Cooper S at large.
Discussion
Last week I followed an R reg unbadged black Mini to Gaydon via M40. The body kit, twin exhausts and bonnet scoop singled it out as a Cooper S, the quality of the driving identified the pilot as a pro capable and willing to make use of power to overtake.
The car looked well used and was a little bit smokey which was useful as it showed when a lower gear was engaged. Clearly I couldn't tell how much throttle was being applied but the in gear (no down change) 60 to 90ish acceleration was very impressive on occassions pulling away from me even though I was trying to stay in touch. To put matters into perspective the Escort Cosworth that I met later that day on the M6 was not able to pull away in the same circumstances.
Looks as though it will be a lot of fun.
>>> Edited by gnomesmith on Wednesday 27th March 00:44
The car looked well used and was a little bit smokey which was useful as it showed when a lower gear was engaged. Clearly I couldn't tell how much throttle was being applied but the in gear (no down change) 60 to 90ish acceleration was very impressive on occassions pulling away from me even though I was trying to stay in touch. To put matters into perspective the Escort Cosworth that I met later that day on the M6 was not able to pull away in the same circumstances.
Looks as though it will be a lot of fun.
>>> Edited by gnomesmith on Wednesday 27th March 00:44
It wasn't me. But my newish Mini Cooper S (X reg) which I got on Friday is a nippy little car (not Tiv or Lotus standard, of course, but quite surprising as a friend found out today).
I haven't had the mods as described above but It will happily cruise at 80-90mph and I still find I'm accelerating faster than the numptie in front at the lights.
I'm still getting used to the car but one part I have found which is fun, is that the road has suddenly got much wider meaning nicer lines to carry more speed through the corner. However on the down side B@st@rds seem to cut you up more as they think "I'll nip in front of this slow mini"
It also means I've now got a back window for a Pistonheads sticker Ted expect and order soon
(a tax disk holder small would be nice as well better than the one the garage gave me)
I haven't had the mods as described above but It will happily cruise at 80-90mph and I still find I'm accelerating faster than the numptie in front at the lights.
I'm still getting used to the car but one part I have found which is fun, is that the road has suddenly got much wider meaning nicer lines to carry more speed through the corner. However on the down side B@st@rds seem to cut you up more as they think "I'll nip in front of this slow mini"
It also means I've now got a back window for a Pistonheads sticker Ted expect and order soon
(a tax disk holder small would be nice as well better than the one the garage gave me) quote:
Last week I followed an R reg unbadged black Mini to Gaydon via M40. The body kit, twin exhausts and bonnet scoop singled it out as a Cooper S, the quality of the driving identified the pilot as a pro capable and willing to make use of power to overtake.
>>> Edited by gnomesmith on Wednesday 27th March 00:44
This car has been reported in the mini fraternity for a while now. I have seen it "making progress" up the M40 and M42 as well and agree about the pilot's skills.
I suspect it's a development hack, but it did rather blow it's cover by attending the Mini mig/se7en event at Cadwell Park this time last year !!Nope this one was R registered, there are so many Mini development hacks on Y plates I dont even give them a second glance. The 'R' S (good name for a car ?) was also LHD as are so many of the Mini press cars.
As an aside some years ago I bought an ex Vauxhall test fleet 2.3 Magnum which went quite well. After an incident with a cooling hose I stripped it down to repair and decided to fit a Blydenstein Big Valve Head and a hotter cam. My hot bits proved to be the same as those fitted, further investigation revealed a stroker crank giving 2.6 litres. Vauxhall claimed that a subsequent owner must have modded the engine however I had acquired it direct from Vauxhall albeit not through normal channels. It does however explain some very good road test figures for the press fleet and reminds me to exercise caution when using a development car as a yardstick for what will be in the showroom.
As an aside some years ago I bought an ex Vauxhall test fleet 2.3 Magnum which went quite well. After an incident with a cooling hose I stripped it down to repair and decided to fit a Blydenstein Big Valve Head and a hotter cam. My hot bits proved to be the same as those fitted, further investigation revealed a stroker crank giving 2.6 litres. Vauxhall claimed that a subsequent owner must have modded the engine however I had acquired it direct from Vauxhall albeit not through normal channels. It does however explain some very good road test figures for the press fleet and reminds me to exercise caution when using a development car as a yardstick for what will be in the showroom.
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