3rd Gen My Thunder Grey F56 Cooper S - The Project Thread

Discussion in 'Car Builds, Projects, Idea's, Experiments' started by R99, May 21, 2014.

  1. R99

    R99 New Member

    Apr 10, 2014
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    Today I took delivery of my long awaited F56. I drove it away with all of 4 miles on the clock and after driving it around all day I can safely say its the best MINI I have owned (this is my 4th!)

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    The spec is:

    Cooper S
    Thunder Grey
    White Roof / Mirrors
    18" Cone Spokes in White
    Leather Cross Punch Carbon Black / Carbon Black

    MINI Yours Off White Interior Pack
    - Interior trim (off white)
    - MINI Excitment Pack

    Media Pack XL
    - MINI Navigation System XL
    - Enhanced Bluetooth with USB audio
    - MINI Connected XL

    Chilli Pack
    - Multifunction controls for s'wheel
    - Floor mats
    - Passenger seat height adjustment
    - Storage compartment pack
    - MINI Driving modes
    - Rain sensor with auto headlight activation
    - Air conditioning, dual zone automatic
    - Interior lights pack
    - LED fog lights

    Sport Suspension
    JCW Steering Wheel
    Electric Folding Mirrors
    JCW Roof Spoiler
    Panoramic Electric Glass Sunroof
    Darkened Rear Glass
    Front Centre Armrest
    Anthracite Headlining
    Cruise Control with Brake Function
    LED Headlights with Cornering function
    Harman Kardon Hi-Fi

    I will update the thread as and when updates happen and also once I have had more time behind the wheel. My favourite bit at the moment is the ridiculously addictive turbo chatter when you have your foot planted (even better in sport mode!) The exhaust is popping nicely too - but I'm hoping it will get a little louder once things have been ran in.

    I've completed the first mod - colour coded front and rear lamp surrounds (I just couldn't resist so had the tools out this evening)

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    I've spent the day driving it, and the pics so far are pony - but here are a few (very quick) pics I snapped of it this evening.

    [​IMG]IMG_5266 by jamesnathanjolly, on Flickr

    [​IMG]IMG_5262 by jamesnathanjolly, on Flickr

    [​IMG]IMG_5263 by jamesnathanjolly, on Flickr

    [​IMG]IMG_5268 by jamesnathanjolly, on Flickr

    [​IMG]IMG_5270 by jamesnathanjolly, on Flickr

    [​IMG]IMG_5272 by jamesnathanjolly, on Flickr

    [​IMG]IMG_5278 by jamesnathanjolly, on Flickr

    [​IMG]IMG_5273 by jamesnathanjolly, on Flickr
     
  2. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    May 4, 2009
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    Congrats, let the modding begin. :Thumbsup:
     
  3. eMINIparts

    eMINIparts Well-Known Member
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    Mar 13, 2012
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    Very nice......Can't wait to see it after the wheel swap..:D
     
  4. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    Color looks great!

    Like that front tag too.
     
  5. rum4

    rum4 Club Coordinator
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    Congrats
     
  6. Justa Jim

    Justa Jim Well-Known Member
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    I really like that last picture. It looks "sleeker" (not as boxy), yet still looks like a MINI. Very nice. :Thumbsup:
     
  7. mrntd

    mrntd Well-Known Member
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    Sep 30, 2011
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    I really like the coloring of the light trim. It makes them look a little smaller. What about coloring the black bumper bar too?
     
  8. Apok

    Apok New Member

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    Ohhhh, I really like that color.
     
  9. R99

    R99 New Member

    Apr 10, 2014
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    Yeh I'm thinking of CC'ing the bumper bar & maybe leaving the main grille trim & grille surround chrome?
     
  10. R99

    R99 New Member

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    A member of MT has done me a huge favour shopping the following onto the car:

    Speedlines
    CC'd large grille surround
    CC'd horizontal grille strip
    CC'd bumper bar (where the plate sits)

    I think this looks amazing :)

    r99.jpg
     
  11. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    That is pretty sharp looking.
     
  12. Justa Jim

    Justa Jim Well-Known Member
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    Wow, painting the chrome around the grill makes a big difference. Nice job.
     
  13. M1N1

    M1N1 Well-Known Member

    Jan 5, 2014
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    Nice MINI. Whereabouts in the UK? Originally from Derby myself.
     
  14. R99

    R99 New Member

    Apr 10, 2014
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    So I ordered the lower grille piece today from the dealer complete with the tow eye cover (part no's 3 & 4 on the diagram) - these will be going to the painters to be CC'd. I will be dropping off the black grille surround (part no 2 on diagram) off too that I've just had painted and this will be getting CC'd too! I'm collecting the parts on Wednesday and dropping them off at the body shop the same day.

    There is currently a sight snagging point with the horizontal chrome slat / Cooper S grille though. Its on back order from Germany with no expected replenishment date, so God knows how long I will be waiting. Also the dealer is not sure if the part number 1 of the diagram (51 13 7 335 529) is correct as the diagram shows a slatted grille rather than the honeycomb / chrome slat grille from the Cooper S - but my gut feeling is that the diagram is incorrect and is just showing a 'generic' grille and in actual fact the part number will be correct.

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    Also, I thought I would upload a quick video of the turbo noise I've mentioned…. I've tried to make a video of the noise, however I can't get one of the engine under load as all I get is wind noise, so this is just revving the engine in neutral - with sport mode engaged (the engine was fully warmed up here, after a 40 min drive)

    The car has a very loud and noticeable 'induction' noise / whine when using WOT as the turbo sucks in air. Followed by the dump of the air as heard in the video.

    Very addictive sound, but its strange that others are not reporting hearing this noise & some are suggesting the noise I am describing is compressor surge???

    [youtube]9El90MIgpws[/youtube]
     
  15. R99

    R99 New Member

    Apr 10, 2014
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    Grew up in the Lakes near Kendal - but not live in Newcastle upon Tyne!

    What took you stateside?
     
  16. M1N1

    M1N1 Well-Known Member

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    What took you stateside?

    I married an American girl:Thumbsup: My brother lives in Egremont, Cumbria.
     
  17. R99

    R99 New Member

    Apr 10, 2014
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    OK, an update (of sorts)….

    Firstly the interior shots that have been asked for :)

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  18. R99

    R99 New Member

    Apr 10, 2014
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    Secondly, I decided to try one of the wheels against the car to get a rough idea of how they would look - this was the result:

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    It just wasn't doing it for me, as I just couldn't visualise them properly - so out came the jack and I got one bolted up to the hub - here are the results of the test fitment:

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    There doesn't seem to be much clearance on the F56 compared to the R56 - both on the outside and inside of the arch my wheels are 18x8 ET45 as this is VERY close to the strut tower! I would imagine that with coils, I will need a spacer to stop the wheels / tyres fouling the strut.

    I am also surprised at how close these seem to sit to the outside of the wheel arch. I think the F56 owners are going to have less clearance for rims that R56 owners currently have!

    I will no doubt be running some 205/40 18 Michelin Pilot Super Sports on these rims, which will give some stretch (although will be within Michelins recommended rim range - so I'm hoping it won't be too much!?)

    Thoughts guys?
     
  19. rum4

    rum4 Club Coordinator
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    I think the side of your car will be dirty from that tire sticking out there but it should look good overall. I like those rims
     
  20. Justa Jim

    Justa Jim Well-Known Member
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    I like the white interior line. That option is not available here. Well, we did get a white color line option, but it is not at all like yours, which I really like. Wounder why there is such a difference in what they make available? Seems like your color line should be offered everyplace, as well as white wheels.

    Your car is looking very nice. :Thumbsup:
     

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