My British Car Collector son

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

recently added a modern Mini to his fleet (61 Bugeye, 64 Spitfire, 67 GT6, TR4) of British cars. It had somewhat balding tires so he purchased some new tires. They were by no means cheap tires either. He immediately complained of a low speed shake. Inspection revealed the attached picture of the left front tire/rim. Yes, EACH of those weights are 1 oz.

I would think that any INTELLIGENT tire shop would know that if a tire took that much weight in one spot, there MIGHT be something wrong with the tire. They have since replaced the tire and all is well with the world.

[MX-Drew]

Shame he did not buy another British car, oh hang on we don't have any :redface:

Is that the Cooper S with the supercharger?

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

Yes. The 'S'. It's quick but the FFS Miata is quicker and more fun.

BTW, I still think the British made one of the best all time 4 cylinder engines ever made. The 1.6L Cortina engine. I had the original '71 Pinto and drove it 128,000 miles on only oil/filter changes until my wife broadsided a full sized Pontiac on Christmas Eve 1982. I'm sure it would have gone 200,000. I also spent 8 grueling, but FUN, hours behind the wheel of a Formula Ford at Bondurant with that engine. As 'indestructable' goes, I think they get the prize.

[chuckerants]

So Hans got an older supercharged Mini and not the newer Turbo Mini?

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

Yes. It's a old 2005 or 2006. SO, they cheapened it and went turbo? Too bad.

[MX-Drew]

I have not heard of a factory turbo Mini in Europe, if it is factory may be it is for the States only but doubt that. Are you sure it is not from one of the many tunning firms?

Tom have to agree with you on the Pinto engine (as it was called over here), you could rebuild it with your eyes closed if you wanted to and the potential for tunning was out of this world.

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

The "S" version was supercharged over here until 2006. 2007+ the "S" version is turbo. Don't know about the rest of the world?

[Steve in VC]

Yes. The 'S'. It's quick but the FFS Miata is quicker and more fun.

BTW, I still think the British made one of the best all time 4 cylinder engines ever made. The 1.6L Cortina engine. I had the original '71 Pinto and drove it 128,000 miles on only oil/filter changes until my wife broadsided a full sized Pontiac on Christmas Eve 1982. I'm sure it would have gone 200,000. I also spent 8 grueling, but FUN, hours behind the wheel of a Formula Ford at Bondurant with that engine. As 'indestructable' goes, I think they get the prize.
That lasted a lot longer than my 74 Gremlin.