Sluggish feeling MINI Cooper

[Chilipeppa03]

Hey guys, I have a 2003 MINI Cooper and I would like to know it the your MINIs every feel heavy or sluggish around slower speed. I find that the steering is very heavy sometimes mostly in a parking lot. Also My MINI is still not the good off the line even with an intake and exhaust system. Are these normal things for MINI Coopers to do or is it just in my head?

[TallAndy]

I suppose it depends what you have driven previously. My previous car to MCS was a 1.4 VW Polo - my 0-60 is now halved so it feels seriously quick by comparison. But my friend has a Nissan 350z which i've driven on a number of ocassions, and my MCS feels a little sluggish off the mark compared to that, mainly as the 350z has loads more torque and power.

[Chilipeppa03]

true true, but this is my first car

[TallAndy]

Try and drive some other cars then, will help you get an idea of performance between vehicles

[Chilipeppa03]

it probaly all in my head!!

[S33BBY]

Quote: Originally Posted by Chilipeppa03

Hey guys, I have a 2003 MINI Cooper and I would like to know it the your MINIs every feel heavy or sluggish around slower speed. I find that the steering is very heavy sometimes mostly in a parking lot. Also My MINI is still not the good off the line even with an intake and exhaust system. Are these normal things for MINI Coopers to do or is it just in my head?

I do know what you're saying about the heaviness when you're going slowly, but I can assure you it's normal. I look at it as a sign of quality.

As already mentioned, try driving another car and the MINI won't feel sluggish!

[badboyzbadboyz]

Quote: Originally Posted by andeh

Try and drive some other cars then, will help you get an idea of performance between vehicles

This is good advise. Like someone else on this thread I have a friend who drives a 350Z and I was pleasantly suprised to see how the 280 bhp 3.5 litre Nissan fairs up against the MINI. It goes without saying that its faster but not by as much as I thought it would be. Also in stock form the 350Z is quite prone to heavy oversteer, so he can have some real trouble keeping up through some nice twistie roads. The 350z is a great car though

If you drive a MCS properly and its in its ideal environment (twistie roads or loads of roundabouts) it really is hard to keep up with.