IMHO you make the MINI handle first then add power :idea: Camber plates before new tires, wheels whenever you want, then a bigger anti-sway bar (19mm or an adjustable 22mm) and of course aero aids Mark ps: the bronze bushings are real important
Since this is kinda 'my' thread, I'm going to share. I installed a pioneer head unit, mb quart components and a pac steering wheel adaptor so my sound system is doing alright. I got the car washed, and I think she really enjoyed that. I noticed that someone else named their DS mini "charlize" so I think I need to rename her. I knew it would be pretty common, but even the same color? Whack. I'm looking into that swaybar thing and some lighter wheels with non-runflats...I think I'm leaning toward some new rims+tires first but we'll see. I should probably make my first payment on the car before I go spending a whole lot more money on it...
Those are good intentions, but resistance is futile. The first step is admitting you are addicted to the MINI...
It's been a few months, so I thought I'd post an update here. (Long version: ) I haven't had much money for mods lately, but I did install a new pioneer stereo, some MB quart components and a cheap-o 8" sub I ripped out of my other car. I made the cheapo air intake and things have been stagnant for a while. I started noticing a noise on cold startup, which people diagnosed as possibly a stretched/over used belt. I bought the belt tool and ordered a WMW 15% pulley, smaller belt, Alta tensioner stop and NGK cold plugs and then looked around for a shop to do the install. Dinan told me my car "would blow up" if I installed the pulley without remapping the air/fuel tables in the computer and by calling, the guy "saved me" from "severe engine failure". I figured he was full of ****, since Dinan sells a pulley for the mini, but I was concerned the noise I was hearing might not be the belt, and the pulley might put extra wear on the water pump which wouldn't be covered under my extended warranty or the supercharger which is covered by the 7 year/70,000 mile emissions warranty. I made an appointment to have the health of the mini checked out, but I didn't make it. I bought a used intake off another forum which was built basically the same as mine, but with a CARB EO# so I don't get any crap from the dealer about non-stock parts breaking the car, or from the smog people next year. I painted the box cover and tube OD green with a can of Krylon. The pulley, belt, plugs and tensioner are all sitting in the box on the back seat waiting for the okay from a mini-dealer/tech before I get them installed. Short version: $250 later I haven't done anything. :frown5:
Pulley, belt, plugs are kinda the package upgrade - You'll be fine. You can do it yourself, if you're bold about pulling the engine out. Me, I pay my shop (kinda a lot) for the MINI, but work on my F250 all on my own. Yeah the "remapping" story is crap. You may need a new belt tensioner - I had a little noise on cold start up and that was the fix. Had my shop do it all at once. Keep us posted!
Nick, Depending on where you are located there might be a good independent Mini Cooper shop near you that would not charge too much for the install. It is not too hard to do yourself but you do need to lift the engine up a little to get to the pulley. You can search for How Tos on the pulley swap to see what is involved and decide if you want to do it or have a shop do it. I would not have a dealership do the work.
Saw the Marine Corps badge there in the sig and thought instantly of R. Lee Ermey in FMJ as a response to your car needing a name. Don't think that'd work though, lol.
I've already got a silver-silverado that I named 'Charlene' (after Pyle's weapon in that movie). I'm working on adding OD green as a secondary color to the car, but having some issues with it. Maybe a name will come out of that...
How about, broken? long story short: black honda tried to change lanes into me. I braked and veered onto the shoulder to avoid them. Mini spun around, slid across the freeway facing backwards and I was saved by the iceplant from flipping over onto the beach below. Honda driver initially stopped, and then fled before exchanging info. My passenger bruised her knee on the center console, but we were totally fine and drove the mini 70 miles home (only 20 of that dragging the rear bumper). If I'd been in the Tahoe, I'd have surely flipped over and been injured; however they may not have tried to change lanes into me...