I have never raced a car in my entire 53 years and it looks like a lot of fun. I was wondering if it takes a lot of nerve to do what you do on the track? Are you trained race car driver< can anyone modify their car and do what you do on the race track? I was surprised that you were able to keep up with that Porsche, was it a slow Porsche or inexperience driver?
Keith Mitchell It is a little scary at first but you don't all the sudden drive fast like this, it is a learning process where you gradually build up speed. Never drive faster than your ability or the car's ability. Anyone who is driving on a track like this will have had some form of classroom training followed by driving with an instructor, and finally being signed off to drive solo. Modification is entirely optional, but it helps to address shortcomings or issues where one performance aspect of the car is not balanced with others (car handles well but is slow, car is fast but doesn't brake well, etc.) Porsche driver was probably less experienced, could have been trying something new, taking his time to warm up, talking to a passenger (people drive slower when they are talking) etc. My MINI makes 240HP at the wheel though, so it is almost as fast around the track as some older Porsches. I suppose some nerves are required, a willingness to take some risk, but as I mentioned, always drive within your limits or you will be a danger to yourself and others.
hello, I see you have a lot of experience with mini coopers and was wondering if you could help me out. I am looking to get an 05 mini S with 90k miles; and was wondering if they are reliable cars. I know that the clutch is weak and will be replacing it as well as the power steering pump. Are their any problems I should be aware of? Thanks a lot!
stephen woskoska Gen 1 2004-2006 are the most reliable, but a MINI will never be as reliable as something like a Toyota. Clutch is not really a weak spot on a Cooper S, typically they last around 130K miles. Power steering pump is probably covered under extended warranty for that MINI. For other stuff, see the video I made for this type of question: ruclips.net/video/QUhzyfb3cxg/видео.html&lc
stephen woskoska Based on my experiences - bought mine a few months ago - 2002 Cooper S with 100K miles on the clock and what I have had to do so far to replace bits previous owners had neglected: Suspension parts, bushes and joints are likely contenders for stuff you should budget for - Front Top mounts take a bit of a pounding, outer/inner ball joints, rear wishbone bush. Engine related - engine mounts, oil leaks (crank position sensor o-ring - fairly easy to do) Though to be honest, I like to do as many bits as I can when I get a new car because then I know it has been done. Nothing major, similar items wear/damage on other cars I have owned at this sort of age/miles. The Mini being popular here in the UK gives you plenty of choice of second hand cars so take your time over choosing the right vehicle for you. Oh and Mod MINI videos are are absolutely the best source of information for any home mechanic looking to undertake the above. If something needs doing on my car, I watch the video and see if the tools are in budget/worth getting and how involved each job is before I decide to take it to a garage or do it myself. So far I have only had to take it to a specialist for the charger pulley upgrade as was a tool I didn't think worth investing in for a one-off use.
Tylar Haugan Lower is better of course, to the extent your budget allows. 100K is ok, I'd be cautious getting into a MINI with much more than that if you don't know the history.
***** the throttle response on the mini first Gens is terrible anyway the stepper motor on the tb isn't fast enough... Thanks drive by wire.... Your RPM seems low when coming out the corners though I'm assuming 3rd gear? Maybe knock her down a peg so your on 4k as you leave the corner your on boost then and the engine seems to rev up quicker after 4k taking her to 5.5/6 then changing so your in boost for the next gear
Slugworth 1987 I've tried going through both ways, sometimes it's faster /less busy to stay in gear. When you shift, you lose forward momentum until you are engaged in the next gear, and busyness in the braking zone can mean more conservative braking and less speed carried through the corner. I'll be back on this track in a couple weeks and will play around some more though.
Get it recorded matey :) would you be able to get the speedo and rpm use the rear glass as your mount ;) might also get some sweet zaust noise lol. Either way keep up the good work your guides have been alot of help even on my One
Looks fast! Check out my latest video of my Mini Cooper S R53 at this track. I watched a couple of your videos for bearing replacements for rusty old ones and brake replacement... very helpful! Thanks.
Great laps she really performed well, you kept up with the whale tail pretty well.
What an absolute blast! Thanks for bringin' us along!
Looks like a blast.
looks like my typical morning driving to work!!! lol ( proud owner of 2012 Cooper S)
It doesn't get much more fun than that.
awesome track work. looked at the begining that it was alittle heckteck lol
honhon05 It has busy sections - that's part of the fun.
