[MINIxpat]

I had an M flex 5, it was rubbish! Much rather have a MINI

Paul, I think you should get your S checked out, sounds a bit odd.

[swamos]

Quote: Originally Posted by MINIxpat (original)

I had an M flex 5, it was rubbish! Much rather have a MINI

Paul, I think you should get your S checked out, sounds a bit odd.

There was one moment when driving the expats when I asked him if the lever in the middle was the handbrake or the grass cut -height lever LOL.

I'm afraid that your either not used to the car or there is something wrong! The MX-5 turbo probably had a bit more squirt, but there is little you can do for handling when you have as much un-damped torsion as the mx-5 has.

[Paul_T]

it could very well be that I'm not used to the car, having only owned it for two weeks at the time.

Swamos, the MX5 is one of the ebst handling cars ever produced, especially for the price point, however, we are not talking about how good the MX5 handles, we are talking about why my MCS doesn't.

[swamos]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul_T (original)

it could very well be that I'm not used to the car, having only owned it for two weeks at the time.

Swamos, the MX5 is one of the ebst handling cars ever produced, especially for the price point, however, we are not talking about how good the MX5 handles, we are talking about why my MCS doesn't.

Sorry Paul, we're going to disagree on that one.... LOL. I drove the new mx-5 recently and I was very impressed with it. But, the previous one was a disaster. I couldn't believe the amount of scuttle shake the thing had. I spoke to someone from Mazda Aus and mentioned that the new one was much more rigid, and he rolled his eyes and admitted they had rigidity problems with the previous model. Did yours have extra stiffening because it was the turbo model?

Yes, compared to other $40k convertibles it's probably a revelation... Megane, Astra etc. I've no doubt it murders them. But there are lots of better cars IMHO.

And, you're right. If you think the MINI is not handling as well as the MX-5 something is wrong. Did the demo you drove exhibit problems?

[Paul_T]

Swamos I agree the scuttle shake (shimmy) they experience is attrocious, especially for a brand new car at $40k+. Yes, mine had extra bracing and was much stiffer than the run of the mill MX5 however it still had the shimmy, very poor IMHO and have muttered on many occasions how they can produce a car that does this. One of the many reasons I sold the car. However with all of that, it still handled much much better than the MCS.

I never drove the demo vehicles hard, so I don't have a comparison, except for back to my previous vehicles.

The new NC MX5 handles like a bucket of bolts in comparison to the SE. I've driven both extensively and I found it to be sloppy, very sloppy. The MCS does handle better than the NC Mx5.

And M flex 5 is a very apt way of putting it. Did you know that in hard cornering, the chassis flexes so far the boot lid actually comes over and touches the rear 3/4 panel leaving both surfaces scratched and marked.... the NA and NB did this, not sure of the NC, I would hope not. My NB SE did not do this, despite the extra forces being put on the chassis from the higher cornering speeds capable with the SE, I guess the extra chassis bracing helped there.

In no way am I saying the MCS handles poorly, just that I was expecting much more from it due to the hype surrounding it. I could be spoilt by the SE. The MCS may handle better than an MX5, it's been too long since I've driven my old NA MX5 to compare, but back to back driving of it and the SE the MCS falls short. This is one area of the car though. In every other area the MCS wins hands down... for driver comfort, ride, power, sounds (all of them), fit and finish, equipment, interior, (not fuel consumption though), in every other area the MINI wins hands down... but for a toy to head up the mountain in, I'll have my old SE back thanks... after that though you can have it back and I'll take the MCS thanks.

[Paul_T]

I think it's worth mentioning here, as it may be reading that I am very down on the MCS. I'd like to make it clear this is not the case. For 99% of my driving I could not be happier with this car. The drive to work is really rewarding, I love the sounds this car makes and having such a great sound system (the h/k) is almost a waste as I'd rather listen to the sounds of the engine and exhaust, the equipment levels are great, the whole purchasing experience by far ***** on every car I've purchased, including buying the MX5 brand new from Mazda. I am really enjoying owning this car, and look forward to driving it.

Back with the MX5 I used to drive it when I had to, prefering to drive the GF's Mirage because the MX5 was just too damn stiff, too damn uncomfortable, and too damn rattly with the scuttle shake and dash rattles etc etc... Now that is not the case and I walk straight past the mirage over to the MINI, taking a breath of the sweet smelling interior as I hop in the car and grin once I turn the key. I dreaded driving the MX5 because of all those things, and I look forward to turning the key on the MINI, breathing fire into the engine and selecting the gear ready for a great drive ahead of me!

Also, people look at me odd when I sit at the lights revving the engine to about 3500rpm to hear the supercharger whine, and then the popping of the exhaust. My neighbours too must think I am a loony.

[daisygirl]

I guess the basic answer is that there is no one car that is perfect for all events whether it be driving fast over a mountain or going 4wd or even down to the shops. The secret is finding that one car that suits every persons individual needs.

I complain all the time about driving the MINI to work everyday because I hate every pothole I find and scared one day my fillings will actually fall out. But as a tradeoff its great in peak hour traffic to put the foot down and take off when you most need it to change lanes.

