MINI2

Frogeye58 · Mar 9th, 2005, 04:15 PM

We just picked up our MCSA on 3/7/05 from Irvine MINI, CA USA.

The car is tight. Suspension, steering, throttle response, tranny, everything! I was told that I could rev to 5k during the breakin period

, so I do! The transmission is really awesome. In 'D' mode it is mellow and responsive. Move the selector to the right and you are in 'SD' or Sport Driving mode. SD mode is really sweet. In SD the car will hold gears longer and will downshift sooner. Really fun for someone who does not want to mess around with the paddles or the triptronic shifter. Now if you want real fun you just hit a paddle or the triptronic shifter while in 'SD' mode for full manual 6 speed shifting.

The car passes other cars with ease. simply push the thumb paddle and you're passing effortlessly. Upshifts are a simple pull of the paddle.

The engine really starts to come alive right around 5k so during your breakin becareful not to over do it

!

The breaks are great. The interior is sweet. The visibility is fantastic. This is truely an awesome little sports car.

I can't wait to put some more miles on it. I'm sure as the engine starts to work itself in, the performance will increase dramatically.

On a scale of 1 -10 (10 being the BEST!) I give the new 05 MCSA a 10+

Great job MINI!

Kenmini · Mar 9th, 2005, 04:38 PM

Congradulation on the delivery ! I'm currently running in my MCSA aswell .. and its really hard to reframe myself from reving the engine pass 4K RPM. once I accidently gave it a little too much gas, the engine overdrived and shot the RPM meter way up to 5500 RPM ..

BAD MOVE .... I'm still getting used to the gas pedal and practicing some good acceleration techniques ( Our family have other european sedans that are all V6 and V8s so I must make big adjustments to how I acclerate ! ) ... on top of that ... Man ... the gas price over here in Toronto Canada is just ridiculous ... 87.1 Cent a litre .. I know its no where near as expensive as other parts of the world.. but its a record high for me . To me, I can already feel the sensation of the supercharger when I rev the engine to 4K RPM. Maybe when I'm done my run in period I'll take it higher ... that experenice is the one I'm waiting for !

jason2025 · Mar 9th, 2005, 04:57 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Kenmini

Man ... the gas price over here in Toronto Canada is just ridiculous ... 87.1 Cent a litre .. I know its no where near as expensive as other parts of the world.. but its a record high for me .

Here in Victoria it's somewhere around 92 cents a litre, for the 87 octane.

Cheers.

J\

Kraigster414 · Mar 9th, 2005, 06:04 PM

Enjoy that new MCSa Jason. I am lovin' mine. This is one helluva car and one helluva transmission. I bet even the most diehard manual purist is starting to have second thoughts about the 6-speed auto based on these early reviews. As for me, I knew the 2005 MCSa wa going to be fun (and fast) but I had no idea it would be THIS much fun. What did you get on it?

jobseeker · Mar 9th, 2005, 08:15 PM

Just got my auto and echo your comments. But hey, guys, fuel here in the UK is about 0.89 UK pounds per litre - and I think a uk pound is about 2.25 CD or more. You do the math !

BMW CooperS · Mar 9th, 2005, 10:57 PM

I am looking for how to save the gas for my MCS. MCS is a gas eater. The gas price in HK is same as UK.....0.85 pound per litre or US$1.6 per litre. It takes me almost 1 pound per KM

. However, it is fun I enjoy it

AprilWhine · Mar 9th, 2005, 11:44 PM

Listening to both of you makes me appreciate what cheap gas we have here in the US. And still some people complain about the price!

HoustonMini · Mar 10th, 2005, 12:05 AM

don't get to happy to soon. Just wait until this summer, and see how happy you.

BMW CooperS · Mar 10th, 2005, 12:56 AM

Not concern about the gas price, is there any way to save gas for MCS. Mine is 2003 manual MCS with 18" wheel.

Kenmini · Mar 10th, 2005, 01:20 AM

Wow ... 18" hey ... It's gonna be hard to save gas with all the stop and go traffic in Hong Kong ... whats worse is that you'll be having your A/C on almost all the time by spring depends on where you live ...maybe a smaller and lighter wheel would cure the gas consumption abit ..

