Hello,

I just picked up a very nice 06 R50 that is blue with silver roof. It has the sport package and is an automatic.

This will be my wife's car and I drive an Audi TT. I have about every mod one can do to the TT and only want to make the R50 more comfortable for my wife.

What are the things that I can do to make the R50 even better?

Also, why do the base 08 Mini Cooper's get better gas mileage than my Mini.

Thanks

 

I'm by no means any kind of mechanic, but I'll throw a couple of ideas your way.

The 08's have a different motor than the 06's. The 08 motor is made by Peugeot.

If comfort is what you are looking for: Check to see if you have runflat tires. If you do, changing to non-runflats will soften the ride. That's as good a place to start as any. Others will probably be able to give more (better) info beyond that.

You might also want to look into a new intake. I have the Way/DDM Intake for Coopers. You'll love the sound. Better performance depends on who you ask. I(as well as others with this intake) do seem to be getting a little better MPG with it. I can't give you definite numbers because I don't keep track of the mileage of my MINI, but the total miles between fill-ups is a little higher.

BTW: Welcome to NAM and the MINI Obsession.

 

In addition to a different engine, the MC auto tranny is also different, it's now a conventional auto instead of a CVT.

The fact that rated gas mileage is higher in the 08 is even more impressive when you consider the EPA changed their rating method to try to make it less optimistic.

 

check out my sig for the mods I've done on my R50 - the intake is definitely a must, if the tires upgrade won't make the car comfortable enough I'd recommend to go for Koni FSD. The Parrot bluetooth setup is nice too.

 

Mileage difference...

The first gen used an Iron block port injected engine called the Tritec which was a joint effort between BMW and Chrysler. The 07+ engines are Aluminum block (if memory serves) engines with direct injection, the direct injection allows for more power from a lower amount of fuel.

The 02-04 MCa used a CVT and the 05-06 use a regular automatic (like the 07+). I cannot say how many speeds the both of them have, pretty sure the 07+ is a 6 speed though.

If you have 17in rims you might want to consider replacing those with 16s or even 15s. I have read many good things about the Koni FSDs improving the ride, but swapping in those is of course more involved than just switching tires or rims.

If you have the stock halogen lights (or maybe even the HIDs) you may want to consider a pair of driving lights, I cant imagine driving at night without mine, especially if it is raining.

 

Want the airbox mod void the warranty for this car. I have 25K on the speedo and a couple years left on warranty.

 

Could you elaborate a little on the Parrot Bluetooth device? Any photos? Good loudness in the volume?

 

An Intake will not void your warranty.