2nd Gen R60 Countryman Help with mods

Discussion in '2nd Generation: 2007+ R55 through R61' started by MCS02, Jul 16, 2013.

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  1. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    A friend just took delivery of a new countryman today. Its a white S.
    She is interested in doing some mods to help the performance. I have suggested a cold air intake and an oil catch. I will also suggest a sway bar.
    I could use some help with more suggestions.
    What do you guys think?
    Thanks
     
  2. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    Countryman + performance = ?
     
  3. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    What kind of friend are you letting her to buy a CM instead of an R53?

    :wink::devil::ihih::lol:

    Really, give Chad a DT a call he has done some CM mods.
     
  4. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Oh it gets worse. She had a R53 sold it for a R56 now the countryman. She is a Mini nut but had to have the room.
     
  5. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    Well life happens and people sometimes have to trade in a great car for more space.
     
  6. cooperjet

    cooperjet Well-Known Member

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    It almost sounds like you are calling the R56 a great car!
     
  7. CHKMINI

    CHKMINI Club Coordinator
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    Whaaat?
     
  8. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    No No we're not going there.
    We all know nothing touches the R53. All though the Cooper coupe S is nice.
    But still. R53 then the rest.:D
     
  9. kconner5

    kconner5 New Member

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    Mods? Did you say mods?! I love mods! I've spent the past two years modding my R60 and have tested the good and the bad of products. What kind of mods are you looking for?

    The #1 thing the R60 needs is the rear sway bar. It'll dial out most of the understeer and makes a big difference, especially on a road like the dragon.

    #2 more power! Contact Group 4 Autosports / PAW in Miami to have your car tuned. Around 30hp and 50lb of torque, it's badly needed on the R60 (as far as power mods go, intercooler, DoS intake (only one that truly is a cold air intake), exhaust won't give you any real gains on the N18, but it will sound GREAT (tested that on my car), and then you start getting into the turbo upgrades... Stay tuned as some safe options to really getting the power levels up are on their way!)

    #3 Suspension. You can go the cheap route and just drop the car using NM-Eng springs (or those of your choosing) and that will dramatically help cornering. The second option would be to upgrade to a full coilover setup. For example, KW V3's. Expensive, but only heard great things about it.

    #4 Brakes. The R60's brakes are just fine unless you are really going to be pushing the car hard on track or a twisty road. I'd recommend starting with upgrading the fluid and going with stainless steel brake lines (Nm-eng). If that's not enough then look into a big brake kit. Brembo, ECS and a few others have some that they offer. I know some that are working on getting the BMW 135 brakes to fit on the R60 (Same as the MINI GP brakes).

    #5 The best mod is to improve your driving skills. Invest in a 2-3 day racing / driving school program. The skills you will learn on track will dramatically increase your knowledge of how to handle a vehicle at the limit

    #6 Tires. This really comes down to many many many factors. I had the Continental DWS's on my R60 but didn't feel that they gripped enough in dry conditions at all. So I went with the Michelin Pilot Super Sports and fell absolutely in love with this tire. Haven't quite figured out what I'm going to throw on for the wintertime yet, but we will see!

    If you have any more questions just let me know! I'd love to help.

    Kyle
     
  10. CamtheWookie

    CamtheWookie New Member

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    I always wondered why the Countryman section on this forum is so quiet, but now I realize it's mostly the open hostility from R53 elitists! :wink: :lol:
     
  11. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    R53 elitists! I'll have you know I resemble that remark. :D:D
     
  12. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    Any you're* the one looking for ideas...

    Oh the irony.


    *Sorta looking, I realize it's for a friend.
     
  13. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Thanks Kyle. I'll pass it along. I could use the driving school!
     
  14. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    You know I try so hard to be a good boy. :devil: But for some reason trouble always finds me. For the life of me I don't know why. :confused:
     
  15. Way Motor Works

    Way Motor Works New Member

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    Congrats.
    A rear sway bar is by far the best cost effective mod for the MINI
     
  16. wmwny

    wmwny Well-Known Member

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    R53 elitist, indeed...I have just never found another "new" MINI that is better.
     
  17. carboman

    carboman New Member

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    Try stuffing a 130lb dog into an R53. I have a JCW Countryman on order for my dog Bentley
     

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  18. Zipy

    Zipy New Member

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    :wink: I've got a 2011 CM "S" and have taken the economical way to update my driver/Mini rally car. See my garage photos. If you ordered the sport suspension, that'll be fine for most club road events; if you didn't, have your dealer install them or go aftermarket like H&R or Eibach. The rear sway bar upgrade is a great idea and will also keep it flat in the twisties. Your car is new and if you use any aftermarket performance upgrades, it may void your warranty. Look into the dealer JCW tune upgrade which includes the JCW exhaust and sounds grrrreat outside and not too noisy inside. It's not cheap; but, will add to resale later on and will not void your warranty.
     
  19. gbreadman04

    gbreadman04 New Member

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    Resurrecting a dead thread (it's Easter weekend, right?), but I just picked up a 2014 CMSX and am interested in the "JCW tune upgrade" you mentioned. I knew about the JCW exhaust option - was planning on going that route anyway, for warranty reasons - but is a factory tune also available?

     
  20. bmwr606

    bmwr606 New Member

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    i figure they cannot afford a CM and are jealous ... poor R53 owners in more ways than 1
     

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