I have never raced a car in my entire 53 years and it looks like a lot of fun. I was wondering if it takes a lot of nerve to do what you do on the track? Are you trained race car driver< can anyone modify their car and do what you do on the race track? I was surprised that you were able to keep up with that Porsche, was it a slow Porsche or inexperience driver?
Keith Mitchell It is a little scary at first but you don't all the sudden drive fast like this, it is a learning process where you gradually build up speed. Never drive faster than your ability or the car's ability. Anyone who is driving on a track like this will have had some form of classroom training followed by driving with an instructor, and finally being signed off to drive solo. Modification is entirely optional, but it helps to address shortcomings or issues where one performance aspect of the car is not balanced with others (car handles well but is slow, car is fast but doesn't brake well, etc.)
Porsche driver was probably less experienced, could have been trying something new, taking his time to warm up, talking to a passenger (people drive slower when they are talking) etc.
My MINI makes 240HP at the wheel though, so it is almost as fast around the track as some older Porsches.
I suppose some nerves are required, a willingness to take some risk, but as I mentioned, always drive within your limits or you will be a danger to yourself and others.
hello, I see you have a lot of experience with mini coopers and was wondering if you could help me out. I am looking to get an 05 mini S with 90k miles; and was wondering if they are reliable cars. I know that the clutch is weak and will be replacing it as well as the power steering pump. Are their any problems I should be aware of? Thanks a lot!
stephen woskoska Gen 1 2004-2006 are the most reliable, but a MINI will never be as reliable as something like a Toyota. Clutch is not really a weak spot on a Cooper S, typically they last around 130K miles. Power steering pump is probably covered under extended warranty for that MINI. For other stuff, see the video I made for this type of question: ruclips.net/video/QUhzyfb3cxg/видео.html&lc
stephen woskoska Based on my experiences - bought mine a few months ago - 2002 Cooper S with 100K miles on the clock and what I have had to do so far to replace bits previous owners had neglected:
Suspension parts, bushes and joints are likely contenders for stuff you should budget for - Front Top mounts take a bit of a pounding, outer/inner ball joints, rear wishbone bush.
Engine related - engine mounts, oil leaks (crank position sensor o-ring - fairly easy to do)
Though to be honest, I like to do as many bits as I can when I get a new car because then I know it has been done.
Nothing major, similar items wear/damage on other cars I have owned at this sort of age/miles. The Mini being popular here in the UK gives you plenty of choice of second hand cars so take your time over choosing the right vehicle for you.
Oh and Mod MINI videos are are absolutely the best source of information for any home mechanic looking to undertake the above. If something needs doing on my car, I watch the video and see if the tools are in budget/worth getting and how involved each job is before I decide to take it to a garage or do it myself. So far I have only had to take it to a specialist for the charger pulley upgrade as was a tool I didn't think worth investing in for a one-off use.
I am looking to get a 2003 mini Cooper s what's the max number of miles I should be looking for
Like any petrol engine 200k is to much. 100k parts are starting to wear. 50k the things not run in
Tylar Haugan Lower is better of course, to the extent your budget allows. 100K is ok, I'd be cautious getting into a MINI with much more than that if you don't know the history.
You need a short shifter. I can hear the throttle still rising as you shift.
Husam Hammadi That's just the way the tune is. Gen MINI is a notchy shifter, if I forced it into the next gear any faster, I'd wear out the syncros.
***** the throttle response on the mini first Gens is terrible anyway the stepper motor on the tb isn't fast enough... Thanks drive by wire.... Your RPM seems low when coming out the corners though I'm assuming 3rd gear? Maybe knock her down a peg so your on 4k as you leave the corner your on boost then and the engine seems to rev up quicker after 4k taking her to 5.5/6 then changing so your in boost for the next gear
***** that's weird. That's exactly how my previous R53 sounded through gears. My current one doesn't as it has a short shifter
Slugworth 1987 I've tried going through both ways, sometimes it's faster /less busy to stay in gear. When you shift, you lose forward momentum until you are engaged in the next gear, and busyness in the braking zone can mean more conservative braking and less speed carried through the corner. I'll be back on this track in a couple weeks and will play around some more though.
Get it recorded matey :) would you be able to get the speedo and rpm use the rear glass as your mount ;) might also get some sweet zaust noise lol. Either way keep up the good work your guides have been alot of help even on my One
Looks fast! Check out my latest video of my Mini Cooper S R53 at this track. I watched a couple of your videos for bearing replacements for rusty old ones and brake replacement... very helpful! Thanks.