56" Height

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by tranquility

Wow, you're not comfortable in a Z4? I mean, sure it's not a huge car but my bro's Civic is the same length and I could've sworn our Z4 should've been shorter. I wish to have the smallest car next time.

You'd have a heart attack in a MX-5 or even a BRZ/GR86 (Btw, wtwo3, how does your Mini compare to those size-wise?)

Super comfy until someone almost runs me over

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

This is a very timely question I was in Arizona last weekend on business and rented this 6spd MX-5 -

Attachment 3306249


Size-wise the Mini is a bit taller, but overall dimensions are similar (the mini is actually a bit shorter in length than the MX-5). The interior however feels significantly roomier in the Mini.

Exterior dimensions:

MX-5: 154" Length X 68" Width X 49" Height
Mini: 152" Length X 68" Width X 56" Height

Cool, I'm all about intuition lol.

Wow, didn't know that the Mini was so...mini haha. No wonder you're loving it. 👍🏻 I assume it's noticeably heavier though? How's the handling vs the MX-5 (pls rate both outta 10).

Originally Posted by Bimmerfun82

Super comfy until someone almost runs me over

Haha, I know everyone claims their area has the worst drivers but if they can't see a Z4-sized car, you win. 😅

[bosstones]

Congrats! Enjoy the Mini!

The only thing I found dangerous about my MCS (R56) was that it didn't like stopping in any amount of snow, even running Blizzaks and from any speed (or crawl). I'm pretty sure it was something unique to my specific example but not sure why/how. The ABS on it had a hair trigger, too.

Hell, at one point, the Mini had a better front offset crash rating than a F150.

I had a manual and it was otherwise an absolute hoot to drive. Parking was a breeze. Never had to move an expansion tank out of the way and use over a foot of socket extension to get to an oil filter cap before but, sure, why not! Could still haul a storm door or Xmas tree home. Able to carry a full set of mounted 17" tires with (a little) room to spare (w/o passenger). Who needs central jack points? Still love Horizon Blue.

R56 MCS was roomier than my Z4 MC. Spatially, it was more "open". Definitely sat taller and had better rearward visibility, too.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by tranquility

Cool, I'm all about intuition lol.

Wow, didn't know that the Mini was so...mini haha. No wonder you're loving it. 👍🏻 I assume it's noticeably heavier though? How's the handling vs the MX-5 (pls rate both outta 10).

So I'm going to say something that might possibly be controversial. So yes, the Mini is about 600 lbs heavier than the MX-5. However, I prefer how the Mini handles, despite it being heavier and FWD. And I think it comes down to suspension tuning. The MX-5, while the steering was nice and direct and progressively weighted, the chassis felt a bit... wobbly... under cornering. The Mini on the other hand feels significantly more planted and direct. The steering may not be as communicative as the MX-5's was, but the Mini feels more point and shoot. And to me, that's a bit more fun. Maybe I'm just used to BMWs now and prefer how they feel

If I had to rate them it would be
MX-5: 7
Mini: 8

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

So I'm going to say something that might possibly be controversial. So yes, the Mini is about 600 lbs heavier than the MX-5. However, I prefer how the Mini handles, despite it being heavier and FWD. And I think it comes down to suspension tuning. The MX-5, while the steering was nice and direct and progressively weighted, the chassis felt a bit... wobbly... under cornering. The Mini on the other hand feels significantly more planted and direct. The steering may not be as communicative as the MX-5's was, but the Mini feels more point and shoot. And to me, that's a bit more fun. Maybe I'm just used to BMWs now and prefer how they feel

If I had to rate them it would be
MX-5: 7
Mini: 8

Whoa, that is surprising. Mind you, I've just been an admirer but never drove the MX-5, or Mini for that matter. Did you ever drive any Z4 and if so what's the rating so I can benchmark?

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by tranquility

Whoa, that is surprising. Mind you, I've just been an admirer but never drove the MX-5, or Mini for that matter. Did you ever drive any Z4 and if so what's the rating so I can benchmark?

Surprisingly I've never driven a Z4.... need to do that one day. The Mini does benefit from BMW chassis and suspension tuning...so I guess take that for what it's worth. Mazda has always been known for good suspension tuning but perhaps it's no BMW? I was surprised at how much more fun I found the mini considering it's heavier than the Miata and FWD.

