http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/ne...ks-gp-revealed
only 215bhp? hmm... Have to say it looks pretty nice in that colour of grey! :cool:
Loving the interior as well..
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http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/ne...ks-gp-revealed
only 215bhp? hmm... Have to say it looks pretty nice in that colour of grey! :cool:
Loving the interior as well..
Coilovers! At last! Running some amount of rear negative camber though. And still no fixed buckets...
Aside from the power issue which I think we've all more than covered, I really do like the actual look of the thing. I would go against the grain and ditch the alloys straight away and endure the ear-ache of modding something that should be standard and so on. And you a spot on about the interior Euan, looks like a pretty sweet place to be if you ask me!
Am liking that :thumbs up:
First impressions on seeing the 'new' clearer photos? It certainly looks a bit nicer, particularly the colour, which is far more striking than the original rather dull PR efforts, and as I said before, the suspension, brakes and the aerodynamics (undertray, diffuser, wing etc) are a decent step-up from the 'normal' JCW.
HOWEVER (here he goes...)
'Only' 215BHP? Surely this must be an 'understated' figure from MINI. I know power isn't everything, but it's not much more than the JCW, when the above upgrades could clearly handle more quite comfortably. Maybe they'll offer an official 'Stage 1' type upgrade at some point - although by that time I'll bet most GP owners will have been to P-Torque for a remap... I know I would!
Despite the seat-delete etc, the Interior is hardly as 'track-biased' as the rest of the spec would suggest, so I can't say I agree with the lads on that one (is the leather dash standard? If so it's quite nice, but more 'inspired by Goodwood' than proper 'Race Stylee'). The Recaros look a bit on the 'plump' side for a start. I'm sure there was something about the 'original' Gen 2 Recaros not fitting in the Coupe and Roadster because of roof height? These look identical to the newer 'Coupe/Roadster-friendly' version, which don't seem to be quite as slim/light or as supportive. Obviously it's cheaper to use the same Recaro for everything, but when you're paying £29K for a Road/Track car, 'economies of scale' shouldn't really be a hardware issue, and as I know from experience, the seats are one of the most important items for 'connecting' with the car. Also not a whiff of 'Works' Carbon Fibre in the cockpit - my steering wheel and gear shift look better. And the Wheels are MINgin'!
I think MINI have shown good intentions with the GP, and they've certainly produced something a bit more 'focussed', but I have to say that while it'll doubtless be a cracking drive (as would a tuned S or JCW on Coilovers etc...), I think they've maybe 'chickened out' to a certain extent in some fairly vital areas in order to preserve some 'mass market' appeal in a car which is basically a niche within a niche, and there's still the usual 'miserly' approach to bits and pieces you might expect to come as standard - like using the standard steering wheel etc when you should be getting to grips with some Alcantara and Carbon. The Engineers and Petrolheads at MINI have made a valiant effort, but I'm afraid that the unseen hands of the Bean-Counters and Marketeers are unfortunately still in evidence. The phrase "Having their cake and eating it" springs to mind. We don't want cake - we want Vindaloo! Or should that be "MINDALOO"?
Do I want one? Well yes and no. Over the last few months I had been seriously considering going 'GP Mad' to mark my 50th (AAAARGH!) in December. It was always marginal money-wise, but you can often find a way with the pennies if you really want to. However, it was incredibly dependent on having ALL the right bits, and to be honest, I'd feel a bit 'short-changed' sitting on seats which quite possibly aren't as good as mine, and maybe looking at a remap (and a big Intercooler) to get the most out of the new chassis, when I could spend a few £K on my current car for something approaching the same result. Never say never, but it's a "Probably Not" now. Maybe if there was one in Douglas Park MINI...? Recaros and 'Coolers can always be swapped and ECU's can be remapped, slap on a set of lightweight Alloys and Bob's your uncle! Well he's my Dad actually...
