Mustang for a MINI

Well here we go again. I was checking auction sites, with my employer and it looks like 2006 MINI Cooper S's are selling pretty cheap these days. Low km versions in the $6-8k region, makes it tempting but I would have to sell my '88 Mustang LX 5.0L. I would make the Cooper S my autocrosser and keep my other MINI for daily stuff. The big bonus is that they would both, barely, fit in my garage. Right now the Mustang and half a MINI will fit. Mustang is a lot of fun to drive but the MINI, it's in another world as far as handling goes. Mustang makes all the right noises but I could get used to that supercharger whine. Doesn't help that I just went on a MINI rally and there were so many awesome MINI's. I'm selling the idea to my wife as a his/her's MINI, as she enjoys driving the Cooper. Mustang costs me next to nothing to insure and parts are dirt cheap, MINI, not so much. I could get some mounts to fit my Corbeau seat from the Mustang to fit the MINI, I could also use the Dunlops on there and fit them as well. I've had the Mustang for 3 years, the longest I've had a car in a while. I would park the Cooper S in the winter, just like the Mustang but I would still be able to use my garage, with some reorganization. Should I stay status quo or is it time for a change, I would like to run regionals and maybe some SCCA events next year...thoughts.

How hard is it to make a Foxbody handle?

nepa03focus wrote: How hard is it to make a Foxbody handle?

Mine is fun on the track stock, but I'm not setting any records. An IRS from an '03 Cobra would make a huge difference as would bigger sway bars, rear disc brakes, shocks, springs and well you get the point. It's a fun car to slide around but It's a hammer and the MINI is a scalpel.

I really regret selling my '06 Cooper S a couple of months ago. I loved that car. Ironically I had the S and a S197 GT at the same time. Usually I drove the Cooper and moved the Mustang on in short order. I vote MINI, but I am biased.

I would get the other Mini. It's a better version of something you already know you like, and your partner will probably like it a lot more than the Mustang too (although thats a tertiary consideration at best to me, most of the time).

I listed the Mustang on a forum that I'm on, for Mustang owners. No bites yet as I've listed it for way too much money, see what happens. I'll keep you updated. Thanks for the input thus far.

Completely biased vote for the Cooper. R53's whine is quite addicting.

My son was a BMW tech for a while & IIRC, learned that to replace the water pump on a Cooper S, one has to remove the blower. That makes me think they may not be a pleasure to maintain.

Yeah, they aren't the most reliable of things and the parts can be expensive. The motors are pretty good though and they are fun. I took over my wife's 2006 cabrio last year. Replaced the struts, LCA bushings, ball joints, tires, brakes calipers, strut tops, gas cap, exhaust, trans valve body TWICE, EVAP pump, gas cap, purge valve, fixed rust around tail lights and license plate, PS fan. I like the car now, but HATE the automatic. If it were manual I wouldn't hesitate to keep it five more years.

I've been around new MINI's since 2003. It depends a littel bit one what you want to do with it. Definitely look for an '05 or '06 as they made minor improvements over time. Do you plan to mod the car? If so, a base S is fine. If not, then get a factory JCW.

LCA bushings are common. Replace with PowerFlex poly versions.

Yes, the water pump is driven off the tail side of the supercharger, so yes it has to come off to replace. Yes, it is quite a job, but unlike old 'Merican cars, a water pump R&R isn't easy on a lot of cars.

The strut towers often "mushroom" as well. This can be dealt with via Ireland Engineerig fix camber plates (a good upgrade anyway) and/or Craven "Defenders" which reinforce the sheetmetal (avoid the M7 versions that don't work).

Replaced the struts, LCA bushings, ball joints, tires, brakes calipers, strut tops, gas cap, exhaust, trans valve body TWICE, EVAP pump, gas cap, purge valve, fixed rust around tail lights and license plate, PS fan. I like the car now, but HATE the automatic.

LOL, makes it sound like you dumped all the time and money 'only to find out it's an automatic! rats! If only i'd known!'

Vigo wrote:

Replaced the struts, LCA bushings, ball joints, tires, brakes calipers, strut tops, gas cap, exhaust, trans valve body TWICE, EVAP pump, gas cap, purge valve, fixed rust around tail lights and license plate, PS fan. I like the car now, but HATE the automatic.

LOL, makes it sound like you dumped all the time and money 'only to find out it's an automatic! rats! If only i'd known!'

Kind of. It was my wife's car so I fixed it up for her and I would occasionally use it. She got tired of it and wanted something smoother at the same time I dumped my problematic Saab so ended up daily driving a fixed up MINI with a hateful automatic. The accountant in me needs to realize some value out of the money I spent on it and not just give a perfectly good car to some stranger for peanuts.

I love the look and feel and performance of the "new" Mini, but can't justify the shoddy repair record, especially for a BMW. The price tag and difficulty for a home mechanic has turned me off of them.

On the other hand, my '08 Mustang is still running on the original air in the tires, fluid in the radiator, trans and oil, filters and brakes.

Seriously, it's an "all original" car.

I'd totally stay with the Mustang and max it out with the money that you'd spend on the Mini. Every go-fast and handling part in the world is readily available, tech is there for the asking, and In the end you'll have far better and more valuable car. Everyone knows the reputation of the Mini and everyone wants to own a maxed out Mustang.

http://www.dariusrudis.com/mustang/2007_Splitter/img_2882.jpg

TeamEvil wrote: I love the look and feel and performance of the "new" Mini, but can't justify the shoddy repair record, especially for a BMW. The price tag and difficulty for a home mechanic has turned me off of them. On the other hand, my '08 Mustang is still running on the original air in the tires, fluid in the radiator, trans and oil, filters and brakes. Seriously, it's an "all original" car. I'd totally stay with the Mustang and max it out with the money that you'd spend on the Mini. Every go-fast and handling part in the world is readily available, tech is there for the asking, and In the end you'll have far better and more valuable car. Everyone knows the reputation of the Mini and everyone wants to own a maxed out Mustang. http://www.dariusrudis.com/mustang/2007_Splitter/img_2882.jpg

Only thing I've had to do on the Mustang is rear wheel bearings and I've owned it for 3 years and countless autocrosses. Just drove the 'Stang again and every time it puts a smile on my face. That's worth a lot in my book.

Took the Mustang autocrossing today, lots of fun .

Autox 'Rustang

That mustang is awesome.

And another:

Almost spin

I'd choose that Mustang over any MINI in a heartbeat, but I'm a bit biased.

Mustang FTW.....

RWD > FWD IMHO, but again I am also biased

You need to get a second go pro. Would love to see other angles.

Coldsnap wrote: You need to get a second go pro. Would love to see other angles.

Here's one from last year at the small lot we use. Camera was crappy but here you go:

Outside view

That's great. How are the 4cyl foxbodys? I'm actually looking for a crap car to learn stick on and always wanted a foxbody. I could also keep it after learning stick and just use it for getting groceries, instead of getting into my 4,000lb crown vic.

I've never driven a 4 cylinder but I've been a passenger and they are okay. I learned to drive stick in a Hyundai Pony so a foxbody would be a step up. They are fun cars, there's a few 4's running in our ice racing series.

Cool.