I guess we all just need about 4 cars each in our garage - one to go fast on tight twisty roads, one to go fast on long straight roads like going up or down the coast - one to carry around the grociers/dogs/kids/grandparents/camping stuff/tow the boat/trailer, etc plus one just to sit and look fantastic but never drive anyway. The MINI works on most of the above occasions (well maybe not tow the boat/trailer) but I am sure you can work out what I mean.

The problem you have Paul is that you now have a MINI and not an MX5 so you have two choices - keep MINI and give up comparing it to MX5 or sell MINI and buy another MX5 and then wish you still had the MINI!!!

[Paul_T]

Daisygirl, if you think the ride on a MINI is stiff, you should have driven my old MX5.

And I will not give up comparing it. Just because I now own the MINI doesn't mean it's now the be all and end all. I understand both cars have their strengths and their weaknesses, I couldn't be more clear about that. Why would I sell the MINI and buy an MX5??? When I just sold the MX5 to buy the MINI? How many times do I have to say I much prefer the MINI, I am just dissapointed in the handling and was expecting more.

Sheesh!

[85NIXMIN]

Hmm I can't complain I was a Suzuki Vitara and Suzuki Grand Vitara 3 door owner b4 I took the plunge and thought "Hey! I want a MINI!!!" What a good decision it was, I now have more power, handles like a dream, and I get the odd occassional look as well.... HAHA! What a bonus!

[swamos]

Paul.... please understand I'm stirring you only!

Did you see last nights top-gear? M-Flex-5 races Dog. Dog wins The End

[Paul_T]

Phew! I had seen that donkey's years ago, on youtube or something.

From memory the car was on dirt so hardly fair. No love here for the NC MX5. It's hideously ugly, doesn't go or handle all that great. If it was a much better product, I would have bought it and saved a few dollars, but I was happy to spring the extra for the MCS, and by so many reports coming from EU, I'm glad I didn't wait for the R56. Very happy with my little MCS, and that's all that matters.

[85NIXMIN]

Awww another happy MINI owner

[Paul_T]

Anyone here have the MTH ECU remap? I'd love to go for a ride in one... looking at getting it done to my MCS... as yet am undecided.

[swamos]

Paul, if you went into a given corner of said windy roads... would you go in with trailing throttle, and if so, how many revs on the (big) clock?

[Paul_T]

About the same as a piece of string.

Every corner is different, and it all depends on the approach speed, conditions of the road, visibility... revs=speed determined by gear... no way of knowing what revs, nor position of throttle, too many variables. Surely you should know that??

[swamos]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul_T (original)

About the same as a piece of string.

Every corner is different, and it all depends on the approach speed, conditions of the road, visibility... revs=speed determined by gear... no way of knowing what revs, nor position of throttle, too many variables. Surely you should know that??

If you don't carry enough revs into a corner a FWD won't put the weight on the front and the turn-in will be rubbish. The only thing on the menu will be understeer unless you're prepared to brake but this isn't always the best thing. It's not such a big issue with a RWD. In rear engined cars it can even be a bad thing. I just thought that might be responsible for the issues here. I'm just searching for options. You need to be able to heel and toe, but I would always pop down a gear before a corner... maybe 4.5 - 5.5k on at entry It settles the car nicely giving good turn in and plenty of zip out. You can then balance understeer and oversteer on throttle.

What are your tyre pressures set to? I used to run 35-36 front and 32 in the rear. Have you had the alignment done yet? Just trying to help

[MickyD]

I was going to suggest checking tyre pressures.... I usually have 42 front, 38 rear....

[Paul_T]

I'm running the standard pressure as per the tyre placard. I haven't had it long enough to experiment.

I always heel-toe and carry revs into a corner, ready to power out of it at the other end.

To be honest, I think the car is settling down a bit now. The tyres are scrubbing in and it seems to be a bit tightter. Going up the mountain again soon so will be able to judge it again.

[mini_kitten]

eww runflats.....definetely get rid of them if you want the car to handle better

[Sunnybanker]

Quote: Originally Posted by mini_kitten (original)

eww runflats.....definetely get rid of them if you want the car to handle better

Totally agree MK, our car is so much better on conventionals.Perhaps if an MX5 had runflats the comparison wouldn't be so harsh towards the Mini that has been received on here over the last 2 weeks? I have been very disappointed to see a lot of criticism of our beloved car recently. It would almost be enough to put some people off.
Judy, Ruben, Ashley,Ken... I think you do a great job of organising the runs that you guys put together, it's a thankless job, but you do it in your own time already knowing that you are never going to please the majority.
The runs we have gone on are obviously testy, that's why I want to chuck up every time I'm in the passenger seat
I think it's about time we all moved forward and love the car for what it is, we have had our share of faults and repairs, ( Lulu was off the road for a whole week ), but we certainly wouldnt swap it for anything.
It was a month or two before we got over our initial issues with the car, but it grows on you if you stop whingeing long enough