The alloys are hideous, and no doubt heavy too. But the car seems a good base to improve upon
Have to say I don't like the wheels and would need to remove some of those stickers
Nice, but like most of you already said could do with different design of alloys
How can a (presumably highly qualified and highly paid) designer create those wheels and think "Yeah, that's one great looking Alloy!" :thumbs up:
It looks like something created in an Early Learning Centre Iron Foundry. Then it's been signed off by an obviously equally aesthetically challenged Committee... WHY??? :argh: :thud:
well, with the price being leaked at close to £29k then it's a no from me.... it was a consideration next year, but not at that price.... :frown:
I think as others have said, they have the wheels wrong... right to go for 17's but not that look... can't understand why they only left it around 218bhp, we know that engine can do more...!
I so desperately wanted to go against the flow and disagree with you all and say these wheels are lovely. Trouble is, on this occasion, you're right. :shut up:
And I'm with others... "only 215bhp?" WTH? Why not a stupid (read: fun-filled) 240 or 250? It's not like they can't do it, they just chose not to.:idunno:
The offending article.
http://images.cdn.autocar.co.uk/site...mini-gp-14.jpg
A.
I wonder if I can find £29k down the back of the sofa... :Whistle:
I really like it despite the wheels. So it's £29K + a set of decent alloys and it looks as if the £29k doesn't even get a multi-function steering wheel, so what else would I need to pay extra for to have a car with everything in it? HK stereo, sat nav etc. Looks like it could cost £34K + and anyone who would spend that on a Mini needs their head examined..............Doh!! :thud::moonie:
The reason it's ONLY 29k is cause its only got 215 bhp
What really shocks me is its no lighter than the standard jcw alto it's striped what's the point in striping it if that's the case !!
like the look a lot - apart from the alloys and the side sticker!
It's no R26-R, which is what it should have been.
And whilst they have put coilovers on (which is more important than power IMO), they haven't set it up right. More camber at the back than the front!?
Quote:
Originally Posted by zimbo
...checked our sofa yesterday and found £0.00:sad:
Like the look of the new GP, alloy wheels and all:smilewinkgrin:
Despite my misgivings, if money wasn't an object (and I didn't object to the money) I'd order one now - just to see what a bit of tweaking here and there could do...
Lot of potential, but 'Hero' cars, especially MINI's Hero car, shouldn't be seen as having 'potential', they should be spot on straight from the factory. It's like MINI suspension, they STILL can't get it quite right, even after a decade! At least the GP has addressed that particular bugbear. Hopefully.
Can't wait for the first comprehensive Road Test - if EVO gives it the thumbs up, I might have to rob a bank after all! (They've been slightly 'down' on MINIs recently - mainly due to their rather 'interesting' behaviour from the sports suspension on our rubbish roads).
Too many stickers, too few seats, too little power, too big a cost. No thanks. If you consider Evolve are doing warrantied upgrades to a standard S to 270bhp for £2.3k its hard to justify.
Its just not special. The GP should be the hardcore racer IMO. Stripped out, lightweight and with purpose. Not a JCW with less seats and a different paint job.
Rant over :)
I would prefer that it looked like a normal MINI. A special colour is fine but those wheels, the plastic add ons and the childish stickers ruin it for me.
Aaargh! We've been evicted! :wtf:
I'm going to go to the new thread and start posting about the GP :smilewinkgrin:
:lol: :off topic: :lol:Quote:
Originally Posted by ELFMAN
:moonie:
There is so much power to be found so easily and cheaply in that engine. Longevity of said power is a question mark however.
I just find the 'Ring times as a comparison a bit pointless tbh, it's like 0-60 used to be. If you wanted to get round the 'Ring quick for £28k, you wouldn't buy a Mini
Yeah, but it's a number and you know how small boys want their number to be better than any other boys' numbers.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mon the fish
Oh boys...where's my 'rolls eyes' icon...
Agreed!
I was referring to the original post in which you incorrectly claimed I was wrong about the Golf R not your original post in the thread.
You posted twice hence the - updated - tag being shown, the vB forum software joins the posts together rather than show them as two individual posts.
