Puppethead
Well-Known Member
Well then it could be assumed MINI did that with their zip-tied cabling and everything passed. And it is true that the SE does not have constant vibrations caused by an engine or exhaust.
MINI SE Undercarriage
- Thread starter Carsten Haase
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Tommm
Well-Known Member
I had a mild curiosity about an EV. I sat shotgun for one run at an autox in a friends SE, then a few weeks later my wife and I went to a BMW driving event. Both of us were unimpressed with the 4 series coupe that had us check out. We tested a few of their cars. I was unimpressed with the 4 series convertible (I owned a lot of convertibles). Both were impressed with the X3 competition.
Both got a kick out of the SE. After two drives in it she said I should buy one for my birthday. We both liked the way it handled. We have other cars for long trips, and
I can appreciate his keen eye pointing out the fit and finish issues. I too saw them when I checked out the car at a BMW driving event. But, before the event I read a few articles on the car, and understood where they were coming from.
Then, at the driving event my wife and I each drove the car and for 23,000 out the door we decided it was worth giving an EV a shot. I dont care what's under the hood, and I am a car guy. I do care about the interior, and the ergonomics. I'm not driving far, so having a bunch of sockets to charge isnt an issue either. I think he missed the target audience for this car. My wife will still have her SUV, we still have other cars.
polyphonic
Well-Known Member
I care about how well the car is made, but a lot of this stuff is overblown. The crate setup was used to save money in manufacturing. IIRC all 2 door Coopers are made on the same line. The EV drivetrain is dropped in just as an ICE would be. You’d think a guy that sees no need for pedestrian protection in hoods would approve of that kind of cost savings.
If zip ties are a problem then I would like to see a better solution. The SE cable management doesn’t look inherently worse than Teslas. The car has shielding on the bottom that they removed (without mentioning).
Same deal with weight. If you can lighten it for the ground-up EV, by all means. It doesn’t mean this gen EV is a failure. It’s a great overall package.
I had frunks in my other EVs. Never used them because the hoods were always dirty and cumbersome to open and close. Munro can keep yelling at clouds.
If zip ties are a problem then I would like to see a better solution. The SE cable management doesn’t look inherently worse than Teslas. The car has shielding on the bottom that they removed (without mentioning).
Same deal with weight. If you can lighten it for the ground-up EV, by all means. It doesn’t mean this gen EV is a failure. It’s a great overall package.
I had frunks in my other EVs. Never used them because the hoods were always dirty and cumbersome to open and close. Munro can keep yelling at clouds.
Puppethead
Well-Known Member
Finally realized in another thread those zip-tied HV cables go to the charge port, so not part of driving the car. And I can say, from experience running network cabling in buildings, that using zip ties that close together creates a rather secure and stable anchor. With the shielding attached there's no doubt in my mind that it's adequate.
This whole zip tie thing is a non-issue for me. I’m in the trucking business and we’ve got trailers with all of the air lines and wiring held on by zip ties and tape. They came that way new 15 years ago and they’re holding up even though they’re exposed to the elements and are treated to more vibration and miles in a day than most cars get in a month.
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Tommm
Well-Known Member
Forgot to mention, if I wanted the terrible customer experience my coworker is getting from Tesla in Denver I would have gotten a Tesla.
If I wanted to continue to get charged for services not performed by McDonald Volvo in Denver I would have bought another Volvo.
The two Denver BMW dealers have taken care of airbag warranty issues, and other small issues with my older BMWs without question. The Mini store is owned by the same couple that own one of the BMW stores. Service after the sale is more important to me than how a plastic wheel flare or gas cap lines up. Wish me luck. I have to hope the Mini service dept is run like the BMW service dept
If I wanted to continue to get charged for services not performed by McDonald Volvo in Denver I would have bought another Volvo.
