US models could be underrated. I test drove a GP and a regular JCW back to back and there is no way the GP has only 3hp more.

Also, both exhaust tones were very mild. I didn't hear any pops or burbles, and I was driving with the windows down.

 

My wifes JCW and my GP have pops and burbles with the sport button on. My GP has a nice note without it on too.

 

Has anyone buried the nose of the GP into the pavement with the 6 piston brakes? I'm curious how the brake bias is set up and if the rear brakes are beefed-up to compensate. I think 6 piston may be overkill for a MINI.

 

GP2 has standard JCW rear brakes. The 6-pot front brakes are insane. The first time you touch them, you will know what I mean.

With front weight bias and an über stiff suspension, I don't think anyone will be doing a nose dive into the asphault even under full braking. Just watch that your head doesn't go into the steering wheel while attempting

One other tidbit - the front headlight washers are blanks. No squirters under those covers.

 

Adjusted the ride height on my GP. There was about 10mm of threads below the factory ride height setting. I lowered my car the maximum amount and it looks great. Not to low, not to high, just right. No pics, ran out of daylight today.

 

The GP operates only as a single phase coolant thermostat whereas all other minis operate dual phase.

A normal mini runs around with the thermostat operating at 105C (221F) when driving normally. This is optimal for emissions and economy. When under extreme driving conditions the ecu opens a second phase at 85C (185F) which is optimal for engine power. In a normal mini this happens if you are on the track, or doing multiple hard accelerations etc.

On the GP the thermostat permanently operates at 85C, even cruising around. Even when standing still the fan kicks in at 87C. This is a cool feature, and optimises the engine for power, rather than economy and emissions.

Note : the thermostat part number is physically the same as a standard car. The higher temp thermostat is still physically there, but the ECU is operating it permanently in the lower temp mode.

 

Is the ride much stiffer?

 

The ride height adjustment is adjustable, not spring preload, shock compression or rebound. So, no the ride has not changed.

 

That is awesome. thanks for sharing

 

Out of interest I took out the cover for the rear seat cargo area today. Took around 2 minutes to remove, very easy and easy to replace.

It is heavy!!! 5kg (11 lbs).

Removing the polystyrene compartment underneath is a bit more tricky. It weighs virtually northing.

Also removed the red cargo bar. Took around 2 minutes to remove, and again it is easily reversible. Not very heavy at all, 1kg total (2.2 lbs). It has been said that this bar is cosmetic only. It does have some strut bar type effect. The brackets it fits into are pretty beefy.

 

Measured the ride height of the car as it came from the dealer. It is very high! especially compared to my R56 JCW race car.

Out of interest I lowered the coilovers to the minimum front and back. The fronts are very easy to adjust, takes around 2 minutes to adjust once you have the wheels off. The rears were a PITA! Pretty tight in there with all the suspension and brake bits and pieces.

Also I tried fitting on my R112 wheels, which fitted with 15mm spacers at front and no spacers at the rear. Currently on these wheels I have the same kumho ecsta 700/70A tyres but these are in 215/45/17 vs the 215/40/17 that comes with the GP. They fit OK, and fill up the wheel well a littlle more.

Here are some pics of the cars lowered on both the stock 215/40/17 and on the 215/45/17.

The car is still a little high for me, especially the rear.





Robbo

 

yeah it was high for me too- I since changed out the coilovers for H&R RSS cups- mainly for more height adjustability.

here it was lowered all the way down on the OEM's *note* since it was on my driveway the rears appear lower than the fronts- on a lever ground they match the fronts height...


here it is now:




For another FACT: the OEM coilovers are backwards compatible and work on an 09 MCS- direct bolt on- no issues whatsoever

 

Beautiful. Did you sell those coilovers?

 

Yeah to Kfmuller..he's very happy with them.

 

Shocked, but they went to a good home.

 

Those wheels are awesome - Rays?

 

thanks and yes, they are Volk/Rays TE37's

Also another recent factoid...

The rain sensor/automatic windshield wiper button only activates a "slow timed" wiper action and NOT automatic like all other Coopers with the automatic wiper option. didnt think they came with that button if they did not have the automatic option...

 

FYi,

With stock Kumho' speedo is off by about 4 MPH, higher than actual.