- - - Updated - - -
Like this…...
- - - Updated - - -
As an observation it comes across that in your eyes MINI can do no wrong?
Personally I can see when they’ve done right - the customisation options across the range, the R50/R53 chassis and the R56 fJCW overall.
When they ballsed up - midlands gearbox, R50/3 steering pump, the R56S cold start rattle, dual mass flywheel, the looks of the Coupe’s roof.
And when they’re just trying to grab every penny from an outgoing platform without spending too much - Coupe's weight and the £29k GP2 which only has 215hp.
soooooo..."the GP Revealed at last" Yup, well I sat in one two weeks ago and I have to say it's awesome. I think if I wanted one I'd be following my heart as it's a hefty pricetag for what it is, but my head would be saying buy a FJCW (some would say buying a Mini at all is following your heart given reliability, cost and practicality :D). I personally have no interested in 'Ring times. Yes, I may have a squint at them but I'd never buy a car based on them. I want my car to feel great, look great and drive great in my hands, not some old racing driver hooning it round a German forest. I can see both sides in that yes, Mini may have missed the mark, but who cares, what they have produced has completely sold out so what do they care! It's a thumbs up for the GP from me.
All of this is in my humble opinion of course, I am not taking sides in any which way shape or form, purely giving my opinion on what I think about the new GP.
This is a good point well made. Opinions are like bumholes, we all have them. You don't have to agree with everything posted on this site, and just because someone has a different opinion doesn't make either theirs or yours more or less valid.Quote:
Originally Posted by N16SHP
Grump over.
Oh, and I'd rather by a Cayman S from a main dealer (with warranty) for GP2 money. My opinion, nothing more nothing less...
I am in love already!
I concur wholeheartedly!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by N16SHP
As far as I'm concerned, 'Ring times are just a bench (racing) mark as far as a road car goes - of course it has SOME bearing on a car's ability (in the hands of a professional 'Stig-a-like' with little or no imagination as far as big accidents go) - but something which can post fabulous lap times on track doesn't always translate into a great drive on everyday roads, so I take all of that stuff with a large pinch of salt, or no salt at all, 'cos like arguing over decimal places and personal opinions on NMS (as I've found!), it's bad for your blood pressure!
Having seen William's GP2, I think it's a pretty cool machine, and while they arguably didn't go the 'whole hog' with it, with the hardware it's packing it's a decent step up from the FJCW. They might have done better, but they could've done a whole lot worse! Anyway, it's all academic as I need a new GARAGE much more than I need a new MINI!
One thing though, I'm looking forward to riding shotgun in William's GP to see if I'm going to make the move to Coil-overs or not... :smilewinkgrin:
- - - Updated - - -
Steady on, does Mon know???? :laugh:Quote:
Originally Posted by rosslamb
Quote:
Originally Posted by ELFMAN;298684
Are you shouting in the hope that WILLIAM sees it? Are you? :frown: :smilewinkgrin: Fight you for it! :p
OK, but I must warn you that my chosen mode of combat is Mud Wrestling... :knife:Quote:
Originally Posted by MINIme:)
:lol: PMSL :lol:Quote:
Originally Posted by ELFMAN
No problem.Quote:
Originally Posted by ELFMAN
I'll have you psyched out before you can even climb into the ring. You haven't seen my double board break with arrow break while firewalking. Have you?
:stop: I'm pretty sure I beat you to sitting in the drivers seat anyway :p :smilewinkgrin:
That's only 'cos I let you, anyway, while you're 'multi-tasking' in vain, I'll be rejoicing in your Muddy Demise! :bow: :dance:Quote:
Originally Posted by MINIme:)
:off topic: Sorry folks, got a bit sidetracked there... back 2 the GP2
i like it i like the drive and the set up of it i do think they should have gone the whole hog as such but do like it but i love the R53 GP !!
I wonder how many owners will have a clue about how to adjust the suspension, and how many will experiment with it to find a setup they like