Hey,
My name is Charlie Stephens, I am about to turn 16 and purchase my first car. Its a 2008 Mini Cooper S hardtop. I am anxious to modify it and make it my own. I want to do a lime green paint scheme with a black roof and black rims (preferably some 18 " O.Z. ultraleggeras in black), I also want to add 2 10-inch subwoofers without filling any unnecessary trunk space and make some performance mods as well (exhaust, cold air intake, ECU, tires, ect.). Any reccomendations on how I might go about making these mods? any advice is appreciated!

P.S. I would prefer cheaper mods but I'm not afraid to shell out some more cash to get it done right.

P.P.S. As I make these mods I will take photos to keep everyone on the site updated

 

I hope you realize that a good paint job is not cheap and a cheap paint job is bad paint job.

For performance id suggest driving for a while first then find what you want to be better and go from there.

 

Definatly learn to drive the car the way it is first. Im sure you know how to drive and all, but seeing how im only 21 i know how your going to drive this car. Figure out the body roll and shift points of the car stock before you modify. Learning the car will make it more fun when you modify because you can tell what you have changed. With my 2009, i have only added a K&N intake, Oil Catch Can, and upgraded the intercooler tubing. Also i added some glowshift guages (boost, oil temp) that you can see in my pics. Overall just enjoy the car man and welcome to the mini world

Im telling you its a disease =P

 

First Welcome aboard. Post some stock pics before you start. We like pics.

Paint- Find a quality body shop that can paint it for you or have it vinyl wrapped.
Exhaust- lots of options there. Go to you tube and check out the sound videos.
CAI- DDM would be my choice
ECU- A lot use the Alta Access Port or a custom tune by JAN
Tires- Depending on where you live go with Continental DWS or DW's.

Stereo is all you. I am not a basshead, so I wont recommend anything.

 

Thanks for the advice!
For the paint, I am willing to pay around 1K to get the job done well. Getting a feel for the car first seems like a good idea. As far as modifications go, engine and peformance (while still important) are last on the list. I am planning on going subs first, then paint, wheels & tires, engine. For wheels and tires (changing for mostly aesthetic purposes) I am ordering Yokohama S.Drive summer tires on 0.Z. Ultraleggera Matte Black 18's, and i will post pictures soon Thanks!

 

Good luck. That will barely pay for a MAACO paint job. Focus on other things first is a great idea.

 

I agree with focusing on other things as well. If its not beat up then just deal with it until you can pay for a good job. In the end im sure you would rather pay once for something you want than pay multiple times that will end up meaning more overall spent. Tires....do some research and spend the time to not just make it asthetically pleasing. You will find that each individual choice will make a difference. I first had the stock 195-55's on mine, and went with 205-50's and that alone dropped the car enough to be able to stick corners just a little bit harder. It is also a wider tire which gives more grip. I know im rambling here, but what im trying to get around to is do the research first and then attack it. You have a wealth of knowledge here and im sure we would all hate to see you throw money in areas that you will just be unsatisfied with later.

For the intake, i went K&N and i like it...i also got the hot side boost tube from alta that takes out a stupid muffler they put in there. Performances gains are there but what really makes me smile is the difference in sound of the turbo.

As for the sub....go for it, ive been wanting to do that for awhile but just got married so that shores up some funds a little....

Make sure anything you do...do with pictures we all love to see them.

 

Welcome! I too am new to NAM.

I owned my car for 1 week and went and dropped a NM short ram intake. Best first mod ever. The sound you hear from the turbo is unbelievable. Every time I shift it puts smile on my face. A week later I did charge pipes and now in march ill do an intercooler with the group buy from Helix. 599 normally 749. Little things make your mini even more fun. Just do what's will make you the happiest. Here's some photos of the short ram.

 

Hi and Welcome! See if your local BMW/MINI Dealer network do driver training days. Money well spent. Good luck with your mods. You will be broke for years to come.

 

Have fun here! I wish my first car had been a MINI - would have been a lot more fun than a 2 wheel drive Ford Ranger.

You'll hear it eventually - lowering the car and a rear sway bar really does wonders for handling and looks. Wheels change a car instantly. But I like the advice from chappy - enjoy the car now and feel it out. Will definitely make you appreciate the mods you end up choosing. My first day on springs and an RSB was a cool day.

Motor on!

 

Consider a vinyl wrap? It's easily removable. Changing the color on a car is a very expensive and time consuming process if you want to do it right. Repainting is easier, but changing to a different color means you need to take off most of the "stuff" preferably the engine too, to make sure all the old paint is covered.

First think you should buy is a service manuel, car washing supplies and an aftermarket warranty. Only start modding when you feel the car isn't meeting your needs. If you went to a track day and found you need more oversteer, then buy a sway bar etc.

Give yourself a chance to enjoy it first. Never do a mod that can't be "reversed" you may for some reason want to go back to stock in the future!

Enjoy dude! Seriously consider the aftermarket warranty from a reputable source, your insurance company may have one to offer. These aren't honda's, somethings gonna break and it probably won't be cheap.

 

"I am about to turn 16 and purchase my first car".

Don't take this the wrong way, I admire your enthusiasm and spirit for wanting to modify and personalize your car. That being said, you are probably not as a good a driver as you might think you are (not a put down, you just don't have enough experience!). Instead of shelling out big bucks for a paint job or engine and suspension mods, spend it on a high performance driving school. You'd be surprised at how quick and how well your car will handle stock! You'll also learn valuable driving skills.

Seriously, I'm not kidding, that's the best advise I can offer.

 

This is true. I got a quote just to redo the hood on my car by a very reputable paint shop and it was $1200

 

Well, if you lived in the San Francisco bay area, there is a guy that will spray 3 coats of PPG and 3 coats of clear for $800, no BS. For $1000 he will color sand or wet sand the paint job. He is highly regarded on the R3VLimited forum for BMW e30 owners. Your Mini is a lot less work that an e30 BMW so I am pretty sure it can be done for around a grand. Good luck.

 

+1. it hopefully will keep your mini from meeting a tree on the side of the road. I've been through that exact same thing. Spend 5k in mods, and I crashed. its never fun. Granted im not sure if there was much I could have done to avoid it but it might have been possible.

 

Ditto on what everyone else said about driving the car for a while before you mod it - coming from a similar age (turning 19 soon). I learned a lot from fellow MINI drivers in my area. If you don't respect these cars, you will crash it.

Have you considered the neon green mirror caps and maybe neon green vinyl racing stripes? That is a much cheaper alternative that could give you somewhat of the same effect.

 

Mods? Who needs 'em?