BMW CooperS · Mar 10th, 2005, 05:01 AM

I don't think I will change the 18" wheels and tires. The 18" wheels and SP 9000 tires are perfect match to my lovely MCS. Here is the pic, pls give me some comments

AprilWhine · Mar 10th, 2005, 08:50 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by BMW CooperS

I don't think I will change the 18" wheels and tires. The 18" wheels and SP 9000 tires are perfect match to my lovely MCS. Here is the pic, pls give me some comments

That is a beautiful car.

Kenmini · Mar 10th, 2005, 12:58 PM

Very nice .... I wish I can always keep my MCSA that clean all the time ...

... Like my father say " It really hurts to buy a expensive sports car here in Canada if you don't put it away during the Winter ... the paint and finish just gets destory " ... I know for sure that literally every single Car I see in hong Kong is sparkling clean !! every single one from a Toyota Echo to a SL500 sports roadster .

Frogeye58 · Mar 11th, 2005, 04:32 PM

After putting some more miles on our MCSA, I have discovered the fun and fine art of using both the paddles and the triptronic shifting on the main stick. Basically when you are cornering it is really hard to hit the paddle to up shift or for the matter downshift with the paddles. By simply reaching down to the stick (as you would in a manual) you can easily bump up to downshift, or pull back to up shift. By utilizing both, you get very controlled and perfectly timed shifts. Just recently I had some fun with an INFINITI g35 ! He's lucky I couldn't rev my MCSA past 5k! We stuck with the infiniti for a bit

Happy Motoring!

Kenmini · Apr 1st, 2005, 12:50 AM

Wow .. a G35 hey ... you're one brave fella to be doing that during break in period ! I'll probably do the same too but after thats after I'm done my break in ... cuz I know I'm just gonna rev the **** out of the engine to get the fun I need !

asterix2112 · Apr 1st, 2005, 05:25 PM

My friend has a G35 (manual) which I have driven a bunch. It is a great car, but I didn't want a full time manual, plus I like the Mini better. What I really wonder is what will be the difference between the cars? After getting my MCSa (2 months) and breakin (as fast as I can) we're going to take both to Summit Point for some track time. We will swich cars too so we can really see which is faster (I am the better driver). I'm expecting the Infiniti to beat my Mini S, which at that time will only probably have the Alta air intake added, but I wonder by how much? Hopefully after the 15% reduction pulley and some other mods I can get the Mini up to the G35 in preformance. We will see.

Frogeye58 · Apr 1st, 2005, 10:16 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Kenmini

Wow .. a G35 hey ... you're one brave fella to be doing that during break in period ! I'll probably do the same too but after thats after I'm done my break in ... cuz I know I'm just gonna rev the **** out of the engine to get the fun I need !

I kept up with the g35 through first, second, and third from a stop light start.. shifting around 4500-5000 rpm or so. I did not push it. I wanted to though

As for the break in...It's going fine. No problems, we're at about 900 miles now. Only alarming thing was the snorting dragon and the new car burn off smells that are finally going away.

rsinsheimer · Apr 1st, 2005, 11:12 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Frogeye58

Only alarming thing was the snorting dragon and the new car burn off smells that are finally going away.

Okay, I'll bite:

"Snorting dragon"? Whazzat?

Frogeye58 · Apr 2nd, 2005, 05:30 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by rsinsheimer

Okay, I'll bite:

"Snorting dragon"? Whazzat?

The snorting dragon is a really cool supercharger inter cooler effect. Basically, your MINI will look like it has just smoked a Cuban while you are sitting at a stop light etc. It's a real attention grabber. All you need to see the snorting dragon is a mist or light rain, and a hot inter cooler. You'll trip at first. You'll think your car is overheating. But after looking at a normal temp gage you'll quickly figure it out.

Kenmini · Apr 2nd, 2005, 02:58 PM

you'll also get this Effect obviously after going through a car wash ( TOUCHLESS OF COURSE !!!!

