R56 R56 MCS in Road and Track Comparison Test
#1
R56 MCS in Road and Track Comparison Test
Here’s a link to the test on the Road and Track website:
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....rticle_id=5244
This test is startlingly similar to earlier ones by MotorTrend and Car and Driver, with virtually the same car placement in each. Again, the MCS is at or near the top in objective tests and at or near the bottom in most subjective ratings. In fact, if you take a look at their points breakdown, it would have finished second based on its performance, even without the LSD or the sport suspension and on rock-hard runflats. If it was spec’d for performance (and if Mini ditched the runflats, but that’s a whole other post) I believe it could have really given the MazdaSpeed a run for its money in the handling department.
Dynamically, it is consistently right behind the first-place MazdaSpeed 3 in every single test, including acceleration. For the impatient ones: 14.9 @ 94.8mph, 0-60 in 6.2 seconds, .87g skidpad grip (much lower than most other recorded figures). But hey, these editors seem to take the Mini much more seriously than those at C&D. Still, the subjective ratings are questionable: for a car that handled so well and was effusively praised for it in the text, the ratings do not reflect this in the least…
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....rticle_id=5244
This test is startlingly similar to earlier ones by MotorTrend and Car and Driver, with virtually the same car placement in each. Again, the MCS is at or near the top in objective tests and at or near the bottom in most subjective ratings. In fact, if you take a look at their points breakdown, it would have finished second based on its performance, even without the LSD or the sport suspension and on rock-hard runflats. If it was spec’d for performance (and if Mini ditched the runflats, but that’s a whole other post) I believe it could have really given the MazdaSpeed a run for its money in the handling department.
Dynamically, it is consistently right behind the first-place MazdaSpeed 3 in every single test, including acceleration. For the impatient ones: 14.9 @ 94.8mph, 0-60 in 6.2 seconds, .87g skidpad grip (much lower than most other recorded figures). But hey, these editors seem to take the Mini much more seriously than those at C&D. Still, the subjective ratings are questionable: for a car that handled so well and was effusively praised for it in the text, the ratings do not reflect this in the least…
Last edited by ygblat; 04-30-2007 at 02:07 PM. Reason: fixed link
#2
Article from Road & Track
The new Mini (or is that the new new Mini?) is here. Well, we think this is the genuine article; as Monticello keenly observed, “Can't tell the new car from the old [2002-2006] car, unless they're parked side by side.” A tape measure would show an overall length increase of 2.4 in., with the wheelbase remaining at 97.1 in., but the style remains pure Mini — wide-eyed, wheels at the corners, a huge greenhouse and cuter than a bucket of puppies.
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#3
It seems to me the Mini was downgraded for its quirky features. While the performance on paper was second only to the Mazda speed 3, the article did denigrate the 'wonky egronomics'.
I like quirky, and I also like that the MCS has the highest MPG in the group by a wide margin - no sacrifices!
I like quirky, and I also like that the MCS has the highest MPG in the group by a wide margin - no sacrifices!
#4
This should answer the questions about the R56 in the "best handling car" thread. at .86g and 68.6 in slalom, I doubt its going to do better than the GP in handling. but 6.2 is a great time.
#5
Your link is wrong. Here's the right one:
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=31&article_id=5246
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=31&article_id=5246
#7
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#8
I read that article today at lunch. Seems to me the MINI got a fair enough shake. Yep the MINI has wonky ergonomics, but heck that's part of the charm with a MINI. Has anyone bought a MINI for its ergonomics? It's the handling & the fun it gives. Some folks don't get it & never will. The other cars in the test are somewhat boring IMO.
#11
That comment doesn't make him a racist at all. Racist would be if he saw a japanese and thought he was going to ram into him with his car. Choosing to buy an american car over a japanese car because of family history is just his opinion.
#12
#13
#15
On topic: Thanks for the link to the article, it's always interesting to see how a car like the Mini is received by others that aren't quite as in tune with its quirks.
Not-so on topic:
I can certainly understand the sentiment of not wanting to by a Japense car if a Japanese attack claimed a relative, but a German company owns MINI...and the ***** did kill a few people back in the day. Point being, where do you draw the line?
EDIT: For background purposes, I've owned two Japanese cars and will soon own a British/German mutt of a car.
Not-so on topic:
I can certainly understand the sentiment of not wanting to by a Japense car if a Japanese attack claimed a relative, but a German company owns MINI...and the ***** did kill a few people back in the day. Point being, where do you draw the line?
EDIT: For background purposes, I've owned two Japanese cars and will soon own a British/German mutt of a car.
Last edited by JohnnyF; 04-30-2007 at 07:14 PM. Reason: Germans != Nazis
#17
Holding grudges for generations just leads to future conflicts. Protestants vs. Catholics in Ireland, Palastinians vs. Jews, Greeks vs. Turks, Serbs...this list goes on and on. Some of these gruges go back millennia.
We fire-bombed and nuked Japan. I think they got the message and are now one of the most peaceful nations on earth. Personally, I think the future will be better if we leave past grudges in the past.
We fire-bombed and nuked Japan. I think they got the message and are now one of the most peaceful nations on earth. Personally, I think the future will be better if we leave past grudges in the past.
#19
#20
I get that mag and couldn't believe they're still making a big deal about the speedo, give me a break and as far as the MS3 goes, well, its only .7 tenths off in the quarter mile and I'm sure with some better tires not only would that change but the handling WILL be improved upon. These articles are why that JCW Stage 1 kit needs to come out, espcially the ECU tuning part of it as a couple of us have already addressed the exhaust issue and are about to get the home-made open element K&N intake...CRACK THE CODE SOMEONE:impatient and then we can go out crack on some of our competition out there!
#22
I can understand the general public (and automotive journalists for such magazines are supposed to cater to the general public while giving only the occasional nod to enthusiasts) warming up to the more conventional layout of the VW dash or the greater space afforded by the MS3. Like someone said in a previous post, the quirkiness that we enjoy is the same trait that irks them in the MCS.
#23
I know they rated the cars heavily based upon their performance, and I think that if the MINI had those two options, it would have taken nearly all of the performance categories. (not going to beat the MS3 in straight-line acceleration)
It was a good article though, and did approach the cars from a general consumer standpoint, but when it comes to someone purchasing a MazdaSpeed3, Nissan SE-R Spec V, and possibly the GTI, the buyer is looking for a performance car and will be specifically requesting them from the dealer. The Civic Si and Cooper S tend to be purchased by the more general consuming public, so there will be a lot more purchasers who bought the car for reasons other than performance.
#25
yet nobody is slamming the British
Get over it ... all the wars are over (Sorry Johnny, this is not pointed at you). The world is a much smaller place for pettiness about past wars.
This test is about OEM. You change tires on one car, then EVERY car gets to change them. Car makers make choices on OEM tires for a reason. You don't like them, your certainly can spend the money to change them ... but so can't someone who owns one of the others cars and then what do you gain ... a mod war?
Last edited by chows4us; 05-01-2007 at 02:43 PM.