I am new to the Mini world. I have a 2003 Subaru WRX and my wife is wanting a Mini Cooper S Automatic. I can't talk her out of the automatic but I am wanting to do some mods and I just wanted to find out that are some of the first mods all of you are doing. Also what are some of the better part brands, all the part makers for the Mini are not the same makers of Subaru parts. I just don't know were the weaknesses are in the Mini S system. Any help would be great.


Here is some pictures of my WRX and a List of Mods:

COBB AccessPort - running stage2 93oct
Zerosports Intake pipe, Radiator Shroud
HKS Circle Earth Grounding System
STI short shifter (5 speed)
PDE Downpipe
Tanabe Super Medalion Catback Exhaust with Kartboy Hangers
GReddy Airinx Intake, Oil Cap, Radiator Caps
Power-Lock Security Starter Kill System
Tein Flex Coilovers
Tein EDFC Controller
Cusco Front/Rear Strut Tower Bars
Volk Racing Lugnuts (Black) and set of (Blue)
Volk CE28N 17x7.5 Bronze
Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 225/45 17
STI Hood Scoop, Mesh Foglight Covers, Shifter Trim
Liberal Headlight Eyelines, Style Grill
Perrin Shift ****
Whitline Camber Bolts
Defi Dash Pod
Defi Link System 60mm Gauges - Boost, EGT, Oil Press, Control Unit V2
Crucial Racing Thermostat
COBB Up-pipe
COBB Main Pulley
Prodrive Battery Tie-Down
JMB Oil Catch Can
Samco Intercooler Hose Kit
STI Engine Mounts
Goodridge Brake Hose, Stainless Braided Clutch Hose
Stoptech Rotors
Hawk HPS Pads
ACT Pro - Street Clutch
GFB Hybrid BOV
Kartboy Shifter Bushings, Rear Shifter Bushing, Exchast Hangers
Whiteline Steering Rack Bushings, Rear Differential Bushings

 

Nice WRX. There are some parts for the MCSa, but not as many as the MCS. Imho, the MCSa lacks power....sorry to hear that you can't talk her out of it.

Anyway, I'm not too fermilar with MCSa parts, but ALTA, M7, WMS (Webb Motorsports), and HELIX are probably the best aftermarket mods to date.

-Cody

 

Just about any part you can get for the MCS, you can get for the MCSa -- excluding transmission parts of course. Like polizei said, ALTA, M7, Webb Motorsports, and Helix are all solid vendors. Add to that list Milltek, MINI-Madness, Dinan, JCW, and PROMINI. There are others I'm sure I'm missing...

 

Right. Most mods fit and work (mostly) as they do on a MCS but with less power to the wheels. There is usually some issues with install on an Auto due to less room in the engine compartment with the larger tranny.

The big mods that put a smile on every MCS/a driver's face are the following 3 mods:

1. Smaller supercharger pulley (any size)
2. Intake (take your pic)
3. Larger rear sway bar (they range in size from 19-25.5mm)

 

I would start with the rear sway bar and then the reduced supercharger pulley. I have it on very good faith the the pulley swap on an automatic makes a huge difference, seemingly more so even than on our 6 speeds.

If she wants an auto, then thats okay. I personally hate them but hey, not my car.

As long as she's happy.

After that, it would depend on what is more important, power or handling.

 

Intake! I got my HAI on and it made a huge difference in the sound. Go CAI if you want more power, but man I wouldn't wait to get an intake! The SC whine is increadible!

-Cody

 

does anyone know what kind of power you can get out of the M7 AGS and if it would fit a Auto Trany? One of the other intakes I have hear good things about is the Webb HDI intake. Which one would be better, but I am still looking at everything. Thanks for all the info

 

1. Rear Sway Bar (lots to choose from)
2. SC reduction pulley.
3. Webb HDI (high-density intake)


Do a search on AGS to determine if it is for you.

 

Uh oh, you're gonna open a huge can of worms with that question and honestly, you are not going to get a clear answer.

I would do some searching and reading on the subject and see which design makes more sense to you and which price point is in your range, which one sounds better to you and which vendors products look better to you. But that question will start quite a uproar around here.

 

we own an 05 MCSa and an 06 MCS. I drive both of them on a regular basis.

Yes, the manual is more engaging, but if the auto is down on power, it's not by a lot. My biggest gripe with the auto is some of the low speed shifting (esp down shifting). Other than that, you are not giving up all that much.

(of course, i still did pick a manual....

-jac

 

I have a 2005 MCS auto. I've put on the following mods:

17% pulley
MTH Tuner ECU software
Alta Cold Air Intake & silicone tube
JCW injectors
Colder spark plugs
JCW exhaust

The car has plenty of power - really good low end torque and plenty of high end HP as well. I'm going to add a larger throttle body and a better intercooler and that will probably be it for the engine.

I haven't done any suspension or brake mods yet. I'm pretty satisfied with those parts of the car. I may do a 19mm rear sway bar.

 

Do the sway bar, once you've done it you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner It makes that much of a difference in drive

 

My last chat with Peter of M7 said the AGS won't fit the MCSa.