) ... once I I parked my car just outside of the car wash to wipe off the water from my car ... some dude came up to me looking all curious and stuff and said " buddy , there's smoking coming out of your car man .. I think you should check it out ... I think there's problem. " ... so I told him that its just the intercooler doing his tricks

Mar 9th, 2005, 04:15 PM	#1
Frogeye58 Which way to the twisties Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: San Diego, CA Local Time: 01:17 PM Posts: 135 Offline	MCSA Owner Review We just picked up our MCSA on 3/7/05 from Irvine MINI, CA USA. The car is tight. Suspension, steering, throttle response, tranny, everything! I was told that I could rev to 5k during the breakin period , so I do! The transmission is really awesome. In 'D' mode it is mellow and responsive. Move the selector to the right and you are in 'SD' or Sport Driving mode. SD mode is really sweet. In SD the car will hold gears longer and will downshift sooner. Really fun for someone who does not want to mess around with the paddles or the triptronic shifter. Now if you want real fun you just hit a paddle or the triptronic shifter while in 'SD' mode for full manual 6 speed shifting. The car passes other cars with ease. simply push the thumb paddle and you're passing effortlessly. Upshifts are a simple pull of the paddle. The engine really starts to come alive right around 5k so during your breakin becareful not to over do it ! The breaks are great. The interior is sweet. The visibility is fantastic. This is truely an awesome little sports car. I can't wait to put some more miles on it. I'm sure as the engine starts to work itself in, the performance will increase dramatically. On a scale of 1 -10 (10 being the BEST!) I give the new 05 MCSA a 10+ Great job MINI! Frogeye58@hotmail.com 1958 AN5L Mk1, 2005 MCSA http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/24098/53165.jpg

Mar 9th, 2005, 04:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
Kenmini MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The Ultimate GTA ! Local Time: 09:17 PM Posts: 92 Offline	Congradulation on the delivery ! I'm currently running in my MCSA aswell .. and its really hard to reframe myself from reving the engine pass 4K RPM. once I accidently gave it a little too much gas, the engine overdrived and shot the RPM meter way up to 5500 RPM .. BAD MOVE .... I'm still getting used to the gas pedal and practicing some good acceleration techniques ( Our family have other european sedans that are all V6 and V8s so I must make big adjustments to how I acclerate ! ) ... on top of that ... Man ... the gas price over here in Toronto Canada is just ridiculous ... 87.1 Cent a litre .. I know its no where near as expensive as other parts of the world.. but its a record high for me . To me, I can already feel the sensation of the supercharger when I rev the engine to 4K RPM. Maybe when I'm done my run in period I'll take it higher ... that experenice is the one I'm waiting for ! 2005 HB/HB MCSA !! ALL the package... ALL the Fun .. ALL the time !!!

Mar 9th, 2005, 06:04 PM	#4 (permalink)
Kraigster414 Will Work For Cigars Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Northern VA Local Time: 05:17 PM Posts: 128 Offline	Enjoy that new MCSa Jason. I am lovin' mine. This is one helluva car and one helluva transmission. I bet even the most diehard manual purist is starting to have second thoughts about the 6-speed auto based on these early reviews. As for me, I knew the 2005 MCSa wa going to be fun (and fast) but I had no idea it would be THIS much fun. What did you get on it? 2005 MCS: Dark silver/black top, Panther black leather, Combo #4 Convenience, Combo #3 Cold Weather, Combo #1 Premium, Septronic AUTOMATIC, DSC, PDC, front and rear fogs, Xenons, HK Sound, Bluetooth

Mar 9th, 2005, 11:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
AprilWhine Loves the Fuzzy One Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gypsy Local Time: 02:17 PM Posts: 16,994 Offline	Listening to both of you makes me appreciate what cheap gas we have here in the US. And still some people complain about the price! Global Moderator

Mar 10th, 2005, 12:05 AM	#8 (permalink)
HoustonMini Motoring with Audrey Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Houston, Tx, USA Local Time: 03:17 PM Posts: 141 Offline	don't get to happy to soon. Just wait until this summer, and see how happy you. Click me for my MINI blog. 2,949motoring miles and counting...

