01-05-2011, 09:54 AM | #21 | |
Western Anomaly
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there were times when i wanted "more" highway passing (military grade) power and you know, you can hear the engine just straining and giving you all the boost its got to get there. those were the (many) times i wished for more displacement or an added turbo. the speed3 has that military power for highway cruising and passing. i think the R56 is much better suited for stop and go commuting (less weight, more immediate turbo power), but those moments of open road.....
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01-05-2011, 10:03 AM | #22 |
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When I've driven the MCS, I've thought it could really use 10-15% more power. But, really, that's not what the car is about. There's a balance to it as it is. And that is what you appreciate (or don't, as the case may be).
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01-05-2011, 10:10 AM | #23 |
Western Anomaly
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Yeah. I know. I agree with you, TD.
The 135 is slightly on the wrong side of the balance, but I'm happier just a smidgen on this side if the equation. The one thing people miss is how great the short wheelbase is on the mini. It makes a huge difference.
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01-05-2011, 10:11 AM | #24 | |
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More displacement would solve this...but more displacement would likely mean a bigger, heavier engine, beefier drivetrain and suspension bits, increased weight, decreased balance, and on and on. Aside from the torque steer that you get in full throttle corner exits, the MCS is just about perfect for me, dynamically. I wouldn't change much of anything. |
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01-05-2011, 10:16 AM | #25 | |
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EDIT- And at least kind of attractive. |
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01-05-2011, 10:35 AM | #26 |
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My wife had an '02 MCS, so an R52. It was a blast to drive, although it had a power gap under ~2500 rpm or so where it was very sluggish. Other than that power gap, we never felt that it was underpowered.
We tested an R56 Clubman S about ~20 months ago. The newer engine solved most of that power gap issue -- it felt like more torque was avail lower in the RPM range. It also felt more refined overall -- not as much road noise in the cabin for example.
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01-05-2011, 10:53 AM | #27 |
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01-05-2011, 11:53 AM | #28 |
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Thanks for the correction. Its been gone for over 4 years now and my memory isn't what it used to be ;-)
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01-05-2011, 11:57 AM | #29 | |
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R50 = Cooper R52 = Cooper and Cooper S Convertible R53 = Cooper S (why does this get its own "R" number when both of the convertibles have the same one?) I wonder what the R51 was?
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01-05-2011, 12:07 PM | #30 |
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