ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,199
Club RR Member Number: 170
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Apr 13, 2022 10:31:16 GMT
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I had use recently, for a week or so, of an R53 Cooper S. It was great fun to drive, if a bit stiff and uncomfortable at times. The supercharger noise never got old and it was returning 30-32mpg on average over that period, which is about the same as my E46 325. No, it isn't hugely frugal but its not bad and its a 160bhp supercharged engine, not a 998cc Citroen C1 ... Other great things I think the issue is the competition could do better MPG as could other cars with far more power, albeit costlier. As an example -Clio 172 can do 30 around town and low to mid 40s on a run. -E46 M3 can do low 30s on a run and low twenties around town in a city, even if you're not being too careful -Similar deal with something like a C2 VTS, albeit that's a cheaper hatch But compare the R53 MCS to something like a SportKa, which could barely muster 35MPG at 60mph, then the MCS is indeed pretty reasonable to be fair. My wife has an r53 (or a r52 to be precise) cooper s convertible. It has been mentioned here that they are nothing like a 205 to drive, but having driven a 1.9GTI quite a bit I would say that is the nearest thing it reminds me of to drive. For a rag top (and also owning a mk1 golf cab) the chassis is surprisingly stiff with very little in the way of scuttle shake. The blower makes it sound like a proper mini when driving, however it is my sons low power model that catches the essence of an original mini more IMO. Agreed. I'd say a Clio 172 drives more like a 205 GTi compared to an R53, but the R53, especially in MCS format is good in a more refined manner while keeping alot of the fun. Both aren't a million miles away from a 205, albeit they have more of a big car feel, both on the road, and in interior quality, especially the Mini regarding the latter. We also forget the 205 GTi wasn't called a widowmaker for nothing. Two guys I knew of in the Pug circles when I had them lost their lives in them (lift-off oversteer, and I think the second one was a head on in a 40MPH. I've known of folks pass away in other accidents yes, but not -In the same car -From accidents which others have often walked away from (i.e the lift off oversteer example), and I include myself in that count. Tyre technology has tamed the 205 Chassis alot over the years however, having driven my old one on around 4 different types of tyre, including brand, discipline and tyre age. Suspension too played a big part. We forget the 205 GTi was basically fun as it was a paper mache car on wheels ; FWIW I do adore a 205, but I'm also looking at things a little objectively as well.
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Last Edit: Apr 13, 2022 10:38:26 GMT by ChasR
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norm75
Part of things
Posts: 658
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Apr 13, 2022 12:14:51 GMT
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Personally I think the size and styling of the original Bini’s was spot on. I’m not overly keen on the later cars, the styling looks too bulbous, especially at the front brought on by crash safety performance.
People moan that it is too big compared to an original mini. People moan that it’s too small to be practical.
It is by no means big and I wouldn’t want it to be much smaller. They are plenty roomy enough up front and back seats fold so you can fit plenty of shopping in it, it’s not a family car and was never meant to be it is a runaround, a shopping car. We’ve had a 6 foot Christmas tree in the back of ours. Ok it was a bit cold mid December with the roof down but it wouldn’t have gone in our family saloon car!
Style and image. Let us not forget this was a car designed to replace the Rover metro, or 100 series as it was later called. That said the styling was a revelation. I think it perfectly captured the styling of the original and thrust it into the 21st century. It is a car that doesn’t look out of place on a council house driveway or parked outside a stately home, it is both classy and classless at the same time.
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Apr 13, 2022 13:50:53 GMT
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Honestly, the R53 Cooper S is one of the most fun cars I've ever owned, and I regret selling it. Mine was a Checkmate - the run-out special that came with Space Blue paint and the factory-fit LSD. I had it fitted with the 17% pulley, Airtec top-mount, Ramair induction and Scorpion cat-back exhaust, so it was making around 200bhp and some excellent noises. The handling was phenomenal as I fitted Eibach coilovers and ARBs, and had a fast-road setup done by Sussex Road & Race. Obviously it's not cheap to do all that stuff, but it makes for an incredible country lane blaster. It only ever went wrong twice - one of the oil-filled engine mounts went pop (an easy fix, although it looked pretty dramatic!), and the header tank started piddling onto the exhaust manifold which caused a lot of steam; common issue, and fixed by fitting a Canton aluminium tank. Loved that car. Looked sweet on those Speedlines too. DSC_6242 by denialvibes, on Flickr DSC_6232 by denialvibes, on Flickr
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I thought there was a thread on owning these cars, and the cheap ones, like the New Beetle thread I started before. Just saw this pic on FB. And a guy who collected some stuff this week drove a Mk2 Clubman/wagon of these and it reminded me that I really like them, a lot, despite certain irrefutable facts surrounding them. Really do like them modified. Money pit? I,do,blame this pic. And this car, belonging to a guy who collected some stuff from me for this whole thread. I think that after all the comments made, it is safe to say one needs to tread reasonably carefully with these. Especially the Mk1 and Mk2 models which this thread really was about. The older, more basic, the better. And then of course from a practical standpoint the little wagon is my choice. Blank out the rear windows, sign write, whatever and customise to your delight. Drive as a second car and even fuel consumption wont be an issue. This yellow one certainly screams Mooneyes.
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norm75
Part of things
Posts: 658
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Apr 16, 2022 12:00:55 GMT
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The mk1 or r50 (52 in convertible and 53 in cooper s form) was never available as a clubman estate model. That came with the r56 model. Also available with 1.4 psa Diesel engine.
Regarding blanking windows and sign writing, the did do a van version of the clubman.
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Last Edit: Apr 16, 2022 12:01:57 GMT by norm75
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Apr 16, 2022 16:12:42 GMT
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Regarding blanking windows and sign writing, the did do a van version of the clubman. They did, I think it was called the Clubvan - seem to fetch a premium last time I looked.
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Apr 16, 2022 17:01:47 GMT
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Regarding blanking windows and sign writing, the did do a van version of the clubman. They did, I think it was called the Clubvan - seem to fetch a premium last time I looked. Correct. Hence building a fake. Still better loading capacity.
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Nathan
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 5,627
Club RR Member Number: 1
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Apr 19, 2022 14:34:37 GMT
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Had the R53 for 3 years, was a fantastic car, but the mileage it was doing just killed it. In the end the car just broke my spirit with one thing after another breaking, you'd think I'd be Ok owning plenty of chod over 40 years old. The Mini however just pushed the boundary in that regard. They do test your mechanical ability that's for certain! Would I have another? Yes in a heartbeat as a weekend B-road blaster.... as an every day car? Not a chance.
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Last Edit: Apr 19, 2022 14:35:25 GMT by Nathan
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