haha it was just a harmless stab at ya :P And you could never call Chrysler's Italian cars. Italy makes decent vehicles.

 

All that matters is that you enjoy your mini the way you want it. That is what I love about MINIs, they are all (for the most part) different. Rock on with what ever roof (French, German, British, Japan, US...) graphic you want.

 

My top 5 mods:

-rear swaybar
-brembo big brakekit
-downpipe+remapping
-fmic
-no runflats!

next mods:

-coilovers
-adj.top plates
-rear suspension links

 

1.) By far is the JCW Alcantara steering wheel. It's the only thing you touch all the time. The stock wheel is hard and cheezy at the same time.

2.) The auto sport module. Never having to remember to press the sport button again is priceless.

3.) Tie. Suspension, (shocks, springs, rear bar, bumpstops, rear camber arms), and Non Run flat tires. They really should be done at the same time. The RFT's add a lot to the overall spring rate of the car, and the car is under sprung without them. (but it's probably the most expensive)

4.) Tie again. Intercooler, tune, Bypass valve, OCC. Again, go all in or regret it... (downpipe is not an option, as I think it's completely irresponsible on a street car. Plus your car smells like azz.) Besides the MINI is never going to be a really fast car...

5.) Believe it or not, but Invisilens on the tach and speedo.

 

+1 on richardsperry's advice!
I have to agree that Suspension should be done at the same time. Suspension works as a system. We got the "sports suspension" and only changed the wheels and tires (wide ultra high performance tires) and the car drives much better (it is very fun and holds the road without being too harsh) however in about a year we are going to get coilovers and figure out if bars are needed. Spring rates, ride height (corner weighting) and bars all need to be balanced. Suspension is felt all the time and is the best investment if you want $ to smile ratio. HPower is often overly desired and under used by most drivers. I find that acceleration and Torque are more important than max HP. Without balanced suspension all the gains from motor modifications just make the car push/plow/under-steer/slide and drive sloppy. True a sloppy car with power is fun like a roller coaster that dangles over the edge but it is not faster!

 

IMO,

1)Sway Bar
2)Torque arm inserts
3)FMIC
4)Tints(if you live in a hot spring/summer area)
5)better suspension(Koni's or Coilovers).


Good luck!

 

Very, Very nice...! We can all tell what your full time hobby is but at least you are damn good at it. Great looking car.

 

Kind of in the same boat as I'll have my new JCW R56 in less than a month and am already considering two groups of mods - those that will not void my warranty and those that will.

#1 - Carbon XP Tint (Very black tint but still legal in my State of FL)
#2 - Lumbar Support mod (may void any seat warranties but not really concerned with that).
#3 - Stubby Antenna (Wasn't an issue until someone mentioned my car will look like a giant RC Car)

Not sure about the rest yet but debating on a few including blackouts for the external chrome and considering adding more chrome inside.

 

CG Lock

It's down in the corner of the picture! Just pull on the belt once clipped in and it stays tight. Better posture and no sliding back and forth. There is a small lever on the side you push to lengthen the belt again.

Sway bar - Most owners are going with a 22mm solid bar. I am happy with the 19mm bar for street use.

 

Vmaxx Coilovers
8"+Wide wheels
Stereo-alpine type R
Tint-5% all around
Intake for sound-AEM
3" straight pipe for attention-custom

 

Got my MCS 'Jacob' in Nov.

Plasti dipped - Head lite rings, Washer sprays, fuel cap & tails.
Alta intake, hot & cold silicone tubes
Pulsating brake lite
Yellow fogs
Accessport
Also had it coded. - One touch pano roof, open & close windows with key fob and from door handle, fog lites run with highbeams, heartbeat hazard lite flashes.

 

+1 on the rear swaybar!
Non-RF tires
Add a little neg camber to the front wheels
BANG!! Great lead up to sorting the suspension until my Koni's/ NM springs arrive.

 

I 100% agree with everything I have added (see below) to the Dread Pirate. There has been a plan. Besides the upcoming NM tune, my next real performance related mods will be an LSD, Koni Sport Shocks (so far happy enough with OEM shocks/TSW springs but WILL replace), and H&R Front Swaybar along with Helix SSK and NM box cover if it has room for the Helix. Does anyone know about this? I know the NM box was built for the NM SSK but the Helix reduces the throw more. The M7 Oil Cooler is making me think good thoughts too.

I would suggest the Mini-Fini Black Intake Scoop Grill. Not much money and looks nice and helps cool the engine compartment.

At the end of the day, I echo the rear sway bar suggestion as a first performance mod.

 

Thank you most kindly.

 

1. Window tint
2. Non-Run flat tires & Detroit Tuned spare tire
3. Grille badge mount
4. Rear sway bar
5. JCW steering wheel & shift ****

 

You could also completely take off the scoop grill and get 10x more air in the engine compartment. I used plasti dip underneath and looks fantastic, like its stock.

 

1. Weight savings
2. Rear sway bar
3. Water/meth injection
4. Hybrid turbo
5. Tune

 

Hey I see you got the black beltline from Outmotoring, do you have any tips/advice before I install mines?

 

Just make sure you prep the surface really well. I used alcohol to clean mine. Make sure you have a sharp razor blade, give yourself plenty of time (do not rush), and remember to pull off the clear protective layer once you are done. Also, if you get air bubbles, just pull the tape up and reapply it. I would recommend working about 6" to a foot of tape at a time.

 

Thanks i appreciate the help btw your Mini is sick! I love it

 

+1

 

Been following this thread for the couple of days it has been up and makes me super excited to take delivery of my new car on Tuesday!!

The mods I would like to do (and in this specific order) are the following:

1. DDM intake
2. NM Engineering Torque arm insert
3. NM Engineering short throw shifter
4. 15mm spacers all around
5. No more runflats

My car is coming with the sport suspension from the factory and since Lucius is my daily driver, I think the sport suspension should be just fine on its own. Thought of adding TSW springs or a thicker rear sway bar to this lidt, but will decide after I drive it. Loved the feel of the intake and torque arm bushing on a friend's car, so those must be first.

 

Pics? I had NT03s on my STi. I love those wheels.

 

OK - I'm throwing something in the mix that I did and don't think was mentioned here yet - for the MINI Connected/Nav equipped cars:

iPod Touch (4th generation 32 GB)

You can still find them around at Best Buys and similar places (new and discounted), and the advantage over just the iPhone is that you don't need to mess with attaching/detaching every time you get in the car. Just make the iPod dedicated to the MINI and even without internet/wifi access it makes almost all the MINI Connected apps fully functional, including a digitally-displayed engine temp guage (especially handy those first few miles to know when she's warmed up). THIS ALSO IS THE PERFECT ANSWER TO ANDROID USERS. I have Bluetooth through my Android and the phone automatically connects when I get in the car - nothing to plug in. All Connected apps through the iPod are also ready to go, and whenever I need internet (eg. Google Send-to-Car, etc), I just fire up the Android's hotspot and the iPod automatically detects it and tethers. Both stay juiced up through their respective USB connections (the Android through the glove box Nav update USB port and the iPod through the center console USB). The iPod then can slip down into the wheel well net on the passenger side (I slide it in with the face against the wheel well to keep it stealth/unnoticed).

Surprised this was not mentioned - it makes the informational interface between driver and car much richer without making the driver much poorer ($250 at Best Buy). Just ensure it is the previous (4th) generation.

 

On a Budget...
1. Ditch the Run-flats
2. Rear Sway Bar (You'll notice the difference first time you hit the twisties)
3. CAI
4. Torque Arm Inserts
5. Exhaust