Regarding turn-in, where the old r53 come out (or goes in) first, I’d like to read a review after installing camber/caster plates.

5.7 0-60 times were posted by Grass Roots Motorsports and SCCA Autocross driver, Per Schroeder. And 5.7 was the average, He had a couple runs that were even LOWER!!! You can check out all their R56S experiences at http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/news/category/project-cars/current-project-cars/2007-mini-cooper-s/

If you want to see R56S JCW dyno charts there are both US and UK spec ones here: http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/showthread.php?t=120528

Shouldn’t be too hard to find in the R56 archieves.

All great cars, but as the miata grew up and got faster, she also got a lot more refined. Better? Always a debate….

Its more around 6.7-7.5 depending on how fast of a shifter you are. Of course the turbo is gonna feel faster because of all the low end torque, but guess what, it still revs as high as the R53.

If they gave it a 7K rpm redline, it’d be faster for sure.

I know im biased towards hondas, but go drive a new si, redline it at 8k, and tell us honestly which is faster. low end torque dosent mean much in race cars as long as you have top end

Put’m both on a track with the same driver and then we’ll see. I’ve read over and over that the new motor “feels” way faster, but is in fact not…it’s possible to play with drive-by-wire and trick the fanny dyno into thinking a car is faster. I think posted 0-60 and 1/4 miles times are pretty close if we refer to the big three magazines.

To answer your question – Here’s my MCS before the engine kit install passing all sorts of cars (including an R53 with a pulley) at a recent BMWCCA track day. And before you ask, both cars had track experienced drivers behind the wheel. BTW don’t pay attention to the ever-changing gap on the straight-away as I was trying to give people in front of me plenty of room going into turns one and two which can be a bit tricky as they carry so much speed.

[ 2007 MCS at the track (BMWCCA HPDS) ] MotoringFile

I recall a while ago someone posted 0-60 times as low as 5.7 with a stock R56 MCS. I would guess stage one would know a few tenths of a seconds faster.

This is the best review of it’s kind I’ve read to date, and I’d love to read a matchup like this between the two most refined of the models. Anyone done this yet?

I’d be happy to do the same if someone in the Chicago area wants to give me their ’05/’06 JCW MCS next spring for a day. It would need LSD and preferably JCW brakes for a equal test. JCW suspension would be a bonus.

As an aside I have driven the R53 JCW extensively – having had both a GP and a ’06 JCW for a week each. I can tell you from experience (not a back to back test mind you) that the R56 JCW still feels faster. Especially in the first half of the rev range.

However I think what we have here is the natural comparison though. The previous JCW Kit will match up better with that is coming from the factory next year.