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Mar 9th, 2005, 04:57 PM	#3 (permalink)
jason2025 2003 PS MCS Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Victoria, BC Local Time: 02:17 PM Posts: 141 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Kenmini Man ... the gas price over here in Toronto Canada is just ridiculous ... 87.1 Cent a litre .. I know its no where near as expensive as other parts of the world.. but its a record high for me . Here in Victoria it's somewhere around 92 cents a litre, for the 87 octane. Cheers. J\

Mar 9th, 2005, 08:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
jobseeker MINI2 Regular Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Leeds Local Time: 09:17 PM Posts: 52 Offline	Just got my auto and echo your comments. But hey, guys, fuel here in the UK is about 0.89 UK pounds per litre - and I think a uk pound is about 2.25 CD or more. You do the math !

Mar 9th, 2005, 10:57 PM	#6 (permalink)
BMW CooperS MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Mar 2005 Local Time: 09:17 PM Posts: 19 Offline	I am looking for how to save the gas for my MCS. MCS is a gas eater. The gas price in HK is same as UK.....0.85 pound per litre or US$1.6 per litre. It takes me almost 1 pound per KM . However, it is fun I enjoy it

Mar 10th, 2005, 12:56 AM	#9 (permalink)
BMW CooperS MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Mar 2005 Local Time: 09:17 PM Posts: 19 Offline	Not concern about the gas price, is there any way to save gas for MCS. Mine is 2003 manual MCS with 18" wheel.

Mar 10th, 2005, 01:20 AM	#10 (permalink)
Kenmini MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The Ultimate GTA ! Local Time: 09:17 PM Posts: 92 Offline	Wow ... 18" hey ... It's gonna be hard to save gas with all the stop and go traffic in Hong Kong ... whats worse is that you'll be having your A/C on almost all the time by spring depends on where you live ...maybe a smaller and lighter wheel would cure the gas consumption abit .. 2005 HB/HB MCSA !! ALL the package... ALL the Fun .. ALL the time !!!

Mar 10th, 2005, 05:01 AM	#11 (permalink)
BMW CooperS MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Mar 2005 Local Time: 09:17 PM Posts: 19 Offline	I don't think I will change the 18" wheels and tires. The 18" wheels and SP 9000 tires are perfect match to my lovely MCS. Here is the pic, pls give me some comments Attached Thumbnails

Mar 10th, 2005, 08:50 AM	#12 (permalink)
AprilWhine Loves the Fuzzy One Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gypsy Local Time: 02:17 PM Posts: 16,994 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by BMW CooperS I don't think I will change the 18" wheels and tires. The 18" wheels and SP 9000 tires are perfect match to my lovely MCS. Here is the pic, pls give me some comments That is a beautiful car. Global Moderator

Mar 10th, 2005, 12:58 PM	#13 (permalink)
Kenmini MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The Ultimate GTA ! Local Time: 09:17 PM Posts: 92 Offline	Very nice .... I wish I can always keep my MCSA that clean all the time ... ... Like my father say " It really hurts to buy a expensive sports car here in Canada if you don't put it away during the Winter ... the paint and finish just gets destory " ... I know for sure that literally every single Car I see in hong Kong is sparkling clean !! every single one from a Toyota Echo to a SL500 sports roadster . 2005 HB/HB MCSA !! ALL the package... ALL the Fun .. ALL the time !!!

Mar 11th, 2005, 04:32 PM	#14 (permalink)
Frogeye58 Which way to the twisties Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: San Diego, CA Local Time: 01:17 PM Posts: 135 Offline	A little more.... =) After putting some more miles on our MCSA, I have discovered the fun and fine art of using both the paddles and the triptronic shifting on the main stick. Basically when you are cornering it is really hard to hit the paddle to up shift or for the matter downshift with the paddles. By simply reaching down to the stick (as you would in a manual) you can easily bump up to downshift, or pull back to up shift. By utilizing both, you get very controlled and perfectly timed shifts. Just recently I had some fun with an INFINITI g35 ! He's lucky I couldn't rev my MCSA past 5k! We stuck with the infiniti for a bit Happy Motoring! Frogeye58@hotmail.com 1958 AN5L Mk1, 2005 MCSA http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/24098/53165.jpg

