New addition to the family...

[RallyEX]

Well, the wife and I went to Charleston the other day, and this little thing followed us home. We decided to go ahead and keep it.

I have to say that this car is super fun to drive, probably one of the most fun I have driven.

The car will be my wife's daily driver (most of the time, she'll probably drive her Sentra on nasty days through the winter until we sell it), and I will Autocross the car on weekends... :twisted: and hopefully do some track events sometime in the future if all goes well.

And now, the pics... It's a bit dirty, will get it shined up and better pics taken when weather permits.
http://donbarber.net/~grubbt/mini/Mini01.jpg
http://donbarber.net/~grubbt/mini/Mini02.jpg
http://donbarber.net/~grubbt/mini/Mini03.jpg

So, who's ready for some continued fun in H-Stock? I am. :D

[xjoewhitex]

awesome! ive always loved them lil cars..

[RallyEX]

2003 MINI Cooper
Jet Black exterior with black interior and "Anthracite" interior surfaces (door cards, dash trim, etc.). Sports Suspension Plus (Cooper S suspension, this suspension had complaints about being too stiff and harsh ride, was later revised... but this one has the original super stiff suspension apparently). White roof and mirror caps, white alloy wheels. 6 way adjustable black leather (leatherette) sport seats. SOHC 1.6L 4 cylinder engine w/ 5 speed transmission

The build sheet says it has engine-speed-sensitive power steering, which is noticeably different than my Honda, but was easy to get used to. Even the glove box is climate controlled... I haven't figured out how to work it it (haven't really spent the time yet, rather).

It has the factory white MINI 7-hole alloy wheels, but also came with an identical set of wheels that are silver in color, as well as a set of silver 16" SSR Competition-knockoff wheels with Kumho Victoracer R-Compound tires for autocross.

Jason even threw in all of the original extras and games that the dealership gives you with the car.

[m pwrd 3]

Looks good. Welcome to the BMW extended family. I need to come down and check that shits out.

[RobbieNelson]

The pressure will be on at the SWVR autocrosses.

Uh... What's Jason gonna be driving now?

[RallyEX]

The pressure will be on at the SWVR autocrosses.

Uh... What's Jason gonna be driving now?

I'm not at liberty to say... :D

Let's just say that DSP is looking a lot more interesting next year.

Come to think of it, so will HS. :twisted:

[RallyEX]

Curb weight is 2524lbs, the Non-S Coopers (what we have) are rated for 115hp... sure doesn't feel like it though. Ours has a nice cat-back and it feels torquey. It feels much faster than my civic... certainly handles better.

We chose the car more for my wife, and she doesn't need much power... plus, this is her first standard trans car, so I didn't want to go too far with it. Also, the non-S is an excellent competitor in H-Stock with the correct setup from the factory. This particular car was pretty much optioned specifically with autocross in mind, and daily driving as a secondary motivation.

Good for me, and my wife just wants the car as-is, so it was a great buy for us based on our needs/wants.

I can't wait to do a backroads cruise in it, too... It came with kumho victoracers for autocross, but it has a spare set of 15" wheels with no tires, and I have a set of BFG Comp TA R compounds that now serve no purpose (were for autocross in the civic, which I won't be doing much of any more). I'd like to throw those BFG R compounds on the spare 15's and wear them down on a few backroads cruises when it warms up a bit.

[Davis Silver Sti]

Congrats Tim!!!!!!!!

I had a chance to throw that Mini around the AutoX course. WOW!!! Wayy too much fun. Amazing handling. If I were to own another AutoX or street car, it would be that one. While it doesn't have awesome hp or Tq numbers, its really doesn't matter as once you get up to AutoX speed (or track speed) it will out handle and out-brake just about anything...including my car.

Such a cool car. Well done!!! More Pics!


P.S. I remember how fast those Mini's were at Mid-Ohio. Their astounding corner speeds would embarass everyone.
I also drove a race prep'd Mini (1800lbs) at an Ex-F1 track in Sweden...awesome was the only word I could manage thru the huge grin.

[daveb91]

Was this the cooper you guys were talking about hat the guy basically order a reg mini and it had all the S model suspension just missing the SC?

[RallyEX]

Was this the cooper you guys were talking about hat the guy basically order a reg mini and it had all the S model suspension just missing the SC?

Yeah, pretty much. You can custom order them just about any way you want.

I don't know much about brakes and whatnot, but basically all MINI's begin the same, and you can option almost everything on the Non-S that the S has (save the supercharger).

But yes, it has the s-model suspension, the sport leather seats that you can get with the S, but no the heated seat option. Cruise control was deleted, and some other stuff. If I get a chance, I'll scan the original build sheet.

[daveb91]

Just dont take it out Rector RD that road eats Coopers!

[axemansean]

Congrats on the purchase.

Jason ended up getting Jon Byrne's STS Neon. Its public news now on the SWVR forums.

This outta be fun Jon in the EP3 Si vs Tim in the Mini. Both fast cars and fast drivers. I wish I hadn't sold out on HS, maybe I'll get a few codrives next year until the CRX is ready.

[RallyEX]

We can go for a ride sometime, as long as we don't go on rector road with it... :)

The S trimmed car would be a lot of fun, but I want to stick to H-Stock class for the moment, plus my wife will drive it daily, so it'll remain mostly stock. Maybe I'll have to get a Mini S of my own for some peppy road course fun. :D

maybe I'll get a few codrives next year until the CRX is ready.

I'd say that is a good possibility, so long as the wife approves... :shock: J/k, I'll make sure you get a chance to experience the mini sometime in the coming season.

[MnAiXsImMoA]

i remember that thing....great choice :thumbup: Rick road in it when davis drove it and had a blast so i am sure you are too.

[///M3mike]

I'm so jealous. I have wanted one of those things for a couple of years now. Gotta love any cars with German engineering.

[Jay]

Now drive it down Robbie's old road about mach 6 an play chicken with a tree

[RallyEX]

Now drive it down Robbie's old road about mach 6 an play chicken with a tree

No, that would require me having 3 teenagers in the car with me. I can barely fit 3 grocery bags in the car with me when I'm driving it.

I think it's a bit of a testament to the car to know how bad that wreck was that they all survived. I hope my wife and/or myself are so lucky should something bad happen.

[andy5.0]

Nice ride Tim... you know I have always been a closet Mini fan...(seems all i can afford are Jap hatchbacks though) lol. Seriously, i would love to go on a ride with ya sometime in it, and you have to bring it by and show Dad, you know he LOVES coopers..:)

[BLUEVOVIII]

I'm so jealous. I have wanted one of those things for a couple of years now. Gotta love any cars with German engineering.

says the guy w/the m3 & G35 :lol: sell one of them and buy several :thumbup:

[jchouse]

you have been talking about getting one of those for awhile now, cool to see you and your wife got one, congrats!