124 replies to this topic

[Sam Walters]

Mini is an interesting species. One of those cars where it will do whatever you want up to a point - and then it will kill you. Its a fine balance.

I've totally lost it twice in a Mini - both times in my previous Cooper. Once was deliberate. It was in a controlled environment and I'd just got my new Cooper Sport. I had no idea what it was capable of and I found out. Don't brake round corners...

A second time was certainly not in a controlled environment. Similar situation where I braked around a corner (this time forced) and span around in the middle of a road towards an oncoming truck. I was lucky. It's one of those cars where it will do almost anything if its driven properly. Accelerate at the right times and treat it right and it will really be awesome but the second you do silly modern car habits you'll lose it.

I've only ever driven a Mini with 13 inch wheels though...I'm promised good things when I put 10s on my Mk1 when I finally get around to restoring it.

Wont have the same snappy feel as the 13`s. But will have more grip.

I never experienced the whole tram lining torque steer issues that everyone talks about with 13`s. Even with a gas assisted 150+ hp.

[Spud_133]

The only time I've messed up is when I was fooling around in the snow, but even I really had to push it stupidly to force a problem, and even then it was slow motion, maybe I'm just too laid back when problems occur? I like to think I'm a good, but safe driver.

[SqueakyCooper]

150bhp? Lovely...whats the engine spec?

[mini93]

omggggg minis are the best driver cars eveeerrr... cant see why anyone would get anything else...

haha

My106 gti handles at least as well as my mini did with its fully adjustable suspension, caged (stiff) and thats even before iv done anything to the pug apart from lower it a touch

[PaulF]

my rs clio easily handles better than my mini. though my mini was made from rust and shocking previous owner repairs so things may change once its all back together.

[holmesy]

easy to drift :) in my standard 998

[mike.]

I've driven my mini for a year and have been driving a 51 plate corsa sxi while the minis off the road for about 9 months now. The corsa is pretty poor. Overall road holding is acceptable in the dry, but it understeers severely in the wet and is generally uninspiring to drive.

Handling wise, the corsa just wallows about with very little feel, and the steering is so light you get barely any feedback through it. Obviously the mini is direct, goes where you point it an responds perfectly to driver inputs. This is without any adjustable suspension on the mini, just some Gmax shocks - Which are also quite poor IMO.

Its like as has been said, most modern cars are just modes of transport. The mini is just great fun to drive and can still hold its own against modern cars if well looked after.

[holmesy]

have let all my mates take mine around the airfield and they love the way it drives compared to their punto, saxo, avensis, corsa etc lol

[Mini_Magic]

Wont have the same snappy feel as the 13`s. But will have more grip.

I never experienced the whole tram lining torque steer issues that everyone talks about with 13`s. Even with a gas assisted 150+ hp.

Having owned Minis with 13s, 12s and 10s I'd say that the whole tram lining/torque steer thing is over exaggerated. Standard Minis don't have enough torque to torque steer!

[mk1leg]

YES THEY DO.............even better on 10s............

[CrL]

A couple of years ago I sold or rented everything I own except my mini. House gone, proper racing bike gone, Audi gone, everything gone.

Mini / kept it.

[buck]

My GF just inherited an R32.... I like it.... but its not my mini.

[valve bounce]

easy to drift :) in my standard 998

bull, you cant "drift" a front wheel drive car

Edited by valve bounce, 24 March 2012 - 09:31 PM.

[RobWill116]

easy to drift :) in my standard 998

bull, you cant "drift" a front wheel drive car

You can if you run standard 3.5x10 steels like I do! Okay not exactly a drift, but the back easily slides out! Ahaha

On my mini I am running completely standard shocks, cones, ride height etc and it is the most fun I've ever had driving! I've driven lambos, astons and Ferraris on them gift track days, obviously can't beat the handling, but minis are soo much more fun to drive!

All you need is a mini, a nice sunny day and some winding country lanes. Nuff said! :)

[yousmeg]

I see a few comments about the short suspension travel - does anyone have a measurement of how short this is?

It would be a shame if my pushbike had more suspension travel than my car! lol