I’m not sure why they didn’t leave the LSD as an option though–it should still be theoretically possible to put it on, and for $500, the LSD was one of the few options on the MINI that could really be considered a bargain. A cynic would say maybe that’s why they got rid of it….:)

Do some reading on what’s in the EVO MR or the GT-R. Electronics up the wazoo! Anyone complaining about how fast the GT-R is around the Nurburgring? Don’t think so…..

As far as automotive electronics in general, everyone biatched about the end of the carborator and the onset of electronic fuel injection, but now without it, we wouldn’t have the power and efficiency numbers that we have.

Want mechanical timing? Centripital weights and a vacuum diaphram in a distributor? Not me…. Give me a crank triggered CPU controlled timing curve with a knock sensor to keep things in check any day of the week.

Just some other examples to think about, for all those that bitch about the changes coming to todays cars….

What’s usually the problem for the Mini (And other lower cost cars) is that while the systems ARE much more capable than the mechanical systems they replace, we don’t get access to the full system operating range like the higher end cars. DSC is a perfect example. We’re stuck with a rather bad compramize (out of the box) while high end cars get multiple setting levels that can even allow for some nice, uh, oversteer situations in aggressive turns. We get what we get, one setting, love it or hate it. Like all compramises, there are places where it’s good, others where it’s not so good.

So I guess what’s bad is we’re getting high end systems in low end cars, and suffer for it.

Matt

I know you can’t come right out and say it Gabe but I think I see what you’re getting at here. If I’m inferring correctly then that’s iMpressive ;-).

its a shame that the first thing to fail on all BMWs are the electronics… typically within the first 6 months of ownership =)

in any case, im still waiting for my 1.8-2.0L turbo motor (by means of either bore or stroking, or both), LSD, aero kit, and suspension, for under $32K… that way, it actually has a chance against the R32 which seems vastly superior to the mini interior, exterior, and performance. Even the GTI looks like a better deal. The only thing that mini has going for it is the look of the mini itself. and again, i really hate VW, but i might be forced to go that route at that price point.

if mini doesn’t announce a GP version within 12 months, i will completely give up on mini.

ONLY the S model is turbo charged in the US.

Not bad for a powerplant that was pretty much put together in 12 months by then former Chrysler Corporation in the ’96-’97 time period.

I’m still a little wigged by its Peugeot heritage, and that it might be too clever for its own good in the end. But it is quite a tech monster.

Just to reiterate what has been on MF in the past. The engine was designed by BMW (I’ve talked to the german engineer who headed the project and lead the design). The block is cast in a PSA plant. It’s then shipped over to the UK where the entire thing is manufactured.

The JCW modifications were engineered and design solely at BMW in Munich. Someday maybe I’ll be able to let slip some of the more impressive details but lets just say it has some pedigree (despite not having LSD).

The turbo engine block gets steel sintered onto the aluminum around the crank journals, and it gets an oil/water heat exchanger. The blocks are cast in different processes, (n/a=lost foam, turbo=low pressure), and the heads are totally different. Plus, the turbo engine gets different pistons with a different combustion chamber.

The R53 has a lot to speak for it, but the tritec engine is not necessarily the best in comparison to the prince series, at least not on the technology front. I’m still a little wigged by its Peugeot heritage, and that it might be too clever for its own good in the end. But it is quite a tech monster.

Unfortunately, both R53 and R56 suffers from the same hit or miss LuK OEM clutch disk/flywheel assemblies that either seem to die prematurely or last forever if they are well abused.

And I have personally put 80k hard miles, including many track days, on the Getrag 6 speed and stock clutch at 180 ftlbs peak torque at the crank with zero issues, and many people are driving competitively with stock R53 drivetrains, so I think that sh!t’s pretty solid.

Last thing I’m going to do is make any blanket statements about R53 or R56 reliability – I’ll leave that for NAM :) I will however gladly review a new JCW on the track if MINI will give me one.

And I have personally put 80k hard miles, including many track days, on the Getrag 6 speed and stock clutch at 180 ftlbs peak torque at the crank with zero issues, and many people are driving competitively with stock R53 drivetrains, so I think that sh!t’s pretty solid.