The two Denver BMW dealers have taken care of airbag warranty issues, and other small issues with my older BMWs without question. The Mini store is owned by the same couple that own one of the BMW stores. Service after the sale is more important to me than how a plastic wheel flare or gas cap lines up. Wish me luck. I have to hope the Mini service dept is run like the BMW service dept
If you're like most of us, you'll be holding your breath for 2 years while you wait to find out what it's like taking your MINI Electric in for service.
Rasmus Aage
New Member
I am pretty sure that the motor in the Mini is placed pretty much like on all fwd EVs. The Zoe and the E208 looks pretty similar under the bonnet.
I don't think there are any fwd EVs on the market with a "frunk".
Does anyone know whether the chassis of the car is changed compared to the ICE versions to deal with the extra weight?
It seems extraordinary if the car handles that well, without them making any changes.
I don't think there are any fwd EVs on the market with a "frunk".
Does anyone know whether the chassis of the car is changed compared to the ICE versions to deal with the extra weight?
It seems extraordinary if the car handles that well, without them making any changes.
CuriousGeorge
Well-Known Member
AFAIK there are no changes in the frame/chassis itself (although it's possible that the "crash cage" around the electric motor adds some front-end stiffness). I believe, however, that the SE uses the stiffer springs/shocks from the heavier Countryman to help compensate for the additional weight. (This is presumably why the frequency selective damping implemented in all the ICE versions for 2022 is not available on the SE.)
As for the actual handling, I have not driven an SE, but have always found this video interesting:
Puppethead
Well-Known Member
The only difference is the SE has higher ground clearance to protect the batteries, but that's not actually a chassis change is it?
polyphonic
Well-Known Member
IIRC some versions will have adjustable dampers, but not in the USA. I would love to have that option.
I read that the A-pillars and the door sills are reinforced in the SE to improve rollover crash protection. The changes aren't for handling--the SE's weight distribution rearward improves handling.
Tommm
Well-Known Member
Not me. Have them in my S80. At 80k they were shot. Only about $600 a strut vs 80 for a Bilstein B4 or the same Sachs the car without the adjustable shocks comes with. Not as bad on my Cayman, I think about 1300 for the 4 shock/struts.
Unless you track the car it is a gimmick that got stale fairly quick.
Jim In Tucson
Well-Known Member
I recall reading that the springs on the SE are both at bit longer and a bit stiffer. I’ll try to find a reference.
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You are correct about the springs being different to compensate for the extra weight of the battery. Someone on this forum tried to discover if a larger MINI Cooper shared its springs with the SE, but if it did, MINI gave them unique part numbers for the SE.
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polyphonic
Well-Known Member
Ah, well I wanted a softer option from time to time.
Tommm
Well-Known Member
On the S80 soft was the same as the Sachs, then sport was a little stiffer, and the third is something stupid like competition. just a stupid stuff ride that didnt stop lean. Magazines said the car is trying to find an identity and failing at all 3.
I occasionally push a different setting to see if the map for **** points changes. At 130k I don't push it enough to tell.
CuriousGeorge
Well-Known Member
To make sure I wasn't just spreading misinformation, I did a bit of digging yesterday, and found a rather detailed discussion (in which insightman participated, IIRC) of the question on outmotoring. The conclusion was that the SE uses standard F56 springs up front but Countryman/Clubman springs in back, which along with some spacers at the spring mount results in the greater ride height despite the extra weight of the battery. The folks involved in the discussion at least seemed to be "in the know" (as opposed to me), as several had lowered their SEs (one using parts ordered straight from Germany), one was a Mini mechanic and autocrosser, etc.
Rasmus Aage
New Member
Thanks for the link. It's a shame they didn't let the car cool down before setting a timed lap, as I reckon it would be pretty fast on a track - at least before overheating. Do we know if it's the motor or the battery that is getting too hot?
Rasmus Aage
New Member
Thanks for all of your replies. This forum is such a great place for info on the Cooper SE. I seem to recall having read somewhere that MINI engineers spent a lot of time on the suspension and settings of the car. Would love to know, what they actually did, if this suspension is "just" the same as the Clubman/Countryman.