[alex2364]

The Miata is softly sprung from what I’ve seen in all the reviews. It needs more aggressive coilovers if you’re driving aggressively. Start at 9:05 where they talk about the suspension.

[Bc2005]

Caveat- I am not a racer, so my opinion is suspect.

I drove a Miata on the skid pad at Lime Rock during a class, and one main point was to learn how fast it transitioned from understeer to oversteer as you manipulated the throttle on wet pavement.

Wet pavement- You had to keep on the throttle to get weight transfer to the rear tires, which then drove it forward and kept it on the curve. Letting up on the throttle just a little loaded the front tires, rears broke lose, and it started to spin around. Apply the throttle a little and came right back in line. After a couple of laps it was easy to keep it just short of breaking loose and spinning out.

[Alfisti]

Yep, not sure abut older Miata but this one has a rep for very supple suspension.

[kyriian]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

So I'm going to say something that might possibly be controversial. So yes, the Mini is about 600 lbs heavier than the MX-5. However, I prefer how the Mini handles, despite it being heavier and FWD. And I think it comes down to suspension tuning. The MX-5, while the steering was nice and direct and progressively weighted, the chassis felt a bit... wobbly... under cornering. The Mini on the other hand feels significantly more planted and direct. The steering may not be as communicative as the MX-5's was, but the Mini feels more point and shoot. And to me, that's a bit more fun. Maybe I'm just used to BMWs now and prefer how they feel

If I had to rate them it would be
MX-5: 7
Mini: 8

Controversial for sure, having had the rawest 03 Cooper S, a 03 MX5, and a 07 MX5, they are both equal to me, just one excels at entry, one excels at exit

the MINI feels more pointy for a simple reason, the tuning is focused on making the FWD chassis work its magic at best as possible, so it will be darty and feel eager to turn in, the fact it is short and stubby helps it immensely as it feels tiny and eager to rotate. Where it falls down is exit, even my old one with a Quaife is never going to feel like it wants to rotate on corner exit.

MX5's roly-poly ness makes it easy to shift its weight around to do exactly how you want it to handle, pair with the highly detailed steering and skinny tires, you have a car that will easily pivot on its rear tires with a simple weight transfer, and never be frightening and feel completely in control. Old School is probably the best way I can describe it. Where it does fall is that if you are not on it, it will feel quite soft.

Different strokes, both are good handling cars just does its best in different ways.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by kyriian

Controversial for sure, having had the rawest 03 Cooper S, a 03 MX5, and a 07 MX5, they are both equal to me, just one excels at entry, one excels at exit

the MINI feels more pointy for a simple reason, the tuning is focused on making the FWD chassis work its magic at best as possible, so it will be darty and feel eager to turn in, the fact it is short and stubby helps it immensely as it feels tiny and eager to rotate. Where it falls down is exit, even my old one with a Quaife is never going to feel like it wants to rotate on corner exit.

MX5's roly-poly ness makes it easy to shift its weight around to do exactly how you want it to handle, pair with the highly detailed steering and skinny tires, you have a car that will easily pivot on its rear tires with a simple weight transfer, and never be frightening and feel completely in control. Old School is probably the best way I can describe it. Where it does fall is that if you are not on it, it will feel quite soft.

Different strokes, both are good handling cars just does its best in different ways.

Yeah I think you described it perfectly. That FWD understeer is definitely something I feel driving the mini... but at least on the street, I'm able to look past that and the entry makes it feel very fun and planted.

This isn't to say the MX-5 didn't handle well... just that I prefer the planted feeling the mini provides vs the wobbylness of the MX-5.

[kyriian]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

Yeah I think you described it perfectly. That FWD understeer is definitely something I feel driving the mini... but at least on the street, I'm able to look past that and the entry makes it feel very fun and planted.

This isn't to say the MX-5 didn't handle well... just that I prefer the planted feeling the mini provides vs the wobbylness of the MX-5.

Just going to leave this here for shiz and giggles
My 07, on RA1s on stock suspension

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by kyriian

Just going to leave this here for shiz and giggles
My 07, on RA1s on stock suspension

Haha, the (in?)famous Miata bodyroll.

Now show a pic w your new suspension.

[kyriian]

Originally Posted by tranquility

Haha, the (in?)famous Miata bodyroll.

Now show a pic w your new suspension.

Don’t really want to go too far OT here so apologies to wtwo3, here you go
With the Eibach 2 way MX5 cup coilovers, different tire different corner but same track