Some time ago I test drove an ’05 convertible and wrote up a report; one of the most noticeable differences was that the ’05 stock engine pulled as well as my JCW equipped ’03!
I have since read a number of similar comments from other people, and just found this excellent NAM post stating the same thing in a comparison between a stock ’05 and a very (afermarket) modded ’03:
The first thing I noticed was that even though Andy’s car has a GIAC chip, Helix 15% reduction pulley, HAI, and one ball my bone stock 05 felt much better off the line. I’d say up until about 4k-4500 RPM’s the 05 actually pulls harder then the modded car does. But that all goes out the window once you cross the torque peak. By that time the car with the go fast bits is screaming towards the redline whereas my 05 sort of plateau’s
Interesting also to read the comparison from the ’03 owner:
The gearing on your [’05] car is incredible. I’m confident that in same-gear roll-ons, our cars would be just about even despite the power advantage for my car. I imagine yours pulling ahead then mine reeling you in when you have to shift. I like some of the new touches too
More reasons to consider trading up to the newest MINI 😉
5 thoughts on “Another comparison ’05 MINI to pre’05”
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M&I / GBMINI 
Naaahhh…there will always be better everything. Computers, cars, mp3 players etc.
Ian, your car is so your own – I cannot see you getting rid of it just because a newer one pulls a little better!
I’m 2/5ths done paying my car off too!! Can’t wait until that is over. 🙂
You heard it here first… I think I’m going to sell my Cooper and get an ’05 MCS. With the ’05 changes and the new LSD option there’s no better time to buy. Perfecting timing as there’s still 2-3 more years until the next MINI comes out 🙂
BTW if you think a stock ’05 MCS pulls hard you should drive a JCW MCS. The bad thing is it’s about worthless with out LSD.
I agree with Ryephile’s observation in post #7 of the thread:
“Call me stubborn – I’ve driven ’05’s a few times now, and everytime I get back in MM2 I feel it has “real” gear ratios. Then again I absolutly cant STAND having a short 1st gear (shivvers at the thought of being stuck with a Chrysler Crossfire manual). The tall 1st gear is one of the reasons I bought the MINI in the first place.”
I haven’t driven an ’05 JCW but am quite with my ’04 JCW 210. An LSD would be a definite plus to any JCW car. Toss in some suspension bits and the smiles will only get broader.
oops – I should have said “the extra power worthless in anything but dry pavement without an LSD”. I love the JCW kit – didn’t mean to sound negative towards it.
Gabe,
Call me stubborn, but I disagree with you and Ryephile. 🙂 I’ve driven (for extended periods) an 02 MCS and an 03 MCS and I can tell you first hand that the 05 MCS feels MUCH better. My biggest complaint about the taller geared cars is that they have so little low end power (in their stock form anyway) that they are difficult to drive in everyday driving situations. I constantly find myself having to work the clutch and gas at take off just so the car doesn’t stall. Whereas, on the 05 cars, I don’t ever have to think about it. I just let out the clutch and it goes.
Also, I have driven an 05 JCW (as I own one) and I can tell you that it ROCKS! The amount of low end (and top end) power on it is absolutely incredible. The car has soooo much torque that without the DSC switched on it will smoke its tires all the way through fourth gear. It’s VERY fun to drive!
I’m not knocking the prior models (as I think that ALL MINIs are great), but I do feel that MINI has taken a huge step forward (i.e. in the right direction) with the new cars. I now own two 05 MCS cars and all I can say is that I’d never go back to owning one of the older ones (JCW or not).
— MIKE