Apr 1st, 2005, 12:50 AM	#15 (permalink)
Kenmini MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The Ultimate GTA ! Local Time: 09:17 PM Posts: 92 Offline	Wow .. a G35 hey ... you're one brave fella to be doing that during break in period ! I'll probably do the same too but after thats after I'm done my break in ... cuz I know I'm just gonna rev the ** out of the engine to get the fun I need ! 2005 HB/HB MCSA !! ALL the package... ALL the Fun .. ALL the time !!!**

Apr 1st, 2005, 05:25 PM	#16 (permalink)
asterix2112 Waiting for my MINI Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Northern Virginia Local Time: 09:17 PM Posts: 51 Offline	My friend has a G35 (manual) which I have driven a bunch. It is a great car, but I didn't want a full time manual, plus I like the Mini better. What I really wonder is what will be the difference between the cars? After getting my MCSa (2 months) and breakin (as fast as I can) we're going to take both to Summit Point for some track time. We will swich cars too so we can really see which is faster (I am the better driver). I'm expecting the Infiniti to beat my Mini S, which at that time will only probably have the Alta air intake added, but I wonder by how much? Hopefully after the 15% reduction pulley and some other mods I can get the Mini up to the G35 in preformance. We will see.

Apr 1st, 2005, 10:16 PM	#17 (permalink)
Frogeye58 Which way to the twisties Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: San Diego, CA Local Time: 01:17 PM Posts: 135 Offline	G35 Quote: Originally Posted by Kenmini Wow .. a G35 hey ... you're one brave fella to be doing that during break in period ! I'll probably do the same too but after thats after I'm done my break in ... cuz I know I'm just gonna rev the **** out of the engine to get the fun I need ! I kept up with the g35 through first, second, and third from a stop light start.. shifting around 4500-5000 rpm or so. I did not push it. I wanted to though As for the break in...It's going fine. No problems, we're at about 900 miles now. Only alarming thing was the snorting dragon and the new car burn off smells that are finally going away. Frogeye58@hotmail.com 1958 AN5L Mk1, 2005 MCSA http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/24098/53165.jpg

Apr 1st, 2005, 11:12 PM	#18 (permalink)
rsinsheimer Bruiser's Dad Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: NorCal Local Time: 02:17 PM Posts: 152 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Frogeye58 Only alarming thing was the snorting dragon and the new car burn off smells that are finally going away. Okay, I'll bite: "Snorting dragon"? Whazzat?

Apr 2nd, 2005, 05:30 AM	#19 (permalink)
Frogeye58 Which way to the twisties Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: San Diego, CA Local Time: 01:17 PM Posts: 135 Offline	lol search for it Quote: Originally Posted by rsinsheimer Okay, I'll bite: "Snorting dragon"? Whazzat? The snorting dragon is a really cool supercharger inter cooler effect. Basically, your MINI will look like it has just smoked a Cuban while you are sitting at a stop light etc. It's a real attention grabber. All you need to see the snorting dragon is a mist or light rain, and a hot inter cooler. You'll trip at first. You'll think your car is overheating. But after looking at a normal temp gage you'll quickly figure it out. Frogeye58@hotmail.com 1958 AN5L Mk1, 2005 MCSA http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/24098/53165.jpg

Apr 2nd, 2005, 02:58 PM	#20 (permalink)
Kenmini MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The Ultimate GTA ! Local Time: 09:17 PM Posts: 92 Offline	you'll also get this Effect obviously after going through a car wash ( TOUCHLESS OF COURSE !!!! ) ... once I I parked my car just outside of the car wash to wipe off the water from my car ... some dude came up to me looking all curious and stuff and said " buddy , there's smoking coming out of your car man .. I think you should check it out ... I think there's problem. " ... so I told him that its just the intercooler doing his tricks 2005 HB/HB MCSA !! ALL the package... ALL the Fun .. ALL the time !!!

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