1320 miles in 12 days. Over this period I was able to join 2 weekends of "runs" with 2 distinct group of cars. On my first weekend I joined the Mini of SF run from Woodside (thru La Honda, Skyline mountain route) to Half-Moon Bay with roughly 13 cars which had predominantly vintage Minis and 1 other new MINI Cooper.On the second run I joined the predominantly M3 (all E46's- count 'em, 27 in all!!!) along with another MINI Cooper-from Presidio Park to Point Reyes and back thru the Highway 1 Coastal mountain road.
The runs were thru highways and (more exciting) twisty mountain side roads (take your pick-the Mini run thru wooded narrow 2-lane twists and turns or the M3 ravine-to-the-ocean twists and turns).
The vintage Minis are fantastic at the turns and I'm happy to say that the
MCS performed as advertised and that the lineage continues. The M3s are terrific machines both on straight line or twisties but the
MCS(nor the
MC-actually she's a good driver!) was not left behind in either case,and probably had the edge on turns (until acceleration time out of the turn).
I kept within 4500 rpm range with frequent shifting within 2-3-4 gears, and obviously-i never went above 95 mph. Except for niggly rattles/buzzes (driver side dash/knee area) and the weak halogen lights(with the crazy alignment screws that don't seem to work) car has performed great for a 1st year car. I'm still able to start the car on first try...
