Your first G_P driving impressions - do tell

[R1]

Looking good. Glad your enjoying it.

[Goonery]

Quote: Originally Posted by GBMINI (original)

White roof?!

Its definitely silver

[ASTON]

great pics cant wait till i get mine

[Jim Ray]

Quote: Originally Posted by GBMINI (original)

White roof?!

Well, some of us are not lucky enough to have seen the car in person. Remember, US specifications are not solidified as of yet.

Ok, the paint masking where the unknown roof color joins the unknown body color looks crisp and well done. On the British deliver cars only, as determined by photographic evidence only.

However, only the US gets the 16" front rotors. So there!

[R1]

Quote: Originally Posted by Jim Ray (original)

Well, some of us are not lucky enough to have seen the car in person. Remember, US specifications are not solidified as of yet.

Ok, the paint masking where the unknown roof color joins the unknown body color looks crisp and well done. On the British deliver cars only, as determined by photographic evidence only.

However, only the US gets the 16" front rotors. So there!

That's because of the average extra weight of the drivers over there!!

[JCW_GP0128]

Got the car last Saturday and done 540 miles since. Not as much as some but enough for me. Car is great but you get a lot of looks from a crowd you wouldn't want to. Handling is great, but the car is skitterish on rough surfaces (the roads in Scotland are bad!) Handles really well when the roads are smooth it just encourages you to try every corner twice and test the limits. Must say that it was money well spent. Even though the dealer was useless. Was meant to go on the New Mini Scotland Oban run but didn't get round to it. Unfortunate. Maybe next time... Nurburgring here I come!

[Electric Blue]

Quote: Originally Posted by JCW_GP0128 (original)

Nurburgring here I come!

now there is somewhere it should really shine!

[Chief_Charlie]

Cautionary note, the front bumper has quite a low clearance out towards the corners of the car, watch out for speed bumps and kerbstones. I have spotted it in time, but its probably lower in these areas bu maybe 2 inches than a standard S bumper.

Goonery,
Is the potion of the front bumper that's 2 in. lower than the S a hard, immovable plastic piece; or will it flex if you find a speed bump that's too high for the GP's liking?
Charlie

[Goonery]

Quote: Originally Posted by Chief_Charlie (original)

Cautionary note, the front bumper has quite a low clearance out towards the corners of the car, watch out for speed bumps and kerbstones. I have spotted it in time, but its probably lower in these areas bu maybe 2 inches than a standard S bumper.

Goonery,
Is the potion of the front bumper that's 2 in. lower than the S a hard, immovable plastic piece; or will it flex if you find a speed bump that's too high for the GP's liking?
Charlie

Here are some pics the clean ones show the GP, as you can see its a short softish plastic airdam which is screwed to the lower bumper finisher , so easy and cheap to replace.
The height is around 3 inches as the ruler shows and this is the lowest part of the car.
The dirty picture is a standard 'S' its about 4.5" , but does go down to around 4 inches at the centre of the car.
The GP handles speed bumps surprising well, I'd even be so bold as to say it better than my old 'S' but maybe I'm being more careful

[Lorien]

well two more weeks for me.. and this thread doesnt help at all. driving around with a rented Alfa 159 M and keep whining to my wife all the time on how hard it is to wait for the GP. its driving me nuts.. even more than back in 2002 when I was waiting for my BRG Cooper.

keep the reports coming though

Quote: Originally Posted by GBMINI (original)

Snow tires will be tricky on the GP because of the JCW brake kit - a standard MINI 16" wheel won't fit.
You want smaller wheels for the winter so that the tire width is also narrower - but only one 16" MINI wheel is suitable (don't remember the number). In USA, tirerack can advise a couple of aftermarket 16" wheels.

I don't know if an 18" snow tire exists at all - but personally I'd want to change the wheel/tire combo to minimize the number of tire changes to the special GP wheels (so minimize the risk of wheel damage) - as well as the narrower tire issue.

And of course I'd choose aftermarket non-runflat snow tires; lots more choice at better prices.


There are also other reasons why it might not be good to take a GP through winter - it's lowered (less clearance), and the aero panels under the car might collect winter crud / salt / etc, risking rust. I think I'd have to get the panels removed and cleaned underneath, if I drive the GP through winter.

I see. well I spent some time reading, and looks like I will probably go for the Brigstone BLIZZAK WS-50. Will this work on the GP with the JCW brake kit? here are all the sizes..(attached) which do I want? thanks for your help.. this is a topic I need help with.

[Chief_Charlie]

Quote: Originally Posted by Goonery (original)

Here are some pics the clean ones show the GP, as you can see its a short softish plastic airdam which is screwed to the lower bumper finisher , so easy and cheap to replace.
The height is around 3 inches as the ruler shows and this is the lowest part of the car.
The dirty picture is a standard 'S' its about 4.5" , but does go down to around 4 inches at the centre of the car.
The GP handles speed bumps surprising well, I'd even be so bold as to say it better than my old 'S' but maybe I'm being more careful

Yes, it looks like these pieces will "glide" over a speed bump with some abrasion, but look to be easily replacible for those of us who are AR and want the "concours look"

Thanks so much for the photos; and check for a PM.

[Jim Ray]

Quote: Originally Posted by Chief_Charlie (original)

Yes, it looks like these pieces will "glide" over a speed bump with some abrasion, but look to be easily replacible for those of us who are AR and want the "concours look"

Thanks so much for the photos; and check for a PM.

Question for you Charlie, will the GP be street legal in California? Is the law still that the lowest part of a car can not be lower than the rim of the wheel?

18" from 24" total diameter = 6". The outer lip of the rim is below the diameter of the tire. Hmm, you and Jimskater may have to run 15" wheels also.

[GBMINI]

Quote: Originally Posted by Lorien (original)

... looks like I will probably go for the Brigstone BLIZZAK WS-50. Will this work on the GP with the JCW brake kit? here are all the sizes..(attached) which do I want? thanks for your help.. this is a topic I need help with.

Your best choice from that table would be the WS50 AZ 205/50R16 - provided you can source a 16" wheel that clears the JCW brake kit.
This MotoringFile post details the MINI wheels that will clear the kit - the "R94 bridge spokes" are apparently the recommended ones

[Lorien]

Quote: Originally Posted by GBMINI (original)

Your best choice from that table would be the WS50 AZ 205/50R16 - provided you can source a 16" wheel that clears the JCW brake kit.
This MotoringFile post details the MINI wheels that will clear the kit - the "R94 bridge spokes" are apparently the recommended ones

ok thanks. and now this might a really stupid question.. but : so i cant just buy the tires and replace them? i need to go out and change the entire wheel??

[PmP]

Next week cant come fast enough now!