have read various versions of this thread.the upset mini owners claiming it was 'only'the cooper and not the cooper s.and how unfair it was pitching 1.6 petrol against 1.9td1.

Although they are probably forgetting that the power to weight ratio is probably almost the same...

many 1.6 petrol engines are more powerful than 1.9Tdis, ie 105 bhp for Octy 1.9Tdi, 115 for 1.6FSi, so that would be a daft complaint. I think however that it is likley that Skoda give Clarkson a back hander....................

many 1.6 petrol engines are more powerful than 1.9Tdis, ie 105 bhp for Octy 1.9Tdi, 115 for 1.6FSi, so that would be a daft complaint. I think however that it is likley that Skoda give Clarkson a back hander....................

You can't believe it was fair?

No just like winding Furby owners up .

Indeed Paul the mini is alot lighter, also spec for spec I'm sure the Skoda wins on that front to.

After driving both the skoda feels better alround! The mini is just to harsh for everyday use where as the Furby is just right. The only thing on the furby that could be better is the brakes, just in the sense of the feel, like paul said it does feel alittle unsteady when braking hard.

Did anyone notice that the hamster seemed to be twitching the steering wheel an awful lot to controll the car

That's normal. It's a hamster + wheel thing.

Well, I watched it and thought it was great.

I wonder why they didn't mention fuel economy???? It's fact that the Cooper only averages around 33mpg, and the REALLY economical Cooper S manages an astounding 25mph, which is a really good figure for a car of it's size and weight...NOT

Anyway, having watched that tonight, I really can't wait for this weekend to come along. I'll then have the chance to try my own brand new Vrs out.

Regards

Watched this too and was really impressed

diving and pitching under hard braking/acceleration which makes the back end feel light under braking - dont do it on a corner whatever you do

So the Furby will lift-off oversteer?! Thats some good news! Cant wait to get mine.....

Not wanting to dwell on "I had a race with..." but since I fitted my Seat Sport Strut Brace my mates Cooper cant pull anything on corners anymore & straight line mine wipes the floor with it. The problem with the Fabia is it's lack of steering feel, which means you are unsure when to push on etc, the Front Strut Brace solved this for me and gives a good level of feedback now, and as for roll on corners, yes it does but it doesnt affect the grip levels, also as for pitching and rolling under hard braking, how hard do you have to brake?! I have done some pretty hard punishment on the vRS in all departments and it seems to stand up well in stock form, let alone modded.

And on a seperate note, I would be quite happy for a Cooper S driver to try it on when my Furby is remapped, and notice I am pulling happily away and still getting 35+ mpg as opposed to 20's.

...and as for roll on corners, yes it does but it doesnt affect the grip levels...

Sorry I dont wish to hijack this thread or to doubt the handling of Hellfire's car, but just wanted to clarify: Roll does affect grip.

Isn't physics great

P.S. I will be driving a Cooper S next week - will make a good benchmark. I will be sure to file my report to Briskoda...

No doubt you are correct but how come a Scooby seems to be like a jelly yet glues the road, I know you will say 4wd but surely it must still have a bad pitch/roll and ultimately affect it's handling?

Good luck with the Cooper S, they are extremely nice cars, just different to a Fabia, why people draw comparison's to it im unsure. I suppose it's because people think the Fabia as a supermini, but it seems more like a hatch to me.

After a technology overload (Sky+ -> record to DVD+RW -> into laptop -> MagicDVD ripper -> convert to mpeg), I have a mpeg file of the Top Gear Fabia Vrs v Mini Cooper test. I was going to try to post it here but it's 30Mb. If anyone wants it, PM me and I can email it.

Geoff

No doubt you are correct but how come a Scooby seems to be like a jelly yet glues the road, I know you will say 4wd but surely it must still have a bad pitch/roll and ultimately affect it's handling?

It's been a while since I have driven a Scobby, but did not think it was like Jelly? I must have another go in one.

And I'm afraid you have incorrectly pre-empted me - I would not say 4wd as 4wd makes no difference to grip. Traction is another matter...

With regards the Mini Cooper, it's a mates and he's choppin it in. Means he will finally allow me a go. Tight ar$e :P

Cheers mate

After a technology overload (Sky+ -> record to DVD+RW -> into laptop -> MagicDVD ripper -> convert to mpeg)' date=' I have a mpeg file of the Top Gear Fabia Vrs v Mini Cooper test. I was going to try to post it here but it's 30Mb. If anyone wants it, PM me and I can email it.

Geoff[/quote']

Sadly, technology has beaten me in the end - my email server will not let me send this file as it has a 20Mb limit. Sorry to those who PMed me.

Geoff

No doubt you are correct but how come a Scooby seems to be like a jelly yet glues the road, I know you will say 4wd but surely it must still have a bad pitch/roll and ultimately affect it's handling?

Like jelly? The handling comes from a very stiff chassis as well as a rear LSD and the 4wd just enables you to get the power down earlier

Chris

Sadly' date=' technology has beaten me in the end - my email server will not let me send this file as it has a 20Mb limit. Sorry to those who PMed me.

Geoff[/quote']

Why not use WinRAR to compress it and to split it into 10Mb chunks?

No doubt you are correct but how come a Scooby seems to be like a jelly yet glues the road, I know you will say 4wd but surely it must still have a bad pitch/roll and ultimately affect it's handling?

Which model, the classic is not soft. Though the bugeyed one was softer either could be called like jelly. Try driving a Ponitac Grand AM.....now that's jelly

i like american cars when you pull up in them and they rock backwards and forwards lol

i like american cars when you pull up in them and they rock backwards and forwards lol

and most do! Had the Ponitac in the US, it had no feel to the streering at all. Without doubt is was the worst car I have ever diven! Though I did get the TC to trip a few times

Is it rude to flash and wave in a friendly manner at mini coopers ? i thought i was being polite and cheery

Does anyone know where I can download the video of the vRS vs Cooper video from?

It's for personal use and I don't want to send it to my mate with the cooper to remind him that his car can be beaten quite easily by an oil burner. :D

Not wanting to dwell on "I had a race with..." but since I fitted my Seat Sport Strut Brace my mates Cooper cant pull anything on corners anymore & straight line mine wipes the floor with it. The problem with the Fabia is it's lack of steering feel' date=' which means you are unsure when to push on etc, the Front Strut Brace solved this for me and gives a good level of feedback nowQUOTE']

Where did you get your strut brace from?

How much altogether for purchase and fitting?

Was it a worthwhile investment?

Was the difference definately noticeable?

Geese.

^ Go to local seat dealer and ask for a part# 6L0071710 Bolt-on job, do the search for assembly instructions.