I drove an associate's JCW equipped one. Surprising power, especially when you press the "giggle button", but man the torque steer! You need to hold the wheel 20* off-center to neutralize it! They need to fix that.

I could see it would be a super-fun car.

That's true even in the S (non-JCW) models. I'd never experienced it before, but it's definitely something that takes some getting used to.

does the newer All wheel drive models have that same torque steer?

I'm guessinga heavy front wheel bias then the rear wheel drive kicks in only when sensed/needed, sorta like on my wifes Toyota RAV4 AWD

Really like the looks of them, on the outside.. inside design is a bit iffy..yrs ago I drove a used one, an "S" never got to really put the pedal to the metal.. Anyway, for the same price I bought an M3 e36 1996 one owner car.
Much more car for the money IMO. But they do seem to hold their value. Would love to drive a well set up one.

You won't get around this in a FWD. I had a Mazdaspeed3 and it was ridiculous, even with electronics, non slip and the shaft tricks. (One shaft seemed as thick as my arm, the other less than an inch). This torque steer is one reason I sold the car. Just not fun and actually very dangerous on an uneven road.

G

Edit: Top gear says "no torque steer" on the JCW!

MINI JOHN COOPER WORKS-JCW (TOP GEAR) - YouTube

I don't think so ...

G

My friend had two Mini Cooper S and he autocrossed them and had many tranny issues so he sold them and bought a MazdaSpeed3 like mine. He bought a Fiat 500 last fall, though...

And to think BMW wants to make FWD cars . . . . claiming 1/2 thier customers already think they are FWD. . . . <sigh>

I have an 07 MCS. IMHO a great car. Test drove a M3 the same day and bought the MCS. IT felt alot more fun to drive and had some great get up and go. Added some aftermarket part and you def have a nice rocket without the ricer sound. Mine is fully loaded and was pricey ~40K. Little more then half the M3 cost and def a BMW vs a base 17K Mini. MY finance also has a 06 MC. She has no complaints either. Good luck on your search!

++++1 on getting rid of the run flats. The ride sucks and grip was even worse. 5 years no complaints until today. Not with the car but my bone head self. I got into my car with scissors in my pocket ... right, WTF??? I put a hole in my awesome "lounge leather" seat. Still annoyed about it.

FWD is better than RWD in the snow, so that might be a reason to get a car like this so your rwd car can be put away for winter.

Did you end up getting one? I picked this up about an hour ago...



http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1351639704.jpg

YES !!
I did buy one. I went for an 04 S model with 6 speed and only 40k miles. the thing is loaded with options and I felt I got a good deal. One owner car and never in snow. That's a good thing. Car was well maintained and serviced by the dealer.
bottom line, I really like it..

Thanks for all the input and advice.

have had 2, first gen supercharged Cooper S, second gen Cooper S Clubman. Not an adult car, but fun to drive. Surprisingly not so good on gas, though it could have been my foot in the turbo

Love mine, 2008 S with the turbo, LSD, etc. A blast to drive, just had it's first hiccup (coking due to the direct injection, required walnut blasting) at 85,000 miles but other than that a trouble free machine.

Thanks for the reply. I've thought about getting one, off and on, for about 5 years. This thread got me thinking about them yet again, and then this car popped up locally on Autotrader. Its specifications ticked a lot of the boxes I'd been looking for (black, manual transmission, no sunroof) and I like the monochrome Union Jacks so I went to check it out. I've only driven home from the dealership so far, so the only impressions so far are that it's quicker than you'd think.

This completes the modern micro-car unholy trinity for me - I've now owned a Smart Fortwo, Fiat 500, and Mini. :)

Quote ..it's quicker than you think
could not have said it better myself
Mine is the older one with the intercooler and blower ...man when that thing gets going you would never guess that is a 4 cylinder
I know the car is really light and all but man for what it is this thing is a blast to drive
It's so fun I kind of hate to use it for a work car at 100 miles a day.
Congrats on your purchase as well.

Does the LSD tame the torque-steer?

IMHO ... No. The LSD is nice but the trac control on the car in not my fav. I usually run with that disabled and in sport mode. Its the fact that the car sits in between the normal wear pattern on a road. So it tends to tram line a bit. In sport mode its better due to the heavier steering since the normal electro motive steering gives no feedback to the road.

My fiance has an 06 w/o LSD and it does the same thing ....