mimi handling

[4WD]

I had a good look on the z-cars website. Really can't belive how fast these minis are! Looks like a great laugh to me. I might consider something like this for a spot of weekend country lane fun (as a second car).

Are these minis actually usable at any sort of high speed on our bumpy UK roads? Would they keep up with something like a caterham - which has been designed to handle properly from the outset?

I've only driven a standard (proper) cooper. To me the suspension seemed like there was no damping at all, as the ride was rather bouncy. Also the steering was a bit odd, being a bit push-pull, rather than the usual turning sensation of modern cars.

I know a lot of this is the character of the mini, but people upgrade various parts to improve the handling don't they. What are the best handling upgrades out there? So far I have only heard of...

1. Fitting larger wheels
2. Dropping the steering angle down a bit
3. Changing the dampers (but what to?..)

Can everyone that knows about mini tuning add a few things to this list........

[Cooperman]

I did a big article a while ago covering lots of aspects of Mini handling.
It's on James Skinner's (that's 'Miniman') own website:
www.minispecial.com/refer.asp?refer=ph

It should still be on there. Basically it covers what you need to know about handling for road, rally and race Minis.You might find it helpful.
By the way my red rally Cooper 'S' has been known to pull 90 mph+ on gravel roads and just on 100 mph on bumpy and twisty tarmac on special stages.

I hope this helps.

[miniman]

Direct link to the page is:

www.minispecial.com/technical/showarticle.asp?article=1

It's a great article.