RX-8 and the Cooper S
04-28-2010 | 07:11 PM
#1
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RX-8 and the Cooper S
Hey guys, so the other day my mom was thinking about trading in her car for a new mini cooper s. Well, after I let out a little laughter, my dad asked me what was so funny. He said the Cooper S could probably smoke my car (2004 GT 6-speed). So after doing a little research, that thing wasn't as slow as I thought LOL. My question though is....would it really be able to compete/or "smoke" the RX-8? I mean, the 0-60 times delivered by edmunds said 6.5 whereas they tested the new 8 at 6.6-SEVEN SECONDS?! I mean, yeah...the 8 isn't a rocket but I'm pretty shocked right now. Also....this has also been bothering me. How did the times get slower and slower from the 2004 up. Were the 04 times just exaggerated?
04-28-2010 | 07:54 PM
#2
04-28-2010 | 08:13 PM
#5
Momentum Keeps Me Going
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Colorado
Your posting this in the wrong place...it belongs ?????? Your post doesn't have anything to do with racing (this forum section). If you WERE talking about comparing these two cars on a race track...there's nothing to talk about. On a racetrack, the only thing a Mini is .. is a (very) mini obstacle
04-28-2010 | 08:45 PM
#7
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From: CA
i have a '04 cooper s. w/ the 1st iteration of the john cooper works tuning kit it puts out 200hp, in a car that weighs about 2700 pounds and has a decent 6-speed gear box. it's a quick little car. in terms of handling, don't believe that it has no torque steer (it does), but it's on par w/ the best. the suspension setup is firm, and aside from the elise and maybe miata, it honestly is the most go kart-like car on the market. think e36/e46-era bmw in a tiny fwd form. if you're talking the 2nd-gen cooper s w/ the turbo engine, those are even quicker. definitely not to be underestimated. but the 6-speed rx-8 can be coaxed to do 0-60 in 5.9s, and that's still pretty quick
04-29-2010 | 09:37 AM
#10
The Mini Cooper S will surprise a lot of people. Dont underestimate this car. In our club a member has a new Mini turbo and with just a few mods --it turns wicked. 280 whp is reachable fairly easily.
It is a short wheelbased car so on a high speed race track it can get a little more twicky, but i was surprised how stable it was. I like these cars--they are differant--sort of like ours.
OD
It is a short wheelbased car so on a high speed race track it can get a little more twicky, but i was surprised how stable it was. I like these cars--they are differant--sort of like ours.
OD
04-29-2010 | 10:14 AM
#11
There is a recent vid here somewhere that a member posted of him lapping the "Ring" in his 6 Speed and he gets passed by a Mini(looks fairly stock and Euro spec but who knows). Not only does he get passed but seconds later the mini disappears into the corners.
I have seen them at many Autox events and they can be quick. They are Turbo Charged so I am sure there is more than enough power to be made.
I have seen them at many Autox events and they can be quick. They are Turbo Charged so I am sure there is more than enough power to be made.
04-29-2010 | 11:27 AM
#12
Momentum Keeps Me Going
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From: Colorado
To the OP's ?, I know that in 6 yrs track, I've never, ever been passed by a mini, turbo or otherwise. Not that it's not possible, and mods or special editions could change that outcome, driver willing. Also I've really not seen that many on track, and those that I have seen, for some reason or other, they tend to break down, and end up off on the grass a lot 
. They do look fun, that's for sure - but a FWD roller skate may not be the best incarnation of sports car design, although decidely a great fun runabout city car.
I was looking for their front/rear weight distribution spec when I found this hillarious article... to funny...
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/mini-cooper-s/
. They do look fun, that's for sure - but a FWD roller skate may not be the best incarnation of sports car design, although decidely a great fun runabout city car.I was looking for their front/rear weight distribution spec when I found this hillarious article... to funny...
Originally Posted by The Truth About Cars
I’ve been driving go-carts quite a bit lately, so I feel qualified to judge the MINI’s similarity to same. After caning the MINI through California hill and dale, I can proclaim here and now that the MINI Cooper S is indeed the world’s fattest go-cart. The initial turn-in is awesome: tight, accurate and eager. Right until the apex of a turn, the MINI lives up to the hype, steering and responding with the kind of rapid fire, laser-guided confidence that makes motorized dinner trays such a kick in the ***. From the turning point on, the go-cart analogy drives straight into the metaphorical tire wall.
Lest we forget, go-carts are rear wheel-driver machines. After you finish the turn, you plant your foot and power your way home. The MINI is front wheel-drive. Assuming you’re lucky enough to find 4000rpm and summon 162 foot-pounds of torque, flooring it out of a corner creates a nightmarish mix of understeer plowing and angry steering. I tried the same trick with the traction control off– and wondered if my insurance premiums were up to date. While cute, the MINI is not a track-day option.
Lest we forget, go-carts are rear wheel-driver machines. After you finish the turn, you plant your foot and power your way home. The MINI is front wheel-drive. Assuming you’re lucky enough to find 4000rpm and summon 162 foot-pounds of torque, flooring it out of a corner creates a nightmarish mix of understeer plowing and angry steering. I tried the same trick with the traction control off– and wondered if my insurance premiums were up to date. While cute, the MINI is not a track-day option.
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/mini-cooper-s/
04-29-2010 | 01:58 PM
#14
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edit, in the middle of the video below thats my buddies black s2k, hes by no means slow on the track, but his car is mostly stock cept for kw v3 coilovers and re11 tires, i guess that r32 held him up haha
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edit, in the middle of the video below thats my buddies black s2k, hes by no means slow on the track, but his car is mostly stock cept for kw v3 coilovers and re11 tires, i guess that r32 held him up haha
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Last edited by c0ldf1ame; 04-29-2010 at 02:11 PM.
04-29-2010 | 03:40 PM
#15
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The last two track days I've encountered Mini's that were very close to my 6sp auto Rx8. At a slower technical track, Harris Hill Road, I came upon a Mini S with Dunlop Star specs, and less than 170 hp while I have Kuhmo Spt's, and we were close, but I eventually passed. On a high speed track, Eagles Canyon Raceway, I encountered a Mini JCW with over 200 hp, but harder Kuhmo tires. He'd leave me behind on straights, but I easily caught him on the corner by braking hard on stock brakes. My RX8 is fine for my slow reflexs, but if you're talking straight line drag times, the Mini JCW with sticky tires will probably beat a RX8.
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